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  • A Sense of Balance

  • By: John Howard
  • Narrated by: John Howard
  • Length: 8 hrs and 49 mins
  • 4.8 out of 5 stars (54 ratings)

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A Sense of Balance

By: John Howard
Narrated by: John Howard
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Publisher's Summary

On how our sense of balance has defined us as a nation and will safeguard our future.

In the years that John Howard served in the national parliament he came to understand the special character of Australia; to appreciate its strengths and weaknesses; and most importantly to respect the sense of balance in the formulation of public policy that has long defined us as a nation and made Australia an attractive destination for people from across the world.

In this book he explores this balance, its foundations and its future. Written against the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic, as well as some of the more contested political events of recent years - the election of Donald Trump, the Brexit vote, the rise of China, and, within our own country, a carousel of six prime ministers in eleven years - these reflections touch on how Australia has responded to pressure over the last decade or so. Commentary on these subjects from politicians, opinion writers and social media can sometimes seem shrill and divisive. Australia's 25th and second longest serving prime minister has faith that no matter what challenges and extremes threaten to upset our sense of balance, the country's institutions and people will remain robust into the foreseeable future.

PRAISE

'John Howard's ongoing and important contribution to this country continues with his latest laser sharp book, A Sense of Balance. No former leader understands the Australian character better than our 25th Prime Minister' Janet Albrechtsen, columnist

©2022 John Howard (P)2022 HarperCollins Publishers

What listeners say about A Sense of Balance

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I miss john howard

Really enjoyed this book and it filled me with a sad sense of nostalgia and longing for a much loved and respected prime minister

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Brings you back and lights the way.

John Howard makes an astute and unbiased reflection on our past government to help you understand what is happening in our political system and why. It is a lesson the Liberal party needs to learn.

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Insightful, motivating, and essential.

A faith restoring, astute in-depth analysis of key issues and the current political landscape. Neither alarmist nor naive, written with, as the title suggests a sense of balance.

I hope that minds like Howard's continue to Sheppard our country forward and do not represent the apogee of Australian politics.

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Still the greatest Aus PM of all time!

Howard pens a stunningly accurate account of the past intertwined with the present and provides his characteristic sensibility to some of the lessons we can and should learn as a country. Brilliant!

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The best modern PM

Me Howard has in this book provided an in-depth review of current events and demonstrate his superior experience in both local and world affairs.

A fanatics book really well presented.

The chapter on Chinas long term situation is a brilliant analysis which sheds light on the long term future.

I could not recommend this book enough.

Congrats Mr Howard. You maybe a better writer than PM.

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A first hand political history lesson

I really enjoyed this book because it gave a first hand account of Australia’s recent political history from a man people really admire and respect. John Howard gives a real insight into some of the more important decision made during his time in parliament and his time as PM. I enjoyed the second half of the book more as I could relate to it because I was alive when it happened.

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Excellent as expected but most of it covered in Lazarus rising

I finished Lazarus Rising before this so it was fresh in my mind. A lot of the book was drawing on key elements of it. It’s a tough one because the lessons are all important and you can never assume someone has read the other books but it made it repetitive because of that.

Besides this I thoroughly enjoyed it and would highly recommend it. In my opinion John Howard was our greatest PM. I value his opinion greatly so was hoping for a lot more pages of his thoughts of the current state of the Liberal Party. I enjoyed his honest thoughts on factions and how they are a big part of what is wrong with the party. Hard to maintain a broad church approach when factions stack branches and preselect their people rather than the best for the job.

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A great listen

Shines light on a lot of topics that are currently plaguing Australian parliament and lightly touches on the best way forward

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.