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 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.