An uplifting memoir of resilience and strength from ex-Premier of Queensland, Anna Bligh. Anna Bligh knows something about hard knocks and high walls. She was raised by a single mother in the working class Gold Coast, a young girl with a soon-to-be-estranged dad who struggled with alcoholism. She spent over 17 years in the rough and tumble of the Queensland Parliament (seven of them as either Deputy Premier or Premier) and she was the first woman to be elected Premier of an Australian State in her own right. In 2011, she led Queensland through the devastation of Australia's largest natural disasters. Her Party then lost the 2012 State election and Anna stepped down to start a new life, only to find herself diagnosed with cancer. Writing with her trademark honesty, warmth and humour about the challenges that public and private life have thrown her, Anna reflects candidly - as a wife, mother, daughter, friend and political leader - on the lessons of leadership, resilience, community and family. 'It is not my bruises and scratches that I want others to see,' she writes in this inspiring, unflinching and engaging memoir about breaking through walls and overcoming obstacles, 'I want them to see the hole in the wall.' 'This is a personal account of life at the top that will charm the general reader and the political tragic alike.' Weekend Australian 'Compelling reading ... Bligh is a consummate communicator ... What did I take from it? Admiration for the narrator, certainly. More: genuine affection, although we have never met. It would be hard not to like Anna Bligh. Warm and unafraid to take the mickey out of herself, she is like Julia Gillard - and, also like Gillard she is one of a generation of extremely accomplished women who took the baton our generation handed them and ran with it all the way to the next finishing line.' Sara Dowse, Inside Story 'A very readable account of her life as a politician, as a wife, as a mother and as a world citizen. This reflective autobiography is an inspiration to all women to overcome all obstacles in the way of success.' Ballarat Courier 'Partly framed as an inspirational text for future leaders, especially the women who will come after her ... Bligh has written one of the more readable political memoirs of recent years: we gain a better understanding of the pressures of public office, and get to know the person behind the premier.' Australian Book Review 'Bligh writes with engaging humour and candour about her passions and about the challenges she has faced both publicly and privately, resulting in a warm and insightful memoir. Her chronicle of her life's journey and about things that really matter is an inspirational read.' Toowoomba Chronicle
