Politics has dominated my writing these last few weeks — understandable given the Mohammed Haneef saga and the simple fact that it’s an election year. Last month wasn’t quite so politics-heavy. And a year before that things were much more personal — though I didn’t have time to write much.
But I’m sure the political threads will continue a while, because I’ve just started reading John Winston Howard by Wayne Errington and Peter van Onselen.
Three immediate observations:
- JWH and I share a Methodist background and strict parents — how did we turn out so different?
- After just one chapter, I’ve already gained a richer view of the man. I still don’t know that I like him, but I can see now why the late Janine Haines slapped me for being overly-critical. Perhaps linking to Anthony Albanese’s vitriolic anti-Howard rant from 9 years ago was a bit tough. (Then again, maybe not.)
- Reading a book about JWH in Sydney’s inner west means that people give you funny looks. As I explained to one of them, though, “Hey, if I were reading a book about oncology, it wouldn’t mean I wanted to get lung cancer.”
I’ll write a proper review in due course — though I do like the irony of JWH’s childhood home now being a KFC outlet.
Possibly related posts
Tags: john howard, newtown
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“JWH and I share a Methodist background and strict parents — how did we turn out so different?”
If only he’d been a Supernaut fan, things might have been so different…
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@Snif: Oh dear, did we need to remind people of this post? Perhaps we did! Someone I can’t imagine John Howard being a Supernaut fan… “I Like It Both Ways” indeed!
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Need a cowboy hat and a cigarette…
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