Bob Carr (1) (1947–)

I enjoyed this book very much. In view of the author’s position as a member of parliament and then the leader of the NSW State Government for 10 years it astonishes me that he could have found the time and the concentration to read so widely. I knew of his passionate interest in history and politics, but I was surprised and delighted to learn of the breadth of his reading interests.

Books of this kind run the risk of talking down to the reader – they can edge toward the pompous – but show more Carr avoids this altogether. He has a relaxed, and almost informal style. His enthusiasm for reading and literature is clearly communicated and quite infectious. While reading the book I felt like I was spending time with a kindred spirit, giving me tips food for thought. I have taken note of a number of his suggestions, either books or writers to consider anew, and look forward to following up these leads. show less

Bob Carr is a former Australian politician and member of the Labour Party; during his career he was a Senator, Premier of New South Wales and the Minister for Foreign Affairs. My Reading Life is a literary memoir about the books he has read and have influenced him; this was written during a period where he was not in politics. Carr divides the book into topics, focusing mainly on the political, which is obviously a reflection of his interests.

One of the things I did not like about this book show more was the way Bob Carr kept his political face on throughout the entire thing. I would have liked him to drop his public persona and just have a more real conversation about books. I understand that he was still political and he became the Minister of Foreign Affairs after publishing this but I would have preferred a more honest look at literature. I do hope that no Russian’s read this book after he become the Minister of Foreign Affairs, because to me it felt like Carr liked Russian lit but hated everything else about this country. There was some interesting insights made within the book and overall a decent memoir, just a little too guarded. show less

Bob Carr is an intelligent and engaging man, who is a great public speaker and obviously a man who has had a full life of experience. Therefore it pains me to say it, but his book is not very good. I think this is more due to the structure than the substance, because the books he includes in this volume are an interesting mix of the well known and the quirky. However, it never really seems to fill its stated aim - a record of books read and musings upon them - or its implied aim - a reading show more guide. Rather it comes across as a bit of a mish-mash intended purely to make the reader realise just how educated and well-read Carr is. Which in itself is boring.

That said I am glad I read this book even if only because it made me aware of one or two titles I didn't know about before, and also gave me further impetus to attempt to read 'Ulysses'. One day. show less

Bob Carr was the Premier of NSW (my State) Australia for 10 years and in 2007 he launched the NSW Premier's Reading Challenge. (encouraging young people to read).

Bob's book covers the books in his personal library and what he thinks of them. There are many I want to read, but I don't think much so far of his comedy section. I guess his list is probably typical of a politician ~ and I don't often find them funny.

Well I am done with this untidy book of reviews. I say untidy because it is show more arranged very haphazardly. I gave it 3 stars mainly for the books reviewed & will list my pick of the bunch later. It's heavy on politics, history and the pathos of mankind. In the beginning there's not much of Bob Carr coming through but towards the end you get a sense of him. He's also a big Shakespeare fan. I did not realise he was big on environmental issues while he was serving as Premier, I guess Party politics diluted that info from becoming known. He used to strike me as creepy in television coverage but it seems he's an all round very intelligent nice guy.

list to come at some point.. show less