Tunis is Mad Tonight

Denis Glover, Charles Brasch, Ian Milner—these names have long been familiar to New Zealanders. Less well known is their contemporary and close friend, journalist Douglas Brass, whose remarkable four-decade career gave him a unique view of a turbulent period in world history.

Brass reported extensively and intelligently on post-war Europe and also established himself as an admired royal correspondent. He went on to become Rupert Murdoch's eminence grise, was editorial director of News Limited and played a major role in the establishment of The Australian. His powerful columns opposing Australia's participation in the Vietnam War were extremely influential.

Yet this prominent journalist, so close to the making of history, remains virtually unknown in his own country. For this fascinating, readable and timely biography, Peter Cox has researched widely to reveal a man who loved his family and his homeland yet often fiercely criticised New Zealand, a man who was at the forefront of great events yet remained private and reserved, a man who could be serious yet also funny and kind.

Douglas Brass was as fine a writer in his field as his more famous contemporaries. In Tunis is Mad Tonight, a long neglected New Zealander takes his deserved place in the spotlight and an extraordinary life is revealed.