Robert Wainwright Books in Order

Wainwright traces Rose Hancock Porteous’s life from childhood in the Philippines to marriage with Australian mining magnate Lang Hancock. Her earlier relationships, pursuit of wealth, and controversial place in Australian society emerge through the story of her turbulent personal life.

In 1993, a child disappears near a remote Northern Territory roadhouse, prompting a vast search through hostile country. Wainwright follows the family, volunteers, police, and emergency workers whose efforts reveal the strength and strain of an isolated community.

Wainwright and Paola Totaro investigate the life of Martin Bryant before the Port Arthur massacre. Interviews, family history, psychiatric accounts, and confession recordings inform their examination of the circumstances and influences preceding one of Australia’s deadliest crimes.

The death of Sydney model Caroline Byrne at the foot of a cliff becomes the focus of a prolonged investigation. Wainwright follows her father’s search for answers and the police work that challenged the initial understanding of what happened.

Justin Langer reflects on his Test cricket career, sharing dressing-room incidents, major contests, and the friendships behind Australia’s success. Written with Wainwright, the memoir also explores his fear of failure, family life, and methods of coping with professional pressure.

Ian Thorpe recounts his childhood, rise to international swimming success, early retirement, and attempt to return to Olympic competition. Written with Wainwright, his autobiography explores the pressures of fame and the personal struggles concealed behind extraordinary sporting achievement.

Sheila Chisholm leaves an Australian sheep station for a life among British aristocrats, royalty, writers, and film stars. Her marriages, friendships, and love affairs reveal a woman who moved confidently through the social worlds of the early twentieth century.

This biography follows Australian mountaineer and scientist George Ingle Finch, whose achievements extended far beyond his famous actor son. His pioneering Everest climb, wartime service, scientific work, and conflict with Britain’s climbing establishment reveal a talented but unconventional outsider.

Australian actress Muriel Matters becomes a leading campaigner for women’s voting rights in Britain. Wainwright reconstructs her public protests, speeches, and aerial leafleting campaign, recovering the life of a suffragist whose bold actions once attracted international attention.

The rise and decline of Australian confectioner Darrell Lea unfolds through the story of Montague Lea and his wife Valerie. Their expanding family, unconventional decisions, and personal sacrifices expose the tensions behind a business built on sweetness and shared ambition.

Enid Lindeman moves from suburban Sydney into a life of wealth, aristocratic marriages, and international adventure. Wainwright follows her wartime service, friendships, extravagance, and unconventional independence across the social worlds of Europe, America, and beyond.

Nellie Melba’s ascent to international operatic fame demanded a struggle against social expectations and hostility toward ambitious women. Wainwright explores her troubled marriage, separation from her son, romantic scandals, and determination to build a life beyond Australia.

After losing her sense of smell during Covid, Paola Totaro investigates how this overlooked sense shapes memory, emotion, and everyday experience. Written with Wainwright, the book combines patient stories with scientific research into smell, its loss, and possible recovery.