A portrait of one of Australia's longest-serving prime ministers, this biography goes behind the public image to find neither the strong-willed man of principle his supporters like to imagine nor the cunning opportunist painted by his foes. The discussion covers Howard's suburban middle-class upbringing and hisæsuccess at implementing his polices, concluding thatæalthough the image of the ordinary bloke has helped his enduring popularity, helike George Bushpossesses a number of uncommon strengths that have made him one of the most formidable leaders in Australian political history.æ æ