The Fatal Island - Paul Toohey

Timor Leste, one of the world’s youngest nations continues to develop economically and is emerging as a member of ASEAN. But in 2008, the 6 year-old nation was in the grip of ethnic grievances and rebel groups, which had combined to create a politically volatile situation. It all came to a head on February 11 when both the president, Jose Ramos Horta, and Prime Minister Xanana Gusmao were shot in parallel rebel attacks. This moment kick starts a new book by veteran journalist Paul Toohey, who was covering the events from Darwin as northern Australia correspondent for The Australian newspaper.