Hawke: The Larrikin and the Leader

Australians have never been so wary of politicians. But there was a time when things were different. From the moment he arrived on the national scene as a fiery trade unionist, Bob Hawke was the rock god of Australian politics. But how did this flawed man become a leader we'd never forget? And what does his story tell us about politics and leadership today? Drawing on the most extensive television interviews with Bob Hawke ever conducted and featuring firsthand accounts from John Howard, Bill Kelty, John Eales, Peter Garrett, Meredith Burgmann, Blanche d'Alpuget, Dennis Richardson and Susan Ryan, this two-part political biography explores the realities and contradictions of one of Australia's greatest leaders to reveal the real Bob Hawke.