'Sir John Carrick has been one of the more influential leaders in Australian politics and public policy over more than half a century. He is the only person to figure prominently in the governments of three of our longer serving prime ministers - as strategist for Sir Robert Menzies, Senate Leader in the Fraser Government, and mentor of John Howard.
This biography covers Carrick's early life, his wartime experience with Sparrow Force on Timor, years as a prisoner of the Japanese (including time as a slave near Hellfire Pass), and his work with the Mountbattens in Singapore at the end of the war. Drawn into a career in politics, he was for more than two decades general secretary of the NSW Liberal Party, and served fifteen years in the Senate, with seven years as a senior Cabinet minister (Education and National Development and Energy).
He reinvented Australian politics for his time, and his commitment to principle won the respect of people on all sides of politics. His continuing role as a leading figure in education reform has earned him the highest national honours and recognition from the universities and other educators. His story is of great value to everyone interested in World War II and prisoners of war, and to all readers and students of Australian politics and history.' Source: http://www.connorcourt.com/ (Sighted 14/09/2012).
