If you have ever had the opportunity to view a Chris Masters report on Four Corners this book is well worth a look. Written in Masters’ inimitable style, this story is so thoroughly researched, drawing on a multitude of sources, that at moments I found myself questioning how on earth he managed to secure some of the on-the-record interviews.
It charts the life and times of Alan Jones, a perplexing and interesting character. Being Melbourne based, I have to say Jones is not really part of the psyche here; Jones’ two major claims to fame are rugby coaching and as a broadcaster in Sydney; yet there would be few Victorians who could say they have not heard of him.
The controversy that surrounded the launch of the book- Masters’ initial publisher refused to publish at the eleventh hour on legal grounds – seems to have been a little sensationlised in retrospect. This biography introduced me to a lot of information about Alan Jones that I had no idea of, but it doesn’t really defame him; rather it’s more like reportage.
Just for the amount of detail, humour and thoroughness of research this is a quality read.
