Kirjahaku

Neville Wran was arguably the most significant Premier of NSW in the 20th century. He rescued the Labor Party from the political wilderness with his victory in May 1976, then won three more elections, two by then unprecedented landslides. Wran pioneered the effective use of television in election campaigns. Key elements of the Wran model were gradualist politics, competent delivery of basic services, unity in the government, and not getting too far ahead of the voters. Moderate politics did not preclude reform, rather it was a platform for it. Wran left a significant legacy of environmental, social, human rights, constitutional and electoral reforms.David Clune was for many years the Manager of the NSW Parliament's Research Service and the Parliament's Historian. He is currently an Honorary Associate in the Department of Government and International Relations at the University of Sydney and Consultant Historian to the NSW Legislative Council History Project. Dr Clune has written extensively about NSW politics and history.

It has been some time since there has been a biography of Bill McKell, Labor Premier of New South Wales from 1941-47 and then Governor-General from 1947-1953. The memory has long faded, but his worthwhile achievements, not just for the Labor Party, but for the people of New South Wales deserve our attention. Also deserving of attention is his consensus style of leadership, his respect for the processes of parliament, and his ability to stand up to authoritarians like Jack Lang - another Labor premier of New South Wales who will be covered in this series. Today, Lang is perhaps better remembered, but for his notoriety rather than his achievements. It was McKell who rebuilt the Labor Party after its electoral defeats and fragmentation during the 1930s, brought the party back to its true mission of helping those in need rather than self-serving political crusades, and made Labor worth voting for in 1941 when it returned to office and after.This new monograph by Dr David Clune OAM is an overdue reminder of the contribution of this great Labor leader. Dr Clune, long-time Manager of the New South Wales Parliament's Research Service and the Parliament's Historian, is able to bring fresh insights and a new appreciation of Bill McKell as both a Labor leader, Premier and a decent man who deserves our respect. It supplements David's other monographs in this series on New South Wales premiers Neville Wran and Jack Lang.

Australian Biographical Monograph, No 15. The cabinet has one leader who announces its policy. When he announces it, we follow, and as soon as he announces it, we know where we stand. We do not seek to know what he is going to do, and are prepared to surrender our judgement, if necessary, in advance.-- Mark Gosling, Chief Secretary in Lang's 1930-32 Cabinet (quoted by L.F. Crisp)Jack Lang, Labor Premier of New South Wales from 1925-27 and 1930-32, was until his death in 1975, a hero for some in his party and reviled by others. This biography highlights the disruption he was responsible for, particularly to the Labor Party. Indeed, his legislative achievements are outweighed by the damage he caused to the economy, politics and social cohesion of New South Wales. Lang's leadership style was autocratic, messianic, radical, and vindictive. Although he still has his defenders, Lang is now better remembered for his notoriety, particularly his 1932 dismissal by Governor Game, rather than his achievements. It was left to others like Bill McKell, who became Premier in 1941, rebuild the Labor Party, and, more importantly, bring it back to its true mission of helping those in need rather than indulging in self-serving political crusades of the type pursued by Lang.Dr David Clune OAM was for many years the Manager of the NSW Parliament's Research Service and the Parliament's Historian. He is currently an Honorary Associate in the Department of Government and International Relations at the University of Sydney and Consultant Historian to the NSW Legislative Council History Project. Dr Clune has written extensively about NSW politics and history.

Jazz A to Z provides an authoritative guide to 48 jazz musicians the author considers to be the originators and innovators, including Louis Armstrong, Count Basie, John Coltrane, Miles Davis, Duke Ellington, Benny Goodman, Keith Jarrett, Oscar Peterson, Charlie Parker and "Fats" Waller. The entries give an account of the musician's life (often tragic), their style, significance, best recordings, the type of jazz they played, and some musical context. Many other jazz musicians beside the subject of the entry are discussed in the chapters. The styles covered include New Orleans, swing, bebop, hard bop, west coast cool and free bop. The text is enlivened by vivid black and white portraits of the various musicians. Written in an engaging, accessible style, this is an authoritative guide to jazz that will be of great value to the novice and of much interest to aficionados.