Darwin was a battle Australia would rather forget. Yet the Japanese attack on 19 February 1942 was the first wartime assault on Australian soil.

Absorbing, spirited and fast-paced, An Awkward Truth is a compelling and revealing story of the day war really came to Australia, and the motley bunch of soldiers and civilians who were left to defend the nation.

Peter Grose is a former publisher at Secker & Warburg, founder of Curtis Brown Australia, and was until recently the chairman of acp (UK). He is the author of A Very Rude Awakening, the story of the night three Japanese midget submarines crept into Sydney Harbour and caused an unforgettable night of mayhem, high farce, chaos and courage.

Pre-paid bookings essential. Adults $8.80, pensioners and students $6.60 (passes must be shown). Bookings open 2 February. Enquiries phone 9978 4091.