The March of Patriots: The Struggle for Modern Australia

by Paul Kelly

Based on more than 100 interviews with key players, politicians, advisers, and public servants, this is the inside story of how Paul Keating and John Howard changed Australian politics. Capturing the authentic nature of Australian politics, this account chronicles how, despite differences in belief, temperament, and party, Keating and Howard united for the common goal of making Australia into a successful nation of the globalized age. Arguing that Keating and Howard have the most success when they collaborate, this detailed and informative record follows the politicians’ combined efforts to alter the nation's direction, redefine their parties, and manage the new economic, social, cultural, and foreign policy agendas.

Genres: Politics, Nonfiction, History, Australia, Economics

720 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Australian political journalist who is currently editor-at-large at The Australian and was previously its editor-in-chief. He has written numerous books on Australian politics and political history.

Reviews

[Dirk · Rating 5 out of 5]

To read the books written by Paul Kelly gives you the base to explore as a beginning student of Australian Politics the myriad stories , events, happenings, people etc of a vibrating exciting political culture which is heavily neglected by European media, academics , journalists etc. They are so wrong. It is not easy in Belgium to find anything about Australian political history, luckily the internet helps in quenching my thirst for more and more books about this subject.

[Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

in this house Paul Keating is a hero, end of story!

[CF · Rating 5 out of 5]

A large, gripping, overwhelming tome of the years between Paul Keating's rise as Prime Minister in 1991, and John Howard's 2001 election campaign. This volume covers a huge range of important political history such as Mabo, the Redfern speech, Fightback!, Tampa, the children overboard, September 11 and more.

Pitting Keating and Howard against each other as political opposites, it starts with a background on both of the former PMs and describes their history, their passions and where they came from. Keating as the fiery, passionate heart of Labor and Howard as the upstanding moral citizen of the Coalition.

Astoundingly good to read and hard to put down, Paul Kelly weaves the stories of these two leaders with a refreshingly bias-free stance. Showing the media as the victim of a sort-of Chinese Whispers and telling us what really happened, with as much evidence, interviews and first-hand sources as can be relied on.

A fantastic introduction to the writings of Paul Kelly, and I hope to follow this up soon with more of his work.

[Hunter Trumble · Rating 4 out of 5]

CW: Mentions of Terrorism and Violence

A very enjoyable and engaging diverging into the history of two significant leaders in the biggest events of the late 20th century and early 21st century: Paul Keating and John Howard, starting from the rise of neoliberalism and interdependence, to the modern day threat of terrorism in the Middle East, caused by the events of 9/11. I find it very interesting and fascinating how Australia placed itself in these situations and how we emerged as a nation, and in how we viewed our leaders that were responsible, and in how internally, their own cabinet and party viewed them, and how in some instances, it raised concerns and challenges. My only criticism about the book was how it lacked a deeper meaning and connection to the way Australia’s influence in political affairs and events on a global scale impacted everyone, specifically in the war on terror in 2001 (Howard), and the liberalisation of trade and foreign affairs based on this radical change (Keating), just to name the main ones. Additionally, I would’ve appreciated more attention towards the end of Howard’s era, post- 2001, in demonstrating his downfall in greater detail. Nonetheless, a great read to check out.

[Hazoid · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating insight into the behind-the-scenes aspects of Politics

[Jeremy Noble · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent book tracing events that reveal great integrity, courage and political skills. Evidence-based history. I thoroughly enjoyed this very long read.

[Harinder · Rating 3 out of 5]

Kelly is one of the few political commentators in Australia who brings real insight into his analysis of political history. What I liked most about this book is not so much his narrative of what happened, but his analysis of what it meant. And I think for the most part, he's spot on. I thought both the expositions of Keating and of Howard were excellent, especially his insights into their characters and clear analysis of what they did right and where they made mistakes. Really a good guide to Aust politics in the 10 years to 2001.

[Angelmae · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly recommend this one. In my opinion Keating and Howard were the two most important politicians of my living memory, especially from an economic reform point of view. Keating was amazing in his entire tenure in government, Howard for his first term. Two men who came to the parliament at the same time and were publically enemies, but privately, one suspects, were economic kindred souls.

[Jodi · Rating 3 out of 5]

22 March 2011 -- a good read for information about Keating's and Howard's policies. I felt it could have been improved with the help of a good editor as events were a little difficult to follow, and I noticed a few too many spelling errors.

[Doug Riley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent history of modern Australian political history, comparing the stories of John Howard and Paul Keating

Reviewed Weekend Australian by Geoffery Blainey 26/9/20009

[George · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fantastic read! Minus one star for ending the book short at Howard's 2001 election victory and the plethora of typos.