That'd Be Right: A Fairly True History of Modern Australia

William McInnes brings the World, or at least Australia, into our backyards as he writes about families and sport and politics and life in his familiar style that makes you feel as if he is sitting down talking to you. Both funny and insightful That d Be Right is part memoir, part personal history of Australia over the last thirty years. It s a biographical trip told through sport, and families and William s own experiences. He writes: As with A Man s Got to Have a Hobby I weave in and around the events that have held such fascination for this country over the last thirty years or so, connecting them all with the progression of a life. Some of these events would be considered momentous, some small and personal. And all are seen through William s eyes. They range from a day at the Melbourne Cup with his mother where too many champagnes and too few winners were picked; a swimming carnival early in the morning after a gloomy and long federal election the night before; watching truly surreal Grand Final moments in a pub with a group of odd and unknown bar companions. Sailing on a massive yacht during the Sydney Olympics while listening to the conversation of an elderly lady from Texas in the cabin below. William also writes about a night at the cricket with his son, which shows how things can change and oddly come full circle.

About the Author :
William McInnes is one of Australia s most popular stage and screen actors, and with the publication of his memoir A MAN S GOT TO HAVE A HOBBY and his novel CRICKET KINGS, he has become a much-loved writer too. In 2006 A MAN S GOT TO HAVE A HOBBY was selected as one of the Books Alive 50 Great Reads and William was named Australian Newcomer of the Year at the Australian Book Industry Awards, and in 2007 CRICKET KINGS was shortlisted in the Australian General Fiction Book of the Year category for these awards. William received critical and public acclaim for his leading role in the film Look Both Ways, written and directed by his late wife, Sarah Watt. In 2011, he and Sarah co-wrote WORSE THINGS HAPPEN AT SEA, a celebration of family life in words and pictures. He is the Ambassador of the Year of Reading, 2012. William grew up in Queensland and now lives in Melbourne with his two children.

Review :
a perfect balance between humour, humility, seriousness and light, laughter and tears - Sunday Telegraph will make you laugh till you cry - The Age another entertaining read - Sydney Morning Herald