Chasing Shadows

From Irish revolutionaries to the Christchurch massacre, Chasing Shadows uncovers the long and brutal history of terrorism in Australia.

Australia likes to assume that extremists and their dark ideas can be stopped at the border. But Fortress Australia, and the sense of security it provides, is an illusion. For over a century, extreme ideologies have seeped through the borders into Australian communities. Terrorists have repeatedly emerged from the shadows, bringing terrible violence.

Chasing Shadows exposes the surprisingly long history of political and religious violence in Australia. It incorporates previously classified and little-known information, shedding new light on major incidents and thwarted attacks. It reveals what motivates extremist groups of different stripes, and how they recruit and train their members.

Starting with early Irish nationalists, it covers left-wing radicals, right-wing extremists such as Croatian fascists and white supremacists, cults such as Ananda Marga and Aum Shinrikyo, and the influence of the international jihadist networks Al Qaeda and Islamic State. Homegrown far-right extremists are back in the news, with the Christchurch massacre and the copycat actions it inspired around the world. Chasing Shadows shows how we can make sense of what looks like meaningless violence.

'Essential reading for those seeking to understand the contemporary terrorist phenomenon in Australia.' - David Irvine AO, former Director-General of Security in charge of ASIO

'Engaging, well-researched and comprehensive, Chasing Shadows is a major contribution to understanding the past and present terrorist threats to Australia.' - Emeritus Professor David Horner AM FASSA, author of The Spy Catchers

'We can only defeat terrorism if we understand it first... A compelling read for anyone who wants to understand how we have arrived where we are.' - Andrew Colvin APM, OAM, former Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police