The Howard Years (ABC1, Monday 8.30pm) began last night covering the first two and a half years of John Howard's prime ministership, beginning with the 1996 election win to the eve of the 1998 poll.

Personally, it took a show like this, putting all the events together in one package, to remember how busy the early days of the Howard government were.

There was the Port Arthur massacre and the subsequent ban on semi-automatics guns, Howard's infamous appearance in Sale wearing a bullet-proof vest, the waterfront dispute, Pauline Hanson, Aboriginal land rights and the genesis of the GST.

The best thing about The Howard Years was the use of people who were involved, not so-called experts having their two bob's worth.

As well as Howard himself, last night's premier episode featured interviews with the likes of ministers Tim Fischer, Joe Hockey and Peter Costello, advisers and maritime union leader John Coombs.

But it was the thoughts of former Workplace Relations Minister Peter Reith and Patrick's boss Chris Corrigan which I found interesting.

Both were involved in the controversial plan to use non-union labour on the docks in order to make it more efficient.

Their accounts of the saga were similar to a point, but Reith would have us believe he didn't know anything bar basic details.

In later episodes, the series will include the thoughts of outgoing US President George W. Bush and will surely touch on September 11, the Tampa and the tensions between Howard and Costello.

The Howard Years is not just for political junkies, it's a great snapshot of 11 years in Australia's history told through those who were part of it.

What did you think?