The Longest Decade [Paperback]

George Megalogenis (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 192076979X | ISBN-13: 978-1920769796 | Publication Date: September 1, 2007

In the 1990s, Paul Keating and John Howard altered Australia's predictable economic script of bust, boom, and bust. This insider's look at Australian politics suggests that, despite their competing visions for Australia, Keating and Howard are the twin architects of the political, economic, and social revolution that has brought Australia to an era of unprecedented affluence. Not only is this the story of how an era came to be defined by two men, but it is also the larger tale of how Australia became a more complex society, as well as an important analysis of the forces that shape Australia today.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"[George Megalogenis] has done something quite remarkable: on the one hand he has produced a scholarly, yet first-hand, understanding of the Paul Keating–Howard years and on the other he has fashioned a riveting analysis of Australia's recent political and cultural history . . . This book is a brilliant primer for those who wish to understand the Keating years and Australia under Howard."  —Ross Fitzgerald, The Weekend Australian

"A strongly argued tale of the supremacy of two starkly different but interlocked characters—the slightly mad genius of Paul Keating and the plodding but surprisingly radical John Howard—who shaped who we are now as a nation."  —Kerry-Anne Walsh, Sun Herald

"The Longest Decade promises to set a new benchmark for books about politics . . . the bar will be raised for those who follow."  —Paul Daley, The Bulletin

"This is an excellent history bursting with policy and personal detail. Megalogenis’ political preferences are discernible, but it does not hinder the enjoyment of a brilliant exposé."  —Andrew McIntyre, IPA Review

"Written in clear, jargon-free prose, The Longest Decade is required reading for anyone who wants to understand who we've become, and why."  —Jose Borghino, Marie Claire

"Megalogenis’s book has much valuable economic and social analysis, along with interviews with Howard and Keating where each talks about his view of the other . . . Howard and Keating seem to have taken to conversing with one another through Megalogenis."  —Gerard Henderson, Sydney Morning Herald

"A complex, closely woven book that is packed with information . . . this book is a good read for those wanting to understand two politicians who have made a real difference to modern Australia."  —Michelle Grattan, The Age

"The Longest Decade avoids the scattergun approach of The Howard Factor, effectively analysing the Keating and Howard years from 1990 to 2005 . . . Megalogenis supports interesting generalisations with sourced data to give the reader the sense of rigour one wants when comparing governments . . . Of the two books, The Longest Decade is the superior read. It is more interesting and, unlike the edited collection The Howard Factor, there is a common thread throughout, well supported by hard facts."  —Peter Van Onselen and Wayne Errington, Australian Journal of Political Science

About the Author

George Megalogenis is one of Australia's foremost political commentators. He spent 11 years in the Canberra press gallery and is now a senior feature writer for The Australian. He is the author of Faultlines: Race, Work, and the Politics of Changing Australia.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Scribe Publications Pty Ltd. (September 1, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 192076979X
• ISBN-13: 978-1920769796
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,738,830 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Really disappointing, September 1, 2011

By 

Ian - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: The Longest Decade (Paperback)

I respect George Megalogenis as a feature writer and panellist on the wonderful ABC show Insiders. He always talks good sense and seems to be on top of the economic analyses pertinent to Australian politics.

None of that translated over into this book. It is a complete waste of time unless you are some buff of parliamentary trivia as reported by the Australian media. It is not much more than re-hash. The book largely seems to be a long winded summary of his news clippings collection for the ten years in question.

He is so cold. His take on things and the players involved almost totally devoid of personality. He never seems to mix with his subjects, has no insider mates or connections who feed him important tidbits, has no links to the leaders he places centrally in his narrative, thus gives us no frighteningly accurate and novel insights into the makeup of these powerful men and their motives. In fact his appendix of interview texts with Howard & Keating is an embarrassment. The quote blocks look like bits of answers from the one interview he did with each leader, that he didn't know what to do with in his text.

Probably the only book from Amazon over the past year or so I regret buying.

0 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars The Longest Decade: Comparing Paul Keating and John Howard, December 30, 2006

By 

J. Cameron-Smith "Expect the Unexpected" (ACT, Australia) - See all my reviews
(TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Longest Decade (Paperback)

The 'longest decade' currently spans over 15 years: the combined length of the prime ministerships of Paul Keating and John Howard. George Megalogenis is a journalist with The Australian and a former member of the Canberra press gallery.

Mr Megalogenis has written a book which, while it primarily deals with economic policy, also considers native title in the aftermath of Mabo and Wik, the political rise and fall of Pauline Hansen, East Timor and the Tampa. The book begins with Paul Keating's last year as Australian treasurer, through his prime ministership and John Howard's, and ends in December 2005 with the Cronulla riots.

The similarities between Howard and Keating on matters of economic reform will be surprising to those who focus only on the apparent differences. By looking back at the work done during the 1980s, some of the potential contributers to the strengths and weaknesses of the current Australian economy seem clearer.

The strength of this book is the historical material it contains. It is not a definitive history, but it does provide a useful (and well presented) overview of some key political events, together with highlights such as John Hewson's infamous answer about how the cost of a birthday cake would be affected by the (then) proposed goods and services tax.

The book is arranged chronologically rather than by topic. While this is fine for those of us who have a reasonably clear memory of the times, it may make for a disjointed read for those seeking to follow policy development.

Recommended for those who wanting some undertanding of this period in Australian political history. Megalogenis's writing style livens up what might appear to be dry and dusty topics.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith