Some people step up to unexpected challenges and grow in stature. Bonded through Tragedy, United in Hope is a beautifully written memoir about Hilton Deakin, the ‘boy from the bush’ who did just that.

Hilton Deakin is a Catholic bishop and a key figure in East Timor’s struggle for self-determination, who became a confidante to independence fighters and those in solidarity with them. At a time when most Australians had little knowledge of, or sympathy for the plight of the East Timorese under Indonesian occupation, Deakin became a voice for the voiceless.

Not just a personal story, this is a story of one country’s struggle for independence - where compassion, courage and commitment won out. Hilton Deakin’s journey into justice shows us that we too can shine a light in dark places.