John Monash: A Biography

by Geoffrey Serle

A major Australian university and a great Victorian freeway are named after Sir John Monash, but many people—especially younger generations—know little about him.

Monash was one of Australia's greatest men, and probably the greatest of its soldiers. The son of Jewish immigrants from Prussia, he graduated from the University of Melbourne in three faculties—Arts, Law and Engineering. He was a man of wide-ranging intellect, and especially devoted to literature, music, theatre, languages and Jewish scholarship.

He achieved fame as a soldier—a citizen-soldier—in World War I. His baptism of fire occurred at Gallipoli, and he was almost the only senior allied general to emerge from the agony of the Western Front with his reputation virtually unspotted.

Before the war, Monash pioneered the Australian use of reinforced concrete, then a revolutionary construction material. On his return, he became the first chairman of the State Electricity Commission of Victoria, putting his gift for leadership to harnessing Gippsland's huge brown coal deposits. Monash spent his energies lavishly on the public affairs of his native Australia and placed his immense prestige at the service of many great causes.

Geoffrey Serle's award-winning and best-selling biography of John Monash is much more than a military study. It offers a revealing portrait of a confident leader and public figure, and of an intensely inward-dwelling and sensitive private person.

Genres: History, Biography, Nonfiction

644 pages, Paperback

First published February 8, 2015

Reviews

[Dennis · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am biased in favour of this scholarly and detailed biography of John Monash, because like many Australians he is our Australian hero. Perhaps it is because he was able to overcome racial bias and also the prejudice of the military brass because he was not a career officer. Yet, he was the most outstanding General in the 1914-18 conflict on both sides. He was beloved by his troops, because of his care and consideration for them and tried to minimise fatalities, while many of the British Generals tried to use their troops as a battering ram, without consideration of the enormous loss of life. Even after he returned to Australia when he was esteemed by his AIF troops and the general public, he was ignored by the Australian Government and particularly by Billie Hughes who was fearful of his popularity and the possibility that he may run for political office. This is the third biography I have read of Monash in recent years and I won't pick any favourites as they are all good. Do yourself a favour and read about Australia's favourite son.

[Tim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read on the greatest Australian. Serle explores Monash's professional, military and personal life in detail. I appreciate how he balances Monash's public successes with his failed relationships. The incredible drive (and the continuing ambition) of Monash leads him to always be learning more and innovating and trying new solutions. That is the kernel of the success in commanding large forces in late 1918 to finish the War in November. He was probably the most famous Australian in the world, along with PM Billy Hughes and Dame Nellie Melba. He earned the respect of Australia and 300,000 Melburnians attended his funeral.

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

A thorough biography of an influential Australian.