History Council of Victoria

Gideon Haigh is one of Australia’s most talented, versatile and prolific writers. Best known for a series of best selling books on cricket, he has also written on business, notably in Asbestos House, his 'secret history' of James Hardie and his prize- winning history, The Office.

This conversation will begin with reflections on the situation of the writer in lockdown and his post-covid sequel to The Office, The Momentous Uneventful Day, and turn to his most recent book, completed before covid, The Brilliant Boy, a stunningly original take on a perennially controversial figure, ‘the Doc’, H.V. Evatt.

If time allows, we may range into Gideon’s ‘true crime’ writing, the relationship between journalism and history, and his fascination with the delights of the archive, the spur to his recent campaign on behalf of the National Archives of Australia.

This event will be held via Zoom.

Book + Author: The HCV Book Club brings you authors in conversation, exploring their work alongside a group of HCV Friends.

The History Council of Victoria Incorporated (HCV) is the peak body for history in the Australian state of Victoria. Our vision is to connect Victorians with history and to inspire engagement with the past, their identity and the world today. We champion the work of historians and the value of history. We recognise that history can be written about any place, any person, any period. We advocate why history matters.