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A review by scribepub
The Boy from Baradine by Craig Emerson
A shockingly personal, honest, and compelling reflection on an extraordinary Australian life. Containing brilliant insights from the early Hawke reforms to the end of Rudd, this is a most revealing Australian political autobiography, from one of Australia’s wisest and most thoughtful public-policy economists.
Ross Garnaut
As a politician, Craig Emerson demonstrated rare emotion for a person in such a hard-nosed game: genuinely heartfelt passion for fairness and justice, and a visceral empathy and compassion for others. As a colleague, I valued Craig's humanity as well as his intellect and command of economics.
In his book, we discover the origins of these qualities: from the graphic retelling of childhood experiences in a troubled household in outback New South Wales, to the corridors of Parliament House in the service of prime minister Bob Hawke, and onto the international stage as Australia's trade minister.
Greg Combet
This gritty, compassionate account takes us to the epicentre of the big environmental conflicts of the day: Antarctica, Tasmania’s forests and Kakadu. A must read.
Peter Garrett
This is a refreshingly frank – and at times gut-wrenching – account of an unlikely political life, driven by Craig’s own experiences and his ambition to try to create a better world. If only there were more politicians with the guts to be so honest.
Geogg Kitney
One of the most detailed and illuminating books about the exercise of power in Canberra that I have so far had the pleasure of reading. Emerson has produced a highly engaging, compassionate and empathetic account of his sometimes stellar, sometimes dispiriting career, and of the political world that he inhabited for so long.
Ross Fitzgerald, Weekend Australian
This memoir is an exciting, honest and sometimes raw tale of public life, lived with enthusiasm, dedication and a take-no-prisoners attitude.
Courier Mail
It is a deeply human tale of trauma and triumph, of fear and fine, of character overcoming adversity. It will also inspire young people that it is possible to succeed from the most unlikely of personal circumstances.
Coonabarabran Times
Ross Garnaut
As a politician, Craig Emerson demonstrated rare emotion for a person in such a hard-nosed game: genuinely heartfelt passion for fairness and justice, and a visceral empathy and compassion for others. As a colleague, I valued Craig's humanity as well as his intellect and command of economics.
In his book, we discover the origins of these qualities: from the graphic retelling of childhood experiences in a troubled household in outback New South Wales, to the corridors of Parliament House in the service of prime minister Bob Hawke, and onto the international stage as Australia's trade minister.
Greg Combet
This gritty, compassionate account takes us to the epicentre of the big environmental conflicts of the day: Antarctica, Tasmania’s forests and Kakadu. A must read.
Peter Garrett
This is a refreshingly frank – and at times gut-wrenching – account of an unlikely political life, driven by Craig’s own experiences and his ambition to try to create a better world. If only there were more politicians with the guts to be so honest.
Geogg Kitney
One of the most detailed and illuminating books about the exercise of power in Canberra that I have so far had the pleasure of reading. Emerson has produced a highly engaging, compassionate and empathetic account of his sometimes stellar, sometimes dispiriting career, and of the political world that he inhabited for so long.
Ross Fitzgerald, Weekend Australian
This memoir is an exciting, honest and sometimes raw tale of public life, lived with enthusiasm, dedication and a take-no-prisoners attitude.
Courier Mail
It is a deeply human tale of trauma and triumph, of fear and fine, of character overcoming adversity. It will also inspire young people that it is possible to succeed from the most unlikely of personal circumstances.
Coonabarabran Times