{"title":"Michael Duffy","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMichael Duffy\u003c\/strong\u003e crafts engaging narratives that blend history and travel, inviting readers to explore lesser-known perspectives on war and adventure. His works often delve into the gritty realities of conflict and the fascinating stories hidden within cities and landscapes, offering a fresh lens on both past and present.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the shadowed streets of Sydney noir to evocative war-time journeys, Duffy’s books immerse readers in richly detailed settings. Expect thoughtful insights paired with compelling storytelling that brings history and travel to vivid life.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"sydney-noir-by-nick-hordern-9781742235448","title":"Sydney Noir","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThe first ever book devoted entirely to the golden years of the Sydney underworld.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn the late 1960s, Sydney was one of the most prosperous places on earth and one of the most corrupt. A large proportion of the population was engaged in illegal gambling and other activities that made colourful characters such as Lennie McPherson, Abe Saffron, and George Freeman wealthy and, to many, folk heroes. Thousands of American soldiers on their seven-day leave from Vietnam turned Kings Cross, with its strip shows and night clubs, into one big party.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe whole corrupt carnival was run by the police in an arrangement known as 'the joke'. They could just about get away with that term because heroin had not yet turned the underworld into the killing machine it would soon become. Two of the main jokers were also lovers: vice queen Shirley Brifman and violent detective Fred Krahe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \u003ci\u003eSydney Noir\u003c\/i\u003e, Michael Duffy and Nick Hordern revisit this dark yet fascinating chapter of Sydney's history, telling stories that would be unbelievable were they not true. Finally, they make the bold argument that the premier of the time, Sir Robert Askin, may not have been as guilty of corruption as many have claimed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'Duffy and Hordern give the city the kicking it's been asking for, and the city gives up all the secrets and the bodies...' \u003cb\u003eJohn Birmingham\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e'An insightful retrospective on the emergence of organised crime and corruption in Sydney in the 1960s and 1970s.' \u003cb\u003eBob Bottom OAM, investigative journalist\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46849978597612,"sku":"9781742235448","price":94.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/8256163482808.jpg?v=1759070812"},{"product_id":"world-war-noir-by-nick-hordern-9781742236049","title":"World War Noir","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eWorld War Noir\u003c\/i\u003e is an exposition of the old truth that war and crime - and sex, drugs and popular music - go hand in hand.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIt seems that not even world war could stop crime in Sydney. In fact, \u003ci\u003eWorld War Noir\u003c\/i\u003e confirms that war and crime - in the form of sex, drugs, alcohol, racketeering and other illicit activities - are natural accomplices. A companion book to the later glory days of the Sydney underworld compiled in \u003ci\u003eSydney Noir\u003c\/i\u003e, here Michael Duffy and Nick Hordern tell the story of a time when many Australians were not as patriotic as we have been told. With soldiers' pockets full of cash and the freedom of being on leave, criminal possibilities opened up during World War II.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTold from the ground - or the gutter - up, \u003ci\u003eWorld War Noir\u003c\/i\u003e is a raw and broad-ranging tale that confounds expectations and reveals a grittier truth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e'A grisly, gangster-strewn glissade through 1940s Sydney. Shows what real Aussies are made of when they don't give a shit about king and country. Here's the flip side of the Anzac spirit, and it's squalid, brutal and grimly captivating.' - Paul Ham\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46852770398444,"sku":"9781742236049","price":94.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/8262173482808.jpg?v=1759163878"},{"product_id":"this-old-van-by-michael-duffy-9781741178043","title":"This Old Van","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA stunning coffee table book for DIYers, interior design lovers, as well as vanlife and tiny homes enthusiasts, \u003cem\u003eThis Old Van\u003c\/em\u003e is the complete how-to guide to plan, renovate and style your own vintage van to give it a second life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThe much-loved couple from \u003cem\u003eThe Block\u003c\/em\u003e, Carlene and Michael Duffy, have received countless emails from keen renovators around the world asking for advice on refitting a vintage van or RV. They have compiled their tips, tricks, and the wisdom they have learned on their own projects and distilled it into one helpful and beautiful book. Learn what to look for when purchasing a second-hand van, follow detailed information on planning and construction, and discover plenty of design and styling tips, alongside beautiful photos of Carlene and Michael's many van conversions to help provide further inspiration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFor many, a van or RV is much more than just a holiday home – it's a vehicle for freedom and adventure, or might even be your permanent home. Carlene and Michael address every consideration from budgeting and spatial planning to colour palettes, so you can create your dream home on wheels.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48244782399724,"sku":"9781741178043","price":47.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781741178043-this-old-van-1.jpg?v=1788013644"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/michael-duffy.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}