Line of Fire

De: Ian Townsend

Narrado por: David Tredinnick

It's hard to imagine this story as being part of our past, but in 1942, an 11-year-old Australian boy, Richard Manson, and his parents either side of him were shot by the Japanese for suspected spying in Rabaul in Papua New Guinea. Acclaimed Fourth Estate author and award-winning science journalist Ian Townsend has uncovered a fascinating story of World War Two, little known to most Australians. Centring on the hotspot (in every sense) that was Rabaul in World War Two, his account is an intriguing narrative which weaves together Australian history, military conflict and science - with volcanology being the peculiar science which drew the Americans, Japanese and Australians together in conflict in the Pacific in the 1940s - and the story of one ordinary but doomed Australian family. Like The Hare with Amber Eyes, this is a fascinating work of narrative nonfiction, a story of spies, volcanoes, history, conflict and war, set against the romantic, dramatic and ultimately tragic backdrop of Rabaul in World War Two.

©2017 Ian Townsend (P)2017 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

Fascinating and moving

I really loved the story with the only caveat being that, at times, it was a little dry. Especially towards the end, it was very moving, most notably the chapter where he visits the last surviving member of the family. And I could listen to Tredinnick read the phone book!