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My Story cover art

My Story

By: Julia Gillard
Narrated by: Julia Gillard,Jennifer Vuletic
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Publisher's Summary

"I was prime minister for three years and three days. Three years and three days of resilience. Three years and three days of changing the nation. Three years and three days for you to judge".

On Wednesday 23 June 2010, with the government in turmoil, Julia Gillard asked Prime Minister Kevin Rudd for a leadership ballot. The next day, Julia Gillard became Australia's 27th prime minister, and our first female leader.

Australia was alive to the historic possibilities. Here was a new approach for a new time. It was to last three extraordinary years. This is Julia Gillard's chronicle of that turbulent time, a strikingly candid self-portrait of a political leader seeking to realise her ideals.

It is her story of what it was like - in the face of government in-fighting and often hostile media - to manage a hung parliament, build a diverse and robust economy, create an equitable and world-class education system, ensure a dignified future for Australians with disabilities, all while attending to our international obligations and building strategic alliances for our future.

This is a politician driven by a sense of purpose - from campus days with the Australian Union of Students, to a career in the law, to her often gritty, occasionally glittering rise up the ranks of the Australian Labor Party.

Refreshingly honest, peppered with a wry humour and personal insights, Julia Gillard does not shy away from her mistakes, admitting freely to errors, misjudgements, and policy failures as well as detailing her political successes.

Here is an account of what was hidden behind the resilience and dignified courage Gillard showed as prime minister, her view of the vicious hate campaigns directed against her, and a reflection on what it means - and what it takes - to be a woman leader in contemporary politics.

©2014 Julia Gillard (P)2014 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

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Not Narrated by Julia Gillard

This is a great book, I have the hard cover, signed by Julia Gillard, at a private event.
I purchased it to hear her tell her story, it says in the description narrated by Julia Gillard.
It is not narrated by Julia Gillard, Yes, she has more important and valuable things to achieve for the women of the world than narrate a book, but Audible should not imply that it is so when it is not .
It should clearly say Introduced by Julia Gillard.
it says ...
My Story
By: Julia Gillard
Narrated by: Julia Gillard, Jennifer Vuletic
Length: 18 hrs and 22 mins
4 out of 5 stars 4.2 (105 ratings)

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16 people found this helpful

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Good book from Julia Gillard

I was 1 of the very many people who was so utterly against Julia Gillard during her term of office. I have been a Labour voter since I was old enough to vote, but Julia when becoming the PM by the way she did, turned me completely away from Labour. But since reading/listening to this book twice may have restored my faith in Labour MAYBE!!!
Really excellent book though

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10 people found this helpful

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Great listen

It was a truly great book and I thoroughly enjoyed each and every minute of it and will listen to it again and again.
It shows the truth about how Australia is seen on the stage and the truth about Julia Gillard even when the media was so horrid.
Truly loved it, and for those feminists reading this, I am a straight male and still think she was a brilliant prime minister.

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7 people found this helpful

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Thank you

This is a wonderful account of the Gillard years. So many explanations of complex policy decisions and the difficulties of implementation.
It was quite interesting to read the on-going role of Kevin Rudd as a wrecker - his narcissism knows no bounds.
Thank you JG for your outstanding public service.

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6 people found this helpful

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if you are interested in Australian Politics A+

An amazing account of Julia Gillards time leading Australia. provides great insight and a must listen if you are interested in Australian Politics.

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4 people found this helpful

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  • Ben
  • 29-01-2020

drab political memoir

im a pretty big fan of gillards and always thought it was a shame she couldn't get her charisma translated across to broader australians. this is my first political memoir and probably my last. i enjoyed hearing her spill the tea on rudd and wouldve liked to hear her go in on abbott. a huge chunk of this though is her defending policy and how it was crafted. she has a good blind spot about tit for tat politics which is a little frustrating. a huge chunck of the book is excuses for why things didnt go her way.

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3 people found this helpful

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Boring but good for putting a person to sleep.

Sadly a book I was looking forward to reading from a inspirational woman did not inspire. On odd occasions her personality was shown but mostly it is boring parliamentary business. The constant digs at Rudd also got boring and over done (no I am not a Rudd fan). Sour grapes are not suitable in an ex PM. If there is a next one can it be about her not parliament. I am sure Julia has some great stories from a very full life.

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2 people found this helpful

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Better than expected

A good insight into the shenanigans of Australian politics. Shame on them! A perspective from a women. A must if you have a daughter and want to understand what she will be confronted with.

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1 person found this helpful

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Fascinating political memoir

For we who watched in horror through years of Labor turmoil, this is a fascinating book. It is measured, polite, and gives insights into the decisions made them which are still affecting Australia today. Well performed, although the parts Gillard read herself were particularly delightful.

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A leader with a purpose

Fabulous book, not many people have remained true to their purpose throughout their career and in spite of disgusting attacks and well considered challenges.
Julia Gillard personifies resilience, she's a human, she's a leader, she'll be remembered for making a difference and leaving Australia in a better place.

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  • Michael
  • 11-10-2016

Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me

A few caveats, I am not a fan of exPM Julia Gillard intact I probably suffered under her and exPM Kevin Rudds leadership. I don't believe in Labor and its policies. I am not a one eyed Liberal voter. Okay that said now for the book.
First, thank goodness she didn't read it. Her voice isn't the best for narration although she does make a few appearances. Second, she does not answer the questions I think everybody wants. She gives us too much detail on areas she feels passionate about and skims over areas that probably are important. She does admit to making mistakes but really goes at it with a hatchet on Tony Abbot and the Liberal/National Party. She really does put the blame on all that went wrong on everybody else and takes little responsibility. The book does come across like the song "Don't Let The Sun Go Down On Me" written by Elton John and Bernie Taupin. The book is too long.
Now on the positive. She gets right into gaining the leadership. The book is based on subjects or topics rather than chronology. She gives credit where it is due although she does do this with a 'back handed' compliment to the Liberal/Nationals and especially exPM John Howard. Her support staff; she is very supportive of and has a very human side to relationships with her staff, colleagues and family & friends. She is a good Labor girl. She is intrepid, stalwart and loyal to purpose and process. Personally I think she would of made an excellent primary school principal.
The book however isn't worth listening to. She does not add anything to the political debate, there is no real insight to what happen in those silly years of the Rudd/Gillard years and like most politicians, it comes across as I was right and everybody else was stupid. Although now that the dust has settled, I think if I met this lady, I could have a pleasant conversation with her, just not on the subject of this book. It would be too one sided.

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  • Daniel Skehan
  • 11-04-2016

Inspiring!

What did you love best about My Story?

A reflection on three years and three days of imperfect perfection.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The author's reflection on Beasley's leadership. That, and the chapter 'the curious question of gender'

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  • Brandon
  • 20-07-2015

Brilliant

What a great insight into the complex workings of economics, politics, gender inequity and media.

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  • dans_floor
  • 19-08-2023

Principled politics

I'm surprised this book doesn't have more reviews. I found this an excellent listen, for its insights both into Gillard's political career (and tough battles) and her as a person. Generally speaking, I have the perception that Aussie politics in the last 10 or so years has been dominated by political infighting (not helped by the awful media presence), with petty personal battles taking priority over meaningful progress for the country. Gillard rises above this noise, with strong values driving what sounds like an organised and purposeful agenda, and making substantial progress in her short time in spite of the partisan circumstances (not to mention internal party factions and the disgustingly misogynistic and unnecessarily antagonistic media).

I appreciated the candor of the book and Gillard's willingness to admit fault, as well as what seemed like a fair assessment of those around her - harsh when necessary (Rudd sounds like a pretty terrible leader / coworker), but equally willing to give credit even to her direct opponents where it's due. Of course, this comes with the general disclaimer of a policital memoir and its inevitable bias, but to me it didn't seem egregious.

In general, coming out of this I have a huge amount of respect for Gillard, and would recommend this book to anyone who wants to dig into recent Aussie politics, as well as Malcom Turnbull's (different angle - but also eminently readable and from someone trying to do more than just dunk on other politicians in factional times).

Thank you, Julia, for doing Australia (and women worldwide) proud and making meaningful progress despite the tough hand you were dealt.

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