My Family and other murderers

A childhood of innocent fun came to an end with the abrupt uncovering of a family secret. Discovering that his grandfather was not a hero of the great war led to further research and Martin Chambers finding a interconnected web of crime, business, and family history. In unraveling the murderous history of late 20th century Western Australia, of the serial killer David Birnie, of Eric Edgar Cook, of the Claremont serial killer, and many more, we find stories that would challenge the best fiction creator. In exploring his own family Martin discovers that in post colonial Australia there are none of us who are truly innocent. The history we are told at school, of brave explorers and hardy settlers is now often revealed as a bloody and murderous past. Should we be ashamed? Can we simply pretend it didn't happen and move on? No, it is only by owning the past and not living in shame of a past that was not our own doing can we create a better future. The shame becomes ours when we do not act against corruption, prejudice, injustice, and work to make a society that recognises that all people of all types deserve this same better future.This is a fast and easy reading roll through a mostly recent history.