The Most Dangerous Man in Australia‪?‬

Who was "the most dangerous man in Australia" in the years before World War II?

Was it the geologist who obtained nickel and molybdenite to prolong the life of Krupp guns and help "our dear Führer" to win the next war?

Or perhaps the journalist who took Japanese money in return for persuading politicians that the peace-loving Japanese were no threat to Australia?

Or the Vichy French Consul-General who urged the Japanese to seize New Caledonia, while he threatened the lives of Free French supporters in Australia?

Or the German businessman who photographed wharves and factories and oil storage facilities for a mysterious organisation in Germany?

Or, collectively, the small group of Russian fascists in Brisbane who worked for the Japanese secret service in Harbin?

These are some of the intriguing characters to be found in this book. Judge for yourself who deserves the distinction!

Barbara Winter was born in Western Australia in 1931 and graduated from the University of Western Australia with an Honours degree in modern languages.  She won a scholarship that enabled her to study at the interpreters training centre attached to the University of Heidelberg, 1954-55, before she returned to teaching in Western Australia and Queensland. She gave up teaching in 1977 for domesticity, further study and a writing career.

While carrying out research for the degrees of Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy, she discovered in the records of the secret service organisations a lot of interesting and largely unknown material that did not fit into either thesis. What is included in this book is only a small part of that which exists.


Her previous book with Glass House Books is The Australia First Movement.