Reviews of Rob Riley: An Aboriginal Leader's Quest for Justice

Victoria Laurie, The Weekend Australian, 13–14 May 2006
This is a fine book, an illumination account by a fluent writer who has written solidly researched book on Aboriginal crime and justice.

Paul Kraus, Sydney Morning Herald, Weekender, 29 July 2006
Of the many books that have been published in recent years on Aboriginal society and people, this biography must surely rank as one of the finest.

In reading this detailed story of the life and times of the Aboriginal activist, the late Rob Riley, we cannot fail to be highly indignant of the injustices White Australian society has perpetrated on the indigenous population.

This biography is informative and deeply thought-provoking.

Warren Brewer, The Mercury Magazine, Saturday 17 June 2006
This is an account of a modern tragedy and it weighs heavily. It will be daunting for the casual reader, enlightening to students of political change and inspirational to those committed to the betterment of indigenous people.

Stephen Saunders, The Canberra Times, Panorama, Saturday 15 June 2006
Going deeper, maybe some real positives emerge from Riley’s chequered career. In my view, Beresford largely lives up to his credo of balancing natural sympathy and professional detachment. I therefore congratulate Aboriginal Studies Press and the Australian Council (which also gave assistance) and commend this instructive book to inquisitive bleeding hearts and white armbands alike.

Nicholas Brown, Aboriginal History, Vol. 31, 2007
[Beresford] maintains that Riley must be understood as ‘a victim of Australian racism in all its interwoven and barely acknowledged historical and contemporary manifestations’. Such themes make this a challenging, engrossing book, both in characterising recent history and in setting the terms for current debates.

Sue Taffe, History Australia, Vol. 6, No. 1, 2009
This is a finely-written biography which recognises and celebrates Rob Riley as an Aboriginal leader who may inspire younger generations of Indigenous activists. Just as importantly, for non-Indigenous readers it provided an opportunity to walk in the shoes of such an activist and to feel the ongoing stress of someone on such a quest for justice.