Albanese: Telling It Straight
Karen Middleton
Rating: 3 / 5

Known for his ‘say it like it is’ attitude, Anthony Albanese is one of Australia’s most contentious politicians. In this extraordinarily detailed biography,Saturday Paper’s chief political correspondent Karen Middleton gives an account of his life. Exploring how ‘Albo’ rose from the lower tier of Sydney’s western suburbs to Parliament House, this book is as political as it is personable.

While not instigated by Albanese, Middleton had access to the politician, as well as his family, childhood friends and political peers and rivals, including Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard and Joe Hockey, giving an insight into his role in their rise and demise.

Generally well rounded, this left-wing account of Albanese’s life is rich in jargon that those uninterested in politics will struggle to wade through. If you can, hold out for the stories about his beloved single mother and estranged father.