John Wren
a life reconsidered
James Griffin
‘The latest—and best by far—biography of John Wren … Griffin not only demolishes Power without Glory as an account of Wren’s career but also exposes many respectable historians and writers, from Manning Clark down, who have used it as a source or even built on it to create an even wilder legend.’
Robert Murray, The Australian
In this superbly written and provocative review of the historical evidence, James Griffin argues that John Wren the man made infamous by Frank Hardy in his classic Power Without Glory has been maligned and misunderstood for decades.
John Wren was a wealthy, self-made entrepreneur with interests and influence in football, horse-racing, and the Labor Party. But it is Hardy’s barely fictionalised denunciation of Wren as gangster, racketeer, murderer, abusive husband, and nobbler of horses and politicians that we know better. This image of Wren, embellished by television portrayals and reinforced by later historians, has remained entrenched in Australia’s historical psyche.
Now, in this monumental work, Griffin demonstrates that Frank Hardy’s research was fraudulent, and fuelled by political objectives and personal ambition, and that Wren was an early victim of Australia’s culture wars.
In sorting rumour from fact, and perception from prejudice, James Griffin has produced an important Australian biography, and a vivid social history of the highest order.
Reviews
‘An unquestioningly authoritative and lively reconsideration of John Wren … [a] fine biography.’
Chris McConville, Australian Book Review
‘This is an exhaustive, cogent and overdue revision of a controversial but grossly defamed life.’
Peter Ascot, The Big Issue
‘… meticulously researched and engagingly written study … Griffin has written a splendidly readable book that skilfully meshes family history with all it passion and drama with Australian political and social history during the first half of the twentieth century.’
John A. Moses, Australian Journal of Politics and History
