The Nature of Honour

by David McBride

Son
Of the renowned Sydney obstetrician, Dr William McBride, who raised the alarm on the anti-nausea drug thalidomide in the 1960s and was later struck off the medical register for falsifying research results in a bid to challenge the safety of another drug. David chose to study Law, firstly at Sydney University and then at Oxford. There he met some British army officers and decided that soldiering was his calling, going on to train at Sandhurst. He commanded a platoon in Northern Ireland while bomb and sniper attacks on British soldiers were still happening.

Civilian life
He worked in security protecting diplomats, journalists and businesspeople in Rwanda in the immediate aftermath of the 1994 genocide and in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Soldier
After growing tired of the travel and the action, David returned to England, where he worked in reality TV. On moving back to Sydney, he briefly joined a major law firm and then joined the Australian Army as a lawyer, going on to serve two tours of duty in Afghanistan, on the frontline confirming or denying decisions made by soldiers under international laws. He was medically discharged with PTSD in 2017.

Whistleblower
In 2018, he was charged with offences relating to national security and is awaiting trial.

David was reregistered to practise law in NSW in 2022 and spends a bit of time defending those facing charges. Crammed with colour, adventure, achievements and some diversions, too David McBride leads a big life.

Genres: Nonfiction

292 pages, Kindle Edition

Published November 14, 2023

Reviews

[Lewis Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

stunning book, and an abhorrent procedure of justice by the Australian high court

[Anon9maus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sydney-born David McBride always wanted to be a soldier, defending democracy and the rule of law.

David has a great sense of humour as he tells his life story, recalling his youthful pranks. His life is full of adventure, as he always seeks out a challenge.

Drawn to serve, he served in the British army after studying law at Oxford. Years later, while doing a tour in Afghanistan this time serving the Australian SAS as a military lawyer, his moral courage is called on as he discovers all is not as it should be in Defence.

A must-read for anyone who cares about the safety and security of Australia's people.

[Alexander Harris · Rating 5 out of 5]

As someone who followed McBride’s case for more than a year, seeing almost exclusively criticism and vilification from both the media and governmental agencies of the U.S. and Australia, the book is a fantastic insight into his character, and the modern paradoxes of complex war fighting decision making, and the incessant pressure to keep up appearances for people at home with selfish motivations, both political and economic. A must read for anyone interested in military ethics, honour, a fascinating counter narrative to the war in Afghanistan, and contemporary war and politics in general.

[Jade Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

I found this to be a very interesting read, especially as someone who (at best) deeply distrusts the Australian military and Australian state and (at worst) sees them as illegitimate enforcers of imperial violence.

I’m sure that I would disagree with David McBride on a lot of things. But this being said — I have an immense amount of respect for him, and don’t doubt that when it comes down to it, we share more values that one would think on the surface.

I’ve been following McBride’s case for a while, and it reveals both the pathetic lack of protections for whistleblowers and the political (and moral) corruption of the ADF.

One of my other biggest take-always from McBride’s memoir is how much the British and Australian militaries are old boys clubs. McBride spent his life surrounded by almost unfathomable privilege, which makes it almost more impressive that he chose to bite the hand that fed him.

While this book does (in my opinion) go a bit too easy on the military, I don’t doubt that the legal complexities were numerous. And, I do think it did a fantastic job of demonstrating that war is a game of politics and marketing and smoke and mirrors, and that the losers are always those on the ground.

I definitely agree with others who say that this book feels unfinished. I would chalk this up to the fact that David was working against the clock — at the time of writing he’s been sentenced to six years in prison.

[diana taylor · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book held my interest however it felt unfinished. Knowing the predicament David is in now I presume he could not continue his memoir due to legal constrictions. It just feels incomplete. I await his next book that I hope will be written to continue his memoir.

[Lenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

A captivating read, with at times highlighting occurrences that are deflating and unsettling. The book reminds me of similar aspects I have experienced with my own observations working in government and echoes shared sentiments from individuals with similar experiences. It prompts contemplation on the values and double standards of the "West" and questions prevailing norms and everything we have been told growing up in the West post 9/11.
The book is timely and resonates with today's state of affairs.

[Preet Singh · Rating 5 out of 5]

David McBride is a hero. Having read his story and history, I feel sad to know that someone like him is in jail. He makes me feel proud to be an Australian. I hope his appeal early next year in 2025 March is successful.

God bless you McBride.

[Hasveen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An eye opening biography, which steps through McBride's education, family life, career as a lawyer and service in the military and how these events shaped his perception of honour.