The inside story of New Zealand’s Special Air Service in Afghanistan, told by the historian who earned their trust — plus the remarkable chain of events that led Ron Crosby to a second major book in 2026.
Author Talk: Ron Crosby — Unforeseen Consequences Friday 19 June 2026, 7pm Entry by koha / donation | RSVP: 03 4486230 or enquiries@centralstories.com
What leads an author to write two major books in a single year? For Blenheim historian Ron Crosby, the answer lies in a series of unforeseen consequences — connections made, trust earned, and stories that demanded to be told.
Ron is one of New Zealand’s most respected historians, known for landmark works including The Musket Wars, Te Kooti’s Last Foray, and the official regimental history NZSAS: The First Fifty Years. In 2026 he has two new books being published, and this talk traces the remarkable chain of events that led to both.
Keep Calm — We Are Coming: The NZSAS in Action in Afghanistan, 2009–2021, published by Oratia Books in April 2026, takes readers behind the lines of New Zealand’s military elite during their deployments in Kabul. Drawing on extensive first-hand interviews with soldiers, Ron focuses on four high-risk engagements — three devastating terrorist attacks in Kabul between 2009 and 2012, and the chaotic evacuation of New Zealanders from Kabul Airport as the Taliban took over in 2021. It is a story of extraordinary courage, told in the words of those who were there.
Ron will also talk about the connections and shared experiences that led him to a second book — written with Whakaari/White Island rescue hero and former NZSAS soldier Mark Law — due for release in August 2026.
This is a rare opportunity to hear directly from one of New Zealand’s most respected historians about stories that are only now able to be told.
Keep Calm — We Are Coming will be available for purchase and signing on the night. RRP $45.
About Ron Crosby Ron Crosby is a Blenheim-based historian and former barrister whose books span Māori history, the New Zealand Wars, and military history. He was a member of the Waitangi Tribunal for 13 years. roncrosby.co.nz
To book your seat, RSVP: 03 4486230 or enquiries@centralstories.com
