Peter Brune is an Australian author and military historian. He has previously made contributions to the field with works such as A Bastard of a Place, Those Ragged Bloody Heroes, Ralph Honner: Kokoda Hero, We Band of Brothers, Our Great Hearted Men, Descent Into Hell, and his latest that I just read, Suffering, Redemption and Triumph His research and innate talent for crafting words breathe life into subjects related to military history's influence on modern culture, making this volume both captivating and striking.
In the Prologue, Brune paints a picture of post-WW II Europe, detailing the devastation, the oppressive Iron Curtain of the Soviet Union, and the looming threats of execution or imprisonment in a Gulag. He emphasizes that people of all cultures, creeds, and nationalities were in peril. He then poses the question: 'But what to do with this diverse European mass of humanity who remained?' His answer explores the potential solution in mass migration to the 'new world.' He writes, 'Australia conducted a huge economic, social and political experiment that saw the nation change its cultural composition. While Australia had sent many of its young sons and daughters to the 'old world' during two world wars, then now the 'old world' was about to come to Australia.'
Brune's mastery as a historian shines through as he unravels the complex narrative of post-war European immigration. He shares individual accounts in a conversational tone, rendering the immigrants' experiences both believable and emotionally resonant. The interactions between these 'newcomers' and Australia's citizens and government stand as a testament to empathy, care, and unity. This collaboration laid the foundation for the thriving multicultural society that Australia is celebrated for today.
Deeply touching and enlightening, Suffering, Redemption, and Triumph is more than just a historical account, it's a lesson in humanity and the enduring impact of wars. It's a must-read for anyone interested in understanding the true consequences of conflict and the power of compassion and unity in shaping a nation. Highly recommended. ( )

Here are my thoughts on Peter Brune's Suffering, Redemption and Triumph. Brune, a respected historian, has crafted a compelling narrative that offers an in-depth exploration of the experiences of displaced persons (DPs) in Australia after World War II. Based on over 40 interviews conducted with these individuals between 2001 and 2022, the book provides a critical view into their harrowing experiences during the war and their subsequent adaptation to an unfamiliar culture in Australia​.
Brune's meticulous research reveals the resilience, enterprise, and determination of these individuals, who hailed from countries such as Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Ukraine, Czechoslovakia, Poland, Serbia, Croatia, Slovenia, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Greece, and Hungary. Their stories, told largely in their own words, are moving and revelatory, providing unique insights into a pivotal period in Australian history​.
The author also offers an analysis of the immigration policies of the Chifley government, led by Arthur Calwell, which helped shape the multicultural society Australia is today. This exploration is both enlightening and thought-provoking, showing how mass post-war immigration was instrumental in creating the modern Australian society​.
Despite the book's many strengths, it is not without its flaws. While Brune's storytelling is commendable, his natural wordsmith abilities may at times overshadow the raw and powerful voices of the individuals whose stories he seeks to tell. A greater emphasis on allowing these voices to stand on their own could have further enhanced the authenticity of their experiences​.
That said, Suffering, Redemption and Triumph is undoubtedly a must-read for anyone interested in Australian history, immigration, and the profound impact of mass post-war immigration. It will surely evoke deep emotions and provide incredible insights, making it an important addition to the discourse on immigration in contemporary times​.
While not the best book I've read this year, Brune's Suffering, Redemption and Triumph is a compelling account of a significant period in Australian history, filled with heartfelt stories that shed light on the resilience of human spirit. It's a testament to Brune's skills as a historian and a storyteller, and a book that deserves a place on your bookshelf​. ( )

Australian author/historian Peter Brune is a highly respected military historian, having written A BASTARD OF A PLACE, THOSE RAGGED BLOODY HEROES, RALPH HONNER: KOKODA HERO, WE BAND OF BROTHERS, OUR GREAT HEARTED MEN, DESCENT INTO HELL, and now SUFFERING, REDEMPTION AND TRIUMPH. His extensive research combined with his natural wordsmith abilities in bringing topics related to the impact of military history on contemporary culture makes this volume dramatic and impressive. In the Prologue he provides an overview of the significance of the European devastation following WW II, the oppression by the Soviet Union Iron Curtain after the fall of the Nazis with the threat of execution or interment in the Gulag: all cultures and creeds and nationalities were at risk. ‘But what to do with this diverse European mass of humanity who remained? In simple terms, at least a significant portion of the solution to the degradation and ruination of the ‘old world’ might be found in a mass migration to the ‘new world…Australia conducted a huge economic, social and political experiment that saw the nation change its cultural composition. While Australia had sent many of its young sons and daughters to the ‘old world’ during two world wars, then now the ‘old world’ was about to come to Australia.’

Peter Brune is an excellent historian, unraveling facts about the post-war dissemination of European immigrants by sharing individual reports, related in a conversational manner that makes the plight of the immigrants both credible and emotionally charged. The interaction between the ‘newcomers’ and the populace and government of Australia stands as a hallmark for compassion, caring, and unity that created the successful multicultural Australia society honored by the world today. Deeply moving and instructive, this is a book for all readers curious about the true aftermath of wars. Highly recommended ( )