Arts Faculty News

Gough Whitlam: A Moment in History

The latest book from Professor Jenny Hocking, Gough Whitlam: A Moment in History, has been shortlisted in the non-fiction category of the 2009 Prime Minister’s Literary Awards. Earlier in the year the book was also shortlisted for The Age Non-Fiction Book of the Year 2009.

Comments from the judges stated:

“No stranger to the political biography, Hocking gives us a portrait of a man who has cast a longer shadow on Australia’s history than most of his predecessors or successors as Prime Minister. There have been many books on Whitlam as Prime Minister—yet no detailed biographic account of his long and remarkable life, of his journey to the Lodge. Hocking combines fine writing with exemplary research including extended interviews with Whitlam and his family. A vivid and engaging book.”.

Gough Whitlam: A Moment in History is published by Miegunyah Press.

More information about the Prime Minister’s Literary Awards.

Visit Jenny Hocking’s profile page on the National Centre for Australian Studies site.

Gough Whitlam: A Moment in History

Gough Whitlam: A Moment in History, the latest book from Professor Jenny Hocking, National Centre for Australian Studies, has been shortlisted for The Age Non-Fiction Book of the Year 2009.

Comments from the judges stated:

“Biographies of the living are never easy, but Jenny Hocking’s first volume of the life of Gough Whitlam blends critical distance and sympathy with a complex figure who dominated Labor politics for a generation. This book is also a sharp, intelligent history of a dismal period of Australian public life. Whitlam’s triumph over Labor’s state machines was perhaps even more remarkable than his short-lived triumph over the electorate. The gradual transformation of his personality under the duress of leading Labor into office is one of the subtle achievements of this fine book”.

Gough Whitlam: A Moment in History is published by Miegunyah Press.

The winners of the awards will be announced at the opening night of the Melbourne Writers Festival on Friday 21 August.

Visit Jenny Hocking’s profile page.

Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, author Professor Jenny Hocking, publisher Louise Adler, Gough & Margaret Whitlam

The Prime Minister Kevin Rudd launched Professor Jenny Hocking’s new book, Gough Whitlam: A Moment in History, volume one of a two part biography of Gough Whitlam, on 6 November. Gough Whitlam, Margaret Whitlam and Justice Michael Kirby were among the guests entertained by the Prime Minister’s address in the Jubilee Room of NSW Parliament House.

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