The Victoria Cross is the highest award for valour that can be won by an Australian; just 97 Australians have been awarded the VC in conflicts from the Boer War to the Afghanistan War. And only fourteen Australians have been awarded the George Cross, the ultimate medal for heroism away from active combat, since its inception in 1940.

But what is it that makes these remarkable soldiers risk everything in defence of their country and their mates? Noted biographer Robert Macklin tells the inspirational story of fifteen Australian recipients of the Victoria and George Crosses, from Neville Howse in South Africa in 1900 to the heroes of the Great War such as Albert Jacka, ‘Diver’ Derrick in the Second World War, and Keith Payne in Vietnam in 1969.

‘An excellent book on a subject that has understandably retained public interest over the years.’ - Steve Gower, Director, Australian War Memorial