AustLit

'William McMahon has not quite been the white whale of Australian political biography. Nevertheless, until this fine book by Patrick Mullins, he was virtually alone among Australian prime ministers in not having attracted a serious study. One problem has been lack of access to McMahon's papers, held at the National Library of Australia. But this book is so rich in detail, so penetrating in its insights, and so impressive in its research, that it is hard to imagine anyone with such access bettering Mullins.' (Introduction)