The War Within

About the Book

The War Within is a complex, virtuoso analysis of an Australian life written by an unabashed and unrepentant author- an acidic dissertation on the roles of genes, environment and litany of trauma play in developing a person's character, and at the same time, a sauntering chronicle of social mores. In turn, we follow the life of the author as he comes to terms with male status anxiety- apparently inexhaustible in its capacity to cause suffering. Along the way, Tate examines the dark crevices of the male psyche as he battles inner demons from the Vietnam War and the unconditional love of his beautiful Christian Wife, Carole. Above all, this memoir is a celebration of the human condition, of a man with a can-do, cavalier attitude to life and is an outstanding contribution to Australia's rich heritage of memoir.

About the Author

Don Tate is a retired soldier who served in Vietnam as an infantryman where he was wounded in action. After years of hospitalization and then, rehabilitation, he became a high school English teacher on the south coast of New South Wales. He and his wife, Carole have raised five children and have eleven grandchildren. In 2000, Don was honoured by the Australian government for his contributions to the community. He remains an outspoken advocate for veterans seeking redress from the Australian Defence regarding various matters.