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Flawed Hero: Truth, lies and war crimes
The shocking story of the case against Australia's most highly decorated soldier, Ben Roberts-Smith VC MG, and the defamation trial of the century.Chris Masters is joint winner of the 2023 Walkley Honour for Media Freedom for his investigation of the Ben Roberts-Smith story Shortlisted for the Victorian Premier's Literary Awards 2024With a Victoria Cross and Medal for Gallantry, Ben Roberts-Smith was the most highly decorated Australian soldier, the best of the best. When he returned to civilian life, he became a poster boy for a nation hungry for warrior heroes. He embodied the myth of the classic Anzac, seven-foot-tall and bulletproof. But as his public reputation continued to grow, inside the army rumours were circulating. Gold Walkley Award winning journalist Chris Masters was the first to investigate the rumours of summary executions, bloodings and bullying, and began to examine more closely the man we wanted to hero-worship. When the stories hit the headlines, and with a billionaire media baron's backing, Ben Roberts-Smith sued. So commenced the defamation trial of the century, a courtroom contest of tightrope tactics and fierce wit. Chris Masters tells the extraordinary story of Ben Roberts-Smith, the man at the centre of this de facto war crimes trial, from the battlegrounds of Afghanistan to the front lines of the Federal Court.' If there was a Victoria Cross for bravery in journalism, Chris Masters deserves to receive it.' - Phillip Adams'Compelling... a book worth reading on many levels... For those who believe unquestioningly in the ANZAC spirit, this book offers an important corrective – hero worship must not be blind.' - Sydney Morning Herald'Powerful, passionate and often moving narrative' - Inside Story'An account of reporters taking on the legal system, the political establishment and much of the Australian media and - against those almost impossible odds - somehow emerging with the story' - The Saturday Paper'War has always been the stuff of myth-making from the Anzacs to the present day. [Flawed Hero] shakes the blind beliefs of those who unquestionably only see what they want to see – a war hero.' - The Conversation'There's seriously no one else in Australia with the knowledge that Chris Masters has in relation to Australian Special Forces in Afghanistan.' —Former Commando Major
610 pages, Kindle Edition
Published July 10, 2023
About the author
Chris Masters
6 books5 followersChristopher "Chris" Wayne Masters (born 4 December 1948 in Grafton, New South Wales) is a multi-Walkley Award winning and Logie Award winning Australian journalist and author.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 30 reviews
August 20, 2023
A longer, harder, read than McKenzie’s. Masters uses descriptions of SAS witnesses, ‘The Medic,’ ‘The Reader,’ ‘The Redhead,’ where McKenzie gave them pseudonyms, and I found the latter practice easier. Masters, as someone who had been embedded with the military, focuses more on the details of what was alleged and found by the judge to have occurred, where McKenzie focused more on what happened in Australia, the investigation and the trial.
Both are excellent on the dangers of ANZACification and of an ongoing war to which military personnel were sent again and again.
Masters also takes on the Murdoch media, that seems to have supported Roberts-Smith primarily because he was attacking Nine and Fairfax:
“Like many journalists, for many years I had defended my colleagues at News Corporation, where I had worked for a time. The Australian news industry is incestuous. Half our peers are employed by Rupert, and from them we have seen plenty of fine work.
But also like many of my colleagues, I had now given up on Rupert's minions. For me, the years of selected leaks to selected media comment in the 2020 editorial said a lot. The editorial itself read like a leak from the precinct of allied power elites.
By way of contrast, our journalism was not driven by leaks. We reported from the ground up, as we are supposed to do. We made conner. tions, we obtained evidence, we applied critical analysis and we wrote it down. The more you do that, the more information comes your way.
Murdoch’s papers lived in a world of select leakage; conditioned to that mode of reporting, they could not compete. It was as if they had forgotten, or surrendered, the entry code to investigative journalism. And as if they had come to believe, as many in the public believe, that the entire news industry is nothing but a dancing puppet on a fraying string. No wonder we are all disrespected.
One of The Australian's reporters, obliged to check something to help validate an impending attack, told me: 'I know you would not report any of this, Chris, unless you were 100 per cent sure, but I have a job to do! I came to think that here was someone who should no longer call themselves a journalist.
As for The Australian- if it was no longer interested in facts, it should no longer pretend to be in the news business.”
Both are excellent on the dangers of ANZACification and of an ongoing war to which military personnel were sent again and again.
Masters also takes on the Murdoch media, that seems to have supported Roberts-Smith primarily because he was attacking Nine and Fairfax:
“Like many journalists, for many years I had defended my colleagues at News Corporation, where I had worked for a time. The Australian news industry is incestuous. Half our peers are employed by Rupert, and from them we have seen plenty of fine work.
But also like many of my colleagues, I had now given up on Rupert's minions. For me, the years of selected leaks to selected media comment in the 2020 editorial said a lot. The editorial itself read like a leak from the precinct of allied power elites.
By way of contrast, our journalism was not driven by leaks. We reported from the ground up, as we are supposed to do. We made conner. tions, we obtained evidence, we applied critical analysis and we wrote it down. The more you do that, the more information comes your way.
Murdoch’s papers lived in a world of select leakage; conditioned to that mode of reporting, they could not compete. It was as if they had forgotten, or surrendered, the entry code to investigative journalism. And as if they had come to believe, as many in the public believe, that the entire news industry is nothing but a dancing puppet on a fraying string. No wonder we are all disrespected.
One of The Australian's reporters, obliged to check something to help validate an impending attack, told me: 'I know you would not report any of this, Chris, unless you were 100 per cent sure, but I have a job to do! I came to think that here was someone who should no longer call themselves a journalist.
As for The Australian- if it was no longer interested in facts, it should no longer pretend to be in the news business.”
September 22, 2023
This book is a wonderfully written account of the testing path to truth Chris Masters and Nick McKenzie took, together with their impressive legal team, when Ben Roberts-Smith sued them for defamation. As an investigative journalist Chris wrote courageously as did those Australian soldiers who chose to stand up to defend the integrity of what it means to be an Australian soldier. Chris Masters does an exceptional job of acknowledging the challenges that civilians face in writing from a soldier's perspective. His respect for the work Australian soldiers do is clearly conveyed. Highly detailed, this is a must read for anyone who values the art of investigative journalism.
August 9, 2026
Finished in 4 days. Riveting, informative and tragic. Not sure if I can be fucked to read Nick McKenzies book as well...
October 31, 2024
A fantastically detailed account of the facts, both known and contested, of the BRS case. Quality journalism.
September 9, 2025
Flawed Hero sets out to tell the story of Ben Roberts-Smith, Australia’s most decorated soldier, and the defamation trial that gripped the nation. Roberts-Smith, who was awarded both the Victoria Cross and the Medal for Gallantry, became a symbol of the modern Anzac myth. Yet, behind the public image, troubling rumours emerged—of bullying, “bloodings,” and possible war crimes. Journalist Chris Masters, joint winner of the 2023 Walkley Honour for Media Freedom, was among the first to investigate. His reporting ultimately led to Roberts-Smith launching the “defamation trial of the century,” a courtroom battle that pitted war hero against investigative journalism and billionaire-backed media power. Masters recounts the case from Afghanistan’s battlefields to the Federal Court, offering an unflinching account of myth-making, accountability, and truth-telling.
I went into this audiobook expecting a biographical account of Roberts-Smith’s life, but that is not what this is. Instead, the book is almost entirely a play-by-play of the defamation trial—dense with witness transcripts, cross-examinations, and endless back-and-forth legal manoeuvres. Rather than compelling investigative journalism, it often felt like I was listening to transcripts being regurgitated. I found the constant repetition of witness grilling tedious and difficult to stay engaged with.
The narrative was further weighed down by tangents, such as Masters’ own Covid situation, which felt irrelevant and unnecessary to the story. The writing itself struck me as dry and uneven, lacking the sharpness I would have expected from such a decorated journalist. Overall, I struggled to get through this audiobook and can’t say it lived up to its critical acclaim.
⭐️⭐️/5
I went into this audiobook expecting a biographical account of Roberts-Smith’s life, but that is not what this is. Instead, the book is almost entirely a play-by-play of the defamation trial—dense with witness transcripts, cross-examinations, and endless back-and-forth legal manoeuvres. Rather than compelling investigative journalism, it often felt like I was listening to transcripts being regurgitated. I found the constant repetition of witness grilling tedious and difficult to stay engaged with.
The narrative was further weighed down by tangents, such as Masters’ own Covid situation, which felt irrelevant and unnecessary to the story. The writing itself struck me as dry and uneven, lacking the sharpness I would have expected from such a decorated journalist. Overall, I struggled to get through this audiobook and can’t say it lived up to its critical acclaim.
⭐️⭐️/5
October 18, 2023
A full, reasonably dispassionate scrutiny of the defamation trial bought by Ben Roberts-Smith as a result of the investigations that Chris Masters and fellow journalist Nick McKenzie did into rumours of war crimes committed by BRS. Rest of the review: https://bookwyrm.social/book/1432873/...
March 19, 2025
A very detailed writing of lead up to and account of court proceedings in the defamation case of Ben Robert Smith
Challenging to take in all the details. A sorry tale of bullying and murder within the SAS Australia by one particular soldier .. one that had to be told
Challenging to take in all the details. A sorry tale of bullying and murder within the SAS Australia by one particular soldier .. one that had to be told
August 25, 2023
As I wrote on my review for Nick McKenzie’s - Crossing the Line.
I went into these book with a huge bias.
I wouldn’t call myself a BRS supporter - but he was portrayed as a war hero, so thought of him as one.
I also dislike journalists, and I know there is a difference between investigative journalists and “media personality” or tabloid journalists - but they have been lumped into the same basket as far as I’m concerned.
I saw this on a book shelf next to Nick McKenzie’s and picked up both (I read Nick’s first)
This was a well written, insightful read into the defamation case, alleged crimes committed and the hard work to expose the truth.
I went into these book with a huge bias.
I wouldn’t call myself a BRS supporter - but he was portrayed as a war hero, so thought of him as one.
I also dislike journalists, and I know there is a difference between investigative journalists and “media personality” or tabloid journalists - but they have been lumped into the same basket as far as I’m concerned.
I saw this on a book shelf next to Nick McKenzie’s and picked up both (I read Nick’s first)
This was a well written, insightful read into the defamation case, alleged crimes committed and the hard work to expose the truth.
April 2, 2025
Excellent. Such a controversial subject and yet Chris Masters wanted the truth told and the witnesses to the terrible crimes were slowed to tell their truth and not hide behind the ‘don’t tell on your mates’. Well done for telling their truth and truth
August 7, 2023
Scholarly
I’m glad I read the Nick McKenzie account first. It was lighter, quicker, easier. But Chalmers gives the Roberts-Smith tragedy the full, dispassionate scrutiny. He is not so much the fired-up journo, more the detached and thorough scholar. I really appreciated both books even though it was hard not to grow impatient with Chalmers’ fastidious attention to detail. At the end, it’s a deep-felt “phew”! The good guys really did win, and there’s not many questions left unanswered about Ben Roberts-Smith VC.
I’m glad I read the Nick McKenzie account first. It was lighter, quicker, easier. But Chalmers gives the Roberts-Smith tragedy the full, dispassionate scrutiny. He is not so much the fired-up journo, more the detached and thorough scholar. I really appreciated both books even though it was hard not to grow impatient with Chalmers’ fastidious attention to detail. At the end, it’s a deep-felt “phew”! The good guys really did win, and there’s not many questions left unanswered about Ben Roberts-Smith VC.
November 6, 2023
At this stage in the battle for public opinion, Ben Roberts-Smith VC, MG continued to stand tall. But we began to notice that his personal stew of bitterness, aggression and entitlement was starting to corrode the goodwill he had previously amassed. Too often, Ben’s own worst enemy was Ben himself.
What a gift.
Ben Roberts-Smith, a Victoria Cross winner on $700,000 a year as a Channel Seven executive, decided that he had been defamed and that he must sue. The result of that action?
War criminal
Admittedly, an appeal remains to be heard but, for now, one man’s arrogance has given us a judicially approved peek into what happens when we send our special forces overseas.
How I Just Killed a Man (that I kicked off a cliff)
And it’s strange too that Australia’s principal public reckoning on war crimes would occur not at the behest of the government but via civil, privately funded litigation
The core of the book is about a case that assessed in (mostly open) court documents, photos and witness statements about whether Ben Roberts-Smith (and collaterally, other SAS members) committed multiple war crimes in Afghanistan. The final judgement concludes that, on the balance of probabilities, that the Australian SAS did. Further war crimes, while not substantiated in the court, seem only to have lacked evidence due to confidentiality obligations or protection from self-incrimination. It is also open for the reader to also conclude that the war crimes were committed as part of internal policy of at least one unit within the Australian SAS - "blooding the rookie."
It is worth taking a moment to contemplate the subject here. It is unlikely we will ever get as certain a statement of a culture of war crimes amongst Western Special Forces. An actual judge said "Yep! You shot unarmed prisoners. Multiple times!" The subject is 100% the biggest selling point of this book, hence the speed of publication (along with another by a fellow respondent). It’s an unintentionally favourable comparison with the United States, where the First Amendment and correspondingly weaker defamation laws allow you to make claims without fear of litigation. The corollary of those free speech protections is that it is less likely the validity of those claims of US war-crimes will ever be adjudicated on a balance of probabilities basis.
The slow turning wheels of justice
They were sorting equipment when Roberts-Smith told him, “Hey mate, I'm going to talk the talk. I want you to make sure I walk the walk ... Before this trip is over, I'm going to choke a man to death with my bare hands. I'm going to look him in the eye, and I’m going to watch the life drain out of his eyes.
So is the writing any good? Well, it is good reporting. Masters also makes the correct call to open with the now-accepted chronology of events, which considering the conflicting witnesses during the trial, is a massive help in unravelling the narrativ. The lead up also provides a good explanation for why Roberts made a spectacularly bad decision: You bark enough times about defamation via prestigious litigation lawyers, the pressure then builds up to bite. As for the trial itself, the recounting is lively, and realistically a reader is only ever going to get snapshots of most of the participants. This is not an issue that can be resolved by taking more time to flesh them out with direct interviews, many witnesses were reluctant appearances in court.
However, it is good reporting, which over the course of the book gets repetitive. The lawyers for each side perform the same strategy over and over for each witness (boost your own, discredit theirs). The perspective from only one side means we experience biases and miss out on relevant things. For example, we don't know how well Roberts-Smith was advised, particularly on the risks attendant with a successful defence of truth, such as opening him up to random people doing this:
War criminal
...notwithstanding he has not been convicted of any crime and is unlikely to ever be. The parallel Brereton Report (the Australian government inquiry into war crimes) is covered, but not fully canvassed other than to the extent it greatly aided the defence to the defamation claim. This (relative – it isn’t excluded) lack of coverage of the government’s response is not an outright criticism. Instead, it is more of a note that this is a narrow book on particular reporting that gave rise to the defamation case (but as I say, what a subject!)
Further, Master’s implied assessment of Roberts-Smith’s command abilities (such as being a morale vampire) and the extent to which Roberts-Smith deserved his medals should be treated with caution, as they rely on reporting rather than any final judgement. Masters does lay out the actions where Roberts-Smith was decorated as an appendix, but at least one appears slanted against Roberts-Smith.
Notwithstanding this, Masters does do some good background work in the book overall and is not unsympathetic to the SAS, so you certainly should not treat this book as a hatchet job against them. The writing is at its strongest when humanising the subjects which is, again, perhaps a matter of good reporting.
Due diligence was not done, neither on Ben Roberts-Smith nor on the SAS. When he was awarded his Victoria Cross in 2011, too many of the special forces warrior caste, other ranks and officers alike, came to believe their own bullshit. Worse, the cult status the special forces warriors awarded themselves became a barrier to sanction. One of the Army chaplains equated the SASR’s default cover-up of misconduct with the Catholic Church’s record of concealing child sexual abuse
Masters acknowledges there is a bigger story out there (and it does help promote the importance of this case). We should appreciate that we get a glimpse of it here.
What a gift.
Ben Roberts-Smith, a Victoria Cross winner on $700,000 a year as a Channel Seven executive, decided that he had been defamed and that he must sue. The result of that action?
War criminal
Admittedly, an appeal remains to be heard but, for now, one man’s arrogance has given us a judicially approved peek into what happens when we send our special forces overseas.
How I Just Killed a Man (that I kicked off a cliff)
And it’s strange too that Australia’s principal public reckoning on war crimes would occur not at the behest of the government but via civil, privately funded litigation
The core of the book is about a case that assessed in (mostly open) court documents, photos and witness statements about whether Ben Roberts-Smith (and collaterally, other SAS members) committed multiple war crimes in Afghanistan. The final judgement concludes that, on the balance of probabilities, that the Australian SAS did. Further war crimes, while not substantiated in the court, seem only to have lacked evidence due to confidentiality obligations or protection from self-incrimination. It is also open for the reader to also conclude that the war crimes were committed as part of internal policy of at least one unit within the Australian SAS - "blooding the rookie."
It is worth taking a moment to contemplate the subject here. It is unlikely we will ever get as certain a statement of a culture of war crimes amongst Western Special Forces. An actual judge said "Yep! You shot unarmed prisoners. Multiple times!" The subject is 100% the biggest selling point of this book, hence the speed of publication (along with another by a fellow respondent). It’s an unintentionally favourable comparison with the United States, where the First Amendment and correspondingly weaker defamation laws allow you to make claims without fear of litigation. The corollary of those free speech protections is that it is less likely the validity of those claims of US war-crimes will ever be adjudicated on a balance of probabilities basis.
The slow turning wheels of justice
They were sorting equipment when Roberts-Smith told him, “Hey mate, I'm going to talk the talk. I want you to make sure I walk the walk ... Before this trip is over, I'm going to choke a man to death with my bare hands. I'm going to look him in the eye, and I’m going to watch the life drain out of his eyes.
So is the writing any good? Well, it is good reporting. Masters also makes the correct call to open with the now-accepted chronology of events, which considering the conflicting witnesses during the trial, is a massive help in unravelling the narrativ. The lead up also provides a good explanation for why Roberts made a spectacularly bad decision: You bark enough times about defamation via prestigious litigation lawyers, the pressure then builds up to bite. As for the trial itself, the recounting is lively, and realistically a reader is only ever going to get snapshots of most of the participants. This is not an issue that can be resolved by taking more time to flesh them out with direct interviews, many witnesses were reluctant appearances in court.
However, it is good reporting, which over the course of the book gets repetitive. The lawyers for each side perform the same strategy over and over for each witness (boost your own, discredit theirs). The perspective from only one side means we experience biases and miss out on relevant things. For example, we don't know how well Roberts-Smith was advised, particularly on the risks attendant with a successful defence of truth, such as opening him up to random people doing this:
War criminal
...notwithstanding he has not been convicted of any crime and is unlikely to ever be. The parallel Brereton Report (the Australian government inquiry into war crimes) is covered, but not fully canvassed other than to the extent it greatly aided the defence to the defamation claim. This (relative – it isn’t excluded) lack of coverage of the government’s response is not an outright criticism. Instead, it is more of a note that this is a narrow book on particular reporting that gave rise to the defamation case (but as I say, what a subject!)
Further, Master’s implied assessment of Roberts-Smith’s command abilities (such as being a morale vampire) and the extent to which Roberts-Smith deserved his medals should be treated with caution, as they rely on reporting rather than any final judgement. Masters does lay out the actions where Roberts-Smith was decorated as an appendix, but at least one appears slanted against Roberts-Smith.
Notwithstanding this, Masters does do some good background work in the book overall and is not unsympathetic to the SAS, so you certainly should not treat this book as a hatchet job against them. The writing is at its strongest when humanising the subjects which is, again, perhaps a matter of good reporting.
Due diligence was not done, neither on Ben Roberts-Smith nor on the SAS. When he was awarded his Victoria Cross in 2011, too many of the special forces warrior caste, other ranks and officers alike, came to believe their own bullshit. Worse, the cult status the special forces warriors awarded themselves became a barrier to sanction. One of the Army chaplains equated the SASR’s default cover-up of misconduct with the Catholic Church’s record of concealing child sexual abuse
Masters acknowledges there is a bigger story out there (and it does help promote the importance of this case). We should appreciate that we get a glimpse of it here.
March 22, 2024
This is a bit of a tricky one to review. The work of Masters and Nick McKenzie in bringing to light the war crimes of BRS is an achievement that cannot be overstated in modern Aussie investigative journalism. However the book is largely concerned with the defamation proceedings brought by the disgraced soldier. These are recounted in great detail, but in a way that is pretty dry. And probably over detailed. Very matter of fact and flattened.
But outside of that, Masters is able to let his writing fly a little and they are the best parts. I like how Masters inserts himself into this at times. Almost like a documentarian. Considering how the story unfolds. How it came to him. How he grappled with it. Inserts opinions on Nick McKenzie as he introduces him. And the strongest writing of all comes in the small section at the end. Masters allows himself artistic flourish and anger as he ponders what Roberts Smith’s actions symbolize.
But outside of that, Masters is able to let his writing fly a little and they are the best parts. I like how Masters inserts himself into this at times. Almost like a documentarian. Considering how the story unfolds. How it came to him. How he grappled with it. Inserts opinions on Nick McKenzie as he introduces him. And the strongest writing of all comes in the small section at the end. Masters allows himself artistic flourish and anger as he ponders what Roberts Smith’s actions symbolize.
July 22, 2023
Masterpiece from Masters
Chris Masters’ book is a riveting read. I enjoyed every page. In a time when journalists are low on the Totem pole of professions, Masters restores some faith in the value of this vocation to seek truth in the era of fake news.
Chris Masters’ book is a riveting read. I enjoyed every page. In a time when journalists are low on the Totem pole of professions, Masters restores some faith in the value of this vocation to seek truth in the era of fake news.
September 24, 2023
Masters and McKenzie are both clearly unified in their investigative journalism on Ben Roberts-Smith (BRS) but each produced their own book.
Why? Because they come at it from different angles and specifically, I’d say, is that Masters is much older, with a different history, one more involved in the military.
He’s connected to various personnel. He shares this and what leads to the moment he and McKenzie make that first contact.
Indeed his book is in a different style. Still definitive but a bit more info on a military background and of various people.
But for the sake of argument, the content of both authors is defined towards their one sole mission: truth and justice.
As such, both these men, investigative giants of the media, deserve medals for their outstanding service to our nation….NOT BRS.
Here’s a few notes from this book before adding the same review used for Nick McKenzie; with some editing.
———————————————————
Masters states….Killing is an aspect of war not a purpose. True. This becomes the theme, the catalyst for discovery of truth. A determined effort to seek justice.
-Army Major General Jeff Sengelman had suspicions of the culture of war crimes; enough of them to press the emergency button; he becomes allies with Chris Masters.
Psychologist, Samantha ? was commissioned but her gender etc was queried; yet the academic held her own.
Bullying, bashing and bastardisation was endemic in the military. A report was completed. 2012 was the worst year.
Masters states that everything needed to be confirmed….bloodlust etc. The control commanders were the worse it seems. They were hero worshipped and unstoppable, particularly those with medals.
Trust was needed between soldiers and Chris Masters when speaking to them individually.
‘Snake or a dead cat under tin’ was a metaphor used. And wouldn’t you know it, BRS was a morale vampire!?
22/9….soldiers acknowledge certain battles but not the June battle that BRS was in.
Q: Did the character match the honour?
2012: BRS became untouchable. His bullying was unbearable and a soldier, nicknamed ‘Redhead’ had enough, continuing from his earlier yrs.BRS was relentless.
BRS-
2013 retires from army. Prestigious Perth school background; he’s 2.2 metre in stature and came from privilege….father was a judge.
He never rose above corporal which he gained in 2001. But nicknamed Achilles. And the Anzac legend lived on thru him.
PM Tony Abbott made him ambassador for mental health. But soldiers watching this on TV laughed at this irony. “…he caused depression in the redhead and now is going to fix it”!??
Australia Day ceremonies Involvement too! But his role in Ch 7 (Queensland) as General Manager was even more disturbing.
Bullying, bashing and bastardisation was evident since an enquiry in the 90’s; it wasn’t new but the army needed this latest enquiry more than ever now.
BRS monetised his fame; not uncommon. But he was paranoid and so got a friend, McLeod, to listen in on gossip as a waiter at events.
BRS knew nothing about television but more about “shooting cunts in the face”!
People at Ch7 said he was totally out of his depth.
He and wife, Emma, with their twin daughters, moved to a new property; almost a fortress. What he did to them was abusive and Emma showed fortitude in her court appearance years later. Not to mention an ex lover, a Ch 7 associate, with whom he had an affair.
That Kerri Stokes, the media mogul, created this position for BRS and supported him, mostly financially, is questionable itself. He fell for the super hero facade….and BRS used him well and truly!
Soldiers and other witnesses had amazing moral courage says Masters, quite the opposite for the wavering Defence Force’s poor moral leadership!
CV19 and national security meant the defamation case was put on hold. But it worked in their favour against the BS artist!
2023 saw the two journalists win the case that rocked the nation when BRS took them to court for defamation.
And months later, BRS was issued the bill for all legal costs, his and the journalists.
———————————————————
Review of Nick McKenzie’s book:
Truth and justice must prevail. Always.
The Geneva Convention of treating the dead with respect was clearly ignored, brazenly so. War crimes are seen in pictorial evidence to support this. Human Rights decimated by a war hero, the most highly decorated in fifty years.
Put on a pedestal; the poster boy of the Australian Military Defence Forces.
This is the theme, the essence and the crux of this honest plot, which indeed, was initiated by the complete lack of a moral code in one psychotic man; a husband, father, a revered soldier, a war hero, a nation’s son.
We are all accountable, including the elite forces.
Ethically & morally, this incredibly well researched book is a must read. It’s easy to follow with short chapters, each focusing upon various characters and places; thus the chronological order of events etc, falls into sync.
Without repeating its content, I observed that the oft-repeated events given as evidence, became a tad repetitive. But the plot grips you enough to overlook these minor concerns. And they drove home the point.
The plot is both character and event driven. It begins and ends with the main character, BRS, as the antagonist, certainly not a protagonist!
Kudos to the authors, Nick McKenzie, and Masters, along with all other reporters and researchers, who persevered in this story to discover the truth in order that justice is served.
Ostensibly also, the brave witnesses, particularly Emma, the many SAS soldiers and, especially the Afghans, who put the evidence of ‘brand BRS’ to the forefront; to seek justice and truth.
But it is the courts who will decide. So far, the author has succeeded when BRS took him to court in mid-2023. (Read Wikipedia on authors).
**********EDIT****NEWS********
BRS has to pay the court costs for the journalists and himself. Millions. I wonder if Kerry Stokes will assist? Foolish man if he does; a downfall imminent.
**********************************
What happens next, and when, will determine the outcome. The shadow of death is already following BRS.
Having been involved in jury duty, and based upon this book’s written material only, evidence must be 100%! It surely appears to be.
BRS, I’d say, will spend much of his future life, restrained, an embarrassment to the military and Australia. An example. And he deserves nothing less. The sooner the better. Let’s put this behind us.
He’s the biggest liar in Australia’s history. And he believed his own lies. He knocked almost everyone in his path out of the way; and some to death!
The military need to acknowledge, cancel awards, teach all their soldiers about The Geneva Convention and Human Rights; use BRS as an example of what not to do!
They must move forward fast.
Media moguls and supposed supporters etc would be best to distant themselves, and cut all ties, from BRS. Could they too be implicated?!
It’s a tragic Shakespearean-styled play. But this is real life, with real people and real events. And real deaths.
Lessons for the future of Australia’s military, its democracy and involvement in war, needs to be readdressed. Thankfully it appears to be, following the many reports and internal investigations.
It’s riveting, it’s tragic, it’s shocking, it’s an eye-opener.
It’s not an attack on this ‘hero’.
He’s done that himself. I don’t even want to mention this ‘military monster’s’ name.
He inflicted his own narcissistic attack on others. Not to mention his family. And his lover.
His domestic abuse speaks for itself as to the quality of his character and persona. He also encouraged them to lie.
His life was a lie, full of deceit, full of immorality.
Indeed BRS is described as an ‘ostentatious psychopath’ and that everyone, but himself (and Kerry Stokes the media mogul), is to blame. A classic narcissist.
That he received accolades and awards as a soldier and, how ironic, as a father, only adds to the self-importance of this psychopathic narcissist. It’s how they work.
His psychological profile seeps through and has, it seems, from a young age. The question is how and when and why did it all start?
I’m sure school teachers and friends would be able to expand on this. Family…if they’re brave enough. Emma observed much and was also at the receiving end.
Living with a narcissist is one thing, but one who tortures and kills, without value for life, is quite another. A complete absence of a moral code.
Truth and justice must prevail. Human Rights held up.
This creature should be convicted of deliberate war crimes, against the Geneva Convention’s ethical code of conduct (standards agreed upon by countries involved), primarily described as:
“It specifically prohibits murder, mutilation, torture, the taking of hostages, unfair trial, cruel, humiliating and degrading treatment…It requires that the wounded, sick and shipwrecked be collected and cared for”.
RBS struck out on most. A definitive criminal. The Afghans should put him on trial!
“A war hero can also be a war criminal” as Nick states. So true.
He must be held up to be accountable, and given the honour of a cell. This dangerous, immoral human being should be kept behind bars. Always.
For truth and justice to prevail.
4.5*
Why? Because they come at it from different angles and specifically, I’d say, is that Masters is much older, with a different history, one more involved in the military.
He’s connected to various personnel. He shares this and what leads to the moment he and McKenzie make that first contact.
Indeed his book is in a different style. Still definitive but a bit more info on a military background and of various people.
But for the sake of argument, the content of both authors is defined towards their one sole mission: truth and justice.
As such, both these men, investigative giants of the media, deserve medals for their outstanding service to our nation….NOT BRS.
Here’s a few notes from this book before adding the same review used for Nick McKenzie; with some editing.
———————————————————
Masters states….Killing is an aspect of war not a purpose. True. This becomes the theme, the catalyst for discovery of truth. A determined effort to seek justice.
-Army Major General Jeff Sengelman had suspicions of the culture of war crimes; enough of them to press the emergency button; he becomes allies with Chris Masters.
Psychologist, Samantha ? was commissioned but her gender etc was queried; yet the academic held her own.
Bullying, bashing and bastardisation was endemic in the military. A report was completed. 2012 was the worst year.
Masters states that everything needed to be confirmed….bloodlust etc. The control commanders were the worse it seems. They were hero worshipped and unstoppable, particularly those with medals.
Trust was needed between soldiers and Chris Masters when speaking to them individually.
‘Snake or a dead cat under tin’ was a metaphor used. And wouldn’t you know it, BRS was a morale vampire!?
22/9….soldiers acknowledge certain battles but not the June battle that BRS was in.
Q: Did the character match the honour?
2012: BRS became untouchable. His bullying was unbearable and a soldier, nicknamed ‘Redhead’ had enough, continuing from his earlier yrs.BRS was relentless.
BRS-
2013 retires from army. Prestigious Perth school background; he’s 2.2 metre in stature and came from privilege….father was a judge.
He never rose above corporal which he gained in 2001. But nicknamed Achilles. And the Anzac legend lived on thru him.
PM Tony Abbott made him ambassador for mental health. But soldiers watching this on TV laughed at this irony. “…he caused depression in the redhead and now is going to fix it”!??
Australia Day ceremonies Involvement too! But his role in Ch 7 (Queensland) as General Manager was even more disturbing.
Bullying, bashing and bastardisation was evident since an enquiry in the 90’s; it wasn’t new but the army needed this latest enquiry more than ever now.
BRS monetised his fame; not uncommon. But he was paranoid and so got a friend, McLeod, to listen in on gossip as a waiter at events.
BRS knew nothing about television but more about “shooting cunts in the face”!
People at Ch7 said he was totally out of his depth.
He and wife, Emma, with their twin daughters, moved to a new property; almost a fortress. What he did to them was abusive and Emma showed fortitude in her court appearance years later. Not to mention an ex lover, a Ch 7 associate, with whom he had an affair.
That Kerri Stokes, the media mogul, created this position for BRS and supported him, mostly financially, is questionable itself. He fell for the super hero facade….and BRS used him well and truly!
Soldiers and other witnesses had amazing moral courage says Masters, quite the opposite for the wavering Defence Force’s poor moral leadership!
CV19 and national security meant the defamation case was put on hold. But it worked in their favour against the BS artist!
2023 saw the two journalists win the case that rocked the nation when BRS took them to court for defamation.
And months later, BRS was issued the bill for all legal costs, his and the journalists.
———————————————————
Review of Nick McKenzie’s book:
Truth and justice must prevail. Always.
The Geneva Convention of treating the dead with respect was clearly ignored, brazenly so. War crimes are seen in pictorial evidence to support this. Human Rights decimated by a war hero, the most highly decorated in fifty years.
Put on a pedestal; the poster boy of the Australian Military Defence Forces.
This is the theme, the essence and the crux of this honest plot, which indeed, was initiated by the complete lack of a moral code in one psychotic man; a husband, father, a revered soldier, a war hero, a nation’s son.
We are all accountable, including the elite forces.
Ethically & morally, this incredibly well researched book is a must read. It’s easy to follow with short chapters, each focusing upon various characters and places; thus the chronological order of events etc, falls into sync.
Without repeating its content, I observed that the oft-repeated events given as evidence, became a tad repetitive. But the plot grips you enough to overlook these minor concerns. And they drove home the point.
The plot is both character and event driven. It begins and ends with the main character, BRS, as the antagonist, certainly not a protagonist!
Kudos to the authors, Nick McKenzie, and Masters, along with all other reporters and researchers, who persevered in this story to discover the truth in order that justice is served.
Ostensibly also, the brave witnesses, particularly Emma, the many SAS soldiers and, especially the Afghans, who put the evidence of ‘brand BRS’ to the forefront; to seek justice and truth.
But it is the courts who will decide. So far, the author has succeeded when BRS took him to court in mid-2023. (Read Wikipedia on authors).
**********EDIT****NEWS********
BRS has to pay the court costs for the journalists and himself. Millions. I wonder if Kerry Stokes will assist? Foolish man if he does; a downfall imminent.
**********************************
What happens next, and when, will determine the outcome. The shadow of death is already following BRS.
Having been involved in jury duty, and based upon this book’s written material only, evidence must be 100%! It surely appears to be.
BRS, I’d say, will spend much of his future life, restrained, an embarrassment to the military and Australia. An example. And he deserves nothing less. The sooner the better. Let’s put this behind us.
He’s the biggest liar in Australia’s history. And he believed his own lies. He knocked almost everyone in his path out of the way; and some to death!
The military need to acknowledge, cancel awards, teach all their soldiers about The Geneva Convention and Human Rights; use BRS as an example of what not to do!
They must move forward fast.
Media moguls and supposed supporters etc would be best to distant themselves, and cut all ties, from BRS. Could they too be implicated?!
It’s a tragic Shakespearean-styled play. But this is real life, with real people and real events. And real deaths.
Lessons for the future of Australia’s military, its democracy and involvement in war, needs to be readdressed. Thankfully it appears to be, following the many reports and internal investigations.
It’s riveting, it’s tragic, it’s shocking, it’s an eye-opener.
It’s not an attack on this ‘hero’.
He’s done that himself. I don’t even want to mention this ‘military monster’s’ name.
He inflicted his own narcissistic attack on others. Not to mention his family. And his lover.
His domestic abuse speaks for itself as to the quality of his character and persona. He also encouraged them to lie.
His life was a lie, full of deceit, full of immorality.
Indeed BRS is described as an ‘ostentatious psychopath’ and that everyone, but himself (and Kerry Stokes the media mogul), is to blame. A classic narcissist.
That he received accolades and awards as a soldier and, how ironic, as a father, only adds to the self-importance of this psychopathic narcissist. It’s how they work.
His psychological profile seeps through and has, it seems, from a young age. The question is how and when and why did it all start?
I’m sure school teachers and friends would be able to expand on this. Family…if they’re brave enough. Emma observed much and was also at the receiving end.
Living with a narcissist is one thing, but one who tortures and kills, without value for life, is quite another. A complete absence of a moral code.
Truth and justice must prevail. Human Rights held up.
This creature should be convicted of deliberate war crimes, against the Geneva Convention’s ethical code of conduct (standards agreed upon by countries involved), primarily described as:
“It specifically prohibits murder, mutilation, torture, the taking of hostages, unfair trial, cruel, humiliating and degrading treatment…It requires that the wounded, sick and shipwrecked be collected and cared for”.
RBS struck out on most. A definitive criminal. The Afghans should put him on trial!
“A war hero can also be a war criminal” as Nick states. So true.
He must be held up to be accountable, and given the honour of a cell. This dangerous, immoral human being should be kept behind bars. Always.
For truth and justice to prevail.
4.5*
April 25, 2026
Flawed Hero: Truth, Lies and War Crimes by Chris Masters is an undeniably thorough and deeply researched account of the allegations surrounding Ben Roberts-Smith and the subsequent defamation trial. Masters draws on years of investigative journalism to unpack both the events in Afghanistan and the complex legal battle that followed, offering a detailed look at a case that has challenged Australia’s understanding of heroism and accountability.
For me, though, the depth of detail became a double-edged sword. While the research is impressive, the narrative often gets bogged down in legal and procedural minutiae, making it a difficult read. I found myself losing momentum and ultimately couldn’t finish it.
What stays with you, however, is the gravity of what is being alleged. The book confronts deeply disturbing accusations and raises uncomfortable questions about culture, power, and truth within elite military units. With aspects of the case still playing out through legal processes, final judgments ultimately rest with the courts and, where applicable, a jury.
Regardless of the outcome, the issues raised here matter. If even a fraction of these allegations holds true, they point to behaviour that should have no place in any armed service. It’s a sobering reminder that heroism should never be beyond scrutiny—and that we can, and must, expect better.
Thanks to Libraries ACT for lending me a copy of this book.
For me, though, the depth of detail became a double-edged sword. While the research is impressive, the narrative often gets bogged down in legal and procedural minutiae, making it a difficult read. I found myself losing momentum and ultimately couldn’t finish it.
What stays with you, however, is the gravity of what is being alleged. The book confronts deeply disturbing accusations and raises uncomfortable questions about culture, power, and truth within elite military units. With aspects of the case still playing out through legal processes, final judgments ultimately rest with the courts and, where applicable, a jury.
Regardless of the outcome, the issues raised here matter. If even a fraction of these allegations holds true, they point to behaviour that should have no place in any armed service. It’s a sobering reminder that heroism should never be beyond scrutiny—and that we can, and must, expect better.
Thanks to Libraries ACT for lending me a copy of this book.
July 12, 2024
A nonfiction novel by respected Australian investigative journalist Chris Masters, Flawed Hero: Truth, Lies + War Crimes (2023) is a substantive tome. Australian media has been engrossed in the reports of War Crimes in the Afghanistan conflict and the stellar reputation of its leading SAS Commander, Ben Roberts Smith. Chris Masters was embedded with the military forces, including the SAS regiment, and he was the first reporter to raise issues about several skirmishes with possible War Crimes implications. It has helpful appendices of an Afghanistan map, a list of abbreviations, photographs and a long list of pseudonyms used for the witnesses - only identified by a number. The publicity and impacted lives of those events in Afghanistan were played out in an Australian Court, determining the truthfulness defense was vindicated. Its short chapters, with clear-to-point commentary and a detailed account of the trial, make this novel an insightful read with a five star rating. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without inducement.
December 10, 2023
Chris Masters and Nick McKenzie were both respondents in the famous defamation case brought by Australia’s most decorated soldier Ben Robert’s-Smith.
Both have written books which are in a way companion pieces. Masters writes in almost forensic detail of each day of the trial while McKenzie’s account, while less detailed is more personal.
The defamation laws in Australia are some of the toughest in the works are notoriously difficult to defend which potentially constrains much of the media from reporting controversial stories. How many good stories out there of wrongdoing have not been told because of that and the vast expense of going to court?
Both have written books which are in a way companion pieces. Masters writes in almost forensic detail of each day of the trial while McKenzie’s account, while less detailed is more personal.
The defamation laws in Australia are some of the toughest in the works are notoriously difficult to defend which potentially constrains much of the media from reporting controversial stories. How many good stories out there of wrongdoing have not been told because of that and the vast expense of going to court?
August 1, 2026
Great book! Some sane consideration of the dangers of thinking soldiers and war shouldn’t be subject to scrutiny. Inspiring what so many people were prepared to go through and show so much courage for something much needed in the public interest.
I think some really keys things for me for those still supporting BRS is the fact that a lot of these concerns were voiced from within the SAS itself in the first place. Furthermore, innocent people don’t try to blackmail others and people of good character don’t commit adultery and bully others.
I gave this 4 stars as I didn’t fully enjoy Masters’ style of writing.
I think some really keys things for me for those still supporting BRS is the fact that a lot of these concerns were voiced from within the SAS itself in the first place. Furthermore, innocent people don’t try to blackmail others and people of good character don’t commit adultery and bully others.
I gave this 4 stars as I didn’t fully enjoy Masters’ style of writing.
January 2, 2024
If you were interested in the BRS matter when it was in the press, you have to read this book. It certainly is a bit long, but it is written very well and comprehensively so it doesn't feel like a slog at all.
Despite what some people may say, it isn't an assassination of the SAS, or even BRS. It is a pretty objective run through of the case, the evidence, the witnesses and the culture within the SAS.
Despite what some people may say, it isn't an assassination of the SAS, or even BRS. It is a pretty objective run through of the case, the evidence, the witnesses and the culture within the SAS.
September 5, 2023
Perplexing and sad. We send humans to war to protect and defend and fight for what’s right, and then things go terribly wrong. Bullies rise, culture corrodes, and the worst decisions emerge.
This is a comprehensive tale of the journalists who pursued truth in difficult circumstances. My heart goes out to everyone involved - the journalists, the soldiers, the Afghanis.
This is a comprehensive tale of the journalists who pursued truth in difficult circumstances. My heart goes out to everyone involved - the journalists, the soldiers, the Afghanis.
December 12, 2024
I had low expectations of this book. I'm not a fan of Ben Roberts-Smith and trawling through his combat history was not on my bucket list. However the skill of this author in writing this story sucked me in and it became a compelling tale. A little bit tedious towards the end but a good read.
7.5/10
7.5/10
August 28, 2023
A well written read - BRS is truly his own worst enemy.
September 3, 2023
Quite an involved read. Left me with questions.
October 12, 2023
Meticulous and engaging. A well written book that delves into a difficult topic with candour and seriousness that it deserves.
November 30, 2023
Masters’ and Mckenzie’s books complement each other perfectly and help really paint the full picture of BRS.
December 7, 2023
Fascinating.
January 13, 2024
Took me a while to get used to the pseudonyms of the various witnesses but certainly an eye opener - I will read Nick McKenzie’s book later this year.
September 29, 2025
This is a great story. Almost a day to day account of the defamation trial of Ben Roberts-Smith follows the story of Masters’ and Mackenzie’s investigation. Highly recommended.
September 7, 2026
Very dry... A mostly flat attempt to present a "tell-all" of the defamation case brought against the author.
As an "investigative journalist" I had higher expectations, Master's writes like a gossip columnist, relying on conjecture, speculation and unnecessary tangents to round out what should have been a very interesting story.
Nearly 600 pages can be boiled down to no more than a paragraph:
Flawed Hero tells the story of a dick swinging competition between Australia's Channel 7 and Nine Network to back their dog in a defamation fight, sprinkled with tidbits of the author's day to day life and "higher than thou" attitude to gaslight the reader into believing the author holds a morale superiority, despite his vocation.
As an "investigative journalist" I had higher expectations, Master's writes like a gossip columnist, relying on conjecture, speculation and unnecessary tangents to round out what should have been a very interesting story.
Nearly 600 pages can be boiled down to no more than a paragraph:
Flawed Hero tells the story of a dick swinging competition between Australia's Channel 7 and Nine Network to back their dog in a defamation fight, sprinkled with tidbits of the author's day to day life and "higher than thou" attitude to gaslight the reader into believing the author holds a morale superiority, despite his vocation.
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