Overview

In the history of Australian diplomacy, the Jakarta post between 2004 and 2007 looms larger than any other. In the span of just a few years, a terrorist bomb attack partially destroyed the Embassy compound, killing eleven; the Boxing Day tsunami wreaked havoc on an almost incomprehensible scale; a bombing in Bali killed twenty, including four Australians; Schapelle Corby divided public opinion; members of the Bali Nine were arrested and convicted; and a Garuda flight crashed and exploded in Yogyakarta, killing twenty, including members of the Australian diplomatic corps. Working in a diplomatic posting in Jakarta at the time, not only did Grant Dooley bear witness to these events, but he was also a first responder in the Embassy bombing and plane crash. And when he wasn't dealing with emergencies and constant terror threats, he had to delicately manage Australia's political leaders, from Alexander Downer to John Howard to Bronwyn Bishop. Somehow, Grant and his wife, Kristan, who worked on the consular staff, kept it all together for themselves and their young family. Or did they? Bomb Season in Jakarta is an incredible up close and personal account of an unparalleled period in Australian diplomacy.

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9781923293021

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Reviews

'An insightful glimpse into the thoughts and experiences of the Australians who represent the rest of us to the world.' * <B>The Guardian</B> *

'Bomb Season in Jakarta stands out as a rare and honest account of public service in crisis. A public service we often take for granted. It is a deeply human story of resilience and vulnerability, offering readers a compelling perspective on the costs of leadership, the demands of duty, and the enduring impact of trauma long after the headlines fade.' * <B>Good Reading</B> * 'Dooley's description of running to the burning aircraft, hoping desperately to find friends and colleagues on board, is one of the most powerful scenes in a memoir that captures the emotional and psychological toll of his tumultuous time in Indonesia.' * <B>The Canberra Times</B> * 'An insightful glimpse into the thoughts and experiences of the Australians who represent the rest of us to the world.' * <B>The Guardian</B> *

Author Information

Grant Dooley had a distinguished career as a foreign affairs and trade official for the Australian Government, including two years as the Australian consul general in Guangzhou, China, and postings to Shanghai, China, and Jakarta, Indonesia. After leaving government, he has had a successful career in finance as a fund manager and private investor, working largely in Asia.

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