The Hard Way

by Frank Hardy

Rigby, 1976, ISBN 855501537, black and white photographic plates, hardcover, dustjacket

Very Good Condition, a little edge and shelf wear, a little rubbing to edges and corners, previous owners inscription on front endpaper, dustjacket shows a little edge and shelf wear with a little rubbing and bumping to edges and corners, minor chipping and small tears (see photographs)

“The Hard Way is Frank Hardy’s dramatic story of the writing and publishing of Power Without Glory, his arrest, trial for criminal libel and subsequent acquittal.
Described as ‘one of the most underrated books published in Australia’, it appears at a time when the legend of John Wren is once again under public scrutiny.
The Hard Way paints a vivid picture of Australia in the late forties and early fifties, gripped by the hysteria of McCarthyism.  The phenomenon of Power Without Glory can only be properly understood against the background of those intolerant times.
Hundreds of characters cram the pages of The Hard Way – criminals, policemen, politicians, unionists, writers, artists, lawyers and the ordinary members of the public who were swept up in this cause celebre which engrossed Australia in the fifties.”