David Marr

"Biographers must command the lives they write. They must make sense of them. Telling is not enough."

David Marr has written for the Sydney Morning Herald, The Age, The Saturday Paper, The Guardian and The Monthly, and has served as editor of the National Times, reporter for Four Corners and presenter of ABC TV’s Media Watch. His books include Patrick White: A Life, The High Price of Heaven, Dark Victory (with Marian Wilkinson), Panic and six bestselling Quarterly Essays: His Master’s Voice, Power Trip, Political Animal, The Prince, Faction Man and The White Queen.

What kinds of books does David Marr write?

He writes nonfiction including biography, investigative journalism, political commentary and media criticism. He is also the author of several longform Quarterly Essays on public life and politics.

What are some of his most notable works?

Notable titles include Patrick White: A Life; Dark Victory (with Marian Wilkinson); Panic; Killing for Country; and a series of bestselling Quarterly Essays such as His Master's Voice, Power Trip, Political Animal, The Prince, Faction Man and The White Queen.

Where should I start if I'm new to his writing?

Start according to your interest: read Patrick White: A Life for his biography work; pick a Quarterly Essay like Power Trip or His Master's Voice for contemporary politics; choose Dark Victory or Panic for investigative, longform journalism.

Are his books part of a series or do they need to be read in order?

Most of his books are standalone. The Quarterly Essays are individual longform pieces rather than a sequential narrative, so there is no required reading order.

Has David Marr received awards or recognition for his work?

He is a highly regarded journalist who has written for major Australian publications and worked in prominent media roles; several of his essays are described as bestsellers. Specific awards are not listed in the provided source.