• click here to return to the homepage •
Home > Categories > Books > Non-Fiction > My Life review
David Lange has had a rich life. As prime minister of New Zealand from 1984 to 1989 he oversaw the transformation of a society and its economy in what is now seen as an historic turning point in the country's development.
But the tensions created by the fourth Labour government's policies also tore the party apart, led to his resignation as leader and split the electorate along new and surprising political fault lines.
In this long-awaited memoir David Lange revists those extraordinary years and brings to life the human dimension and consequences of being at the centre of such dramatic events.
From exhilarating triumph over Muldoon government to championing a nuclear-free policy during the last days of the Cold War, the tragedy of the Rainbow Warrior bombing to titanic battles within cabinet over economic policy, this is a remarkable history as told by a remarkable man.
The story of how the doctor's son from Otahuhu grew up to lead his country and confront the great issues of the day, and of how life after power as well as long battles with various illnesses have affected him, is also a personal and moving account of one man's life, told with all the author's characteristic wit, intelligence and compassion.
David Lange passed away August 2005.
The Second Sons : 3 : Lord of the Shadows
Night's Dawn : The Confederation Handbook
e.explore - Mummy
The First Casualty
The State of Africa - A History of Fifty Years of Independence
Ursula Ferrigno's Complete Italian Cookery Course
Klutz - Headbands & hairstyles
Ella and Olivia - 4 - The New Girl
Stan Stinky
The 39 Clues - Unstoppable book 2: Breakaway
The Blood Guard
WeirDo #4: Super Weird! 
I Survived: The Sinking of the Titanic, 1912Product reviews...
Review by: diogenes (Rob)
Dated: 29th of August, 2006
David Lange is a near mythical figure to us pommies. Mainly for standing up to the might of the US with New Zealand's nuclear free stance.
Lange also seems to be remembered fondly by many Kiwis too - though that could just be just the people I talk to who do remember Lange with fondness.
Lange doesn't profess his book to be an accurate and detailed record of his time in parliament, nor does he expect it to be a complete record of his life. It really is just his memoires of the most salient points of his life as he feels them.
What is written is written well. For someone, like myself, who doesn't tend to read biographies or autobiographies I found My Life compulsive reading, and very enjoyable too - far more than many other books I've read recently.
Lange does talk about his meteoric rise through the ranks of the labour party to his Prime Ministership and the events leading up to his resignation and his life after his ministerial career.
This book is very much a candid and open-hearted view through Lange career and well worth a read - either from a political perspective, or from a historical accounts. Unusually for a political autobiography, it is a damned good read.
Random listing from 'Books'...
Experience New Zealand from a unique point with this compelling collection of stunning up-to-the-minute pictures taken from aircraft and satellites criss-crossing high above our beautiful country.
Appreciate the true shape of this rugged land, it's multitude of textures and forms, and see how we forge a living from it.
New Zealand from Space 2 encompasses all the regions that make up this ... more...
All trademarks, images and copyrights on this site are owned by their respective companies.
KIWIreviews is an independent entity, part of the Knock Out News Group. This is a free public forum presenting user opinions on selected products, and as such the views expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinion of kiwireviews.nz and are protected under New Zealand law by the "Honest Opinion" clause of the Defamation Act of 1992. KIWIreviews accepts no liability for statements made on this site, on the premise that they have been submitted as the true and honest opinions of the individual posters. In most cases, prices and dates stated are approximate and should be considered as only guidelines.
"I really have a secret satisfaction in being considered rather mad."
W. Heath Robinson (1872 - 1944)
