Book description
Ken Douglas was raised in a hardworking, tough-talking, union-focussed
Wellington family and got into union politics as a very young working
man. Hard-nosed, pragmatic and never scared of a scrap, he rose through
the ranks, got deeper into left-wing ideology and activity with his
membership of the Socialist Unity Party, and ultimately became head of
the FOL, and the most powerful unionist in the land. Depending on your
politics, he was one of the most respected or the most hated men in the
country; ironic then that in later years he was appointed to some of the
country's most important boards. In this powerful biography, David Grant
-- who had unprecedented access to Douglas -- explores the facets of
this remarkable man, who was there during the union movement's most
powerful days and watched its emasculation. It is a unique portrait of a
unique New Zealander, whose life has been this country's times. David
Grant is a Wellington historian, who is the author of several major
books. His most recent was on the conscientous objector Archibald
Baxter.
