Authors Bio, not available
"Because Rudd refused to talk to Stuart and urged people close to
him to do the same, Stuart has had to do extra research and his
book is stronger for that."
--The Age "Stuart is far more comprehensive, thorough and balanced
than Macklin on Rudd's political life. His is, after all, a
"political biography... "He also provides a much more nuanced
account of Rudd's role in the machinations of the Labor party in
this troubled period in the party's history, and has a better grasp
of the factional architecture of the party. His analysis of how
Rudd and Julia Gillard stymied each other's ambitions, allowing
Beazley an unopposed succession when Latham's leadership imploded
in early 2005, is acute and engrossing, as is his examination of
how, when the two young rivals came together in late 2006,
Beazley's ailing leadership was doomed."
--Australian Book Review "Stuart's book...goes a long way to
filling the information gap and, for this reason, is essential
reading for students of current Australian politics."
--Australian Studies "...deprived of the easy route, Stuart has
worked harder than Macklin and done more digging. Stuart's
warts-and-all study makes Rudd a much more interesting and
well-rounded figure, and is likely to do him more good."
--Laurie Oakes, Bulletin "I found Stuart's book quite fascinating
to read. It's well written, well researched, and sensitive not only
to its subject but also to the truth." "...a terrific read. It's a
comprehensive examination of the making of this key player in
Australian political life, and no matter which side of politics
you're on you'll enjoy it."
--Melbourne Observer "...Stuart--no doubt untethered by the fact
that Rudd steadfastly refused to co-operate with him, while
offering every support to Macklin--covers the events without
varnish or judgment...It's no wonder that the only news stories
that have emerged from the books have come from Stuart's--the role
played by NSW state secretary Mark Arbib in Rudd's ascension, for
instance, and the claims that Rudd's multimillionaire wife, Therese
Rein, helped bankroll her husband's political career. In the end,
Macklin's lengthy puff piece is little more than a Rudd-authored
Boy's Own version of his life. Stuart's is the one I'll be keeping
on the shelf."
--Kerry-Anne Walsh, Sun Herald "The author doggedly pursued the
Labor leader for an interview for six months. Finally, half an hour
after after Stuart had hit the button to send his final chapter to
the publisher, Rudd's office phoned to agree to an interview. This
is the defining difference between the two books. One, Macklin's,
is a faithful recounting of Rudd's own version of events; the
other, Stuart's, depends on good research and fair-minded analysis.
One is happy-clapping; the other is a serious attempt at a
biography within the inevitable constraint that it chronicles a
life half-lived."
--Peter Hartcher, Sydney Morning Herald "...Nick Stuart had no
access and no interview...and others were discouraged from speaking
to him. He has had to make greater use of the public record and the
comments of people, some unwilling to be named, who have worked
with Rudd."
--Jack Waterford, The Canberra Times "...Nicholas Stuart's book
embeds the story of Rudd's ascent in a broader account of the
personal and political conflicts that hamstrung Labor in
opposition. Stuart has spoken to Rudd's admirers as well as his
critics, and has assiduously mined the material on the public
record, including Rudd's own speeches and writings. In Stuart's own
words, his book is not a "demolition job" but a serious attempt to
understand Rudd and discover what has shaped his personality, his
philosophy and his career."
--Jenny Lee, The University of Melbourne Voice "[Stuart]...was
rudely jilted. There is less bliss but more analysis and healthy
cynicism in Stuart's book."
--Weekend Australian
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