He Who Must Be Obeid

He Who Must Be Obeid chronicles the rise and fall of Eddie Obeid, a Lebanese-born Australian politician who became one of the most powerful figures in New South Wales politics. The book tracks his path from migrant business owner to Labor Party kingmaker and documents the corruption investigations that ultimately led to his downfall. Award-winning investigative journalist Kate McClymont draws on decades of research and reporting to expose the web of influence and deal-making that surrounded Obeid during his time in parliament. Through interviews, court documents, and public records, she reconstructs the complex relationships between politicians, businesspeople, and public servants that enabled corruption to flourish. The book represents a landmark work of Australian political journalism, illustrating how power operates in modern democratic systems and what happens when the boundaries between public service and private gain become blurred. Its examination of institutional failure and the importance of investigative reporting resonates beyond its specific Australian context.

Readers consistently highlight McClymont's detailed investigative journalism and ability to untangle complex political corruption. The book maintains tension despite covering known events, with many readers noting they "couldn't put it down." Strengths noted in reviews: - Clear breakdown of complicated relationships and money trails - Engaging storytelling style while remaining factual - Thorough research and documentation Common criticisms: - Large number of characters can be confusing to track - Some readers wanted more personal details about Eddie Obeid - The timeline jumps around in places Ratings: Goodreads: 4.2/5 (87 ratings) Amazon AU: 4.5/5 (43 ratings) Reader quote: "McClymont connects countless dots that explain how corruption operated at multiple levels of NSW government. The level of detail is astounding." - Goodreads reviewer Several readers mentioned the included relationship diagrams helped follow the various players and connections throughout the narrative.

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📚 Kate McClymont spent over three decades investigating Eddie Obeid before writing this exposé of the corrupt former NSW politician. 🏛️ The book's publication was delayed multiple times due to legal concerns, as Obeid had previously sued McClymont and Fairfax Media for defamation. ⚖️ Eddie Obeid was eventually sentenced to seven years in prison in 2016 for misconduct in public office, making him the first NSW minister to be jailed for corruption. 🔍 McClymont won multiple Walkley Awards (Australia's highest journalism honor) for her investigative reporting on Obeid and corruption in NSW politics. 💰 The book reveals how Obeid and his family accumulated a fortune estimated at over $100 million through various schemes while he was in public office.