The Walkleys are awarded to Australian journalists across many different media including literature and this year some very good books have been short listed. The winner will be announced on the 27 November.
Vietnam: The Australian War by Paul Ham.
This is the story of the Australian troops in The Vietnam War which uses accounts from soldiers, politicians, aid workers, entertainers and Vietnamese people. Paul Ham has tried to shed light on the soldiers perspectives and how, on their return to Australia, their own country treated them indifferently.
The Tall Man by Chloe Hooper.
On Palm Island Cameron Doomadgee swore at a policeman and sometime later was dead in a prison cell with injuries consistent with a fall. The policeman was Christopher Hurley who, through a coronial inquest and an independent review, was acquitted of any crime. The Tall Man is the story of this controversial case and is a compelling read for anyone interested in Australian race politics.
American Journeys by Don Watson.
This book takes you closer to real America than any travel guide. Don Watson travels by train through America and informally chats with everyday people he meets. He discovers a nation of bravado and self-assurance but paradoxically also one of violence and insecurity. His writing is elegant and his journey is captivating.
Visit the Library Catalogue to reserve any of these titles.
