You Shouldn't Have Joined ...

Name: You Shouldn't Have Joined ...
Brand: Allen & Unwin
SKU: 9781760878528
Price: 59.99 NZD
Availability: InStock

A memoir

By Peter Cosgrove

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Summary

Written by Peter Cosgrove, You Shouldn't Have Joined ... offers an insightful look into Cosgrove’s life and career in the military. Balancing personal anecdotes with broader reflections, the book navigates his experiences from cadet training to becoming a respected leader. Through entertaining and thought-provoking stories, it explores themes of leadership, duty, and resilience.
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Format: Hardback

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You Shouldn't Have Joined ...

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This insightful biography offers a fascinating glimpse into the life and career of a prominent Australian figure. You might enjoy it if you're interested in military history, leadership, or stories of personal and professional growth. The book provides an engaging perspective on the challenges and triumphs faced by those in public service.

The warm, fascinating memoir of one of Australia's most popular and prominent public figures

Description

General Sir Peter Cosgrove AK AC (Mil) CVO MC (Retd) is one of Australia's most significant public figures. As a soldier, he saw action in Vietnam, winning the Military Cross, and rose to the very top of his profession, becoming Chief of the Defence Force. Soon after his retirement from the Army, he was invited to take charge of the huge relief and rebuilding operation in Queensland after the devastation of Cyclone Larry.

In 2014, Cosgrove became Australia's Governor-General. As Governor-General, he travelled far and wide, supporting Australians in times of crisis, sadness, joy, or celebration, representing us on the world stage with humour, intelligence, and a force of personal magnetism that was felt by everyone from prime ministers to presidents.

When he retired in July 2019, it was as one of the most beloved and respected governors-general in Australia's history. Cosgrove embodies the traits we truly value: warmth, humanity, toughness, and loyalty. His humour and empathy shone through the pomp and ceremony, and his time as Governor-General will be remembered as much for his laughter as for the usual dignities of the office.

You Shouldn't Have Joined... (an expression much used during his days as a soldier) is the story of Cosgrove's extraordinarily full and eventful life. It is also the story of those who have shared it with him, in particular his wife Lynne.

His memoir allows us an incredible insight into the role and world of Australia's Governor-General. He was there as two prime ministers were toppled by their own party. He was there through disasters both natural and man-made, such as the destruction of MH17. He was there for world leaders, and for ordinary Australians. You Shouldn't Have Joined... is a true reflection of the man himself, filled with intelligence, forthrightness, compassion, and a brilliant eye for a telling anecdote.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781760878528

Publisher: Allen & Unwin

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 27 October 2020

Country: Australia

Imprint: Allen & Unwin

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 153.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 744g

Pages: 440

Collections

Biography & Memoir Non-Fiction Peter Cosgrove Political Biographies

About the Author

Peter Cosgrove was born in Sydney in 1947. The son of a soldier, he attended Waverley College in Sydney and graduated in 1968 from the Royal Military College, Duntroon. Early in his military career, he fought in Vietnam, commanding a rifle platoon. He was awarded the Military Cross in 1971 for his performance and leadership during an assault on enemy positions.

In 1972, he served as Aide de Camp to Governor-General Sir Paul Hasluck. He returned to regimental life as second in command of a Company, rising to Adjutant then Company Commander in the Army's 5th Battalion Royal Australian Regiment (5 RAR), then 5/7 RAR in Holsworthy, Sydney. Subsequent appointments included a period as a tactics instructor at the Army's Infantry Centre in Singleton, New South Wales; a year's study at the United States Marine Corps Staff College in Quantico, USA; extended periods of duty in the United Kingdom and India; and command of 1 RAR. He was appointed a Member in the Military Division of the Order of Australia (AM) for his service in command in 1983-84.

Peter Cosgrove came to national attention in 1999 when, as Commander of the International Task Force East Timor (INTERFET), he was responsible for overseeing that country's transition to independence. For his leadership in this role he was promoted to Companion in the Military Division of the Order of Australia (AC).

Promoted to Lieutenant General, he was appointed Chief of Army in 2000. After further promotion to General, he served as Chief of the Defence Force from 2002 to 2005. He retired from the Australian Defence Force in 2005. Subsequently, he accepted positions on several boards, including QANTAS, Cardno and the Australian Rugby Union. He was appointed by the Queensland Government to lead the taskforce rebuilding communities in the Innisfail region following the devastation caused by Cyclone Larry in 2006. From 2007 to 2012, he chaired the Council of the Australian War Memorial, and served as Chancellor of the Australian Catholic University from 2010 until early 2014.

On 25 March 2014, General Cosgrove became a Knight in the Order of Australia when he was sworn in as Governor-General (2014-2019).

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