Robert Manne: A Political Memoir (Robert Manne, La Trobe)

In 2024, amid widespread political polarisation, Robert Manne’s memoir, Robert Manne: A Political Memoir: Intellectual Combat in the Cold War and the Culture Wars, offers an interesting read. As one of Australia’s most prominent public intellectuals, Manne consistently prioritises facts over political position. A conservative intellectual before the term became so oxymoronic, Manne has spent time arguing for various unpopular positions, a difficult task in a Murdoch-captive nation. This book will appeal to those who enjoy political biographies, as Manne reflects on his key contributions—with subjects ranging from Russian defections to the Cambodian genocide, Iraq and Afghanistan after 9/11, and Manne’s most pivotal work as a leader in truth-telling about the Stolen Generations (after research reversed his beliefs) and Australia’s treatment of refugees. While the book provides valuable context, the abrupt switches between discussions of serious topics, like the Stolen Generations, and the public bickering of prominent figures can feel jarring. Manne also details clashes with Noam Chomsky, Les Murray, Leonie Kramer, Tom Keneally, Helen Darville, Keith Windschuttle, Chris Mitchell and Andrew Bolt, and remarks upon the lack of inclusion of women’s voices in public discourse, which is glaring. In recent years, Manne underwent a laryngectomy due to throat cancer, and speaking became difficult. Especially in that light, this memoir becomes more poignant. His prose is elegant and reflective, offering the rare perspective of a man unafraid to admit and learn from his mistakes.

Books+Publishing reviewer: Becca Whitehead is a features and content writer based in Naarm-Melbourne. Books+Publishing is Australia’s number-one source of pre-publication book reviews.

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