AustLit

FAW Barbara Ramsden Award Judges’ Report :

Gough deserves the prize for the sheer volume of information presented in a structure that flows well. Despite the dauntingly dense text and long sentences, the narrative seldom misses a beat, except where it misses a comma. Occasional ambiguities are easier to forgive amongst thousands of facts and quotations.

The authorial voice is consistently that of a scrupulously fair journalist with the wit to insert a fine needlepoint of irony into irrefutable fact. Where hindsight and narrative structure required a reprise of a controversial event, the near-total avoidance of repetition in phrasing and quotations is masterly. Hocking's acknowledgement of Keogh's copy-editing as 'expert' speaks volumes. They are both veterans of their craft with personal experience of the relevant timeframe, and their joint commitment to this monumental project of several years' duration is reminiscent of the glory days of publishing.'