Bravest: Australia's Greatest War Heroes and How They Won Their Medals

by Robert Macklin

From the Boer War to the war in Vietnam, Bravest tells the story of 15 Australian war heroes and how they won the highest medals awarded for bravery.
 

The Victoria Cross is the highest award for valor that can be won by an Australian; just 97 Australians have been awarded the VC in conflicts from the Boer War to the Afghanistan War. And only 14 Australians have been awarded the George Cross, the ultimate medal for heroism away from active combat, since its inception in 1940. But what is it that makes these remarkable soldiers risk everything in defense of their country and their mates? Noted biographer Robert Macklin tells the inspirational story of 15 Australian recipients of the Victoria and George Crosses, from Neville Howse in South Africa in 1900 to the heroes of the Great War such as Albert Jacka, "Diver" Derrick in the Second World War, and Keith Payne in Vietnam in 1969.

288 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2008

Reviews

[BeyondDL · Rating 3 out of 5]

Victoria Cross Medals have never been awarded for Australian Naval Officers.

[Max Watson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well worth a read if you at all interested in Australian war history.

[Ryan Wulfsohn · Rating 2 out of 5]

Macklin's patriotism and enthusiasm for his subject are clearly evident and I did learn quite a bit from this book, but some silly mistakes in research and editing almost ruin it.