This week, Jeff Popple reviews three great Australian books for Father’s Day! More of Jeff’s reviews can be found on his blog: murdermayhemandlongdogs.com
Buckham’s Bombers by Mark Baker
Allen & Unwin, $34.99
Dads who like military history will appreciate Mark Baker’s Buckham’s Bombers.
Bruce Buckham was the captain of a Lancaster bomber crew during World War II and is one of Australia’s most highly decorated pilots. The exploits of his crew during the bombing raids against Berlin drew acclaim, but their most dangerous mission were the attacks on the infamous German battleship Tirpitz. Drawing on extensive interviews with Buckham himself, journalist Mark Baker provides a vivid description of the raids on the Tirpitz, as well as the various other missions. A compelling and well told account that also follows Buckham’s interesting return to Australia.
The Kingpin and the Crooked Cop by Neil Mercer
Allen & Unwin, $34.99
Also full of interesting details and reflections on times past is Neil Mercer’s fascinating account of two of the most notorious figures in Sydney criminal history, Neddy Smith and failed detective Roger Rogerson. As a leading crime reporter, Mercer knew both Rogerson and Smith from the 1980s and his book, The Kingpin and the Crooked Cop, tells for the first time the inside story of their rise to fame and subsequent fall. Meticulously researched, and full of colourful anecdotes and new information, this is an engrossing read that paints a striking picture of the “bad old days”. An ideal present for Father’s Day.
The Protector by Tony Park
Macmillan, $34.99
Tony Park is a terrific adventure writer, and his African-based novels are always a reading highlight. His latest, The Protector, is another top-notch tale, this time about the terrible trade in pangolins. Denise ‘Doc’ Rado is South Africa’s expert on pangolins, renowned for busting poachers and freeing the endangered anteaters. But after a risky operation backfires, Doc finds herself, and the wildlife tour that she is leading, under threat as they head into a remote part of the African jungle. Once more combining a brisk pace and an exciting plot with heart felt descriptions of African wildlife, The Protector is a great read. Recommended.
