CBD loves a multi-hyphenate. And none more so than Ross Andrew Fitzgerald AM, the academic, historian, novelist, secularist and political commentator.

Fitzgerald, an emeritus professor in history and politics at Griffith University, even though he lives in Redfern, Sydney, is the author and co-author of 43 books. His latest is one of a series of political/sexual satires about his corpulent anti-hero Grafton Everest, co-written with Ian McFadyen, of TV series Comedy Company fame.

The latest novel The Lowest Depths, released late last year, is set in Australia and Russia. During the course of the novel the latter’s dictatorial president for life, Vladimir Putrid, is assassinated. Wish-fulfilment or canny prophecy?

Whatever, the ninth novel is on the way, where Everest becomes secretary general of the United Nations. The books are barely known here but sell well in South Africa and Britain.

Also on Fitzgerald’s wish list: “I’d very much like to write a biography of Tony Abbott.”

Samantha Hutchinson & Stephen Brook, CBD, The Sydney Morning Herald & The Age, Wednesday March 2, 2022, p 2.

In The Age, the title is Multitasking.

Professor Ross Fitzgerald AM