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| {{for|the American sculptor|Roland Hinton Perry}} | {{for|the American sculptor|Roland Hinton Perry}} | ||
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| '''Roland Perry''' (born 11 October 1946) is a ]-based ] and an occasional film-maker. He has published 22 books, many of them international bestsellers, including 3 fiction and 19 non-fiction works. He has written in a variety of genres including biography, history (World War 1), politics, espionage, sport (mainly cricket) and fiction. His nine biographies include ''Monash: The Outsider Who Won The War'' <ref>{{cite book|last=Perry|first=Roland|title=Monash: The Outsider Who Won a War|publisher=Random House Australia|date=2004|isbn=1 74501 280 4}}</ref> , which won "The Federation of Australian Writers Melbourne University Publishing Award" in 2004; ''Miller’s Luck: The Life and Loves of Keith Miller, Australia’s Greatest All-rounder'' <ref>{{cite book|last=Perry|first=Roland|title=Miller’s Luck: the life and loves of Keith Miller, Australia’s greatest all-rounder|publisher=Random House Australia|date=2005|isbn=1 74051 397 5}}; In the UK entitled {{cite book |title=Keith Miller|publisher=Aurum Press|date=2006}}</ref>, awarded Biography of the Year (2006) by the UK Cricket Society; ''The Fifth Man'' <ref>{{cite book|last=Perry|first=Roland|title=The Fifth Man|publisher=Sedgwick & Jackson|location=UK|date=1994|isbn=0 283 062169}}</ref> (a biography of Lord Rothschild, the Third Baron); and ''The Don, a biography of Sir Donald Bradman'' <ref>{{cite book|last=Perry|first=Roland|title=The Don, a biography of Sir Donald Bradman|publisher=Macmillan, Australia|date=1995|isbn=0 7329 0827 2}}</ref>, regarded widely as the definitive work on this sporting legend and 20th century Australian icon. | |||
| '''Roland Perry''' (born 1946) is a ]-based ], best known for his books on cricket.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.andrewlownie.co.uk/books/perry.roland/index.shtml|title=Roland Perry biography|work=andrew lownie literary agency|accessdate=2007-12-12}}</ref> He has written numerous books, both ] and ], including ''Monash: The Outsider Who Won The War'', which won "The Federation of Australian Writers Melbourne University Publishing Award" in 2004. Perry has also written ] on ], ], ] and ] among others. Perry recently published his twentieth book; ''The Ashes: A Celebration'', a book commemorating ].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.randomhouse.com.au/Authors/Default.aspx?Page=Author&ID=Perry,%20Roland|title=Roland Perry|publisher=]|accessdate=2007-12-12}}</ref> | |||
| Perry is a member of the Advisory Council of the National Archives of Australia; the Sir John Monash Foundation; and a director of the Spirit of Australia Foundation. <ref>The National Archives of Australia is charged with maintaining the memory of the nation. Other members of the Advisory Council are Mr Paul Santamaria (chairman), Mr Peter Grant (deputy chair); Professor Mick Dobson, Director AIATSIS; Senator Kate Lundy; the Honourable Alex Somlyay MP; Mr Ian Hancock; Mr Aladin Rahemtula; Mr David Irvine, Director-General of ASIO; Dr Dianne Snowden; Professor John Williams; Dr Helen Irving; Dr Mickey Dewar. | |||
| The Sir John Monash Foundation promotes scholarship, leadership and Australia’s heritage and values. In particular, the Foundation raises funds for and administers the nation’s most prestigious postgraduate scholarships---Australia’s General Sir John Monash Awards. | |||
| The Spirit of Australia Foundation was incorporated in 2005 to ‘remember and commemorate Australia’s heritage.’ | |||
| </ref> He is also a member of the Alliance Francaise, the Melbourne Cricket Club, the Melbourne Football Club, the RSL (Elwood Branch), and an honorary member of the Murrumbeena Football Club coterie. | |||
| Roland Perry began his writing career as a journalist on the Melbourne Age from 1969 to 1973. His first editor (in the paper’s business section) was Les Carlyon (later author of ‘Gallipoli’ and ‘The Great War’) when it was going through what many observers believe to be its finest years as a crusading newspaper under Editor-in-Chief Graham Perkin. While working on the paper, Perry gained an Economics Degree at Monash University (1970-1972) and studied at Melbourne University, winning the Exhibition Prize and Frederick Blackham Journalism Scholarship in the subject ‘Journalism’ in 1969. (His primary education was at Murrumbeena State School and secondary education at Scotch College, Melbourne.) | |||
| He moved to England in 1973 to further his writing career and spent five years making documentary films, notably with feature-director Tony Maylam and one of Europe’s foremost documentary producers, Jack Grossman. Grossman was involved with ‘Arts for Labour’ (the UK Labour Party) under ] in his bid to unseat ] as UK Prime Minister. Grossman was commissioned to make Labour’s television political broadcasts (party commercials). He finished forever the tedious use of ‘talking heads’ and brought Perry in to help produce a controversial 10 minute party advertisement refuting Thatcher’s claim that she had primary control of all nuclear weapons on UK soil. The sensational clip suggested that the US President still maintained his ‘finger on the button’ concerning US Cruise Missiles based in the UK and aimed at the (then) Soviet Union. Thatcher was forced to defend her claims in a hostile Parliament. <ref>Time Out Magazine London, UK, 23 September 1981.</ref> <ref>‘The Crisis Machine’, Penthouse Magazine UK, Volume 19, No 6, June 1984.</ref> | |||
| '''FIRST FICTION''' | |||
| Perry worked for three years part-time on his first book, a fictional thriller, ''Program for a Puppet'', which was first published in the UK by W. H. Allen in May 1979 and then Crown in US in 1980. <ref>{{cite book|last=Perry|first=Roland|title=Programme for a Puppet|publisher=W H Allen|location=UK|date=1979|isbn=0 491 02197 6}}; In the US entitled {{cite book |title=Program for a Puppet|publisher=Crown|date=1980}}</ref> | |||
| The book did reasonably well for a first fiction in hardcover, almost selling out its first print run, but it became an international best-seller in paperback, primarily with Hamlyn in the UK and Pocket Books in the US. ''Program for a Puppet'' was translated into several languages, including German, Spanish, Japanese and Italian. Reviews were strong for a first book. Newgate Callendar in ''The New York Times'' called it ‘altogether an exciting story...an exciting panorama.’ <ref>Newgate Callendar, New York Times, 1 September 1980.</ref> Author Morris West sent the publisher a review, saying it was ‘a compelling read. I found the narrative fascinating.’ <ref>Arthur Morris, Programme for a Puppet, 2nd printing paperback, Hamlyn Paperbacks, UK, 1981.</ref> ''Publisher’s Weekly'' (US) said: ‘In a slick, convincing manner, Perry welds high-tech with espionage.’ <ref>Publisher’s Weekly, US 18 June 1980.</ref> | |||
| ''Playboy Magazine'' captured the book’s scope dubbing it, ‘the story of the century, incorporating, assassination, corporate blackmail, terrorism, love, sex and death. A little bit of Forsyth, a dash of Arthur Hailey, this is a first rate story...a good read.’ <ref>Playboy Australia, May 1980.</ref> The UK ''Guardian’s'' Tom Tickell said ‘Police chases and shoot-outs are a part of any thriller. Making them gripping enough to raise the heartbeat is far rarer but this book succeeds in doing it. The book has great pace and excitement...taut and extremely well written.’ <ref>UK Guardian, 22 May 1979.</ref> | |||
| In an interview on Sydney radio a decade after the publication of ''Program for a Puppet'', Perry spoke about learning more from the negative reviews for his first fiction book than the good reviews: ‘Some were a bit cranky; some were patronising,’ he said, ‘but they were all in some way instructive. One thought the writing was “too high mileage.” Another spoke of a “staccato” style. I recall another mentioning that it was, at times, like a film script. One reviewer thought I had two good thrillers in one, which had merit. I did meld two big themes that may have been better separated. But you don’t really know what you are doing on a first fiction. I did all the heavy research, “forty ways to pick a lock,” that sort of thing.’ In a further interview on ABC TV, when talking about his first novel, the author said he kept the story moving---Freddie Forsyth style---from city to city around the world. Characterisation was minimal. The plot was strong, but being a good ‘plotter’ and researcher were the least important elements, he claimed, of distinctive writing. Perry didn’t think he had a ‘voice’---or any strong confidence in what he was doing until book number 4, which seemed to be the general rule for authors. He remarked that he was fortunate ''‘Program’'' did so well. It allowed him to buy time to concentrate on developing a writing career. <ref>Owen Delany interview with the author, News Overnight Program, Macquarie Network, 18 May 1988; ABC TV Australia Sunday Arts program, 20 February 1993.</ref> | |||
| The ‘film-script’ element was noticed. ''Screen International'' reviewed ''Program'' favourably, saying it was ‘eminently filmable...about big business, the CIA, the KGB, intrigue and assassination...Perry is a good writer and his involved story zips along at a nice pace. Can’t wait to see the film version!’ This attracted legendary British producer Sir Lew Grade, who sought to option the film rights. But this coincided with his film version of the ''Titanic'', which was a box-office flop. It sank hopes for future Grade productions, including the adaptation of ''Program for a Puppet''. <ref>Screen International UK, 28 July 1979.</ref> | |||
| '''JOURNALISM & CRISES''' | |||
| While based in the UK, Perry covered three US Presidential elections as a free-lance journalist in 1976 (] v ]); 1980 (] v ]); and 1984 (] v ].) His outlets were ''The Times, London''; ''The UK Sunday Times''; ''The UK Daily Telegraph''; ''The UK Sunday Telegraph''; ''The Guardian, UK''; ''BBC TV and radio''; ''TV Channel 4''; ''radio LBC'': ''Harpers & Queen''; ''Penthouse''; ''Columbia University Magazine''; ''Time Out''; ''Campaign Magazine UK''; and ''Computing UK''. (The author has written articles for all Australia’s leading papers and magazines over a 40 year span, 1969 to 2009, including ''The Australian'', ''Sydney Morning Herald'', ''The Age'', ''The Sunday Age'', ''The Melbourne Herald Sun'', the ''Sydney Daily Telegraph'', the ''Brisbane Courier Mail'', ''The Adelaide Advertiser'' and ''West Australian''. He has also contributed to the ''Heritage Magazine'' and ''Medical Observer''.) | |||
| One of the most striking features he wrote in those four decades appeared in ''Penthouse UK'' in 1984. This investigative article was based on interviews by Perry (in 1981, on camera with Jack Grossman directing) inside the White House. In this expose, conspiracy theorists, especially those on the political fringes who blame 9/11 on a cabal ''inside'' the US Government itself, could well find more than clues to the root of the evils in which they believe so fervently. The key interviewee, Dr Richard Beal, explained how the US Government planned for world ‘crises’ long before they happened or might happen by using advanced ‘war-gaming’ techniques. These included how a ‘crisis’ ''might'' be created, for instance, to allow the US to go to war to protect its oil interests in the Middle East. The author believed that the Reagan administration was in an over-confident mood in 1981---soon after Reagan’s inauguration. In this atmosphere, he said, its guard was down. Nobody would have secured such footage or commentary, he claimed, at any time after 1981. <ref>‘The Crisis Machine’, Penthouse Magazine UK, Volume 19 No 6, June 1984. See Perry’s articles ‘Candidate Reagan’, UK Sunday Times, 29 April 1984 and ‘The Man Who Monitored the World During a Crisis,’ Computing UK, 24 May 1984; ‘Caed Mile Demos’ by Paddy Prendiville, Sunday Tribune, Ireland 29 April 1984; ‘The Programming of the President,’ Andrew Casey, Sydney Sun-Herald, 19 August 1984; ‘Pollsters: ignore them at your peril,’ Business Review Weekly, Australia 3-9 November 1984; ‘Strategists use programs to put politicians in power,’ by Bill Johnston, The Australian, 27 November 1984. The one hour documentary produced by Grossman and Perry was ‘The Programming of the President,’ Program Film Productions, 1984.</ref> | |||
| '''FIRST NON-FICTION, HIDDEN POWER''' | |||
| Given the world-wide market for his first book, W. H. Allen wanted Perry to write another fiction. But the author was keen to use his journalistic background to follow up on a factual element in the novel---the way the American public was manipulated into voting for candidates by slick computer-based campaigns. He had read Joe McGuinness’ ''The Selling of the President'' concerning the election of ] in 1968. Perry decided to write ''Hidden Power: The Programming of the President'' about the election of ] in 1980. The book explained how advertising techniques had been superceded in elections by more sophisticated methods, including marketing and computer analysis. It was published by Aurum Press in the UK and Beaufort in the US in 1984. The book, as much narrative as analysis, told how the two key campaign ‘pollsters’ steered their candidates. It was not critical of the President ], but was seen by the Republican campaign as hostile to him. | |||
| In mid-1984 Perry received a phone call ‘from someone saying he was an American student interested in doing a thesis on the book,’ the author told Melbourne ''Herald’s'' Caroline Wilson in an interview in London, ‘I thought it seemed a bit strange so I asked him to leave a number. When I rang back I found it was the headquarters of the Reagan-Bush re-election committee. My publishers had a few phone calls like that and just started playing along without giving too much away.’ <ref>Computers Maketh the President, by Caroline Wilson, Melbourne Herald, 24 August 1984. | |||
| Hidden Power, Beaufort US, 1984; The Programming of the President, Aurum Press, UK, 1984; ISBN 0 906053 78 1; Elections Sur Ordinateur, Robert Laffont & Bonnel Editions, France, 1984; ISBN 2-221-01932-6 | |||
| </ref> | |||
| The initial contact was just the beginning of pressure to suppress the book. Republican and Reagan pollster, Dr Richard (‘Dick’) Wirthlin, used his lawyers to attempt to stop Perry from promoting the book in the US. Perry and his publishers ignored warnings and went ahead with a 20 city promotional tour. He had a rollercoaster ride during the second election of Reagan in 1984. <ref>ibid</ref> | |||
| The ] assigned party hacks to editorialise against the book every time the author appeared on television or radio. By contrast, celebrated ] ] Pat Caddell (Wirthlin’s key rival in the story) bought 50 copies for distribution inside the ]. | |||
| ''Hidden Power'' had a good run of reviews during the early campaign election months. US ''Publishers Weekly'', often the first review, which the book trade look to for guidance on coming publications, said: ‘An alarming expose of the political mass manipulation made possible by modern technology.’ <ref>US Publisher’s Weekly, 7 July 1980.</ref> ''John Barkham Reviews'' said, ‘This is a landmark book form Americans. They should read, mark, learn, and remember come November.’ <ref>John Barkham Reviews, US, 21 July 1980.</ref> ''ALA’s Booklist'' commented: ‘An authoritative, behind-the-scenes study of political polling in America.’ <ref>ALA’s Booklist, US, 21 July 1980.</ref> Then Sydney Blumenthal (later a key advisor in the Clinton Presidency), a polling expert who had written his own well-received tome, ''The Permanent Campaign'', weighed in with: ‘Roland Perry’s book is a wonderfully revealing tour guide for anyone planning to travel to the polls on election day.’ <ref>Sidney Blumenthal, The Permanent Campaign (publisher etc needed)</ref> | |||
| The ''San Francisco Chronicle'' noted that ‘Hidden Power presents a frightening view of the process by which we elect public officials. This is a fascinating book.’ <ref>The San Francisco Chronicle, 18 September 1984.</ref> ''Library Journal'' was also positive: ‘This is a timely and interesting account of a new breed of political technocrats.’ <ref>Library Journal, September US 1984.</ref> ‘Fascinating and timely’ was also the ''Houston Post’s'' refrain with the added poser: ‘How should a President conduct his administration, by consensus or conviction?’ <ref>The Houston Post, 30 September 1984.</ref> | |||
| Buoyed by this strong response across the country, publisher Beaufort took out a full-page advertisement in the ''New York Times'' Sunday Book review section <ref>New York Times Sunday Book review Section, 12 August 1984.</ref> citing a selection of these reviews. Predictably, Reagan supporters in the media acted on their concern that the book was anti-Republican. Pro-Republican journalist Jack Honomichl in (US) ''Advertising Age'' attacked the book. He found the subject ‘fascinating’ but called it ‘chock full of hyperbole.’ <ref>US Advertising Age, 17 September 1984.</ref> ''Newsweek'' dismissed it saying that ‘it’s the techniques for mass manipulation of computer-aided pollsters that have Perry in a tizzy.’ <ref>‘Packaging the President’ Newsweek, 3 September 1984.</ref> | |||
| The detractors did not like Perry’s style of developing a dramatic narrative. Dwelling on it was a useful distraction for some. It was a long way from the usual political writing in the US and the UK. The ''New Scientist’s'' Theodore Roszak wanted the facts much dryer. He thought the book was ‘something like—but not quite—a non-fiction…for a study which aspires to be a significant expose, that is nearly lethal.’ On the other hand many appreciated the author’s approach, which they believed made otherwise esoteric material digestible. <ref>‘All the President’s Men’ by Theodore Rozak, New Scientist, 10 January 1985.</ref> The US’s ''Bloomsbury Review'' wrote: Perry’s book is neither metaphorical nor is it analogous to modern politics. It is a painstakingly objective and accurate documentation of the world’s governing forces. Without making grim predictions or fatalistic judgements, Perry looks at recent Western politics in terms of computerisation and points out some imposing new developments. Perry is a journalist not a moralist or a dreamer. His conclusions are backed by hundreds of hours of taped interviews and years of extensive research. But Hidden Power is not a dry, tedious textbook account of the subject. It reads like a docu-drama and gives a realistic portrait of some of the media-made, computer-programmed politicians. “Up close and personal” is applicable to Hidden Power, and so in “the inside scoop.” Hidden Power is a story well told; a story the public needs very much to know and understand.’ <ref>‘Pollsters & Powerbrokers’ Bloomsbury Review US, October 1984.</ref> | |||
| Radio talk-back hosts across the U.S.A saw the book as controversial. In pro-Democrat Boston, one presenter had the author on for the entire four hours of his program answering questions from a mixed audience. Some queried the fact that an ‘outsider’ (non-American) dare analyse US Presidential politics. Others, in the traditionally pro-liberal Massachusetts, saw the book as a vehicle for the grievances against the Republican Administration. | |||
| In the UK, the book received wide coverage. ''The Economist'' opined that it had a ‘frightening message: the pollsters with their state-of-the-art computers, which keep a finger on the pulse of the electorate, hope they can manipulate almost any election and have ambitions to control what the people’s choice can do in office.’<ref>The Economist 7 September 1984.</ref> Oliver Pritchett in the London ''Sunday Telegraph'' thought the book’s main concept was ‘an alarming idea, and the author...plainly intends to give us the shivers.’ <ref>UK Sunday Telegraph, Oliver Pritchett, 15 July 1984.</ref> | |||
| The book’s success in hardcover in the US led to a proposed $800,000 rights deal by Beaufort and Aurum with a leading US paperback group. But Wirthlin’s lawyers, and the White House, put pressure on the paperback publisher. It backed out of the deal, which was unusual given that the book had been in the US public domain for six months gaining wide media publicity. But Reagan’s support was so strong just after his re-election that the political climate would not allow a mass market publication with an expose of hidden election techniques. <ref>Owen Delany interview with the author, News Overnight Program, Macquarie Network 18 May 1988.</ref> | |||
| Perry published a further book on the marketing and programming of political candidates in the UK and Europe, ''Elections Sur Ordinateur'', which was published first in French by leading publishers Robert Laffont and Bonnel Editions, which received a good run of reviews in France. At this time Perry and Jack Grossman produced a one-hour documentary film ‘The Programming of the President’ segments of which were broadcast on the UK’s Channel 4 in 1984. Wirthlin, Caddell and political candidates such as Ted Kennedy, were interviewed by Perry for the film before the book was released. <ref>UK Channel 4, 8 September 1984; Elections Sur Ordinateur, Robert Laffont & Bonnel Editions, 1984</ref> | |||
| '''RETURN TO AUSTRALIA: SECOND FICTION''' | |||
| In 1985, Perry returned to Australia (after 11 years based in London, and one in New York) to work as a ] with director ], who played a leading part in the renaissance of the Australian film industry from the late 1960s. Perry was also a writer/director on ''Strike Swiftly'', a seven part ABC television documentary series on the Commando regiment of the Australian Army. <ref>Strike Swiftly, Jaypat films, ABC TV documentary series May, June 1985; See ] obituary by Perry ‘The renaissance man of Australian filmmaking,’ The Age, Melbourne, 22 April 2004.</ref> | |||
| Following this, he decided to write his second novel, ''Blood is a Stranger'' (published by William Heinemann and Mandarin books in 1988), which was set in Australia’s Arnhem Land and Indonesia. <ref>Blood is a Stranger, William Heinemann, Australia, 1988; ISBN 085561 160 X</ref> This covered the ‘issue’ of the misuse of uranium mining and dangers of nuclear weapons, a theme in Perry’s early writing and documentary film-making. The book too received a good run of reviews. Stephen Knight in the ''Sydney Morning Herald'' wrote: ''Blood is a Stranger'' is a skilful and thoughtful thriller…with a busy plot and some interesting, unnerving speculations about what might be going on in the world of lasers, yellowcake (uranium mining and manufacture) and Asian politics---things that most people prefer to ignore in favour of more simple and familiar puzzles.’ <ref>‘From Mulga Ashtray to Mainstream,’ by Stephen Knight, Sydney Morning Herald, 11 June 1988.</ref> The ''Brisbane Courier Mail'' wrote: ‘(the book) delivers a rare kind of thriller: action but in a setting of substance and credibility. Murder, travel, a touch of sex, some more murder, intrigue and betrayal…Roland Perry obviously doesn’t believe in understatement.’ <ref>Brisbane Courier Mail, 18 June 1988.</ref> ''The West Australian'' called it ‘a racy read in our backyard.’ <ref>‘Absence of Malice,’ by John Weyland, The West Australian, 23 July 1988.</ref> The Melbourne ''Age'' concurred: ‘The story moves along very well indeed---Sydney, Arnhem Land, Asia---and at the same time Perry keeps the characters believable..’ <ref>The Age, Melbourne, ‘Crimes’ section, Saturday Extra, 23 July 1988.</ref> Similarly Stan Barney in the ''Canberra Times'' wrote that ‘Perry writes well.’ The novel ‘moved along at a cracking pace...’ <ref>‘Pace Gives Thriller its Appeal,’ by Stan Barney, The Canberra Times, 11 June 1988.</ref> | |||
| '''BURCHETT: THE EXILE''' | |||
| After this second foray into fiction, Perry wanted to write a third novel, but was taken by the intriguing life of communist journalist, Australian ]. Burchett died in Bulgaria late 1983, when Perry was still in London. The author was amazed at the run of media commentaries and obituaries---in the US, UK, France, China, Russia and many other countries. Here was an Australian, whose life, at least behind the scenes, was largely unknown, receiving huge editorial comment, bigger than any Australian before him including ]. Perry decided to write Burchett’s biography. William Heinemann in Australia and the UK were again the publishers, in 1988. The subject was the most controversial figure in Australia’s history since Victorian bush-ranger Ned Kelly. He polarised the nation perhaps like no other. Perry sought to tread the middle ground to separate myth from fact. Burchett’s enemies alleged he was a floating communist agent, working in the world’s trouble spots for the ] and other espionage outfits. His supporters claimed he was simply a left-leaning, independent journalist. | |||
| Perry based the book on Australia’s biggest defamation trial, when Burchett in 1974 sued Jack Kane of the ] for calling him a ] agent. Thirty trial witnesses laying out Burchett’s life and career delivered the author a useful vehicle for the biography. Perry travelled to the US, UK, France and Russia for research. He interviewed key figures on both sides of the political spectrum, and all the key lawyers and barristers in the case. | |||
| Many reviewers used the book as a ‘political football’ which they could kick according to their political inclinations. In contrast to the US, where Hidden Power was supported by the more liberal press and attacked by the conservatives, the Burchett book---''The Exile''---was attacked by the liberal press and supported by conservatives. Similar to Burchett the character, the book polarised commentators. <ref>The Exile: Burchett, Reporter of Conflict, William Heinemann, Australia, 1988; ISBN 0 85561 106 5</ref> | |||
| Some took a neutral stance. Phillip Knightley, a strong Burchett supporter, said in the London Sunday Times that Perry wrote about the trial ‘in a vivid and impartial manner. Since Australians have a capacity for long and bitter feuds that is almost Sicilian, the courtroom scenes make for gripping reading as Burchett’s enemies do their best to “get the Commie bastard” once and for all.’ <ref>‘A Tireless Supporter of the Underdog,’ by Phillip Knightley, London Sunday Times, 2 October 1988.</ref> On the right, Jake Kane, the defendant, called the author a ‘wimp’ for not ‘nailing’ Burchett further as a ] agent. Red Harrison in the ''Weekend Australian'' tacitly concurred with this sentiment and was critical of the author for not condemning his subject further: ‘Roland Perry’s approach to necropsy is more prosaic, as if the facts of life should speak for themselves. Indeed they do, and Perry has marshalled them without subtlety or scepticism….the censure (of Burchett) is as insipid as it is astonishing, as if Perry would deny the breadth and diligence of his own research.’ <ref>‘Flesh on the Bones of Wilfred Burchett,’ by Red Harrison, The Weekend Australian, 29 May 1988.</ref> | |||
| '''THE EXILE REVIEWS: LEFT, RIGHT, MIDDLE''' | |||
| In contrast, on the far left, Ben Kiernan, the one-time representative in Australia for ] (responsible for genocide in Cambodia), attacked Perry and the book in the ''Sydney Morning Herald'', saying that ‘by limiting his focus to the allegations and part of Burchett’s defence, Perry avoids the many other aspects of Burchett’s life and work.’ <ref>‘Justice Delayed, Justice Denied,’ by Ben Kiernan, Sydney Morning Herald, 18 May 1988.</ref> On the right, B. A. (Bob) Santamaria, who supported Jack Kane, drew on Perry’s rare ‘editorial’ summary in the book and cited it in his (Santamaria’s) review in the ''Melbourne Herald'': ‘Burchett was not the independent observer he claimed. A true independent who had witness what he had would not have supported Stalinist show trials in Eastern Europe. He would have had something more to say about the 1956 attempted revolution in Hungary, which he denounced. He may have considered being other than mute on Czechoslovakia in 1968, or even Afghanistan in 1979. He might also have written with some insight on the trial and execution of a big section of the North Korean leadership in 1953....Because of his tremendous impact during the Vietnam War he could have had some influence on events in Pol Pot’s Cambodia soon after. But he chose to ignore the carnage until it was too late..’ Santamaria wondered whether ‘any attempt would be made to “bury” it [the book}.’ <ref>‘When Treason is Honoured,’ by B A Santamaria, The Australian, 29 March 1988.</ref> | |||
| On a similar note, Professor Robert Manne wrote in the ''Melbourne Herald'': ‘Perry clearly entered upon his study with an open mind, intrigued by Burchett’s career, and to some degree charmed by his character. What is important about his book is that the evidence has driven him---almost in spite of himself---into the camp of the detractors. Perry is, firstly, convinced that throughout his long career, Burchett was a covert but nevertheless dogmatically committed communist. During every important event---between the late 1940s and the early 1980s---Burchett was active and effective….With Perry’s book it ought to be possible to say that the Burchett controversy is closed. In fact, what will happen is that Burchett’s defenders will merely regroup. In public his book is likely either to be ignored or dismissed by nitpicking. In private his motives will be questioned. In writing truthfully about Burchett Roland Perry has offended a powerful lobby.’ <ref>‘Burchett Book Not Conclusive’, by Robert Manne, The Melbourne Herald, 10 April 1988.</ref> | |||
| Manne was correct about the Burchett supporters regrouping, but the book was far from ignored as scores of reviewers in the Australia and the UK presented their views of the book and Burchett. In one of the longest-ever critiques in the ''Australian Book Review'', Bill Lesley, firmly pro-Burchett, wrote that Perry ‘has taken on a monumental task....The Exile represents an exhaustive working out of quite mammoth amounts of information, much of it which is quite absorbing and even fascinating..’ But this was faint praise in a generally damning review. Lesley thought Perry was not as empathetic to his subject and his achievements as he should have been. Perry began the book with a dramatic narrative of Burchett’s world scoop on the dropping of the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan in August 1945. Lesley said Perry drew from it ‘as little as possible as a guide to understanding his subject’s career and development.....one feels rather the cold skills of the professional entomologist, picking carefully through the endless dust of detail to effect a reconstruction of a fascinating object...’ <ref>‘Burchett---a committed Man or a Bought Stooge,’ by Robert Lesley, Australian Book Review, May 1988.</ref> | |||
| ''The Canberra Times'' however, took a different view: ‘Perry looks at both sides with a dispassionate eye, conditioned partly by his decision to use as background the evidence produced in Burchett’s unsuccessful defamation case against Senator Jack Kane....Perry studiously avoids a moral judgement on Burchett’s life which had given him worldwide notoriety.’ <ref>‘Burchett—a press legend reappraised,’ by John Graham, The Canberra Times, 12 May 1988.</ref> The ''Sydney Daily Telegraph'' viewed the book as ‘extremely well-written and researched.’ <ref>The Sydney Daily Telegraph, 2 April 1988.</ref> The ''Brisbane Sun'' saw it as a ‘meticulously fair and balanced account of an extraordinary life.’ <ref>The Brisbane Sun, 18 May 1988.</ref> Picking up on Perry’s narrative style developed in fiction, ''ABC Radio (5AN) Adelaide’s'' Keith Conlon said: ‘The Exile reads like a first rate thriller.’ <ref>Keith Conlon, ABC Radio (5AN) Adelaide 18 May 1988.</ref> | |||
| Burchett’s lawyers weighed in when the publisher asked for their comments. Burchett’s barrister (Judge) Harvey Cooper wrote: ‘I picked up this book with some trepidation. But once I started to read it, I just could not put it down…because of the interesting and easily read manner in which it is written…this book (on the subject) is the first which gives credit where credit is due and condemns where condemnation is due.’ <ref>Judge Harvey Cooper, The Exile, paperback edition, Mandarin, 1989.</ref> | |||
| Burchett’s solicitor, Roy Turner wrote: ‘The Exile is nothing short of brilliant---a masterpiece. I have never read a better account of a trial. The book explains Burchett, the enigma, to me for the first time. Considering the style of the writing, it is a book worthy of study in higher education…the author has produced an outstanding work; a scholarly, well-researched and fairly presented description of an exile.’ <ref>Roy Turner, The Exile, paperback edition, Mandarin, 1989.</ref> | |||
| Even the populist ''People Magazine'', looking for a suitable angle for its audience, wrote in its review: ‘Burchett knew that getting the actress Jane Fonda to visit North Vietnam and make anti-war speeches and documentary films would be the propaganda coup of the war. The Fonda connection is just one fascinating aspect of the life of Wilfred Burchett detailed in The Exile.’ <ref>People Magazine, 28 May 1988.</ref> | |||
| '''THIRD FICTION, AND FILM''' | |||
| Roland Perry next returned to fiction and a pet theme---the evils of nuclear weapons---in this third novel ''Faces in the Rain''. Set mainly in Melbourne and Paris, he used a thriller narrative (writing for the first time in the first person) to expose the nefarious activities of the French in testing and developing nuclear weapons in the Pacific. The book, published by Mandarin in 1990, was well received without the media polarisation or intense coverage of his non-fiction. <ref>Faces in the Rain, Mandarin, Australia, 1990; ISBN 1 86330 076 7</ref> The Melbourne ''Age'' review by Peter Pierce said: ‘There is a French-Polynesian connection in Roland Perry’s able frame-up and pursuit thriller. Propelling his hero from Paris to the Melbourne Club and the Mosque of Iran in East Coburg , Perry handles the location shots with ease; keeps the dialogue clipped; while providing a complicated plot that is effectively elaborated and ended.’ <ref>Peter Pierce, The Melbourne Age, 28 February 1991.</ref> The Melbourne ''Herald-Sun'' noted ''Faces in the Rain'' was an unusual novel. ‘Perry has put together a plausible plot, and action that rattles along at a fine pace. Altogether a pleasant surprise.’ <ref>Melbourne Herald Sun, 10 December, 1990.</ref> The Canberra Times was also positive:...’Recent episodes involving the French Government in the Pacific are used to good effect to give the book an appealing topicality, and Perry proves to be deft at keeping the reader guessing....''Faces in Rain'' is always entertaining...’ <ref>The Canberra Times, 5 December 1990.</ref> Only one published reviewer was less than impressed. Robert Hood in ''Australian Crime and Mystery Magazine'' wrote: ‘Perry tells the story economically, the plot is paced well and is effectively structured, and he occasionally provides telling imagery.’ However, after citing an example of this, Hood complained that the main character was not ‘particularly endearing….his thoughts seem to deal with only immediate action and never drew out wider implications.’ <ref>Robert Hood, Australian Crime and Mystery Magazine, May 1991.</ref> | |||
| In 1991, Perry was commissioned by the ''Weekend Australian Magazine'' to write a feature about an Australian syndicate attempting to raise the treasure from a sunken galleon off the coast of Guam in the Pacific. He had kept his hand in at film-making and, inspired by the Guam story, returned with a film crew to make a documentary: ''The Raising of a Galleon’s Ghost''. Perry wrote, produced and directed the film. It was sponsored by Omega, which distributed it world-wide. The cinematographer was Rob Copping, who shot some of Australia’s most successful films including the Tim Burstall-directed ''Alvin Purple'' and ''Stork''. <ref>The Tracking of a Galleon’s Ghost, Omega, 1992.</ref> | |||
| '''THE FIFTH MAN''' | |||
| For his seventh book, Perry set his sights on his biggest challenge yet: to discover the identity of the ‘Fifth Man’ in the Cambridge University (UK) spy ring---the most effective espionage group of the 20th Century. All members of the Ring worked for the Soviet Union’s KGB and were run by Russian Master Spy Yuri Ivanovitch Modin. To even attempt this project Perry needed considerable research funds for several trips to Europe, Russia and the US. He raised the finance in 1992 and 1993 by writing two books in ‘lighter’ fields that he enjoyed formerly more for leisure than work: films and cricket. One concerned the films of Mel Gibson (''Lethal Weapon''). Publisher Peter Fenton at Oliver Books sent Perry on another 20-city tour of the US, then to the UK, to promote it. The other tome covered the 1993 Ashes cricket series between Australia and England, and the hero of the Test matches, spinner Shane Warne (''Shane Warne: Master Spinner.'') <ref>Lethal Weapon, Oliver Books, UK, 1993: ISBN 1-870049-79-9</ref> <ref>Shane Warne, Master Spinner, Information Australia, Australia, 1993; ISBN 1 86350 149 5</ref> In the spring/summer of 1993 in England the author saw every match of the Ashes series, and in between took trips to Moscow, Washington DC, Paris and St Petersburg in search of the mystery espionage agent for the book ''The Fifth Man''. He had a strong base of contacts within British intelligence, especially MI6, members of which had assisted him on detail for his first novel and information for articles on espionage. <ref>The Fifth Man, Sedgwick & Jackson, UK, 1994</ref> | |||
| After initial research he presented a 20,000 word evidentiary statement to Sedgwick & Jackson UK’s William Armstrong, who had published various books on espionage, notably by British journalist Chapman Pincher. Armstrong had been caught up in circumstances surrounding the MI5 agent Peter Wright, who published ‘Spycatcher’ with William Heinemann (also Perry’s publisher in 1988. Through this connection, Wright became one of Perry’s interviewees for ''The Fifth Man''). Armstrong commissioned Perry to write the book, telling him it explained the whole affair for the first time. The Fifth Man was published in 1994, during an avalanche of spy book ‘collaborations.’ Often gullible western writers and academics linked up with former KGB agents to produce mainly turgid, unmemorable, over-blown volumes, with many claiming ‘exclusive’ access to KGB files. Despite these claims, no westerner ever had personal access to the files. They worked on ‘summaries’ prepared by the KGB, which created pitfalls and obvious opportunities for KGB ‘disinformation’. <ref>Spies Without Cloaks: The KGB’s Successors; Knight, Amy, Princeton, NJ; Princeton University Press, US, 1996.</ref> Only Perry and Kim Philby’s biographer, Phillip Knightley, avoided such spurious links. Knightley instead edited a book ''The Philby Files'' by Genrikh Borovik. <ref>Borovik, Genrikh; The Philby Files; Little, Brown & Co. US, 1994.</ref> Perry made several trips to Russia for in-depth interviews with eight KGB agents, five of whom claimed they knew the true identity of the Fifth Man. Once more he drew on his journalist experience. | |||
| ‘The collapse of the old USSR saw the rise of two types of Western espionage “experts”,’ the author told Damien Murphy of the Australia’s ''Bulletin'' magazine, ‘academic historians on a feverish document hunt, who maintain the Fifth Man is fantasy because documentation apparently does not exist.; and London journalists flying into Moscow to pay superannuated KGB officers to tell them what they want to hear for a headline.’ Perry said he ‘slipped under the net.’ He didn’t do deals with literary or espionage agents, but instead arrived and used contacts to get interviews, or simply turned up on door steps, with an interpreter, the way any journalist would in the west. Some agents politely or impolitely rejected his overtures; others did not. <ref>‘Is This the Last Man,’ by Damien Murphy, The Bulletin Magazine, Australia; 8 November 1994.</ref> | |||
| The book proved one of the author’s more controversial works. It named Lord (Victor) Rothschild, the Third Baron, as the fifth key member of the KGB-controlled Ring. The other four were Guy Burgess, Donald Maclean, Kim Philby, and Sir Anthony Blunt, the Queen’s art curator. The media and press were split between positive and negative reaction to ''The Fifth Man''. The Irish Times reviewer Kieran Fagan said: ‘This book by an Australian journalist is very unusual.....Few writers on espionage achieve the page-turning fluency of Roland Perry.’ <ref>‘Victor Ludorum,’ by Kiernan Fagan, The Irish Times; 10 November 1994.</ref> ''The Weekend Australian'' reviewer Richard Hall said ‘it only takes a couple of phone calls to establish that the Rothschild operation had been pretty small beer for a long time.’ <ref>Richard Hall, Weekend Australian, 14 January 1995.</ref> Hall did not mention who was on the end of those phone calls that informed him so much, which prompted Perry to write to the paper, saying ‘it would have been helpful if Mr. Hall had named his sources so we could compare them to those in the book...’<ref>Letter to Editor, Weekend Australian, 21 January 1995.</ref> In contrast, Norman Abjorensen in ''The Sunday Canberra Times'' wrote: Perry makes a plausible case that the Fifth Man was...Rothschild...even from the most critical viewpoint it has to be conceded that the circumstantial evidence pointing to Rothschild is compelling.’ <ref>‘Following the Moscow Line,’ by Norman Abjorensen, The Sunday Times Canberra, 22 January 1995.</ref> | |||
| The UK ''Independent Bookguide'' noted: ‘Perry takes you on a trail of sensational discoveries to an individual whose power was truly awesome---Lord Rothschild.’ <ref>The Independent Bookguide UK, December 1994.</ref> The author-as-guide reviews kept coming. Caroline Wilson, who had interviewed Perry concerning ''Hidden Power'', said on Melbourne’s 3AW radio: ‘This book is brilliantly researched and a first class read. No turgid spy tome here. Perry takes you on a guided tour through the hall of espionage mirrors.’ <ref>Caroline Wilson, 3AW radio Melbourne; 23 November 1994.</ref> Linda Agrin on LWT (London Weekend Television) said in the literary program ‘You’re Booked’: ''The Fifth Man'' is a powerful excursion into the espionage demi-monde…the facts about the names Burgess, Philby, Maclean and Blunt are about to take on a new dimension...this is a wonderful read.’ <ref>Linda Agrin on ‘You’re Booked,’ LWT; 14 September 1994.</ref> Peter Couchman in a 50 minute interview with the author on Melbourne’s ABC radio thought it ‘a fascinating, plausible new look at the whole question of The Fifth Man. An excellent read.’ <ref>Peter Couchman Program, ABC Radio Melbourne, 24 November 1994.</ref> | |||
| Christopher Hitchens in the ''London Review of Books'' seemed on less than an exhilarating journey and more like a plod through a representative sample (five) of the torrent of ‘revelatory’ spy books in the mid-1990s, including ''The Fifth Man''. Hitchens looked at them through the prisms he knew well: history (apart from espionage history) and literary content. He was concerned with what he viewed as a seminal or ‘defining, moulding episode of this moribund Century’ which to him was the Hitler-Stalin Pact. Hitchens was unhappy with all the authors for not giving him more on it. ‘Roland Perry...spends exactly one sentence saying that after the Pact “the agents thought of abandoning their commitment until Gorsky made contact.” Gorsky, the London “Control” was apparently able to convince Maclean, Philby and Burgess, but not Blunt and Rothschild, that Stalin’s realpolitik was “buying time.” This could be accurate, I suppose...’ <ref>‘Lucky Kim’ by Christopher Hitchens, LRB, 23 February 1995.</ref> | |||
| '''INVESTIGATING AUTHOR''' | |||
| ''The Scotsman’s'' Gillian Harris interviewed Perry, who said: ‘There were 100 little things that fitted into place . But the thing that triggered it for me was Lord Rothschild’s job as MI5’s security inspector . That explained how he got into all the major research institutions and weapons centres.’ In a piece of good old-fashioned investigative reporting, Perry ‘tracked’ a small, saucer sized device---a magnetron for use in radar---‘stolen’ by Rothschild from a defence laboratory in the UK run by Sir Mark Oliphant. This was given by Rothschild to Blunt. They worked together on drawings and notes on the magnetron. Blunt then passed it all on to the London Soviet Embassy’s top agent Vladimir Barkovsky. Barkovsky photographed the device, information about it and drawings supplied by Rothschild and Blunt, which was all sent by diplomatic bag to the KGB’s Moscow Centre. Then Barkovsky returned the magnetron to Blunt, who returned it to Rothschild. Rothschild, acting his part as MI5’s security adviser, and showing amazing cheek, then posted the magnetron back to Oliphant, with a warning note for him to ‘tighten up his security.’ The guileless Oliphant was grateful to the benevolent Rothschild for showing how easy it was to steal a device from his laboratory. Oliphant was also relieved that Rothschild did not report his lax security, which could have seen war weapons development funds withdrawn by the UK Government. No media outlet (except for Harris at the Scotsman) picked up on this extraordinary discovery by Perry, whose investigation included interviews with Oliphant in Canberra and Barkovsky (on camera) in Moscow. | |||
| The magnetron, according to Perry, was just one of many weapons developments that Rothschild, the brilliant scientist with a 183 IQ passed on to the Moscow Centre this way. Perry claimed the Rothschild carefully kept his direct contact with the KGB spies to a minimum. Instead, he used middle-men, namely Guy Burgess and Blunt, to pass on any purloined espionage information. <ref>‘Rothschild is named as Fifth Man,’ by Gillian Harris, the Scotsman, 15 October 1994.</ref> | |||
| The author seems over the decades to have been a reluctant responder to reviewers, but the comments surrounding ''The Fifth Man'' ‘smoked’ him out more often than all his other works combined. Some comment was straight-out defamation and had to be answered. Noel Annan in the ''New York Review of Books'' attacked him saying he had ‘the insolence to suggest that the Rothschilds helped him.’ <ref>Noel Annan, NYR, 21 January 1995.</ref> Perry responded in the ''NYR'': ‘At the risk of being caned like Tom Brown, I humbly submit I did interview six members of the Rothschild family.....some were most helpful, others were more reticent. But I taped the interviews, just in case an old schoolmistress should doubt their authenticity.’ <ref>‘The Fifth Man’ p 67, NYRB, 23 March 1995.</ref> Annan claimed: ‘I asked Lady Rothschild whether she had been interviewed by Mr. Perry. She said she had no recollection of being visited by a man with a tape recorder. Still one can forget conversations.’ <ref>‘The Fifth Man’ p 68, NYRB, 23 March 1995.</ref> Tess Rothschild’s remark was one befitting a former MI5 employee, which she was. The author, an assiduous recorder, did the taped interviews with her over the phone from the London offices of film-maker Jack Grossman, who listened to the discussions. Annan must have missed the first page of ''The Fifth Man'' in which Perry writes: ‘Special thanks are due to the busy Honourable Miriam Rothschild and Lady Tess Rothschild, who contacted me when she learned I was writing a book concerning her husband.’ The other interviews (taped, face to face) with the Rothschild family included two of Victor’s sons, Jacob (the 4th Baron, his son from his first marriage), and James Amschel (the son from the second marriage, to Tess.) <ref>‘Acknowledgements’ (opening page), The Fifth Man, Sedgwick & Jackson, 1995.</ref> | |||
| The sensitivity over Tess Rothschild comes from Perry’s implied claim in the book that she spied for the KGB with Victor as a team from 1938. The Rothschild family lawyers demanded copies of the book from Sedgwick & Jackson before publication but decided not to sue, preferring ‘to maintain a dignified silence.’ | |||
| '''PUBLISHING FRAUD''' | |||
| An even more contentious issue in the book was the claim that the brilliant Scot and Cambridge graduate John Cairncross was ''not'' the Fifth Man. In his opening chapter, Perry made a strong case for him being an important KGB spy but pointed out that Cairncross was finished as an operative in 1951. MI5 was on to him and forced him from the UK into exile in France, where he had no access to any secret information. This was acknowledged by KGB Spy Master Yuri Modin, Perry’s key interviewee, in his own book ''Mes Comrades de Cambridge'', first published in France in 1994. <ref>Modin, Yuri Ivanovitch, Mes Comrades de Cambridge, Robert Laffont, France, 1994.</ref> The British publisher Headline Book Publishing, which bought the rights, wanted to spice up the material for its audience. <ref>Modin, Yuri Ivanovitch, My Five Cambridge, Headline Book Publishing, UK, 1994.</ref> It made less than subtle changes, first to the title, making it ''My Five Cambridge Friends'' with the sub-heading: ‘For the first time, their KGB controller reveals the secrets of the world’s most famous spy ring---Burgess, Maclean, Philby, Blunt and Cairncross.’ Second, Headline changed lines on page 104, now implying that Cairncross was the Fifth Man: ‘At the close of 1944, the name of John Cairncross, code-named the Carelian, was added to the four agents to whose cases I had been assigned. He was the “Fifth Man.” Cairncross had at one time or another been in contact with the others, but he was hardly a member of the group.’ <ref>p 104, My Five Cambridge Spies, Headline Book Publishing, UK, 1994.</ref> | |||
| This paragraph was revealing in its confusion. He had made contact, sortof, maybe, but he was not in the Cambridge Ring. The words changed and inserted by Headline were pure fabrication, according to Modin, who pointed out that Cairncross, to his knowledge, had never been in contact with any member of the group. UK ''Guardian'' journalist Richard Norton-Taylor rang Modin to check on this and found him angry that the false claims, changes and fraud on the British (and later US) buying public, had been made without him being consulted. <ref>Norton-Taylor, Richard, The London Guardian, 10 December 1994.</ref> Alan Rusbridger, who agreed with Perry’s assessment that Rothschild was the fifth man, also wrote in ''The Guardian'': “Yuri Modin...says in the English edition of his recent book that Cairncross was “the fifth man.” Modin says he never used the term, which is not contained in the French edition of his book.’ <ref>Rusbridger, Alan, The London Guardian, 10 December 1994.</ref> | |||
| Perry travelled to Moscow again with Jack Grossman and filmed Modin denouncing his British publisher’s doctoring of the content this way. <ref>Documentary video material, including interviews with Yuri Modin, held by Jack Grossman, Hove, England.</ref> A fourth investigator, researcher Daniel Korn of the British documentary film company, Touch Productions, also questioned Modin on the matter. <ref>Daniel Korn, Touch Productions, London. Also, p xlii, The Fifth Man, second edition, Pan Books, UK 1995.</ref> On each occasion, Modin was adamant: he had not named Cairncross as number Five. The French publisher supported his claim. But for Headline it was a case of ‘never let the facts get in the way of a good story.’ The fabrication was taken as gospel by almost all reviewers, including the more astute observers such as Hitchens in the ''LRB'', and the espionage expert David Leitch in the UK ''Sunday Independent''. <ref>Hitchens, LRB, 23 February 1995; David Leitch, UK Sunday Independent, 23 October 1994.</ref> This provided the UK publisher (and the happily compliant media except for ''The Guardian'') with a useful ‘headline’ grabber. Without the ‘Cairncross was the Fifth’ angle, the book delivered some cautious, vague insights on Modin’s life and nothing new or revealing on the British spies in question. | |||
| Ian Cummins in the Melbourne ''Age'' was one of a score of reviewers who remained ignorant of Headline’s literary hoax. But he went one better than most by telling his readers that the author was ‘careless with detail’ such as ‘the claim that Margaret Thatcher was a lawyer before entering parliament---she actually graduated in chemistry.’ Thatcher in fact, as Perry pointed out, graduated in a Bachelor of Science in chemistry ''and'' read for the bar specialising in tax law. <ref>‘Three Sisters and the Fifth Man,’ Ian Cummins; The Melbourne Age, 3 June 1995.</ref> Perhaps Cummins believed ‘read for the bar’ meant poetry recitals at London’s Chelsea Potter pub, her ‘local’ in the King’s Road. | |||
| '''THE BRADMAN BIOGRAPHY''' | |||
| Perry turned to his love of cricket for his next book, ''The Don, a biography of Sir Donald Bradman'' published in 1995 again by Macmillan in Australia and William Armstrong at Sedgwick & Jackson in the UK. More than 50 books had appeared on Bradman since the 1930s, but no author had ever interviewed him. Perry secured interviews through contacts that had done business with the cricketing legend. Six months turned into a six year relationship and four books in all: ''The Don; Bradman’s Best'' (Random House, 2001); ''Bradman’s Best Ashes Teams'' (Random House, 2002); and ''Bradman’s Invincibles'' (Hachette, 2008). | |||
| After the review battleground created by some of his other non-fiction bestsellers such as ''Hidden Power'', ''The Exile'' and ''The Fifth Man'', the author had a different experience with this sports biography on Bradman, who many people in Australia rank as the ‘greatest Australian.’ (Perry had high regard for Bradman, but ranked General Sir John Monash above him). The Don went to top of the bestseller lists in Australia and had the most positive run of ‘notices’ of all his books in Australia and the UK. <ref>Herald Sun, 2 December 1995</ref> Perhaps the most appreciated would have been by the doyen of cricket writers E. W. Swanton in the UK ''Cricket Magazine'': ‘''The Don'' is an unsurpassable record of a phenomenal figure, from Lord’s to the moment of writing, has been, if any man ever has, a victim of his fame.’ <ref>E W Swanton, UK Cricket Magazine, March 1996.</ref> | |||
| In Australia, the reviews had a familiar pattern. The drama and pace for a sports book was appreciated as they were in Perry’s fiction, and usually also, but not always, in his more serious non-fiction. Certainly the author’s love of the game was seen to be coming through his writing. The Melbourne ''Herald Sun'' wrote: ‘''The Don'' is a sterling biography...it gives a riveting account of many of Bradman’s innings, and one can almost feel the excitement that gripped cricket fans when he strode out to bat.’ <ref>Herald Sun, 18 November 1995.</ref> ''Australian Cricket Magazine’s'' Ken Piesse found the book was ‘a riveting and engrossing account of the life and times of cricket’s mega hero…In a 645 page book, Bradmanlike in research and presentation, Perry provides far more biographical and character detail on The Don and his life than previously published.’ <ref>Ken Piesse, Australian Cricket Magazine, January 1996.</ref> The Sydney ''Sunday Telegraph’s'' Peter Lalor said: ‘Perry keeps a compelling pace in the work…The Don always let his cricket do the talking and so does the author. Perry brings to life the various innings with colourful and detailed descriptions of the shots, bowling and fielding...a good read and a handy bench-mark for all the modern hysteria about Brian Lara and Steve Waugh, two fine players whose averages and performances are but a shadow of The Don’s.’ <ref>Peter Lalor, Sunday Telegraph, 7 January 1996.</ref> | |||
| ''The Sydney Morning Herald'' critique by Philip Derriman said that the book was ‘well researched, well illustrated and well written…anyone who looks into the book for an informed, readable account of the life of an extraordinary individual who also happened to be a fantastically successful sportsman will be well satisfied.’ The reviewer was critical of Perry not expanding on the religious divide between the Masons and Catholics: ‘Perry’s book does include a personal detail about Sir Donald Bradman, which, as far as I know, has not previously appeared in print---namely that he is a former Freemason. Perry states the fact without comment, although many readers, having heard the stories of friction between Catholics and Mason in Australian cricket in the 1930s and 1940s, are sure to wonder if it was a factor in the lifelong personal rift between Bradman and his Catholic team-mates, Bill O’Reilly and Jack Fingleton.’ <ref>Philip Derriman, Sydney Morning Herald, 2 December 1995.</ref> | |||
| Perry in ''The Don'', in several media interviews and articles over a decade made it clear he did not think this had anything to do with his ‘rift’ with these two other contemporary Test cricketers. This he said, was why he did not play it up in the book. In an interview with AFL football legend Kevin Bartlett on Melbourne Radio, Perry read Bradman’s responses to relevant questions dealing with the ‘Catholics v Masons’ issue.. He (Bradman) could be cantankerous and tough to deal with at times, Perry told Bartlett, but bigotry was not in his nature. He was agnostic. He did not have much time for religion. ‘It certainly did not interfere with his selection of cricketers in the Test side or anywhere else,’ Perry noted, ‘although there were accusations that the Australian Board of Control in the 1930s had prejudices against Catholics. These may well have been true. But the evidence did not stack up in Bradman’s case. In fact, the opposite was true. He fought for and got selected speedster Laurie Nash in the final Test of the 1936-37 Ashes series very much against the entire Board’s wishes. That Australian Test side had six Catholics in the team. Bradman captained it. He wanted the best team to beat England and such background things as this would never have entered his head. Australia winning was almost all that mattered to him. Bradman gave the Board an ultimatum: “if you don’t select Nash in the team, I will consider my own position.” Of course, the Board backed down. But the rumours persisted, possibly because Bradman himself never sought to address the religion issue. Remember too he personally chose Richard Mulvaney, a Catholic, to run the Bradman Museum in Bowral. Mulvaney became one of his closest confidants. The Museum became a fine institution in his name. It has developed into the most important symbol of the Bradman legacy.’ <ref>Interview with Kevin Bartlett, Melbourne Radio Sports 927, 5 September 2000.</ref> | |||
| The old Catholics v Masons divide did not enter into UK reviews for The Don, which were similar to those in Australia. ''The Blackpool Evening Gazette'' noted: ‘Perry’s momentous new book on Bradman will become an established classic.’ <ref>The Blackpool Evening Gazette, 10 May 1996.</ref> ''The Birmingham Post'' reviewer said: ‘Perry has provided an entertaining, breezily-written book that has drama and pace....(''The Don'')...is a book which should be in every cricket library and has some superb photographs and many memorable quotes.’ <ref>The Birmingham Post, 17 May 1996.</ref> ''Total Sports Magazine UK'' wrote: ‘''The Don'' is a magnificent book. Bradman’s story is wonderfully related by Perry---a monument both to his research and his writing....Perry’s joy in relating his greatest innings is infectious.’ <ref>Total Sport Magazine, May 1996.</ref> | |||
| '''WARNE, WAUGH AND CAPTAIN AUSTRALIA''' | |||
| Perry’s first book on Mel Gibson had been a lucky, timely commission, but he became intrigued with the actor’s personality and character, which he had not explored in the first book. Now he believed the quirky actor to be a challenging biography. He composed ''Mel Gibson, Actor, Director, Producer'', his third book with Macmillan Australia, published in 1996. The following year Perry wrote a biography of Shane Warne: ''Bold Warnie'', after his story on the leg-spin bowler’s dominance of the 1993 Ashes. ''Bold Warnie'' was published by Random House in 1998. Again, Warne’s brilliance on the field and controversial life off it over drug, sex, gambling and more sex, made him an attractive candidate for a biography, and to explore both sides of the Australian Superstar sporting character and story. The success, and apparent enjoyment, for the author in writing these cricket books, all big sellers, prompted him to do more, including ''Waugh’s Way: Steve Waugh—learner, leader, legend'' (Random House 2000); and ''Captain Australia, A History of the Celebrated Captains of Australian Test Cricket'' (Random House, 2000). <ref>Bold Warnie, Random House Australia, 1999, ISBN 0 091 84001 5; Waugh’s Way: Steve Waugh: Learner, Leader, Legend, Random House, Australia 2000; ISBN 1 74051 000 3; Captain Australia, A History of the Celebrated Captains of Australian Test Cricket, Random House, Australia, 2000; ISBN 1 74051 001 1</ref> | |||
| The Waugh biography seemed in defiance of early ‘expert’ opinion about his capacities as a leader. Ian Chappell attacked Waugh; respected observer Peter Roebuck was critical. Even Sydney radio broadcaster Alan Jones expressed his displeasure at Waugh taking over the top sporting appointment in Australia. The negative pronouncements suggested Waugh would not last long as either captain or even Test player after he took over the leadership in early 1999. Perry thought otherwise. He began writing the biography. Waugh made his critics look foolish. He endured and prospered, and so did ''Waugh’s Way'', selling well for the rest of Waugh’s career through to 2004. It and the ''Captain Australia'' were in general well received. ''Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack 2001'' said of the Waugh biography: ‘Roland Perry is gloriously readable, always thoughtful. His account embraces all the major controversies, but there is never any question whose side he is on. Perry shows Waugh’s evolution as a cricket and a captain with solid admiration, but shrewdness too.’ <ref>Wisden Cricketers’ Almanack 2001.</ref> | |||
| ''Captain Australia'' covered every Australian skipper (except for Ricky Ponting) since Test cricket began. Each chapter carried a mini-biography of the 41 leaders. He began the book with the story of Charles Lawrence, whom Perry called ‘a founding father of Test cricket.’ In 1868, Lawrence took the first squad of international cricketers from Australia to England. It was a unique team, made up entirely of Aboriginal cricketers who acquitted themselves impressively. One of cricket’s best and most seasoned commentators, Robin Marlar, wrote in the ''Cricketer International'': ‘Perry is a prolific, stylish writer...What lifted this book for me was the 24 page prologue on a fascinating character, Charles Lawrence, the immigrant from England who took on the embryonic Australian establishment and brought the first, if not quite the only team of Aboriginals to England in 1868.’ <ref>Robin Marlar, Cricketer International June 2001.</ref> | |||
| Each reviewer seemed to have a chapter that stood out for them. For ''The Age'', Melbourne ‘the most interesting’ was on the 34th captain, Ian Chappell, entitled ‘Larrikin Leader,’ which notes cultural and political connections between Chappell, Bob Hawke, the advertising guru John Singleton, 1970s ‘ockerism,’ and the promotion of WSC (World Series Cricket, sponsored by Kerry Packer.) <ref>The Melbourne Age, 24 December 2000.</ref> ''The Herald Sun'' Melbourne noted: ‘There are some good stories in ''Captain Australia''...The chapter on Greg Chappell gives wonderful insight into the genius of Sir Donald Bradman.’ <ref>Melbourne Herald Sun, 5 December 2000.</ref> Cricket Magazine Inside Edge wrote: The appeal of ''Captain Australia''...will be the detail on captains most of us never saw such as Murdoch, Blackham, Armstrong, Woodfull and Richardson…It’s a valuable addition to our cricketing canon.’ <ref>Inside Edge Magazine, December 2000.</ref> | |||
| '''BRADMAN’S BEST''' | |||
| Roland Perry’s run on cricket books continued, courtesy of Sir Donald Bradman, who gave him his world’s best cricket team selection from all cricketers who had played the game since Tests began in 1877 to the end of 2000. Perry discovered during his writing of the Bradman biography that Sir Donald had made a hobby of selecting world sides. The author asked him for his ‘best-ever’ dream team and they discussed the scores of candidates. The book, ''Bradman’s Best'' (Random House) was published simultaneously in Australia and the UK on 12 August 2001 to much fanfare. It was an instant best-seller capturing the imagination of the sporting world. The UK ''Observer’s'' Norman Harris noted in his column that the book ‘containing the 11 precious names will be guarded like gold bars.’ <ref>Norman Harris, London Observer, 7 July 2001; Bradman’s Best, Random House, Australia, 2001; ISBN 0091840511; Bradman’s Best Ashes Teams, Random House, Australia, 2002: ISBN 1 74051 125 5</ref> | |||
| The London ''Spectator’s'' Frank Johnson was inspired to choose his own Philosopher’s X1, starting with Plato and Aristotle. ‘Donald Bradman’s posthumous ideal cricket X1 of all time was revealed this week,’ he wrote. ‘Few political scoops have inspired so much conversation and argument.....’ The fact that Bradman had only chosen two English names---Bedser and Hammond caused Johnson to remark: ‘…another humiliation for English cricket at Australia’s hands in this dreadful summer (2001). But at this point we English should stop conceding that, at this or that, we are not world class. What is the most important and hardest of man’s functions? It is to think. The selection of an international, ‘dream’ thinking X1 would tell a different story about the English.’ Johnson finished his article with: ‘So: five English speakers; three Frenchmen; two Greeks; one German. No Australians were selected.’ <ref>Frank Johnson, The Spectator, London, 17 August 2001.</ref> | |||
| In response to this, Perry wrote a ‘tongue-in-cheek’ letter to the Spectator: | |||
| <blockquote> | |||
| I agree with Frank Johnson’s Philosophy First X1, except for a glaring omission which has overtones of vindictiveness. Surely England’s most radical, and in my opinion best, modern philosopher, Professor Brian O’Shaughnessy, author of those monumental tomes The Will and Consciousness and the World, should be in the team, even as 12th man. | |||
| Has Professor O’Shaughnessy been left out for reasons not obvious from your clearly biased selection process? Is this the meaning behind Frank Johnson’s rather pointed last line: “No Australians were selected”? | |||
| Did the good professor’s accident of birth in Australia cause him to be overlooked? | |||
| <ref>Letter to the editor, The Spectator, London, 1 September 2001.</ref></blockquote> | |||
| ''The'' UK ''Guardian'' editorialised with commonsense perspective: | |||
| <blockquote> | |||
| Matthew Engel , unconcerned that his batting average is 99.94 lower than the Don’s, has already criticised the composition of the Bradman team in this paper….but no two pundits will ever agree. Bradman allowed his closeness to his teammates to influence his selection; ask a Yorkshireman and it is a fair bet that the entire “dream” team would be from God’s own county; and, as for computers, they will rely on averages, an unreliable arbiter of greatness. Would Spofforth have routed today’s England, or Jessop saved the day with a sparkling hundred? We will never know...’ <ref>The UK Guardian, 17 August 2001.</ref></blockquote> | |||
| Perry’s follow up book with summary chapters on Bradman’s selections of his best Ashes teams (''Bradman’s Best Ashes Teams''---also published by Random House) could not have captured the imagination of the cricket world a year as much as the first book. Yet still it sold well in the UK and Australia from 2002. | |||
| '''MONASH''' | |||
| After this run of sports writing, the author turning again to history, writing a biography of Australian General Sir John Monash, the outstanding military commander of the Great War, 1914-1918. This proved to be his biggest challenge since the publication of The Fifth Man a decade earlier. The book---Monash: the outsider who won a war---had a healthy run of reviews from the widest range of critics for any of his works. Leading politicians (of different persuasions), including prime ministers and State Governors, Generals, military experts, historians, academics, lawyers, engineers, journalists and literary critics lined up to read arguably the author’s best biography to that point. The judges in the national Federation of Australian Writers’ Award said: ‘Roland Perry’s splendid biography has not only added greatly to our knowledge of Monash, he has produced a finely written, engrossing book. This biography is not only very detailed and painstakingly researched; it is also a wonderfully entertaining book. ''Monash: the outsider who won a war'' is a model of the biographer’s art and a worthy winner.’ <ref>Judges’ Report, Winner 2004 Literary Award for the Fellowship of Australian Writers. (Web. Fellowship of Australian Writers.Com.)</ref> | |||
| NSW Labor Premier, Bob Carr, in ''The Australian Jewish News'', wrote: ‘Reading Roland Perry’s compelling and wholly absorbing biography prompts the question: suppose John Monash had never donned a uniform. How would we regard him today? For one thing, he would still be an excellent subject for a biographer. For another, he would still rank among the most remarkable Australians of his time. Perry’s book is sub-titled: “The Outsider Who Won a War”---a line that contains two bold assertions, both of which can be justified.’ <ref>NSW Labor Premier Bob Carr, The Australian Jewish News, 10 September 2004.</ref> Jeff Kennett, former Victorian Liberal Premier, when launching the book in Melbourne, said: ‘The detail in this book is staggering, and fascinating; the narrative is strong and well-written. It’s a page-turner without any contrivance on the author’s part....This book covers a vital part of history.’ <ref>Victorian Liberal Premier Jeff Kennett, Melbourne launch of ‘Monash’ Melbourne, 12 August 2004.</ref> Kim Beazley, Labor’s, then shadow Minister for Defence, who launched ''Monash'' in Sydney, commented: ‘This biography of Monash is for our time, our generation. The author has expertly put the story of this great Australian’s life in both historical and political perspective…..It is as much about relationships as it is about war. The book is as much for women as it is for men…..It should be read in our schools and universities.’ <ref>Kim Beazley, Labor Shadow Defence Minister, Sydney launch, ‘Monash,’ 26 August 2004.</ref> The then Prime Minister John Howard said: ‘This is a wonderful biography; a superb work. It is part of the growing store of what can only be called epic Australian histories now of that period.’ In 2006, on a trip to Washington DC, Howard gave an autographed, leather-bound copy of the book to President George W. Bush as a state gift. <ref>Prime Minister John Howard, speech at National Archives Australia, 11 April 2007.</ref> | |||
| Newspaper reviews were almost universally positive. The ''Sydney Morning Herald'' reviewer wrote: ‘Perry’s book...tells a heroic story at a ripping pace unimpeded by too many footnotes.’ <ref>Sydney Morning Herald, 28 September 2004.</ref> ''Australian Book Review'' noted: Perry is in his element discussing reputations and intrigues. He loves character study: Machiavelians such as Keith Murdoch, and royalty such as George V...Perry brings into sharp(er) focus the influence of Monash’s lover Lizzie Bentwitch both during and after the war. There is also a lot more detail about Monash’s relationship with Annie Gabriel, the wife of an early business associate, with whom Monash carried on a long affair and almost eloped.’ <ref>ABR, November 2004.</ref> The Melbourne ''Herald Sun'' called it ‘inspiring.’ <ref>Melbourne Herald Sun, 11 September 2004.</ref> 10: The magazine ''Eureka Street'' ‘In this rollicking biography of General Sir John Monash, Roland Perry seeks to release his subject from the image of a dourly brilliant engineer and soldier....the narrative drive and verve never flag....This is indeed, and successfully, the ‘biography of Australia’s greatest military commander’ that its publishers proclaim it to be.’ <ref>Eureka Street, October 2004.</ref> ''The Canberra Times'' reviewer called a ‘popular history...a rattling good yarn. The book takes us efficiently through his (Monash’s) whole life…it is his pre-World War 1 achievements as an engineer, advocate and entrepreneur, then his post-war work with the State Electricity Commission, Victoria, that fascinate. In this book there is something for everyone. The lay reader will receive a comprehensive and comprehensible rehearsal of the Anzac Corps battles, both on Gallipoli and on the Western Front.’ <ref>Canberra Times, 18 September 2004.</ref> | |||
| ''The Australian'' literary editor chose the publisher of a previous book on Monash (''John Monash'' by Geoffrey Searle) to review Perry’s biography and naturally he was never going to find it quite as engaging as his own effort. Nevertheless, the reviewer, Peter Ryan, managed to admit: ‘Perry had a grand theme and a mighty challenge. He has produced a blockbuster. He grasps the distinguishing facets of Monash’s character and personality...Perry shows us, too that necessary ruthlessness...this he balances by describing Monash’s extraordinary care for his men’s health, nutrition, comfort and morale. We are shown in detail some of the malign external influences Monash had to surmount...’<ref>The Australian, 18 September 2004.</ref> Less than enthusiastic was The Melbourne ''Age’s'' English-born reviewer John Lack, who wrote: ‘Roland Perry writes well and engagingly..’ but then went on to attempt to diminish Monash’s impact, avoiding new evidence and instead put up a defence of British Generals. Similarly a further review in ''The Australian'' of the book’s third edition (by English-born Peter Stanley), attacked Perry’s report that Hitler’s blitzkrieg tactics in WW2 were based on Monash’s tactics in WW1. It seemed that some English academics in Australia with an interest in WW1, were never going to countenance the extraordinary achievements by Monash no matter what the analysis or facts. Lack and Stanley have been quick to defend the British Generals, Haig and Co., in an on-going revisionism to reverse their image as the “Butchers of the Somme.” <ref>The Age, 27 November 2004; The Australian 22 July 2007.</ref> | |||
| Perry was an interviewee in a TV documentary on Monash, ''Monash; The Forgotten Anzac'', on the ABC in 2008. This drew a modest to fair number of more than 850,000 viewers, including Australian regional areas. He also appeared in a radio documentary on the same subject on Radio National in 2007. <ref>Monash: The Forgotten Anzac; ABC TV, 11 November 2008; repeated 25 April 2009. Producer 360 Degree Films, Melbourne.</ref> | |||
| '''MILLER’S LUCK''' | |||
| A few months after the release of the Monash biography, star all-round cricketer Keith Miller died and the outpouring of appreciation for him inspired the author. Perry wrote in the magazine of the Australian Cricket Society, Pavilion, ‘The media, everywhere cricket is played and even in places such as Paris via ''The International Herald Tribune'', where it is not, celebrated his life rather than simply reporting his passing.’ <ref>Pavilion Magazine, Ken Piesse editor, article ‘A Once in a lifetime character.’ 2006.</ref> Perry decided to write ''Miller’s Luck, The Life and Loves of Keith Miller, Australia’s greatest all-rounder''. <ref>Miller’s Luck: the life and loves of Keith Miller, Australia’s greatest all-round cricketer, Random House Australia 2005</ref> Miller’s colourful life as a sportsman, war ‘hero,’ and playboy lent itself to something more than a straight sports narrative. Drawing on the Miller archive, which the family gave him, the author wrote a comprehensive account of Miller’s life, public and private. The Miller family members made one request of the author: that he did not make the book hagiographic. They wanted something deeper and broader than the subject’s own thin autobiography, which skirted around or avoided his war record, his sporting achievement and his family and private life. This brief knocked out four other hopeful authors, all of whom wished to write ''Boys’ Own Annual'' hero worship. Perry was willing to take up the challenge, even though he uncovered some uncomfortable facts from the family members themselves. The vast majority of positive reviews in Australia and the UK indicated he achieved his and the Miller family’s aims. The book was published in Australia by Random House, and in the UK by Aurum Press, who used the title ''Keith Miller''. | |||
| Esteemed cricket historian J Neville Turner said: ‘''Miller’s Luck'' is up there with the great cricket biographies. The sensitive areas are handled with integrity and discretion.’ <ref>J. Neville Turner, speech to the Australian Cricket Society, December 2005.</ref> Ron Reed, doyen of Australian sports writers, wrote a syndicated piece for all News Corporation tabloids including the Melbourne ''Herald Sun'' wrote: ‘''Miller’s Luck'' is an excellent biography. It’s an honest portrayal of the imperfect human being behind the heroic legend.’ <ref>‘Prince Charming,’ by Ron Reid, Herald Sun, 5 August 2005.</ref> AAP’s Jim Morton wrote: ‘''Keith Miller'' is an enlightening biography of the test all-rounder, who was a cool and carefree match-winner on the field and a playboy philanderer off it.’ <ref>‘Keith Miller’s, cricket’s greatest all-round scoundrel,’ by Jim Morton, AAP newswire reports, 9 August 2005.</ref> Jim Rosenthal in the UK ''Daily Mail'' ranked the book as the number one sports book of 2006. <ref>‘Wit and Widsen from the wicket,’ by Tom Rosenthal, Daily Mail, 24 November 2006.</ref> The UK Cricket Society named it as the cricket biography of the year and it was short-listed for the Cricket Writers’ book of the Year. <ref>2006 Cricket Biography of the Year, UK Cricket Society.</ref> <ref>UK Cricket Writers’ Book of the Year Award, shortlisted 2006.</ref> Archie Mac on Cricket Web’s book review wrote: ‘This is Roland Perry’s eighth book on cricket, and for my money his best…the result is not just a great cricketing book, but also a complete portrait of a fascinating life.’ <ref>‘Miller’s Luck’ by Archie Mac; Archie Mac, Cricketweb.net/content/bookreview</ref> | |||
| ABC TV’s ‘Australia Story’ interviewed Perry extensively for a two-part series on Miller, which borrowed heavily from ''Miller’s Luck''. It was broadcast over two nights, 20 and 27 April 2009, and was a ratings success, attracting 1.3 million and 1.8 million viewers respectively. Apart from the author, the documentary featured Jan Beames (the subject’s niece), Miller’s four sons, Bill, Peter, Denis and Bob, and his friends Michael Parkinson and Ian Chappell. | |||
| '''LAST OF THE COLD WAR SPIES''' | |||
| Ever the opportunist, Roland Perry next chose an obscure American spy, ], as the subject of his 19th book, ''Last of the Cold War Spies'', published first by the US’s Da Capo Press. <ref>Last of the Cold War Spies, Da Capo Press, US, 2005; ISBN 13-978-0-306-81428-0</ref> Straight, the scion of a super-rich Anglo-American family, had been recruited by ] into the infamous Cambridge University Ring. Straight’s name had come up often in Perry’s research into ''The Fifth Man''. He began his investigation again in Russia interviewing former ] agents in the late 1990s. He was in correspondence with Straight himself over a two year period. The subject of the questions and answers formed the basis for the biography. Straight died early in 2005 and his Estate (read ‘family’) tried hard to stop the book’s publication, hiring top ] lawyers, but failed. | |||
| The publication was given a boost by Phillip Knightley, who wrote: ‘In the years before Straight died, in frank interviews with him, from government files and from confessions from former intelligence officers, Roland Perry has painstakingly produced an intriguing and illuminating account of Straight’s crucial role in the most damaging spy ring of all time.’ <ref>Last of the Cold War Spies, First (Hardcover) edition US, 2005.</ref> The publisher placed a review line from this on the front cover of the first hardcover edition, but in such small print that it could hardly be read. The paperback edition was let-down by a gaudy cover. Knightley’s world expert review was replaced on the front by a review from the respected but less weighty ''Providence Journal'': ‘A gripping portrayal of the insidious ways of the KGB.’ <ref>Last of the Cold War Spies Da Capo Press, Second (Trade Paperback) edition, US, 2006.</ref> Supportive reviews continued to flow. | |||
| Washington DC reporters, perhaps influenced by their environment and arguments from politicians and bureaucrats, searched for points that would sway them one way or the other. Interestingly both sides of the political spectrum were positive. The more liberal ''Washington Post'' said: ‘Perry argues persuasively that this polished son of American capitalism was indeed the last of the cold war spies.’ <ref>Washington Post, US, 8 August 2005.</ref> The conservative ''Washington Times'' wrote that ‘''Last of the Cold War Spies'' was an engrossing story, and a disturbing account of how the Soviets managed to co-opt a large chunk of the American left.’ <ref>Washington Times, 2 October 2005.</ref> ''The Washington Examiner'' called the book ‘fascinating and instructive.’ <ref>Washington Examiner, 25 July 2005.</ref> | |||
| ''Publishers Weekly'', always a useful literary barometer in the US, wrote: ‘Perry’s bare knuckle prose illuminates (Michael) Straight’s trajectory from the privileged ''New Republic'' heir who flirted with communism as a Cambridge student, to the KGB spy who worked under JFK and Nixon....This astonishing chronicle of deceit, survival and ingenuity reveals the depth of penetration into the highest levels of American Government by Straight and his fellow Soviet apparatchiks and operatives during some of the Cold War’s darkest moments.’ <ref>Publisher’s Weekly 22 August 2005.</ref> ''Booklist Review'' called it ‘an engaging tale.’ <ref>Booklist Review, US, 15 September 2005.</ref> Another respected publication of critique, ''Library Journal'', noted: Perry nicely conveys how Straight functioned (in the White House, the US State department, secretly funding several communist fronts, as editor of ''The New Republic'', as deputy chair of the National Endowment for the Arts, etc) while secretly working for the Soviet Government...Perry uses various sources and new interviews to show that he (Straight) remained a pro-Soviet spy for his entire adult life…Recommended.’ <ref>Library Journal, US, 15 September 2005.</ref> | |||
| Such strong literary reviews were augmented by various internet book review sites, which again were favourable. Typical was ''Popmatters.com'' which said ‘Straight’s life couldn’t have been more interesting if Ian Fleming had penned it...Perry’s chapters on Krivitsky read like passages from a lost le Carre novel. His recounting of Anthony Blunt’s trip to Germany following the end of World War 11 to retrieve papers that could incriminate the British Royal Family could be straight out of Evelyn Waugh.’ <ref>Review on Popmasters.com</ref> | |||
| The wide range of positive reviews, and probably the title, caused American film interest to run hot. Perry’s then UK agent Andrew Lownie fielded many expressions of interest in bringing the story to the big screen. That was until they realised that the book was layered and as much about the UK as the US. It was also set mainly from 1920 until 1965. The film companies, according to Lownie, had a vision of something more American and contemporary. | |||
| '''MORE SPORT: THE ASHES AND SAILING TO THE MOON''' | |||
| Perry turned again to sport and cricket for his 20th book, ''The Ashes: A Celebration''. Random House’s shrewd publisher Jane Palfreyman made sure the book hit the market first in 2006 before the deluge that was sure to come ahead of the much-anticipated 2006-07 Ashes Series in Australia.<ref>The Ashes: A Celebration; Random House, Australia 2006, ISBN 174166490X</ref> The book was mainly an anthology of the author’s essays on the game and included much unpublished material about some of his subjects, Bradman, Warne and Waugh. He included his top ten ‘impacts’ on the Ashes since 1877. The Melbourne ''Age’s'' Steven Carroll wrote: ‘Having written voluminously before on cricket and cricketers...his knowledge on the game is formidable...he’s an authoritative observer, not shy...and a very entertaining read.’ <ref>Steven Carroll, The Melbourne Age, 29 July 2006.</ref> Kit Galer in the Melbourne ''Herald Sun'' wrote: ‘This book serves as an excellent primer for those whose interest in the game was aroused by Australia’s defeat last year .’ <ref>‘The glory of flannelled fools,’ by Kit Galer, Melbourne Herald Sun, 19 August 2006.</ref> | |||
| The author stayed in the sports genre for his next biography, that of West Australian ] the world champion yachtsman and international businessman. Perry, a keen sailor in his youth, had for decades found Tasker an elusive subject until he persuaded Tasker’s third wife, Kerry, to consider a story on her husband. Tasker finally agreed to extensive interviews. The result was ''Sailing to the Moon'', which had similar themes to Perry’s highly successful approach in ''Miller’s Luck''. Tasker’s story, complete with exceptional sporting achievements and business attainments, was mixed with an expose of his controversial and flamboyant private life. <ref>Sailing to the Moon, Pennon, Australia, 2008; ISBN 9781920997076</ref> | |||
| Perry’s 22nd book was the fourth in a series of five volumes drawn from his years of interviews with ]---''Bradman’s Invincibles''. It covered what Perry (and Bradman himself) saw as the sports legend’s crowning achievement as captain of Australia---a 34-match tour of the UK in 1948, in which his team did not suffer one defeat. This feat, perhaps the greatest ever by any sporting team, had never been done before and has not been done since in more than 130 years of tours. <ref>Bradman’s Invincibles, Hachette, Australia, 2008; ISBN 9780 0 7336 2270 3</ref> The book hit the mark. The ''Sydney Morning Herald'' noted: This is a wonderful insider’s view of the (1948 Ashes) series....Perry is a good, unpretentious writer and the story he has to tell is one of courage and drama....It is a great Australian yarn.’ <ref>Sydney Morning Herald, ‘Spectrum,’ 30 August 2008.</ref> Adrian Nesbitt in Sydney’s ''Sun Herald'' wrote: ‘Perry paints an excellent background picture of a tour that is remembered by Australians as a triumph over the mother country, often without consideration that England was still bearing the scars of war....Perry creates suspenseful moments, in the dressing-room and on the field…..His meticulous approach gives us a great understanding of the subtleties and room for instinct that were Bradman trademarks.’ <ref>Adrian Nesbitt, Sydney’s Sun Herald, 24 August 2008.</ref> Teri Louise Kelly in ''Independent Weekly'' said, ‘Perry’s work, much like Bradman himself, is head and shoulders above the competition....Bradman’s Invincibles leads the reader into the dusty backrooms, on to windy training pitches and mid-Test; beautifully written and accompanies by excellent photographs.’ <ref>Teri Louise Kelly, Independently Weekly, 10 August 2008.</ref> David Stanley in ''Cricket Boundary Magazine'' commented: ‘Bradman’s Invincibles is required reading for all cricket lovers, particularly those of the younger brigade who may not know much about the players, apart from Bradman, who made up his remarkable team....It is a good read and I recommend it.’ <ref>David Stanley, Cricket Boundary Magazine, Bradman Museum, Volume 20, 2008.</ref> ''Inside Sport'' noted: ‘Perry’s prose provides worthwhile insight into the mechanics of Bradman’s mind.’ <ref>Inside Sport, Australia, September 2008.</ref> Perhaps one the most pleasing reviews from the publisher’s point of view came from Neil Harvey, one the Invincibles’ stars. He said: ‘I found it a very entertaining read. It brought memories flooding back.’ <ref>Cover, Bradman’s Invincibles, Aurum Press, UK, 2009.</ref> | |||
| After covering the Western Front through the biography of Monash in WW1, Roland Perry has turned to the Eastern Front for his 23rd book. It covers the dual biographies of Australian ] and ] (‘Lawrence of Arabia’), which are the vehicles for his tome: ''The Australian Light Horse'' to be published in late September 2009. According to his publisher, Hachette, the story will cover the Boer War and WW1, and the huge impact of the ] in the defeat of the ] in the Middle East. | |||
| '''Other Criticism''' | |||
| Perry's works have been the subject of some criticism, including from fellow cricket writer ]. Haigh was critical of Perry's book ''Captain Australia''—a book on ]—claiming that Perry had "... a disquieting tendency to, quite casually, mangle information for no particular reason" and "... there are assertions whose origins are, at least, somewhat elusive."<ref name="Haigh">{{cite book|last=Haigh|first=Gideon|title=Game for anything: Writings on Cricket|publisher=Black Inc|location=Melbourne|date=2004|chapter=No Ball|isbn=1 86395 309 4}}</ref> Referring to Perry's biography of Bradman, he said "the book-shaped object of Roland Perry, had "access" , and used it to mainly unenlightening, and sometimes tedious, effect".<Ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/369983.html |title=The First Word |first=Gideon |last=Haigh |authorlink=Gideon Haigh |publisher=] |date=2008-11-22|accessdate=2009-01-08}}</ref> | Perry's works have been the subject of some criticism, including from fellow cricket writer ]. Haigh was critical of Perry's book ''Captain Australia''—a book on ]—claiming that Perry had "... a disquieting tendency to, quite casually, mangle information for no particular reason" and "... there are assertions whose origins are, at least, somewhat elusive."<ref name="Haigh">{{cite book|last=Haigh|first=Gideon|title=Game for anything: Writings on Cricket|publisher=Black Inc|location=Melbourne|date=2004|chapter=No Ball|isbn=1 86395 309 4}}</ref> Referring to Perry's biography of Bradman, he said "the book-shaped object of Roland Perry, had "access" , and used it to mainly unenlightening, and sometimes tedious, effect".<Ref>{{cite web|url=http://content-uk.cricinfo.com/magazine/content/story/369983.html |title=The First Word |first=Gideon |last=Haigh |authorlink=Gideon Haigh |publisher=] |date=2008-11-22|accessdate=2009-01-08}}</ref> | ||
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| ] reviewed ''Bradman's Best'', which was a book that profiled Bradman's selection of his greatest all-time XI and profiles of the players. Franks said "Perry's reverential approach turns the process into Moses bringing down the tablets from Mount Sinai. To Perry, Bradman is without spot or stain so that much of his writing, as in the earlier biography, takes on the air of hagiography".<ref name=api/> Franks criticised Perry for depicting Bradman as an all-powerful influence and prescient when it came to strategic successes as a administrator and leader, but when a dubious selection such as the omission of a leading player who had angered Bradman occurred, Perry blamed Bradman's administrative colleagues. Franks also criticised the large number of factual errors in the book, such as in the profile of ].<Ref name=api>{{cite web|title=Bradman's Best |url=http://www.api-network.com/main/index.php?apply=reviews&webpage=api_reviews&flexedit=&flex_password=&menu_label=&menuID=76&menubox=&Review=4484 |first=Warwick |last=Franks |publisher=The Australian Public Intellectual Network |date=December 2002 |accessdate=2009-01-08}}</ref> | ] reviewed ''Bradman's Best'', which was a book that profiled Bradman's selection of his greatest all-time XI and profiles of the players. Franks said "Perry's reverential approach turns the process into Moses bringing down the tablets from Mount Sinai. To Perry, Bradman is without spot or stain so that much of his writing, as in the earlier biography, takes on the air of hagiography".<ref name=api/> Franks criticised Perry for depicting Bradman as an all-powerful influence and prescient when it came to strategic successes as a administrator and leader, but when a dubious selection such as the omission of a leading player who had angered Bradman occurred, Perry blamed Bradman's administrative colleagues. Franks also criticised the large number of factual errors in the book, such as in the profile of ].<Ref name=api>{{cite web|title=Bradman's Best |url=http://www.api-network.com/main/index.php?apply=reviews&webpage=api_reviews&flexedit=&flex_password=&menu_label=&menuID=76&menubox=&Review=4484 |first=Warwick |last=Franks |publisher=The Australian Public Intellectual Network |date=December 2002 |accessdate=2009-01-08}}</ref> | ||
| == References == | == References == | ||
Revision as of 00:41, 7 July 2009
For the American sculptor, see Roland Hinton Perry.Roland Perry (born 1946) is a Melbourne-based author, best known for his books on cricket. He has written numerous books, both fiction and non-fiction, including Monash: The Outsider Who Won The War, which won "The Federation of Australian Writers Melbourne University Publishing Award" in 2004. Perry has also written biographies on Sir Donald Bradman, Steve Waugh, Keith Miller and Shane Warne among others. Perry recently published his twentieth book; The Ashes: A Celebration, a book commemorating The Ashes.
Perry's works have been the subject of some criticism, including from fellow cricket writer Gideon Haigh. Haigh was critical of Perry's book Captain Australia—a book on Australia's Test cricket captains—claiming that Perry had "... a disquieting tendency to, quite casually, mangle information for no particular reason" and "... there are assertions whose origins are, at least, somewhat elusive." Referring to Perry's biography of Bradman, he said "the book-shaped object of Roland Perry, had "access" , and used it to mainly unenlightening, and sometimes tedious, effect".
The historian David Frith said of his book Miller's Luck, about Keith Miller, "Perry's work here is anything but confidence-inspiring. He is an opportunist author, Don Bradman, Shane Warne and Steve Waugh being among his previous subjects, together with a book on Australia's captains which gave the world nothing that the painstaking Ray Robinson had not already dealt with, apart from the update".
Frith said "the book is strewn with errors that undermine confidence in the work as a whole". He pointed out that Keith Johnson the cricket administrator was not the father of Australian cricket captain Ian Johnson, that Army cricketer JWA Stephenson was not the colonel who became the Marylebone Cricket Club secretary. Frith also noted that an error when Perry wrote that Cyril Washbrook took a run after being hit on the head it was not a bye, under the laws of cricket it would be a leg bye. He also noted that George Tribe was not a leg spinner. Tribe was a left-hander and leg spinners are right-handed. Frith also noted that Wally Hammond was not dropped for the final Test of 1946–47, but that he was out of action because he had fibrositis.
Of the same book, Ramachandra Guha said the Perry had done little except reword Miller's autobiography Cricket Crossfire. He said that "conversations are invented, thoughts imputed, motives intuited – without any directions as to their source or provenance". Guha also criticised Perry for mistakenly claiming that Lahore is in North West Frontier Province and for referring to Vijay Merchant as "Vijay Singh". He also criticised Perry for claiming that Miller and his Australian Services cricket team saw Merchant as a cheat when Miller called Merchant "one of the finest sportsmen India has produced".
Noel Annan, Baron Annan, in reviewing The Fifth Man, Perry's book accusing Victor Rothschild of being the fifth spy working for the Soviet Union of the Cambridge Five, cast doubt on whether Perry had actually interviewed Rothschild's relatives or whether he had made up material in his book.
Warwick Franks reviewed Bradman's Best, which was a book that profiled Bradman's selection of his greatest all-time XI and profiles of the players. Franks said "Perry's reverential approach turns the process into Moses bringing down the tablets from Mount Sinai. To Perry, Bradman is without spot or stain so that much of his writing, as in the earlier biography, takes on the air of hagiography". Franks criticised Perry for depicting Bradman as an all-powerful influence and prescient when it came to strategic successes as a administrator and leader, but when a dubious selection such as the omission of a leading player who had angered Bradman occurred, Perry blamed Bradman's administrative colleagues. Franks also criticised the large number of factual errors in the book, such as in the profile of Don Tallon.
References
- "Roland Perry biography". andrew lownie literary agency. Retrieved 2007-12-12.
- "Roland Perry". Random House Australia. Retrieved 2007-12-12.
- Haigh, Gideon (2004). "No Ball". Game for anything: Writings on Cricket. Melbourne: Black Inc. ISBN 1 86395 309 4.
- Haigh, Gideon (2008-11-22). "The First Word". Cricinfo. Retrieved 2009-01-08.
- ^ Frith, David. "Fault lines in a hero's tale". Cricinfo. Retrieved 2009-01-08.
- ^ Guha, Ramachandra (2005). "Big hitter, Huge Heart". The Monthly: 60–62.
{{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires|journal=(help); Unknown parameter|month=ignored (help) - "The Fifth Man". New York Review of Books. 1995-03-23.
{{cite web}}: Unknown parameter|Accessdate=ignored (|accessdate=suggested) (help) - ^ Franks, Warwick (December 2002). "Bradman's Best". The Australian Public Intellectual Network. Retrieved 2009-01-08.
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