When We Were Young and Foolish
Reviewed By Janet Mawdesley September 16, 2015
Author Greg Sheridan
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ISBN: 9781760113391
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
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Website: http://www.allenandunwin.com
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Although this book has been out on the shelves for few weeks how topical, in the light of recent events in the Australian political arena, are the contents and reminiscences penned by Sheridan, as he looks back over the days and years as a friend and work college to many of the political movers and shakers of what is now credited with being modern politics. His reminiscences of these men help to understand the people they were and the people they have now all become.
Sheridan has known all the main characters that have graced the political stage since his days at University and also as a junior reporter getting his break with The Bulletin; a paper which also saw Bob Carr amongst its élite reporters, a man whom Malcom Turnbull had recruited to the team.
Sheridan starts with his a background growing up in an Australian Irish family in a small flat in Lewisham which always seemed to be full of too many people; a place which was home but also thanks, to his father and uncles involvement with the Labor party and the anti-communist movement taking place within the Unions at the time, gave him his first taste of politics.
That he was of the Catholic faith was simply life; as he progressed through his school years in the Catholic education system he developed a strong conviction to enter the priesthood, a place where he felt he needed to be to carry out what he then saw as his life’s work.
He was curious, argumentative and determined which in his opinion did not seem to be a barrier to achieving what he wanted to do. As he eventually discovered, it proved to be a barrier he could not overcome all that easily, as his desire to question and push the boundaries of both the seminary and his faith eventually saw him being encouraged to pursue other pathways.
His becoming a journalist of some note is not surprizing. That he became involved in a wide range of political arenas, the Union movement and during his days at University, helping form the Progressive Student Movement among several of the politically based organisation he was also involved with is also, not surprising.
As you turn the pages you will discover a man who has had the happy knack of being able to befriend so many people and remain friends, even though at times his viewpoint and theirs have been poles apart.
As the days and weeks of his life unfold we are also privileged to be able to take a peek into the younger lives of Tony Abbott, Kevin Rudd, Malcolm Turnbull, Bob Carr and so very many more of the men who have shaped Australia and modern day politics.
That he has reported on all things political in Australia and been a respected Asia Correspondent for many years, makes for enjoyable reading, even if you are not of a political bent: that he came into politics and journalism at a time in Australia’s history when journalism was in its golden age certainly gave him opportunities to develop his career that in this time are simply no longer available.
Sheridan’s story is diverse and informative, reflecting on the turbulent years of Unionism, politics, changes within the Catholic Church and so much more which has helped to shape the past, present and the future of Australia makes this one book, in the light of the current political climate, that should be a must read.