A portrait of one of Australia's longest-serving prime ministers, this biography goes behind the public image to find neither the strong-willed man of principle his supporters like to imagine nor the cunning opportunist painted by his foes. The discussion covers Howard's suburban middle-class upbringing and his success at implementing his polices, concluding that although the image of the ordinary bloke has helped his enduring popularity, he--like George Bush--possesses a number of uncommon strengths that have made him one of the most formidable leaders in Australian political history.

Tony Abbott came to the prime ministership lauded as the most effective leader of the opposition since Whitlam. Why then did he fail to succeed in the job to which he had aspired for decades Frontbenchers leaked about cabinet processes to the media while backbenchers complained about the lack of access to their leader.?

Abbott's long apprenticeship in religion, journalism and political life prepared him for neither the mundane business of managing people nor the commanding heights of national leadership. Public?goodwill evaporated after a tough first budget. Inside the Liberal Party...