William McInnesCritiques

A tail-end baby boomer better known for his on screen presence, William McInnes is a talented author and a natural storyteller. This is part memoir is both funny and insightful- a biographical trip told through the author’s own experiences. His laconic voice and easy style added greatly to my enjoyment of this collection of conversations on a broad range of subjects related to communication. Warm, nostalgic, funny and undeniably Australian. There are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, but also a respectful celebration of an Australia that sadly seems to be fading into the past.½

Good read, funny, historical typical McInnes

A good read, entertaining, funny, historical

A second reading and I still I enjoyed it. It bought up lots of good memories of my father. Loved the chapter "My Rife, My Pony and Me".

Interesting and dramatic

In THE MAKING OF MODERN AUSTRALIA, bestselling writer William McInnes brings together stories from regular Australians to create a personal view of our country since WWII.

Filled with reminiscences about Australia since World War Two plus William s own anecdotes and observations, THE MAKING OF MODERN AUSTRALIA touches on the celebrations, sorrows and spirit of the last 70 years. It creates a national picture of our past and present, told through four main themes of romance, religion, family and home.

From the stories of service personnel returning home to the multicultural melting pot of postwar migration, to falling in and out of love, to the changes in beliefs and expectations, this book reveals a unique view of our country.

William McInnes' best-selling memoir, A Man's Got to Have a Hobby, takes us back to the long summer holidays of the 1960s and '70s and the last of the baby-boomer childhoods. William narrates with humour and affection about his family and especially his mum and dad, who talked to the TV set and enjoyed life in their house near the bay.

William McInnes is a talented author and a natural storyteller. A tail-end baby boomer, he recalls summer holidays that seemed to go on forever, when he and his mates would walk down to fish in the bay; a time when the Aussie battler stood as the local Labor candidate and looked out for his mates; and a time when the whole family would rush into the lounge room to watch a new commercial on TV.

He talks about his father, a strong character who talks to the furniture, dances with William's mother in the kitchen, and spends his free time fixing up the house and doing the best for his family. In A Man's Got to Have a Hobby, you can hear his father speaking and listen to his mother singing.

This is a story about people who aren't famous but should be. It's about cane toads and families, love and hope and fear, laughter, death and life. Most of all it is a realistic, down-to-earth story by a man who had a great time growing up. His warmth and humour come through in every word.

This Australian memoir tells of a time that will be familiar to many readers and a delight for all. Having McInnes read it adds to the authenticity of the stories - and is the icing on the cake for me.

Both funny and insightful, ‘That'd Be Right’ is William McInnes’ third book. It is part memoir, part a personal view of the history of Australia over the last thirty years - a biographical trip told through the author’s own experiences, weaving in and around many events that have held a fascination for Australians of all ages.
Some of these events would be considered momentous, some small and personal. They range from a day at the Melbourne Cup with his mother where too many champagnes and too few winners were picked; a swimming carnival early in the morning after a gloomy and long federal election the night before; watching truly surreal Grand Final moments in a pub with a group of odd and unknown bar companions; and sailing on a massive yacht during the Sydney Olympics while listening to the conversation of an elderly lady from Texas in the cabin below. William also writes about a night at the cricket with his son, which shows how things can come full circle.
McInnes’s laconic voice and easy style added greatly to my enjoyment of this collection of memories filled with politicians, cricketers, Olympians, politicians, media moguls, greenies and dams, elections, action figures, lawn mowing, politicians, blind dates, politicians, elections, Anzacs, cricket wars, swimmers, yacht races and turds. Through it all, we are treated to his father Colin’s comments (and usually his mother Iris’s retorts) on a broad range of subjects. Plenty of laugh-out-loud moments, but also a respectful celebration of an Australia that sadly seems to be fading into the past.

Thoroughly enjoyable, made better as I listed to the audio, read by McInnes. Sometimes funny, sometimes sad - as any story reflecting on life is.

I love the way this man writes! Memories of going on holidays as a kid, Baby Boomer Style. Experiencing things like toilets on passenger trains for the very first time, going to the original theme park of the day "Bullen's Lion Safari Park" and generally larking about on Holidays, as opposed to Real Life. Travelling alone, bad flights, above ground pools, friends, family and lots of eccentrics, it's all here, wonderful stuff!!

Another feel good story by McInnes.

so Australian so normal love his books

William McInnes writes great books! I enjoy his friendly easy style, and I love the way he makes me feel. I'm sure talking to him in person would be like talking to your best friend. The text is down to earth and flows easily from one subject to another. The chapters written by Sarah hit a part of me that really connected. This book has been an absolute pleasure to read, my only complaint..... I'd have loved to have seen more of Sarah's photos.

That’d Be Right is the third book by William McInnes, and is subtitled “A fairly true history of modern Australia”. McInnes reminisces on thirty years of Australian life. This book is filled with politicians, cricketers, Olympians, politicians, media moghuls, greenies and dams, elections, action figures, lawn mowing, politicians, blind dates, politicians, elections, Anzacs, cricket wars, swimmers, yacht races and turds. Through it all, we are treated to his father Colin’s comments (and usually his mother Iris’s retorts) on a broad range of subjects. Plenty of laugh out loud moments: an enjoyable read.

Cricket Kings, the first novel by William McInnes, is set in late summer in suburban Victoria. The Yarraville West Fourths, a team cobbled together by Chris Andersen, are playing their last game of the season against Trinity on the Cec Bull Memorial Oval. What happens immediately before, during and after the match, to the players, organizers and spectators, makes for plenty of laugh-out-loud moments as well as the occasional lump in the throat. McInnes does an excellent job of portraying these sportsmen and showing us their deeper thoughts and feelings. He touches on father-son relationships, immigration, war, love of music, reminiscence, teamwork and having a go. An altogether enjoyable novel.

A Man’s Got to Have a Hobby is the first book by William McInnes, better known, perhaps, for his acting roles in Seachange and Blue Heelers. This book is a memoir of his father, Colin McInnes, and takes us back to the 70’s on a battleaxe block in Queensland: cane toads, stubbies, backyard barbies, cricket and footy games. McInnes’ style makes for easy reading: there are plenty of laugh-out-loud moments as well as a few that may move the reader to tears. The second half is perhaps a little slow, but this book is, nonetheless, a very enjoyable read.

Let it be known that I am not a sport afficionado by any stretch of the imagination. I have been known to get excited about soccer matches but that's about it.

This novel is written by the popular Aussie actor William McInnes. It's a point of national honour really to have read this for book club.

But it is probably a book that will be appreciated more by the blokes, I'm guessing.

But I had a go - in the spirit of the book mind you. Which is the all important thing for Aussies. To have a go. "Avva go you mug" is a term of endearment oft bandied about to the bewilderment of new Aussies.

If you like laconic, wry humour that doesn't take itself too seriously but does ponder on the mysteries of life aka love and cricket - this book is for you.

This is the second book I've read by this author and I really like his easy style of writing. This was a delight to read, not only for the informative short history of important events in Australia, but for the bonding of these events to sporting events and identities scattered throughout the same time line. I like the way family, friends and strangers all get a mention, and there are some pearls of wisdom from Mum and Dad.

This is one of the few audio books where I have enjoyed the author reading the book themselves (most don't do a good job). Images of family life growing up is Brisbane reminded me of my own childhood and the intricacies of family life. Had a good laugh at times. The version I listened to was abridged, but I wish it had beed the full version - I hate abridged works.½

A lovely warm, fuzzy read with lots of laughs. Reading it in public (on the bus, in the lunch room at work) is hazardous because I kept bursting out in giggles. He always gives food for thought while entertaining. A lovely view of Australia and Australians.

That’d be right is the autobiography of Australian actor William McInnes. This is a slice of life story about growing up in Australia in the 70’s, 80’s and 90’s. McInnes has a fantastic sense of humour and has lead an interesting life. This book however focuses more on football and election events and what was happening in his life at those times. The book only touches on the other events in his life (for instance working on Blue Healers whose name does not even get mentioned).
He has written some other books which I have not read so perhaps he covers his own life more closely in those. For me that was the biggest let down of this book, is that he didn’t delve deeper into the fascinating stories we catch glimpses of in this book. Nether the less the characters that McInnes chose to bring to life are eccentric at worst and hilarious at best.
Dont get me wrong this had some great laugh out loud moments and I did enjoy most of the book. But not being a huge sporting fan or politics fan I probably did not get as much out of it as other might. I am probably being harsh only giving it 3 stars but something held me back from loving this book.

I laughed and cried, a very easy satisfying read

A patchy book - some parts superb and others contrived. I laughed out loud at his childhood memories, was bored by his more cynical recollections, and cried when he described trying to tell his demented father that he loved him.½

A beautiful memoir, full of nostalgic charm and roaringly funny anecdotes. I laughed myself sick through the first 3/4, and cried my heart out through the last 1/4.

Fabulous film, thought provoking, funny and touching. Beautifully acted by the entire cast.