AustLit

'Richard Shears has covered stories all over the world, from Yellowknife in Canada, to the African continent, the tiny island of Mog Mog in the Pacific, and the Antarctic Circle. Working at the Daily Mail, first as a staffer in London, then as foreign correspondent in New York and lately as an Australian-based correspondent - the most extraordinary stories have come his way.

'No politics, very little sport, but more murders, mysteries and mayhem than you can poke a stick at! On top of that there were wars, conmen, the Royals, celebrities, killers, victims, babies, disappearances and reappearances, miraculous survivals, animals and so many assignments that were just darned good fun. Oh, and some odd games of golf.

'His assignments, one of which has resulted in him being awarded a prestigious UK Press Award for Foreign Reporting, have included wars all over the world, among them the conflicts in Iraq, Afghanistan and East Timor.

'Written in his inimitable style, this book is an entertaining collection of his most interesting stories, anecdotes and adventures as a journalist.' (From the publisher's website.)