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Crossing the Line cover art

Crossing the Line

By: Nick McKenzie
Narrated by: Stephen Phillips
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Publisher's Summary

There is no doubt the truth would have been concealed and our concerns buried without Nick McKenzie's relentless pursuit of justice.' SAS Afghanistan veteran

War is brutal. But there are lines that should never be crossed. In mid-2017, whispers of executions, and cover-ups within Australia's most secretive and elite military unit, the SAS, reached Walkley Award-winning journalist Nick McKenzie. He and Chris Masters began an investigation that would not only reveal shocking truths about Ben Roberts-Smith VC but plunge the reporters into the defamation trial of the century.

For five years, McKenzie led the investigation, waging an epic battle for the truth to be acknowledged. His fight to reveal the real face of Australia's most famous and revered SAS soldier and examine evidence of bullying, intimidation, war crimes and murder would take him across Australia and to Afghanistan.

As he unearthed the secrets Ben Roberts-Smith had thought he'd long ago buried, McKenzie had to deal with death threats, powerful forces intent on destroying his career and attempts to silence brave SAS soldiers, who had witnessed their famous comrade commit unspeakable acts. McKenzie would break the stories that proved the man idolised by the public, politicians, the media and leading business leaders was a myth. His efforts would help deliver justice to Roberts-Smith's victims and their families.

Explosive and meticulously researched, Crossing the Line shares the powerful untold story of how a small group of brave soldiers and two determined reporters overcame a plot to suppress one of the greatest military scandals in Australian history.

©2023 Nick McKenzie (P)2023 Hachette Australia Pty Ltd

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  • MCG
  • 06-08-2023

Biased journalism gets a goal in quickly

Totally one sided bias. The war crimes that he has not been convicted of should be the subject matter than journalists investigate further. Rather, the author spends a great deal of the book defaming his personal character and private life. “BRS is not a person”. Ok, we get it, but many people in the military are have equal traits. I spent 20 years in the Defence Force and I’ve worked with many such people. But it has nothing to do with the public eye. Instead, by denigrating his character the author seeks to bias the reader into believing that (QED), he must be guilty of the alleged war crimes.
Furthermore, the melodrama that the author tries to conjure up in the story of their investigation, is a whimsy secured for a hopeful future TV or movie release and the lucrative opportunity that offers him.
Did BRS commit the war crime? That’s for a full investigation and trial to conclude. All I got from this drivel is a typical axe grinding left wing journalist who wants to be famous. The book
Should be retitled Tall Poppy Syndrome.

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11 people found this helpful

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Simply extraordinary!

Absolutely gripping!

Being an ex-serving member who deployed on one the mentioned tours… l’m not shocked that this ‘behaviour’ eventually came to light. But I am shocked of the extended details shared within. I applaud those with the intestinal fortitude to see it to it’s necessary conclusion.

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6 people found this helpful

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A must!

This story is a must for any Australian. Brilliantly written and read, it shows the struggle of journalists when reporting on serious topics and the effects that a couple of rich people can have when they support morally bankrupt people.

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4 people found this helpful

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Investigative Journalism at its best

Nick takes you on a detailed and captivating journey to find evidence and expose Ben Roberts-Smith as a war criminal which is finally played out at one of Australia’s most followed defamation cases to date towards the end of the book. He articulates how he found the necessary evidence including key witnesses and documentation before taking you through a nail biting court case to ultimately clear his name and prove that Ben Robert-Smith is a war criminal. Thoroughly enjoyed the book and highly recommended!!

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  • Rh
  • 18-07-2023

Great Journalism

Example of how tough it can be to uncover the truth - the tenacity of the journalists is amazing.

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Excellent book

Well written & presented book / definitely worth getting. Extraordinary that Roberts Smith is still on the streets

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Absolutely gripping story and a valuable lesson

To see beyond the headlines is fascinating and horrifying. Finally it is brought into the light, only there can people be held account and change happen.
Sad how the actions of a few and the ineffective oversight of leadership could allow this to happen.
I admire the brave men and women who spoke up, it took courage and no doubt has costed you dearly.
Also accolades Masters and McKenzie, and their supporting team for making a stand and holding firm despite the stakes.

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I wish this was not true

Excellent journalism, unfortunately the brand of BRS is sadly, hmmm a murderer of innocent people. I originally thought about the fog of war was a reasonable answer to killing the infidel but sadly, the truth is laid bare in Nick and Chris’s story. Well done uncovering the truth. Thank you to Emma and Danielle for their truth too, amazing honesty lovely women💕💕

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The truth hurts

This book took a lot to come together - it is a roller coaster where McKenzie doesn’t overpaint himself. He was undoubtedly brave to work with Masters - both have a great deal of strength and deserve appreciation for what they have with the many other honest players in this saga. A must read.

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A Must

This was a fantastic book it showed courage from the authors to get justice for those who were innocent in war.

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  • Julie Scott-Moncrieff
  • 12-07-2023

Gripping and devastating

This book is written/narrated very well-and I felt like I was next to Nick as he experienced the highs and lows of bringing a supposed war hero to justice.

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  • mark jones
  • 03-10-2023

Great coverage of an awful time in history

The narrator is great. Reads well and draws you in to keep listening. I don’t like people who lie but it’s clear from this evidence that a lot of the people involved in this case lies for one another.

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