The Best Hated Man in Australia: The Life and Death of Percy Brookfield 1875-1921

Description

The biography of militant unionist and outspoken politician Percival (Jack) Brookfield is as much an history book as a biography. Brookfield’s name is largely forgotten to people outside of the mining town of Broken Hill, yet Brookfield was one of the most controversial and outspoken characters of his time. He rose quickly from being a miner working underground to local and national fame. He fought on the streets as a unionist and in the anti-conscription campaign, and held the balance of power in the NSW Parliament when he was shot and later died in 1921. Fifteen thousand of the town’s 24,000 population followed the coffin from the Trades Hall to the cemetery, such was his popularity amongst those who admired him. He was also hated by many others, hence the name of the biography. This book recounts in a life-like manner his life up until the funeral.