Clever Man: The Life of Paddy Compass Namadbara offers a unique perspective on the life and making of the Aboriginal Western Arnhem clever man or marrkidjbu. Born at the end of the 19th Century when the Western world had scarcely touched Arnhem Land, Paddy Compass Namadbara acted as a healer for his countryman and became a powerful and revered leader. Using his clever abilities and wisdom to nurture his community, he enabled the community to deal with the cultural and social changes of the encroaching Western world. He achieved the reputation of traditional marrkidjbu described as a ‘proper number one champion!’ Based on stories told by the people he helped, some profoundly and in extraordinary ways, this unique biography looks at his life through the eyes of his Western Arnhem countrymen who witnessed his extraordinary abilities.