Since 1901, thirty different leaders have run the national show. Whether their term was eight days or eighteen years, each prime minister has a story worth sharing. Edmund Barton united the bickering states in a federation. The unlucky Jimmy Scullin took office days before Wall Street crashed into the Great Depression. John Curtin faced the ultimate challenge of wartime leadership. John Gorton, Gough Whitlam and Paul Keating each shook up their parties' policies so vigorously that none lasted much longer than a single term. Harold Holt spent three decades in parliament, only to disappear while swimming off the coast of Victoria just under two years into his first term. John Howard's "triple bypass" is the stuff of legend. Julia Gillard overthrew Kevin Rudd and Kevin Rudd overthrew Julia Gillard, thus paving the way for Tony Abbott, who was ousted by Malcolm Turnbull - until he too was toppled, this time by Scott Morrison. With characteristic wit and expert knowledge, Mungo MacCallum brings the nation's leaders to life in this updated edition of a classic book.

Since Federation in 1901, 29 men and one woman have served in the position of Australian prime minister. From Barton to Morrison, they are the leaders who have helped forge Australia’s national identity. Some have had the position thrust upon them. Some have plotted and schemed their way to the top. Four have served more than once. Three have died in office. Eight have been unceremoniously dumped by their own party. Revised and updated to include the appointment of Scott Morrison, the death of Bob Hawke, and life after prime-ministership for Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott and Malcom Turnbull, this new edition tells the story of each of Australia’s prime ministers, setting their actions in the context of their time. In today’s world of quick-fire politics, it also looks to the future, and to how the public’s perception of politics and its leaders is changing in this era of instant communication and social media scrutiny.

In this engaging and authoritative book, twenty-one historians, biographers and political analysts discuss and profile those who have attained Australia's highest office, and the forces that shaped them. Includes chapters on the ousting of Julia Gillard and the return of Kevin Rudd, the ensuing election and the final choice of Prime Minister.

Since Australia's first Federal election, in 1901, the contest for the Prime Ministership has come to resemble the presidential-style elections of the United States. Of Australia's 25 Prime Ministers, some have towered over their party, Parliament and the national political scene in just the same way as some American presidents have. This book tells the story of every one of them.

Taking a fresh new approach to the subject of how Australian society is structured and governed, this series explains some of the key roles in Australian civic life, from that of ordinary citizens to those of Members of Parliament, the Prime Minister and Governor-General. The titles explain the rights, responsibilities and privileges of individuals in each social position, and the relationships that exist between the Prime Minister, the Governor-General, Members of Parliament and private citizens. An excellent resource for civic studies, the series provides a comprehensive introduction to the law-making process, and insight into how the government and wider Australian society function.

Since Federation in 1901, 29 people have served in the position of Australian prime minister. Some have had the position thrust upon them. Some have schemed their way to the top. Four have served more than once. Three have died in office. Seven have been dumped by their own party. This pocket reference tells each one's story.

What does a Prime Minister do? What is the type of government he or she leads? Who was the first Prime Minister? Australia's Prime Ministers are as diverse as the nation they have served. As well as profiling all our Prime Ministers, the author explains what happened when they were in office, lists their major achievements and includes their dates of office. A new edition to the Young Reed series of books.