"Friction," the second novel by Matt Marshall ("The Starlight Line"), unfolds over the course of the tumultuous year 2014. The planet continues to warm, pro-Russian militants seize large swaths of Eastern Ukraine, the Islamic State rises to terror in the Middle East, Syria splinters further toward collapse, Ebola breaks out in West Africa, unbridled white cops cut down unarmed blacks in U.S. cities, heroin kills indiscriminately throughout the Midwest (and beyond), a floundering man meets ...

With the world spiraling toward climate-induced collapse ... a woman boldly combats abortion bans by performing vigilante vasectomies on businessmen; a farmer (and religious zealot) raises a band of warriors for Christ; scientists investigate an alarming case of nanobot infection; a sniper inflicts terror from the rooftops; and a classic, noir detective surveils them all, trudging through a hallucinogen-fueled, comic-book terrain of crime and controversy.Told in a detached, objecti...

Craig Bellamy is no ordinary coach. He has a remarkable win-loss record in his ten years with Melbourne Storm, but when he led his team through a season of scandal and turmoil, winning games while playing for no points, he gained national respect.For the first time, the legendary coach reveals his thoughts on subjects such as leadership, management, character, adversity, courage, teamwork, success and failure, by sharing his personal experiences. Known as a straight shooter and a m...

The European Cenrtral Bank starts operations on January 1st 1999. As the independant bank which issues euro banknotes and controls European monetary policy, it is one of the key financial institutions of the world - symbol of Europe's ever closer financial and political union, and the seminal driving-force behind Europe's growing world power in politics and economics. The Bank provides a first-hand account, based on access to the key players, of the intrigues and in-fighting surrounding th...

Ray 'Rabbits' Warren is the legendary voice of Australian sports commentary. People tell him he must have drunk a bottle of scotch and smoked a packet of cigarettes every day to have the voice that he has. That's not the case – at least, not anymore . . .The son of a railway worker, Ray placed his first bet on a horse called Playboy at the age of just six, and won. A lifelong love of the track – and the punt – was born.During his remarkable broadcasting career, which has no...

Melbourne Storm was created in 1998 and situated in the heartland of a rival football code, it won three NRL premierships from five Grand Finals in its first twelve seasons and produced the best players in the game. It was the envy of clubs everywhere. But in 2010 Storm's famed winning culture was exposed as a fraud. The club had cheated. The club had consistently rorted the NRL's salary cap. Justice seemed hard and fast. They were fined and stripped of their trophies. A few in club manage...

An incisive, hard-hitting and utterly compelling expose of media, powerful mates and multimillion-dollar deals that reads like a thriller."Not since The Latham Diaries came out in 2005 has a book delivered so many scoops, insights and revelations into how power is wielded in Australia ... a treasure trove of gems" - Crikey"Pamela Williams has written a manual for corporate directors and senior managers, who should all be compelled to read it." - Mark Westfi...

'I didn't know Matthew could read or write' - Matt's dadFrom the Sheds is Matthew Johns' fascinating, frequently hilarious look behind the scenes of Rugby League. the creator of the self-confessed Aussie legend Reg Reagan - as well as a tough competitor who notched up almost 200 first grade NRL games and eight matches for the Kangaroos, winning a premiership with Newcastle Knights along the way - who better than Matthew to give an insider's view of the superstars, larrikins and ente...

This wonderful collection of stories showcases all the characters and events from the extraordinary life of an Aussie sporting immortal.Ian Chappell has plenty of strings to his bow - legendary captain of the Australian cricket team; incisive and forthright sports commentator; fearless negotiator with media magnate Kerry Packer; and slightly less fearless runner with the bulls in Pamplona. To name only a few.In Life and Larrikins, 'Chappelli' takes...

In this impressive biography, freshly updated, leading business writer Paddy Manning tells the story of Tinkler's meteoric rise to wealth, and captures the drama of his equally rapid downfall.From blue collar to billionaire . . .Hunter Valley mine electrician Nathan Tinkler borrowed big in 2005, invested in coal and by 2011 was a billionaire. He had gambled on a rising market and won. He lived the high life as only a young man would, buying luxury homes, ...

Time to Declare tells with unflinching candour Mark Taylor's story in a fascinating and revealing autobiography. Taking block, Taylor throws new light on the highs and lows, the controversies and the triumphs of a truly remarkable sporting career. By the end of his journey, which included 104 Tests for his country, 7525 runs, and 157 catches, he stood acclaimed as the 'second most important person in the land'. At the close of Australia's century there can be no finer story of gri...

Welcome to Long Bay, Australia's hardest prison. For the first time, guards and inmates of the notorious South Sydney facility reveal what really goes on behind its towering concrete walls.Opened in 1909 Long Bay Jail, originally a women's reformatory, has a dark and extraordinary history.From ghosts to legendary prisoners, there has been an infamous collection of Long Bay 'guests', including the formidable Neddy Smith, convicted rapists the Skaf brothers a...