David Marr will be in conversation with Prof Frank Bongiorno about David's collection of essays, My Country. Stories, Essays & Speeches.

Published as a handsome hardback, My Country is the definitive David Marr collection. It includes early works, such as his review of the first Rocky Horror Picture Show and his reporting on the 1978 Mardi Gras police bashings, all the way to the most piercing accounts of Kevin Rudd’s ratf—king and Tony Abbott’s punch. Along the way there is Patrick White, Garfield Barwick, asylum seekers, the Henson case, Pauline Hanson, Cardinal Pell and more

My Country anthologises Marr’s powerful reflections on religion, sex, censorship and the law; striking accounts of leaders, moralists and scandalmongers; elegant ruminations on the arts and the lives of artists. And there are some memorable new pieces, including the remarkable story of David Marr’s wedding day.

David Marr has written for the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Saturday Paper, The Guardian and The Monthly, and has served as editor of the National Times, reporter for Four Corners and presenter of ABC TV’s Media Watch. His books include Patrick White: A Life, The High Price of Heaven, Dark Victory (with Marian Wilkinson), Panic and six bestselling Quarterly Essays: His Master’s Voice, Power Trip, Political Animal, The Prince, Faction Man and The White Queen.

Professor Frank Bongiorno is Head of the ANU School of History. He is the author of the award-winning The Sex Lives of Australians: A History and The Eighties: The Decade That Transformed Australia. He has reviewed for the Times Literary Supplement, Australian Book Review, the Monthly, Fairfax and The Australian. He is a regular contributor to Inside Story and The Conversation. Frank is a Carlton supporter.

The vote of thanks will be given by distinguished Australian author and social researcher Hugh Mackay AO. His latest book is Australia Reimagined (2018).

Pre-event book signing will be available from 5.30pm and again after the event. This event is in association with Dymocks Canberra and books will be available to purchase.

More details can be found at http://www.anu.edu.au/events/in-conversation-with-david-marr

ANU/The Canberra Times Meet the Author series