THE GREAT PROFESSIONAL - STUDY OF W.M. HUGHES - BOOKER

The Great Professional is the story of the rise to high political office of William Morris Hughes.  It is a candid and searching analysis of a remarkable career, an engrossing account of the early life of one of Australia's most notable prime ministers.  The story begins early in England where the concepts of British radicalism were firmly impressed on the mind of the young William Hughes.  It moves to Australia, where his socialist convictions found root in the radical politics and labour movement of New South Wales, and finally to political office where the practical realities of political power forced a conflict with his radical beliefs.  It was from this conflict that the pragmatic Hughes emerged, a politician capable of winning widespread support and gaining, as he did in 1915, the prime ministership.  Much advantage by a long and close relationship with Hughes - having served for a time as his private secretary - author Malcolm Booker contends that Hughes' struggle for political power reflects a professionalism unique at that time in Australian politics.  His ultimate success lay in the gift of knowing what people wanted and in articulating their desires in a way that won him their support.  This book is not so much a political biography of W.M. Hughes as a fine study of the methods and motivations of a highly skilled professionals.  This 292 page hardcover is in a very good, tight, clean condition with only a very small piece of wear on inside back cover.  A great read!