{"product_id":"fancies-i-dare-not-speak-r-g-menzies-9781923224964","title":"Fancies I Dare Not Speak: The Hidden Verse of R. G. Menzies","description":"\u003cp\u003eSir Robert Menzies was arguably Australia's greatest political orator, but how did he develop his magnificent way with words?\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThe language of the 'Forgotten People' has etched itself permanently in the Australian political lexicon, but few realise that Menzies learned to write speeches in part by writing verse. This new collection brings to light Menzies's hidden artistry, from childhood rhymes about football to witty parodies of his political rivals. In doing so, it offers a new window into the great man, and the early twentieth century Australia in which he thrived.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Fancies I Dare Not Speak: The Hidden Verse of R. G. Menzies' features prose written by Robert Menzies, sourced from the Menzies Collection at the University of Melbourne, the Menzies Papers in the National Library of Australia, private family papers, and other published materials. Some poems are short and heartfelt, for friends and family. Others are long, brimming with rhythmic commentary to be read aloud to an attentive audience. They all offer a rare glimpse into a moment in time otherwise lost, where Menzies's thoughts were so overpowering, they could only be expressed through the art of poetry.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis collection was edited by Georgina Downer, William Cook, and Victoria Hronas with an introduction by Dr Damien Freeman.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book was previously published as Collected Poems and Other Writings by R. G. Menzies. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eAuthor:\u003c\/b\u003e R. G. Menzies\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-10:\u003c\/b\u003e 1923224964\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eISBN-13:\u003c\/b\u003e 9781923224964\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublisher:\u003c\/b\u003e Connor Court Publishing Pty Ltd\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eLanguage:\u003c\/b\u003e English\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePublished:\u003c\/b\u003e 08\/10\/2025\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003ePages:\u003c\/b\u003e 132\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eFormat:\u003c\/b\u003e Paperback\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eWeight:\u003c\/b\u003e 0.30lbs\u003cbr\u003e\u003cb\u003eSize:\u003c\/b\u003e 8.00h x 5.00w x 0.31d","brand":"R. G. Menzies","offers":[{"title":"Paperback","offer_id":48437525348607,"sku":"9781923224964","price":24.95,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0662\/2982\/9887\/files\/img_a715341d-56b4-4e23-9b5d-0fd6977f0279.jpg?v=1777162409","url":"https:\/\/www.whiterainbookhouse.com\/products\/fancies-i-dare-not-speak-r-g-menzies-9781923224964","provider":"WR Book House","version":"1.0","type":"link"}