Bob Hawke's widow Blanche D'Alpuget comes to the Grand View Hotel from noon on December 10 on to talk about her updated and complete biography of the former Prime Minister.
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The book contains a foreword by Kim Beazley and six 16-page photo sections including never before seen images from Bob and Blanche's collection.
When the couple planned this new edition, and Blanche started writing (while his primary carer), they did not realise that he would die within weeks, and the writing was completed through the grief of the following months.
Bob Hawke: The Complete Biography brings together d'Alpuget's previous best-selling biographies with extensive new content and perspective.
The first part Hawke: The Early Years remains untouched while Hawke: The Prime Minister has been extensively revised and updated and this commemorative hardback edition includes an entirely new section Part III: At Large about Hawke's later life through to his death.
Bob Hawke was a dynamic politician who was elected four times as Australia's prime minister and this nation'slongest serving Labor prime minister. He was an environmentalist before it was fashionable, who loathed racism and had the foresight to see the power that China would wield on the world stage.
In addition to a new section of more than 5000 words, 96 pages of photographs (including many never before published images from his office and their personal collection) and an appendix including historic speeches from his memorial service, Blanche has extensively revised and updated the second section Hawke: The Prime Minister, drawing on additional information which came to light in the months before and after his death. I
"There was a warped depiction of the relationship between Hawke and Keating.There was a titanic struggle for the prime ministership, but beneath it, not dead but in hibernation, a profound respect and admiration lived on between them. I've done my best in trying to present this delicate veil of feeling, enabled this time by the cooperation of Paul Keating himself, and others who observed them closely," she said.
Blanche d'Alpuget is the acclaimed author of biographies, novels and essays. Her non fiction works include the critically acclaimed Mediator: A Biography of Sir Richard Kirby. .
Entry to the event is $45 ($40 for GV members) and includes a two-course meal and complementary drink. Book on 3884 3000, gvh.com.au or functions_grandviewhotel@evt.com The event is held in association with Dymocks Carindale and books will be available for purchase and signing on the day.
