AustLit

'ABC presenters Kurt Fearnley, Barrie Cassidy and Stan Grant sit down with personalities and storytellers from Australia and around the world, to talk about their work, life, and what makes them tick.

'This is the first audio compilation from the program and includes: radio and television presenter Adam Hills, Australian activist and 2021 Australian of the Year Grace Tame, physician, journalist and broadcaster Dr Norman Swan, award-winning journalist and author Kate McClymont, chef, artist, actress, author and television presenter Poh Ling Yeow, and athlete, author and motivational speaker Turia Pitt.' (Production summary)

'Barrie Cassidy's dad Bill survived more than four years as a prisoner of war in World War II. He first saw conflict on Crete in May 1941, during the only large-scale parachute invasion in wartime history. Just four days later, Bill was wounded and eventually captured.

'Twice he tried to escape his internment—with horrific consequences. He suffered greatly but found courageous support from his fellow prisoners.

'His new wife Myra and his large family thought he was dead until news of his capture finally reached them.

'Back home, Myra too was a prisoner of sorts, with her own secrets. Then, fifty years after the war, unhealed wounds unexpectedly opened for Bill and Myra, testing them once again.

'Private Bill is a classic heart-warming story—as told by their son—of how a loving couple prevailed over the adversities of war to live an extraordinarily ordinary, happy life.' (Publication summary)