Known as a veteran explorer and historian, Daniel O'Brien has written non-fiction books about his expeditions and adventures in
Carnarvons [1939] and
I Circle the Earth, 1958. He also wrote
The Thrilling Adventures of Stephen Kelly on Land and Sea in 1934.
M. A. Hamlyn-Harris (q.v.) dedicated her book of poems
Carnarvon Journey (1946) 'in tribute to D. A. O.Brien, F.R.G.S.A., leader of expeditions to the great Carnarvon Ranges, Queensland.'
