Most Popular Books by John Birmingham

In the fourth Quarterly Essay of 2005, John Birmingham ponders the Australian way of war. After East Timor and Bali, a combination of primal fear and primal ambition has transformed attitudes to our region, to security and to war as an instrument of politics. Australian defence policy has become more assertive and our armed forces are being radically restructured and hardened. Australia now has the capacity, and even the will, to act as a military power in its region. A Time for War begins with a gripping account of Operation Anaconda, the 2002 battle in Afghanistan to which Australian special forces made a crucial contribution. Birmingham also looks at our war dreaming: the sanctification of Anzac Day and the eclipse of the Vietnam Syndrome. Ranging from Sir John Monash to Peter Cosgrove, from Rudyard Kipling to The One Day of the Year, he finds that our armed forces can now do no wrong, and that politicians have taken note. The new militarism is not simply a response to September 11, he argues - it marks a deeper shift in the culture. "It being an RSL, we would stand each night at six o''clock for the prayer of remembrance. It was always a moving occasion, a strange suspended moment when the pokies and racing channel, the piped music and the drunken bullshitting all fell away ... Friends from overseas who witnessed the quiet ceremony never failed to be impressed. One, a poet from Czechoslovakia, had always thought Australians to be a shallow, soulless, materialistic people, but she changed her mind after her first experience of the ode to the fallen among the half-empty schooners and chip packets." —John Birmingham, A Time For War

On his tour of Australia Birmingham meets the dope smokers of Australia - and finds that they''re not what you might expect. Yes there are some sci-fi geeks, some student activists, and the obligatory Nimbin ferals, but he also finds himself smoking with conservative politicians, lawyers, cops, bankers and school teachers.

''As the convoy growled and squeaked to a halt in the dark, angry militiamen and soldiers began to shout and wave at the Australians, demanding they move aside. The Brave Ones'' vanguard presented as a B-movie vision of some pirate biker gang from Hell, a rat bastard outfit in black tee-shirts, camouflage pants, long hair and bandanas, with axes in their eyes and guns at the ready.'' The Brave Ones follows the Indonesian Army''s Battalion 745 as it withdrew from East Timor after the 1999 independence vote, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. Birmingham''s unflinching account reveals the scorched-earth tactics of the retreating troops, and shows just how close Australia came to armed conflict with Indonesia.

On the eve of a huge, breakout success, a poor but brilliant young game developer is pulled out of her world, and time itself, by a cowboy desperately searching for the daughter he lost two hundred years ago. Cady McCall is ready to be rich and famous. She has sacrificed everything, putting her work ahead of family and friends. Now with breakout success and huge, insane wealth so close she can taste it, her life is blown apart by Deputy Marshal John ''Titanic'' Smith, the man who rescues her from two muggers, only to carry her off into history. Lost on the seas of time, Smith is desperate to get home to his family in 1876, and now Cady is lost along with him, facing danger and finding love in Victorian London, Ancient Rome and in the near-future America of President for Life Donald Trump.

Fünf Helden wider Willen machen sich auf, die Menschheit vor einer Bedrohung aus den Tiefen des Alls zu retten Vor hundert Jahren herrschte Krieg zwischen den Menschen der Galaxis und den Sturm, einer radikalen Vereinigung, die jede Form von Cyber-Implantaten ablehnt. Die Menschen gewannen und verbannten die Sturm ins Dunkel zwischen den Sternen. Der Feind war zwar besiegt, aber nicht geschlagen. Während die Galaxis immer nachlässiger wurde, bereiteten die Sturm sich auf ihren verheerendsten Angriff vor. Mit einem Schlag zerstörten sie die Verteidigungsanlagen und Raumflotten. Die Menschheit steht am Rande der Vernichtung, als Lucinda Hardy das Kommando über das letzte Schiff der Königlichen Raumflotte von Armadalen übernimmt. Mit einer bunt zusammengewürfelten Truppe aus Soldaten, Gaunern und Adeligen will sie sich den Sturm entgegenstellen. Wenn sie versagt, ist das Schicksal der Galaxis besiegelt ...

"John Birmingham is a master of good writing and funny lines. He has written a thousand stories, some true, some not so much. These are the best ones and they''re so good, and so funny, there has been no barrel-scraping involved. Really, this book could have been much longer. The pieces contained within these pages run the gamut from the early felafel days to the shiny age we live in where Donald Trump is the President of the USA. And it does not shy away from the greatest controversy of our age: potato cake vs potato scallop. These hilarious pieces cover a wide range of topics from food to fitness and politics to pork, in all its glories. And, of course, fashion. Ever the equal opportunist, John Birmingham skewers them all."

Two bright geometric shapes, metallic flashes picked out in the morning sun, moving impossibly fast and straight amidst the visual clutter and chaos of forest and rock... ''Is it dragons, Dave, is that what it is? Because I''m not ready for dragons...''A dragon brings down the Vice President''s plane, a monster army is camped outside Omaha, and an empath demon springs an undercover operation in New York.New Orleans was just the beginning. New and different demons are breaking through all over America, and Dave Hooper has a new enemy with more guile and guts than the celebrity superhero, still stumbling in his role as Champion. While his agent fields offers for movies and merchandise, Dave is tasked with ending a siege in Omaha, saving his friends and deciphering the underrealms'' plans to take over the earth.As an ancient and legion evil threatens to destroy mankind, Dave has to decide what kind of man he wants to be and the nature of his role in this new world. He may not be the hero humanity deserves, but he''s the only one we''ve got.''Birmingham''s status as a leading action-adventure novelist continues to grow.'' - The Age''Weapons-grade military techno-thriller . . . [Birmingham] describes military hardware with an exuberance and virtuosity that''s positively Clancyesque.'' - Time on Without Warning

On Zero Day of the first and last cyberwar in human history, the internet went dark, transport and power grids collapsed, and cities began to starve, showing just how vulnerable the world could be to a targeted campaign of online sabotage. This final instalment of this prescient epic of civilisation collapse finds the small ragtag band of survivors coming together to face a new but familiar threat - the rise of a fascist militia among the ruins of a failing country. With American Kill Switch, John Birmingham''s End of Days trilogy comes to a high-octane, thrilling conclusion. Praise for John Birmingham''s novels. "Birmingham displays an exuberance and virtuosity that is positively Clancyesque." Time "Plenty of grist and humour." Sunday Times "Mesmeric readability." Weekend Australian "Birmingham''s status as a leading action-adventure novelist continues to grow." The Age "If there was a Booker for explosive alternative history techno-thrillers with guts and brains, it would be a cinch." Sydney Morning Herald

Our world went to hell on March 14, 2003. Four years after an inexplicable wave of energy decimated the American mainland, and then just as inexplicably disappeared a year later, US President James Kipper is no closer to explaining the catastrophe to the traumatised survivors. In a decaying New York City, an assassination attempt on the President prompts the suspicion that the looters overrunning Manhattan may be more organised and sinister than previously thought. Working on a farm in Texas to earn his citizenship, Miguel Pieraro believes in the promise of the New America. That is until tragedy cuts through his family. In the English countryside, Echelon agent Caitlin Monroe must once again fight for her life, a sharp reminder that her nemesis is active again. Then out of the smoking ruin of the Middle East comes an enemy that will be Kipper''s toughest challenge yet. The battle for the Wild East is just beginning, but does this New America, and its gun-shy President, have the strength of will to destroy the past in order to save the future?

A wave of inexplicable energy has slammed into America. And destroyed it. What will the world do without its last Superpower? For the jihadists, Allah has performed a miracle. For the US and its allies, Armageddon has arrived. Australasia, far from the noxious waste darkening Europe''s skies, beckons as a possible oasis. Who and what will fill the void?

Jed Culver, President Kipper''s sword and shield, knows that what is right and what is best are rarely the same thing. To some, Mad Jackson Blackstone, rogue governor of the Republic of Texas, is slowly but surely destroying the United States. In New York, Caitlin Monroe''s one shot at vengeance may lie buried beneath the rubble of the city, but she has to be certain. Unknown killers hunt Lady Julianne Balwyn in the anarchic, violent freeport of Darwin. Sofia Pieraro is all alone in the empty heart of a haunted land, revenge her only reason to keep moving. After many years the long trail of the dead will bring them all together. The final battle for America and the new world will not be fought with armies, but in the quiet and the dark, by individuals, driven towards vengeance and annihilation.

The first book in an edge-of-your-seat trilogy PRAISE FOR JOHN BIRMINGHAM "mesmeric readability" Weekend Australian "[Birmingham displays] an exuberance and virtuosity that is positively Clancyesque" Time ''Monsters,'' said Vince Martinelli. ''There are monsters on the rig, Dave.'' Dave Hooper has the hangover from hell, a demonic ex-wife and the claws of the tax office sinking into him. So the last thing he needs is an explosion at the off-shore oil rig where he works. But this is no ordinary industrial accident, and despite the news reports, Dave knows that terrorists aren''t to blame for the disaster. He knows because he has killed one of the things responsible. When he wakes up in a hospital bed guarded by Navy SEALs, he realises he hasn''t been on a bad acid trip. It all really happened. Yet his shock is cut short by a startling self-discovery; his contact with the creature has transformed the overweight, balding safety manager into something else entirely. A goddamned superhero. Then he learns the attack on the rig is only the first. THE DAVE HOOPER TRILOGY Book One: Emergence Book Two: Resistance Book Three: Ascendance

When an inexplicable wave of energy slammed into North America, millions died. Around the globe, wars erupted, borders vanished and a new reality was born. From shattered streets to gleaming new cities, three women are fighting wars of their own—for survival, justice and revenge. In South America, a special agent trails a ruthless terrorist, in Texas, a teenager vows to avenge a brutal murder and in Australia, a smuggler is hunted by unknown assassins. As a conflicted U.S. president struggles to make momentous decisions in the face of rebellion, the final battle for America and the new world begins.

On Zero Day of the first and last cyberwar in human history, the internet went dark, transport and power grids collapsed, and cities began to starve. Ten days later, millions have died from thirst and starvation, from violence and from the simple failure of the world''s machines to keep them alive. This second instalment of John Birmingham''s End of Days trilogy finds James O''Donnell and his friends Rick, Michelle and Melissa hunkered down in the wilderness, where they know a horde of starving, desperate exiles from the graveyard of the US East Coast is heading their way. On the far side of the continent, in the Pacific Northwest, Jonas Murdoch helps lead the good folk of Silverton in defending themselves from waves of starving and desperate refugees pouring out of Seattle. And slowly, cautiously navigating the inland waterways of California, Jodi Sarjanan and Ellie Jabbarah negotiate an apocalyptic landscape of burning skyscrapers and marauding gangs. All of them are seeking sanctuary. A safe place where the madness hasn''t penetrated. But does such a place exist? And what if they need to sacrifice their very humanity in the struggle to reach it? Praise for John Birmingham''s novels. "Birmingham displays an exuberance and virtuosity that is positively Clancyesque." Time "Plenty of grist and humour." Sunday Times "Mesmeric readability." Weekend Australian "Birmingham''s status as a leading action-adventure novelist continues to grow." The Age "If there was a Booker for explosive alternative history techno-thrillers with guts and brains, it would be a cinch." Sydney Morning Herald

Dive into the hilarious, chaotic world of Australian share houses with John Birmingham''s cult classic, "He Died With a Felafel in His Hand" - now celebrating its 30th anniversary with this special edition! Birmingham''s raw, unfiltered account of his decade-long odyssey through the underbelly of communal living has captivated readers worldwide for three decades. This isn''t just a book; it''s a rite of passage, a time capsule of youth culture, and a mirror reflecting the universal experiences of anyone who''s ever shared a roof with strangers. From Brisbane to Melbourne, Sydney to Perth, Birmingham introduces us to an unforgettable cast of characters: the albino moon-tanner, the fridge-stealing Baldy, Crazy Nina with her lists, and the infamous Lizard Man. Each page crackles with energy, humor, and the kind of absurd situations that could only happen in real life. But "Felafel" is more than just a collection of outrageous anecdotes. It''s a keen observation of human nature, a snapshot of a generation, and a testament to the resilience of the human spirit (and stomach) in the face of questionable hygiene, dubious financial decisions, and an ever-present cloud of marijuana smoke. Whether you''re reliving your own share house days or marveling at a world you never knew existed, Birmingham''s wit and insight will keep you laughing, cringing, and turning pages late into the night. This 30th anniversary edition includes new footnotes from the author, providing fresh perspective and hilarious commentary on his youthful adventures. "He Died With a Felafel in His Hand" isn''t just a book - it''s an experience. It''s a passport to a time and place where the rules were different, the nights were long, and the stories were unforgettable. Don''t miss your chance to join the millions of readers who have made this Australian classic a global phenomenon. Grab your copy today and prepare for a wild ride through the best worst times of your life!

A modern city can feed itself for nine days. No more. And when the panic starts... In the pulse-pounding thriller Zero Day Code by best-selling author John Birmingham, civilization unravels at a keystroke. Chinese cyber strikes pierce the heart of the free world-no food, no water, no power. America starves, and darkness descends, igniting a global cataclysm. From the chaos, a small band of survivors emerges. James O''Donnell, a shrewd farm boy turned market analyst, unearths the truth behind the digital Pearl Harbor. Michele Nguyen, enigmatic agent of the Deep State, carves a path out of a crippled capital. And Jodie Sarjanen, a fierce single mother, navigates the ruins of San Francisco. As society reaches breaking point, unlikely heroes brave a treacherous world of newfound friends and ruthless enemies like Jonas Murdoch, a charismatic firebrand who leads the dangerous Legion of Freedom. Not since Stephen King''s monumental epic ''The Stand'' has a novelist worked on such a grand scale, where the end of days is just the beginning-when every choice could be your last, and the battle for tomorrow is waged today. Praise for John Birmingham''s books. "Brilliant... a tour de force... John Birmingham''s ability to seamlessly merge the gritty realism of Tom Clancy with the raw speculation of Michael Crichton is like nothing else I''ve ever read." James Rollins, author of The Doomsday Key. "Bucketloads of action." Sunday Mail. "Frenetic action viewed in a black fun-house mirror." Kirkus Reviews. "Insanely clever." Wired. "Birmingham''s inspired speculation is ingenious and engrossing." Publishers Weekly.

The epic alternate history of WW2 becomes a fiery reimagining of the Cold War. Prince Harry-yes, that Prince Harry-travels through time to punch Nazis and commies and save the world. Continues the best-selling Axis of Time series.

In the town of Gainesville, Cooper Fox has a special place in people''s hearts. Since the car accident that wiped his memories, Cooper has been...a little foggy. Cooper doesn''t know how to do much, but one thing he instinctively seems to know about is strength training, and with his help, Gainesville High''s football team has just won the Mid-States final. With Cooper the hero of the hour, the whole town is getting ready to celebrate in style. When three strangers crash the party and decide to pick on the harmless-looking guy carrying a cooler full of sodas, they trigger something inside Cooper. Afterwards, the folks in Gainesville can never look at him in quite the same way. Is he really just a regular guy who suffered a brain injury in a car crash, or is he someone else? Or something else? As Cooper tries to come to terms with baffling new memories, he''s about to be plunged into a terrifying world of secret experiments and covert assassins that will test his new-found abilities to the limit.

Cady McCall, a foul-mouthed geek grrl of the Twenty-First Century teams up with Deputy US Marshal John Titanic Smith to search the centuries for the daughter he lost in 1874. Standing in their way? A Puritan Jihad, actual Nazis, and the mysterious, murderous keepers of time itself.

The much anticipated companion volume to Emergence, the story of Dave Hooper''s superhero embiggening. When an oil rig drills too deep under the Gulf of Mexico it breaks the capstone separating our world from the UnderRealms - home to monsters, daemons and dark magiks. The nightmares of our long ago come flooding back into the world where they are met by automatic weapons fire, heating seeking missiles (they''re hell on dragons, don''tcha know) and one drunken, dissolute son of a bitch called Dave.But this is not Dave''s story. This is the story of the poor bastards who had to put up with him while he saved the world and acted like a jerk.

This book follows the Indonesian Army''s Battalion 745 as it withdrew from East Timor after the 1999 independence vote, leaving a trail of devastation in its wake. Birmingham''s unflinching account reveals the scorched-earth tactics of the retreating troops, and shows just how close Australia came to armed conflict with Indonesia.