August 2023

The little-known political confidant who ‘helped steer’ Australia’s leaders is finally remembered | Paul Daley

Driver to 11 PMs, including Sir Robert Menzies, Alf Stafford was a one-off. But history has overlooked him when gazing at the office of power – until now

During the decades I lived in and wrote about Canberra, perhaps the most intriguing person I came across was Gamilaroi and Darug man Alfred – “Alf” – Stafford.

In praise of short books: to start and finish in one sitting is a rare, unbridled joy | Paul Daley

Writing a short novel is an enviable skill that, when pulled off, can be utterly transportive. Here are some recent favourites

  • What’s the best short book you’ve ever read? Join us in the comments

In recent weeks and months, more by chance than planning, I’ve been reading more much shorter books than I usually do. A slow and careful reader, I take on average a week to finish a 300-page novel (I once read that most adult novels are between 70,000 to 120,000 words). Nonfiction books usually take me significantly longer.