Defence

Book Review

My Story
General Peter Cosgrove

Reviewed by Alisha Welch, Editor, Defence magazine

Image courtesy of Harper Collins Publishers and Newspix

In 2003, as a Military Reporter with the Army newspaper, I was lucky enough to personally interview the then-Chief of the Defence Force, General Peter Cosgrove. What struck me most about this fine man was not just his impressive rank and stature, but his humility and genuine admiration for the men and women of the Australian Defence Force he was so obviously proud to command.

This riveting autobiography, which I had the pleasure to read cover to cover over a recent weekend, not only confirmed my original perceptions of this General, but made me realise that, despite humble beginnings, some people are put on this earth to achieve nothing less than greatness.

In My Story, General Cosgrove takes us on a journey through his eventful life, from the moment of his birth when student gunners suffering the blistering cold on the range at Puckapunyal were offered some relief as his father, a Warrant Officer, turned a range practice into a party in the Sergeant's Mess to welcome the arrival of his baby boy; to the tumultuous events in East Timor in 1999 that propelled this General into the spotlight he so appropriately embraced.

Throughout its 445 pages, readers also learn of General Cosgrove's experiences at the Royal Military College, Duntroon, where he comically assures us that not all natural leaders are particularly good at rope climbing! "After the triumphant instructor showed us how to do it, he announced that we could now all in turn climb up and down the rope twice each without touching the ground. I had a feeling that I might touch the ground a little sooner than he had ordained. Going up once was no trouble and coming down was a question of resisting gravity. Going up the second time was problematic. Each reach up the rope became shorter and shorter, each moment of progress further apart, each glance up revealing the head of the rope still impossibly remote. About three feet from the top, my muscles shut down as my body said, 'Time to go!' I fell in a crumpled heap at the base of the rope, retaining only the breath to loudly proclaim at the moment of impact what we term a 'soldier's expletive'."

Of course, there are many serious parts to this General's story, not the least of which was his tour of duty in Vietnam, where he won the Military Cross for storming bunker systems during October 1969. In great detail, General Cosgrove sets a vivid scene of the jungle operations in which he was involved and one cannot help but gain a fervent appreciation for the importance of tactical training.

I laughed out loud many times while reading this story and, every time, I thought how perfectly General Cosgrove fits the persona of the 'typical' Australian soldier - not afraid to make fun of himself, yet able to maintain absolute respect at all the appropriate times. When describing his courtship with his wife of many years, Lynne, General Cosgrove likens himself to a descendent of Genghis Khan! In short, after bugging a mate to arrange for him a date for an upcoming dining-in night, "...loyalty prevailed and with great trepidation, having prepared the ground previously with a delightful young woman he worked with, he asked her to receive a phone call from me without hanging up or calling the police." Clearly she didn't!

General Cosgrove undoubtedly shot to fame as the commander of the Australian-led International Force East Timor (INTERFET) in 1999, where his leadership and guidance equaled enormous success. Yet, in a most humbling way, he offers credit where credit is indeed due. Listening to the advice of a young corporal leading a section of soldiers who were trying to appease an angry mob attacking a suspected militia member, Cosgrove asked the corporal his plan and agreed. "The soldiers bundled the man under threat into the back of the carrier and it roared off up the road taking him to safety and medical treatment. The crowd, in that great Timorese characteristic of passionate moods, cheered me as I returned to my vehicle with chants of 'Viva INTERFET'. Corporal, take a bow."

Written in a way that engages the reader as early as the prologue, the 2001 Australian of the Year has a unique way with words - he holds nothing back but, at the same time, tackles sensitive issues in a way only a natural leader can, with respect and professionalism.

I heartily recommend this book to all.

HarperCollinsPublishers Australia RRP: $49.99

The opinions expressed in this autobiography are the personal views of General Cosgrove and not necessarily the official views of the Department of Defence.

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