Gregory David Roberts was born in 1952 in Melbourne, Australia. In interviews and on his website, Roberts talks little of his childhood years. During his student years, he was a revolutionary involved in several anarchist and leftist causes. He lists these myriad causes on shantaram.com as follows: "Founder member, Anarchist People’s Liberation Army, 1969; Union activist, Builders Labourers Federation, 1972; Founder member, Australian Independence Movement, United Front Against Fascism, 1973; Student Leader, Melbourne University, occupation of university Council Chambers, 1974; Student Leader, Black Week Aboriginal Activism Movement, 1975."
Roberts' life took a turn for the worse in the...