In conversation with Michael Brissenden

Join Edgars Books & News at Old Faithfulls Brew Bar for an in-conversation with former journalist and foreign correspondent for the ABC, Michael Brissenden.

Michael was posted to Moscow, Brussels and Washington, and worked in Canberra for many years in various roles including as the political editor for ABC TV’s 7.30 and as a reporter with the ABC’s investigative television documentary program Four Corners. Through his reporting, Michael has covered bushfires both in Australia and overseas, including in California.

He has published three previous books. His new book is called Smoke and is out now.

Smoke is an incendiary crime thriller not just about a fire, but also about the lengths powerful forces will go to hide nefarious activities and how response to climate change is cloaked in  doublespeak and subterfuge.

Michael Brissenden is one of Australia’s most celebrated veteran journalists, who has reported on countless similar episodes in Australia and around the world. Michael’s initial inspiration for Smoke came after the dramatic and catastrophic Australian bushfires in January 2020. Having reported on bushfires across Australia and America, Michael saw parallels in the way small towns in both countries were dealing with the aftermath of climate emergencies. Setting the book in the US helped keep the story at arm’s length for Australian communities who have experienced  bushfires, while also demonstrating the global connectedness of weather extremes today.

Copies of Smoke are available now for purchase at Edgars Books & News as well as on the day. Michael will be happy to sign them for you after his talk.

Get to Old Faithfulls early or stay later and enjoy music, food, drinks and great company on your Sunday afternoon.