Oceania Books

There are few books available to gain an understanding of modern (prior to 1989) Bougainvillian history.

The author is an anthropologist who spent time in mainly the South west (Siwai) in the 1930's and episodically since.

His review of the island's history, geography and culture is good and thorough. He presents interesting insights into the reasons for the crisis and some of the different groups and players, but not in great detail.

He could be regarded as biased because he worked for Bougainville Copper in the 70's and ? 1980's. However the book seems quite independant in its stance and it is likely that his prior association with the mining company is mainly responsible for him not expanding a bit more in this area.

It is not really dated and this is an indication of how useful a book it is.

Overall this is a must to read before visiting Bougainville, which is a very pleasant place as are the people.

More than "just" a travel guide, this book offers thought-provoking insights into Australian culture through essays that provide an insider's look at the territory for the visitor (or would-be visitor).

I found the section of colorful and quirky Australian dialect especially entertaining and illuminating.

I've never been to Australia but after reading this book I am more anxious to travel there. This book is a comprehensive and useful travel guide PLUS.

These are original poems/lullabies from people living on the islands. My 7 year old loves this book. Even if you never read it all, the book is worth it for the fabulous artwork. This would be a great gift for anyone who has lived in the islands or feels connected to the sea.

I loved this book, it had everything, suspense, intrigue and a desert island. It is really a classic, everyone should read it, I read it in high school and I recently purchased another copy to have for my kids. Anyone can love this book!

The BUG guides are simple to read, a lot thinner, less bulky and heavy than their competitors who keep adding fine dining, five star hotels and other stuff we backpackers never use (which makes a lot of difference when you have to lug the thing around an entire continent, or even in this case just New Zealand) and much better value. They give a description and rating on each hostel (they claim they do not accept free nights or money but who knows), as well as maps of hostel locations and travel company information.

You obviously won't agree with all their reviews of the accommodation but that's the backpacking scene. You can have a terrible experience at somewhere where someone else had one of the best stays of their life. Don't rely on this guide alone, ask other backpackers who have been to the destinations you are going where they stayed and what it was like. The more opinions you get the more likely you are to get a clearer picture.

Definitely get this over Lonely Planet and Let's Go, at least until they clean up their acts.

This is a great story by a spirited Lady, who isn't content with only dreaming of adventure. Her writing is vivid and makes you feel as if you are sharing the adventure with her and her husband. Lee's poems are a treat for the mind and the photographs are worth a thousand words.

Although the hikes in this book were numerous, I did quite a few and all were breathtaking. Bushwalking in Australia is an excellent guide to hiking all over the continent and seeing every type of terrain that this diverse place has to offer. This book made my time is Australia so much more valuable and was worth every penny. It even has instructions on how to take trains and buses to trailheads. One of the best hiking books I have ever used.

I just finished "Caitlin's Country" and I REALLY liked it! It was nicely paced and kept me wanting to know what was next so I couldn't put it down! What a pleasant surprise from a new author! Although as an adult, I could have used more detail, I think it's very well paced for a teen or young adult reader. I'd think it would be especially appealling to teenage girls who have recently been forced to move or to live with a different parent. I wouldn't hesitate to recommend this book to any teen.

As a side benefit, some of the English/Australian terminology explained in it helped me as a Texan to understand some of the terminology used in the "Harry Potter" books that I've read. Quite an unexpected benefit!

The Call Of The Osprey by Norman Jorgensen is a picturebook about the challenging and rewarding task of restoring an old, broken sea boat. A young man befriends and forms a bond with a grizzled old captain, as together they work hard, and the young man learns the importance of carrying on a meaningful legacy. Illustrated by Brian Harrison-Lever, The Call Of The Osprey is an especial delight to share with young readers who are fascinated with ships and the sea.

This specialized coverage may find a place primarily in collections strong in Australian writing, but any such collection will find the Cambridge Companion To Australian Literature to be an invaluable compendium blending Australian poetry, fiction, biography, and drama from the last two centuries. Contributors analyze classics, trends, and significant historical and literary influences, providing an important survey of Australian writings. Essential college-level reading for any serious and dedicated course in Australian literature.