An opportunity to hear Peter Cox QSM speak about the book and the fascinating stories behind his research. The book will be available for purchase on the day

Thursday, 8th May
12pm arrival for 12:30pm seating

$45 per person includes a two-course meal
Drinks at own care
Guests are welcome

Denis Glover, Charles Brasch, Ian Milner – these names have long been familiar to New Zealanders. Less well known is their contemporary and friend, journalist Douglas Brass, whose remarkable four-decade career (1935 - 1975) gave him a unique view of a turbulent period in world history.

After becoming the Press parliamentary reporter in Wellington in 1934, Brass worked for Sir Keith Murdoch at the Herald in Melbourne, then became an acclaimed and internationally published war correspondent. He reported extensively and intelligently on post-war Europe and also established himself as an admired royal correspondent, attending the coronation and travelling with the new monarch on her Commonwealth tour of 1953–54.

Brass 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.

Peter Cox lives in Christchurch, where he

previously worked as a chartered accountant and

company director. He now acts as an adviser to

some family businesses and as a trustee for several

sports organisations. In 2019 he was awarded a

Queen’s Service Medal for services to sport,

particularly hockey. His special interest in military

history has inspired him to write his first two books,

Good Luck to All the Lads: The Wartime Story of

Brian Cox 1939–43 and Desert War: The Battle of Sidi Rezegh.