The speeches collected in After Words, virtuosic in their scale and range of subjects, are remarkably the work of one eye and one mind: that of former Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating.

The speeches reveal the breadth and depth of Keating's interests - be they cultural, historical, or policy-focused - dealing with subjects as broad as international relations, economic policy and politics. Individual chapters range from a discussion of Jorn Utzon's Sydney Opera House through to the redesign of Berlin, the history of native title, the challenge of Asia, the role of the monarchy, to the shape of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No. 2 and more.

After Words contains an analytic commentary on Australia's recent social and economic repositioning by the man viewed by many as its principal architect. The speeches go beyond observations, as Paul Keating sketches out new vistas and points to new directions.

For those interested in matters relating to the future of Australia and the world, After Words presents, unmediated, a panoply of issues which the inimitable mind and writing style of Paul Keating has sculpted into a recognisable landscape.