Very interesting to see the rise of Julia through the ranks. Heavy going in some places. ( )

It was surprisingly very easy read. This topic (politics) is not something I would regularly read but I picked this up for a reading challenge and am quite happy that I read and now has a little bit more understanding of politics. Politics for me is really a concept so abstract that I just could not grasp.This book shares with the reader of Julia Gillard (currently Prime Minister of Australia) and her past. When the book was published, Julia Gillard was deputy Prime Minister to Kevin Rudd so it didn't include the power struggle not long after that.Julia was an immigrant herself. She and her family came to Australia from Wales in search of a better life (which include warmer weather for Julia as she was a little bit sickly). Her parents worked very hard to ensure their children's future are given the best of opportunities. The book continued on with her schooling, her student politics days, her legal professional days at Gordon & Slater, all the way to the day she became deputy Prime Minister.There are a few issues on which the book itself did not delve into. Some scandals which were previously attached to Julia on her journey to become who she is now. Julia herself were previously 'silent' on these issues as they came up so I guess this continued to be her preference. It doesn't really bother me as I supposed, one does what one does at one time either due to stupidity / naivety / one's beliefs at the time and one can / will change in time. Besides I don't think they were very big issues and Gillard did well in not dwelling on them so much so they do not blow up at all. ( )

Given the recent political events in Australia, this is a must-read in the lead up to the election set for 21 August. It is easy to read (I knocked it over in a day or two) and I think gives a good overview of both the individual and the party politics of the last couple of decades. I hasten to add that I am probably quite illiterate when it comes to matters of politics and my eyes tend to glaze over when factions are mentioned. However the author in this instance managed to address the all important issues of factions et al without losing my interest in the process. I am probably more interested than some other readers in Gillard as we are of the same age. There is always that fascination with how others lives have turned out in comparison to one's own - particularly if you began in similar circumstances or paths have crossed in some small way. Particularly too if you have always been interested in the women's movement and wondered if we would ever see the day when Australia could have a female PM. The book's concluding quote from Julia says it all to a degree "Anyone who thinks that my being PM is inevitable knows nothing whatever about politics". It's a great account - do read it. I can't wait for the next instalment :) ( )

I do like the occasional political biography, particularly when the subject matter is somebody that is admirable or interesting - regardless of your political persuasion. As far as I'm concerned, regardless of your political persuasion, Julia Gillard's rise to Deputy Prime Minister in Australia - the first woman to take that position (why it has to have taken that long ... well that's another subject), is worthy of at the very least understanding.

A good biography has to tell something about the subject - and give the reader some insight into their life, their achievements, as well as provide some indication of the elements that make that person up, make them do whatever it is that they do, achieve whatever it is that they achieve.

THE MAKING OF JULIA GILLARD is a book that sheds light on Julia Gillard the person - whether or not that is because her personal persona is somewhat lower profile than other politicians, or whether I just haven't been paying attention. There is insight into her background, the thinking that formed her attitudes and perceptions, the way that she has chosen and continues to choose to lead both her life and her politics.

I really enjoyed this book. Learnt something about the person, learnt something about the process. Learnt a lot about the political system. ( )