Aussie Readers discussion

I'm starting this book discussion for Alexander who was keen to discuss people's thoughts on John Howards new autobiography. Here are Alexander's comments:

"Looked at my calender & saw my commitments over the next few months. So decided to air my thoughts now.

From my experience and study of former Australian
Governments since World War II, I believe that we had four great Prime Ministers; two Labor – John Curtin and Joseph Benedict (Ben) Chifley – and two Liberals – Sir Robert Gordon Menzies and John Winston Howard.
With the exception of the war years, perhaps the greatest demand put on a PM has been the past 20 years. During the time of globalism, requiring great - reforms, sacrifices and challenges with a firm understanding of global economics and the need to counter resulting negativities on the broad population of our nation.
Over 12 of those years has been with John Howard at the 'wheel' guiding us through some of the roughest weather but always reaching sunshine.
I will not list all his reforms as he does a far beter job of that in his Lazarus Rising (over 600pp).
From humble beginnings, handicapped with a hearing problem from childhood to the highes office in the nation. Loosing office when our economic and national standing is one of the best in the world.
Compared to the last two and a half years where our standing has been sliding downward.
I believe history will be kind and grateful to John Howard as a person, family man, Statesman and author.
Read Lazarus Rising & find out for yourself."

Ironic that John Howard carries the name of the man who also lost government as times began to look better i.e Winston Churchill at the first election after the war - he was also voted out of power.
But Churchill did return at the following election, so will history repeat itself ? :-o)

Interesting fact Geoff, though not only did John lose the election, he also lost his seat. It would be hard to come back from that. The way things are being mishandled at the moment, some of our past politicians are starting to look good.

I have a copy of Lazarus Rising which I'll be finished in about a week. If anyone would like to read it I'd be happy to post it to you. My only request would be that you make a comment in our discussion and offer it to someone else in the group when you've finished. Kind of a 'pay it forward' deal.:)

I like your style Mandy. :D