Jimmy Brockett (1951) is an example of that rare species, the Australian political novel. This story of political corruption, bribery and the manipulations of a political party resonates with contemporary overtones. Set in Sydney, this portrait of a notable Australian is salutory reading, demonstrating that everything old is new again. Dal Stivens was born in Blayney, NSW, in 1911. He served in the Army Education Service during World War II and, after the war, he worked for the Department of Information and later at Australia House in London. He was the foundation president of the Australian Society of Authors in 1963. Dal's work was first published in the Bulletin in the late 1930s. A Horse of Air won the Miles Franklin Award in 1970. In 1981 he received the Patrick White Award for contributions to Australian literature. He died in 1997.