Flawed Hero

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 2024


With 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