Paul Taylor (9)

A collection of fine stories from Australia covering the madness that has infected the continent and surrounding islands over the centuries, from the wreck of the Batavia onwards.

If a bunch of Dutch people going insane on a small island doesn't excite you, Australian Ripping Yarns also has the Irish cannibal convict in Van Dieman's Land, bushrangers aplenty, murder mysteries and, most importantly, a reminder not to give the legendary Lola Montez a bad review.

Recommended.… (more)

Paul Taylor, whose background includes a stint in journalism, presents real who’s who of the dodgy brothers in this country’s history. In Rip Off!, Taylor provides short backgrounds on many of the well known characters who have committed the most ruthless and cold hearted scams and the like in Australia since The Trial sank in the 17th century of the coast of Western Australia.
Taylor comes across as opinionated and tabloid. He seems to have a preoccupation with the alleged excesses of Whitlam-era federal Labor politicians Lionel Murphy, Jim Cairns and Al Grassby; and he heaps posthumous opprobrium on Cold War-era journalist Wilfred Burchett. Among the living, Taylor pours scorn on disgraced former Federal Court judge Marcus Einfeld, who lied to avoid speeding fines and ended up in jail instead. And there are some very odd choices – including Horrie the dog.
It was an interesting enough read; but nothing special.… (more)