Tunis is Mad Tonight: The Life and Times of New Zealand Journalist Douglas Brass

(Paperback)

Publishing Details

Classifications

Physical Properties

Description

Denis Glover, Charles Brasch, Ian Milner these names have long been familiar to New Zealanders. Less well known is their contemporary and close friend, journalist Douglas Brass, whose remarkable four-decade career gave him a unique view of a turbulent period in world history. Brass reported extensively and intelligently on post-war Europe and also established himself as an admired royal correspondent. He went on to become Rupert Murdochs eminence grise, was editorial director of News Limited and played a major role in the establishment of The Australian. His powerful columns opposing Australias participation in the Vietnam War were extremely influential. Yet this prominent journalist, so close to the making of history, remains virtually unknown in his own country. For this fascinating, readable and timely biography, Peter Cox has researched widely to reveal a man who loved his family and his homeland yet often fiercely criticised New Zealand, a man who was at the forefront of great events yet remained private and reserved, a man who could be serious yet also funny and kind. Douglas Brass was as fine a writer in his field as his more famous contemporaries. In Tunis is Mad Tonight a long neglected New Zealander takes his deserved place in the spotlight and an extraordinary life is revealed.

Reviews

This readable and well-researched book sheds illuminating light on Douglas Brasss distinguished journalistic career and his involvement in key moments in British, Australian and New Zealand newspaper history.

Ian F. Grant, Pressing On: The story of New Zealand newspapers, 19212000

Author Bio

Peter Cox is the author of two previous books, Good Luck to All the Lads: The Wartime Story of Brian Cox 193943 and Desert War: The Battle of Sidi Rezegh. In 2019 he was awarded a Queens Service Medal for services to sport, particularly hockey. He and his wife Robin live in Christchurch, where Peter previously worked as a chartered accountant and company director and now acts as an adviser to some family businesses and as a trustee for several sports organisations, while continuing to have an interest in military history.