About+the+Author


 * __ Thomas Keneally __**


 * Born in Australia to an Irish Catholic family, //Tom Keneally//** **spent his early years in country towns of northern NSW before moving to the Sydney suburb of Homebush. He wanted to be an athlete, but due to his asthma, spent much of his time reading. As a young man, he spent six years studying for the priesthood but left just before ordination, suffering a nervous collapse. From //1960//, he worked as a schoolteacher, coached football and studied law part time. His first novel was published in //1964//, but not until his third novel, "__Bring Larks and Heroes__," did he see writing as a full-time career.

Keneally is one of Australia's most popular writers, having published more than 30 novels, dramas, sceenplays and books of non-fiction. He has twice recieved the Miles Franklin award and was shortlisted for the Booker Prize three times before winning for Schindler's Ark, later made into the Academy Award winning film, making him one of Australia's most distinguished writers.**