Bondi Terror: The tragedy, the courage, the aftermath

by Sharri Markson, Alex Ryvchin

Bondi Terror tells the story of the deadliest terror attack in Australian history - in gripping, minute-by-minute detail.


The attack would leave 15 people dead, including a 10-year-old girl and an 87-year-old Holocaust survivor, and dozens more severely wounded. Bondi Terror reconstructs the massacre in real time, from the first shot fired, and captures the chilling stories of those present, including split-second decisions that would mean the difference between life and death.

Drawing on dozens of hours of harrowing eyewitness testimony from survivors, witnesses and first responders, Bondi Terror delves into the human psyche, the fear and love that drove ordinary Australians as they fought bravely to save each other and stay alive. Presented in a fast-paced style and meticulously researched, this is a piercing portrait of the victims, the killers and the heroes who tried to stop them.

As Australia's leading chroniclers of antisemitism, Markson and Ryvchin examine how Australia found itself in the slipstream of terror, and how life would change forever on a summer's afternoon at the nation's most famous beach.

This is the definitive story of an attack that transformed a nation and shocked the world.

384 pages, Paperback

Expected publication November 24, 2026

Reviews

[Lexi Sølvhammer]

A well-researched and thoughtfully written account of the Bondi tragedy and its aftermath.

One of the strongest aspects of this book is the way it goes beyond simply recounting what happened. The authors give the victims a presence beyond the tragedy itself, allowing the reader to learn something about who they were as people. I really appreciated that, as it prevents the book from becoming just another retelling of a horrific event.

The book also provides historical context, which added another interesting dimension to the story. Some of this initially felt a little removed from the central narrative for me, but the more I understood the background, the more I appreciated why it was included and how it connected to the broader themes of the book.

Overall, this is a well-written, informative and respectful account with very good coverage of both the tragedy and its aftermath. I enjoyed it and am glad I listened to it, although I have to admit that if I had purchased the book rather than listened to it through a subscription service, I might have felt slightly disappointed. It was a solid four-star read for me rather than one that completely pulled me in.

And on a completely unexpected personal note: hearing Waltzing Matilda mentioned gave me an instant flashback to my school days. I’m fairly certain we sang it in school, and although I couldn’t have told you what the song was actually about, the melody immediately started playing in my head. Funny how something you haven’t thought about in decades can suddenly come rushing back.

[Leon Fitzgerald]

must read this book to gain understanding of a tragic event

Outstanding book by 2 highly respected authors and people
If you desire to know all of the circumstances surrounding this tragic event then this book is a must read

[Caren]

Markson and Ryvchin present an intelligent and thorough analysis of what led to Australia's terror attack at Bondi on the Jewish festival of Chanukah. Their detailed account of Australia's response (rather, a lack of a response) to rising antisemitism lays bare the details of the government's failure to protect the Jewish community. Besides providing the details of this "slipstream of terror", the authors examine "the victims, the killers and the heroes who tried to stop them." A brilliant analysis, a chilling read.

[Robert Jenkins]

Everybody should read this book. Brilliant research again from Sharri Markson and a very descriptive account of what led up to the Bondi attack and how the day unfolded. Hard to read at times but the bravery of some of the people involved should be commended.

[Ronaele Whittington, D.S.W.]

Shocking brutality; how can this happen?

Be watchful, be happy. Be wary, be joyful. Rebuke devourers, pray unceasingly. Thank you investigative journalists for publishing this story of survival.

[Belynda]

The first half of this book is brilliant.
5 stars.
The detail and heart breaking accounts of the attack and its aftermath is amazing.

However the second half felt very pollical and uses hindsight to prove political points.
Didn't enjoy that part.

[Steven]

Absolute tripe.

[Jessica]

I was not going to rate this book because of what it was about however I think the Authors deserve the recognition. So well researched.