He's currently writing a book on Gallipoli. No doubt his books are amazing and researched to the hilt.
Pity his articles about RL aren't as meticulously researched.
He speaks about how great Larkin is.
I wonder how he'll feel once he learns that Larkin gave the green light to RL officials to buy the Wallabies in 1909?
Or that Larkin used his political influence to help get Rugby league introduced to Sydney's Catholic Schools.
His books are different to his articles as when it comes to the books, he has someone do his research for him. I'm guessing he researches his own articles.
I've met him about 3 times. An industry association that I used to be involved with used to have him as a guest speaker at a function they held around this time of year, every year.
He is a typical, run of the mill, own fart sniffing, Rugby Union following wanker. When he enters a room, he has to lead with his head ducked down otherwise it doesn't fit in the door.
But yeah... Sadly, he writes a decent book. His narrative style is actually rather unique and it gives a great impression of whatever situation he is describing. When he writes about the war, he writes as though he is writing whilst standing amongst the events as they are unfolding. His style is very involved. It's not like he is taking part, but rather that he is writing from amongst it. In a lot of cases, he fabricates people's feelings and other things that he couldn't possibly know for certain, just to make you feel more involved in the story.
Usually, I find that authors who cover the war, are unable to detach from the fact that they are talking about events that happened 70 - 80 years ago but Fitzsimons does this very well.
