Hi Greg,
You write beautifully...very easy to read but with exquisite use of language (hear myself regularly saying, ‘what a nice way of describing this’ or ‘I remember things like that but could never express myself so succinctly‘)
You are very “open”....inviting us into “your private world”....peeling back the onion “layer by layer”, allowing the reader to feel they really know you as they walk the paths of your journey.
You are EXTREMELY well read and you bring to the table the wisdom of your reflections drawn from sources which you weigh objectively.
Not only are you well read but you draw as readily on life experiences taken from “the school of hard knocks”....
Looking forward to the next book!
Ian
A lifetime of wisdom in what must be amongst the warmest, most humane books on radio, by a great Australian broadcaster with the gift of paying attention. Anyone aspiring to talk to their listeners would do well to get this book.
Sean Street - England (Professor of Broadcasting)
I finally finished your book. It was beautifully written. I loved the way you weaved time and personal stories, observations and historical facts into your chapters with compassion, curiosity and wisdom….so clever and so well done!!!!
Melissa
Greg, I just wanted to let you know how much I enjoyed reading your book and I think one of the reasons I enjoyed it so much was the ability it gave me to remember my past and to realise that we are all influenced by what has come before us. We loved listening to you on the radio. Your balanced approach to life and topics was always evident and appreciated.
I loved all the quotes you chose to begin each chapter but the line from Renoir was so apt and, as you intended, goes way beyond golf
Your book is beautifully written and gave me a chance to reminisce. Thank you!
Julie
Greg,
I thought An Absence Of Certainty well titled and beautifully written.
As a long long time radio man I thought your analysis of the complexity of John Laws and others outstanding.I also appreciated you talking about anxiety…and the issues that caused it. I am one of many who has suffered in silence for years. Be assured that sharing your experience WILL help.
David
Hi Greg,
Settled down with the memoir yesterday and became totally absorbed from the first chapter.
Just wanted to let you what a remarkably flowing, entertaining and thought provoking experience, on so many levels, you have produced.
Took me, without pause, through section one, where it’s inspirational last chapter led into the perfectly placed “A Career Begins”.
Greg, the issues you raised in “The Presence of Evil’ were handled so very, very well, with openness and in a sensitive and strongly impactful manner.
With it’s open discussion and easy to understand and valuable philosophies, it clearly presents your desire to help others, by sharing your experience and the understandings you acquired to deal with it.
Have no doubt that you, and Hetty, will achieve that aim. There would be so many who would benefit from your openness.
That you have moved on from such an early troubling start to a successful and worthwhile life presents a proof that with your approach, it can be done.
On another level, that same approach would have a positive application in dealing with many other forms of emotional issues resulting from bad experiences. I thoroughly enjoyed the chapter on Mike Ahern as I did the reflections on radio and the media more widely. The final section was a lovely way to finish a fine book. My wife and I send our sincerest congratulations.
Bruce
“A great read. Insightful and honest from one of the great broadcasters.”
Ian Maurice
Hi Greg,
I just finished your book and I totally enjoyed it. It was soooooooo interesting and enlightening. What a delight. Thank you for mentioning me too, I feel very proud and super humbled
Kind Regards
Hetty Johnston AM GAICD
Child Protection & Safeguarding Specialist
Hi Greg
I have just finished reading your memoir and wanted to write and tell you how much I enjoyed it . I laughed out loud at times (“ not the bunny!” Cracked me up totally ) and got quite teary at other times , your letter to Billie when she was born made me cry ,feeling the love that you had for her and the hopes for her future . It was also great learning things behind some of the big events in my lifetime that I hadn’t known before.
I loved your style of writing, it felt like sitting around a fire with a friend chatting , with stories weaving in and out ,moving off topic and then back again, the way that great stories do.
Deb
Hi Greg!
I'm going to re-read and re-read. You have written precisely as you have hosted all your shows on air....talking directly to the reader/listener; warmly, intelligently, engagingly, and simply smartly!
A fantastic and impressive amount of research.I hope it's incredibly successful for you…
All the best
Eileen, a former listener now living in London
Hi Greg,
Absolutely loved your book.
Well done.
You are a natural! A true story teller.
Easy and fun to read.
I do look forward to reading your future works.
I am asking (demanding) my 4 children read your work.
2 of the 4 are prolific readers but would not normally select your genre.
I am sure each will take something away from it.
And thanks for the motivation it has given me.
Regards
Graeme Crowley - author and podcaster
Hey Greg,
Congratulations on the book - It's outstanding.
After reading it, it struck me that you write just the way you broadcast - with a unique combination of forthright opinion and considerate expression. In other words, providing your very intelligent view without the need to shout or to put anyone down. Just the opposite in fact - to lift people. Well done.
Chris
G’day Greg,
Brave, profound, informative, and articulate - but above all, (to paraphrase an old saying,) it certainly proves that the author is always ‘interesting, because he takes the time to be interested’ in everything! …..Just a bloody good read - congratulations!
Cheers
Tim
Dear Greg,
Many congratulations on your book. I’m an avid reader and couldn’t put it down. I know that’s a cliche, but it’s true. It made me laugh; it made me cry….and, most importantly, it made me think. Thank you.
Gloria
Thanks for a great read.
A most enjoyable and thoughtful book.
I always think the test of book you are really enjoying is if you slow down
with about 60 or so pages to go because you don’t want to finish it.
It passed that test with flying colours.
Bill
“Much to take out of this excellent book including the role of media in this changing world.”
Michael Crutcher (55 Comms and former editor of the Courier Mail)
Dear Greg
I wondered why a colleague gave me a copy of An Absence of Certainty to read. At that time my reaction was "I have already too many books to read - why another?" However, on reflection he did me a favour -intended or otherwise….As a long critic of the standard of Journalism in Australia, your book has caused me to review that position. Regrettably I failed to listen to 4BC so was not aware of your role in radio.”
Bill