Quick books, quick manoeuvres: Disentangling the dangers and opportunities of the quickie political biography

Abstract

The publication of the biography of the political leader is de rigueur in the Australian electoral cycle. Characterised by their haste of production, by their regurgitation of already-published articles, and by a liberal use of quotes attributed and not, such books are often ephemeral confections, destined for the dustbin whether their subject is successful or not (Blewett, 2007). But the political quickie is, on closer inspection, a mix of competing opportunities and dangers that belie its negative description. When considered, the quickie is revealing of the uses of biographical writing to perform, connect, and manoeuvre within a political context.