‘With some historical figures, it is enough to know of their deeds, and to read a detached analysis of their character and emotions. Others, though, by their very humanity, cry out to breathe from the pages, to take on – in our imaginations – the flesh and blood of their famous lives. Albert Jacka, Australian warrior, is one of the latter.’ General Peter Cosgrove – AC, MC (Retd). Michael Lawriwsky’s insightful HARD JACKA breathes life into the real man behind the legend – ‘Jacka’ to his superiors, ‘Bert’ to his mates, ‘our Albert’ to his proud mother. His acts of selfless heroism at Gallipoli would win him a VC, and his bravery in the battlefields of France would win him the unswerving loyalty of his mates. Hard Jacka is a rich and fascinating story about Albert Jacka and the Great War, its heroes and anti-heroes, their sacrifice, determination and larrikin humour. It’s a compelling tale about the deep bonds that life in the trenches developed between men – the quintessential Aussie mateship. 040415