Grantlee Kieza: 'Frank Hurley'

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Overview

Join bestselling author Grantlee Kieza as he shares his latest book, Frank Hurley.

The extraordinary life of the daring adventurer who defied ice and fire - war photographer, Antarctic explorer and adventurer - by Australia's No. 1 bestselling historical biographer, featuring a foreword by Hurley's granddaughter.

About the book

From the moment he ran away from school before his 13th birthday, Frank Hurley carved a path as one of the greatest adventurers of all time.

A visionary photographer and film-maker, Hurley journeyed to the farthest corners of the earth, capturing images of people and places few had ever seen. Time and again he risked his life, in both peace and war, to take pictures that would astonish the world.

Claiming to have travelled a million miles in his lifetime, Hurley traversed every continent. He made five perilous expeditions to Antarctica, sharing a hut with Douglas Mawson and a tent with Ernest Shackleton. He drove across Australia with Francis Birtles and flew with Ross and Keith Smith on part of the first-ever flight from England to Australia. He ventured deep into the uncharted jungles of New Guinea and Java.

Hurley stood on the front lines of history, capturing some of the most dramatic footage of the First and Second World Wars. He survived a plane crash in Athens during a world-record flight attempt, was shot at by Germans and Turks, and was once rescued from the belly of a dead whale.

A master storyteller, Hurley penned bestselling books about his adventures and dazzled audiences with photographic exhibitions and film screenings. As a cinematographer, he helped create some of Australia's most iconic early films.

Frank Hurley didn't just document history - he lived it and immortalised it - and this brilliant biography by Australia's bestselling historian vividly captures his extraordinary life. Hurley's granddaughter, Toni Hurley, has penned the foreword.

About the author

Grantlee Kieza OAM is an award-winning journalist and the highly acclaimed, bestselling author of more than twenty biographies. Kieza held senior editorial positions at The Daily Telegraph, The Sunday Telegraph and The Courier-Mail for many years and was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for his writing.

He is a Walkley Award finalist, a 2025 ABIA shortlisted author for Biography of the Year, a 2025 Indie Award shortlisted author for Non-fiction, the No. 1 history author in Australia in 2024, and the author of national bestsellers Mr and Mrs Gould, Sister Viv, Flinders, The Remarkable Mrs Reibey, Hudson Fysh, Lawson, Banks, Macquarie, Banjo, Mrs Kelly, Monash and Bert Hinkler.

Books will be available for purchase on the day or bring your copy from home to be signed.

Presented as part of the Lord Mayor's Writers in Residence series.

Bookings

Bookings required via Eventbrite.

Venue address

Brisbane Square Library, 266 George Street, Brisbane City