Dr Matthew Thompson is the author of MAYHEM, a blistering account of the life and times of Australia's most notorious bandit and prisoner, Christopher 'Badness' Binse. He has also written two acclaimed books of international reportage: My Colombian Death and Running with the Blood God. Dr Thompson has worked and written for a range of newspapers and magazines, edited book manuscripts, and has written and produced radio documentaries. He lectures at universities, enjoys public speaking and has many colourful stories to tell. Born in Portland, Oregon, USA, Thompson lives in Dungog, New South Wales, Australia, where he is a part-time firefighter and rescue operator. He is a Doctor of Creative Arts, with his dissertation examined by New York University’s Director of Literary Reportage, Robert Boynton. Dr Thompson is a Conjoint Fellow at the Centre for the History of Violence at the University of Newcastle. Dr Thompson, who has taught journalism and writing at universities in Australia and Fiji, tells his students that if they wholeheartedly embrace writing then there will be casualties.