Big Blue Sky

A Memoir

By: Peter Garrett

Narrated by: Peter Garrett

Peter Garrett's life so far has been deeply felt and fully and passionately lived. A man of boundless energy, compassion, fierce intelligence and a questing and creative spirit, he has already achieved enough to fill several lives.

From his idyllic childhood growing up in the northern suburbs of Sydney to the devastating early loss of his parents; from the height of 1960s culture shock at ANU to fronting iconic Australian band Midnight Oil; from his time as a galvanising activist for the environment to being the only unaligned Cabinet Minister in two Labor governments, Garrett has an extraordinary story to tell.

He talks movingly about his lifelong mission to protect the environment and champion indigenous communities and issues, about his love for his family and his passion for our country: what it means to him and what it can become.

Provocative, entertaining, impassioned and inspiring, this memoir goes to the heart and soul of a remarkable Australian and raises questions crucial to us all.

©2015 Peter Garrett (P)2015 Bolinda

Strictly for Australians

Everyone who clicks on this Audible knows Peter Garrett and knows what to expect. He can talk. But there is relatively little about Midnight Oil, and you won't learn much about their recordings, nor anything at all that's mildly salacious. These are boring rock stars. But you knew that. Much of the book revolves around political intrigue. It's hard to imagine anyone would be remotely interested in the home insulation scandal or Australian ID cards. And yet I hung in there, because there's something oddly compelling about his flow. Still, I think he would have been better off crafting a book for the domestic market and another one for the international market.

solid read

wanted more about the band. other stuff a bit dry. solid read but not spectacular

Engaging story by a passionate man

Great book. I grew up with the music of Midnight Oil and my memories of Peter are the bigger than life front man singing his heart out. Autobiographies read by the author are always the best and this is no exception. There's something special about sitting back and listening to someone tell you their own story in their own words.

Unlike some bios that can spend a long long time dealing with early years.. this one gets to the "fun stuff" quickly and stays there throughout keeping interest levels high.

Having grown up through most of the events in this book it was fascinating to get an insiders perspective and I learnt a lot about the real Peter Garrett and have a far deeper appreciation for the ideals and issues that he has been passionate about for his whole life.

If there was one thing I would have like to hear more about it would be the musical side of the Midnight Oils days. There is plenty in there and the chronology of events is comprehensive. But I really love hearing the nitty gritty details of how songs were written and recorded and the deep dive into musicianship. Then again... this is book about Peter Garrett not a biography of Midnight Oil. So we can't be too hard on that score.

Fantastic book that hits the bullseye dead on in all aspects. Well written, edited and perfect narration. Thanks Pete.

Honest & fascinating

I've grown up with the Oils & enjoyed seeing them live in Sydney venues when the pub scene was alive & well. I've always agreed with Peter's political stances & backed him when he was with the NDP. I was shocked & felt betrayed when he joined the Labor party & not the Greens. But now I get it.

Fascinating, honest look at how politics runs in Australia now - depressing stuff. Wish he'd stayed in politics but for his own sake I'm glad he got out.

Great hearing so much info & background about the Oils too.

I highly recommend this book. Peter's strong ethics & morals & his drive for positive change, especially regarding our Aboriginal community, is inspiring. Doris is a lucky woman.

Thanks Pete!