New Zealand Books

This book is an excellent and readable memoir that anybody with an interest in the Falklands War, or in the Royal Marines, would be well advised to read. It is an easy read, but this doesn't detract from the fact that it is a serious piece of work that will hopefully have enduring value.

A previous reviewer describes the book as "boast and brag" and "accusations and self defence". Any member of the British defence community will tell you that the words "boast and brag" and Major-General Thompson are entirely incompatible. You will find no self-justification here and a refreshing lack of inflated ego.

I really enjoyed this book and could not put it down. The author was frank in his criticisms and flowing in his praise. I thought the descriptions of the tactical battles from the brigade commander's perspective were fascinating. The diagrams of 3 Commando Brigade's major battles were invaluable in digesting the detailed narrative and fully appreciating the enormity of the Brigade's mission. The professionalism and proficiency of this storied unit is given it's just due on these 159 pages. I think the true legacy of this text for me was how it has ignited a curiousity in me to read more about The Battle of the Falklands. Would like to know if there is a companion book out there from the Argentine infantryman's perspective that would shed some light on their actions.

Julian Thompson's NO PICNIC is an easy to read yet informative account of the 1982 Falklands War. Julian Thompson commanded the 3rd Commando Brigade, the initial assault force, during the Falklands War. From that perspective, he provides a history of the war. Unsurprisingly, the book focuses on the ground aspects, rather than the sea or air aspects of the war. All of the major ground battles are described. Moreover, Thompson gives in-depth insight into the operational level decisionmaking of the war. The book has a scholarly flavor because of Thompson's access to his own correspondence, assessments, and operational reports. In general, NO PICNIC is an instructive account of ground operations in modern warfare.

Well, half of it is boast and brag, accusations and self-defense. When successfully ignoring that one may learn something :) ... I strongly recommend to read Admiral Sandy Woodward's 'One-hundered Days - The Memories of the Falkland Battlegroup Commander' - best before reading this book because the sea-action preceeded the land-action and the abilities of the ships defined possible and impossible approaches.

Professor Taylor in this book presents a pretty thorough history of East Timor. He lays emphasis on the development of its indiginous culture particularly the kinship system which helped it survive Portugese rule and the barbaric Indonesian occupation. He examines the efforts of foreign powers particularly the United States and Australia and even Portugal (at least until the early 80's) to support Indonesia taking over East Timor, the United States taking the lead in replenishing Indonesia with advanced weapons when it ran into trouble as before its "encirclement and annihilation" campaigns of the late 70's.

He examines the East Timorese indigenous culture including the kinship system which is deeply ingrained in the society and helped it survive Portugese rule and (just barely) Indonesian rule; up until 1990 the major Indonesian military campaigns (Persuatan, the dreadful Fence of Legs, etc.), the World Bank funded forced sterilization of Timorese women, some of the major massacres, the ideology of Fretilin, the "resettlement villages," the economic activities of companies like P.T. Denok in East Timor, the visits of foreign journalists and delegations of politicians, the apologetics for the Indonesian regime by the Catholic Relief services.

I think that his rather long introduction about the September 1999 incident and the chronicles of events during the 90's in the timeline at the end of the book serve as more than adequate updates. However I think he is rather too soft on the role (or lack there of) of the Western powers during the 1999 crises. Those countries continued to have normal military and diplomatic relations with Indonesia up until about two weeks into the crises when East Timor was basically destroyed and its population driven from their homes, when they finally engaged in minimally serious gestures, temporarily suspendeding military relations with Indonesia and agreed to a peackeeping force which was probably not needed under the pressure of Australian public opinion. Very little effort was made to conduct war crimes trials or investigations or help the country seriously rebuild from the years of destruction and occupation which America and its allies were in large part responsible for. There's alot more that can be said about this but the criticisms of Indonesia by U.S. leaders in the months leading up to the crises which Taylor lays great stress on are completely worthless.

In anycase a minor flaw; this is a very good introduction to East Timor, if slightly dry here and there with small print.

John Taylor's enlightening ideas about the East Timorese problem goes deep on its roots. Starting with the SANTA CRUZ MASSACRE and its aftermath (which made international headlines out of the horror during the Indonesian occupation), the author takes care of many interesting details about the country, since its pre-colonial history to its most recent facts. There are two remarkable points raised by Taylor: (i) the explanation of the Timorese society before the Portuguese arrival and how it is linked to the country's contemporary history, (ii) how and why the East Timorese resistance managed to grow continously over the past 25 years, becoming very representative of the country's wish for self determination, and, even better, why the same did not happen during the Portuguese ruling. In very well versed 13 chapters of the book (198 pages and a nice cronology of the main facts since April 25th '74 to Sep 28th '99, a small glossary and a very helpful bibliography) the author tries to cover various aspects of the problem which goes from International policies (as the Realism theory), including strategies, economics and politics to the role played by the church on the development and growing of opposition. It is a great book for either researchers on this subject matter or people interested on going beyond what the midia allows us to go.

John Taylor simply sets the standard, with this new and comprehensive text, on a subject in which he has long been an authority. The book is tremendously comprehensive, approaching a variety of issues relating to East Timor's past and recent history as well as the present. It offers analyses, always well substantiated, and without giving excessive space to the author's own subjective views. It is well written and easy-to-read. All in all, it is a book that should be read by anyone studying this topic, whether a beginner or expert.

Readers should be aware that this book was published in 1991, with a different title, "Indonesia's Forgotten War: The Hidden History of East Timor". The only differences are an updated chronology and one new chapter about recents events since 1998. The 1990s are not carefully treated.

The book is basicly a game. In this case, a game that insists that one go through is insufficient. Another nice thing about this book is that it is its own story with a basis in the Lone Wolf series, but challeneges you in a different way. All in all, it was fun.

If you want to get this book (which is a good idea if you like fantasy), be sure to get the other 3 books! Very adventurous and fun.

The "World of Lone Wolf" series was, without doubt, the most enjoyable role-playing gamebook series I ever played.

The combat/survival system is similar to that employed by the Lone Wolf series, but with the added concept of "willpower" points, (which represent, essentially, Grey Star's magic resources). The player selects five of seven magical powers to use before starting the adventure.

The series is lavishly illustrated by Paul Bonner's artwork, and each volume contains a colour map of South Magnamund.

I was quite young when I played these adventures, and I would wait breathlessly and impatiently for each new volume to come out. The world which Ian Page and Joe Dever create is romantic and captivating. All the magic creatures in the story are unique to the world of Magnamund - no elves or dragons - which adds the special feeling of the books.

Grey Star always has companions in his adventures - giants, theives, ape-men (sorry, Kundi), but the most notable is the wytch girl, Tanith, who continues throughout the whole series.

A wonderfully new exotic atmosphere greets the reader in the 1st book of the Grey Star series.

Set in the world of Southern Magnamund, a world away from the adventures of the hero Lone Wolf, whose series has won numerous awards and encompasses three mini-series as well as off-shoots, Grey Star the Wizard begins with Grey Star sailing from the Isle of Lorn, where his mentors, the Shianti wizards, have self-exiled themselves. Many years ago the Shianti created a magical artefact called the Moonstone, but this relic disrupted the balance of the world of Magnamund, and the Shianti were forced to seal it into a Trianon in the plane of Daziarn as well as remain forever on the Isle of Lorn.

Some time later, a great wizard called Shasarak rose to power. Aided by the Shadakine, great warriors from the Sadai Desert, Shasarak brutally destroyed all major nations of Southern Magnamund, creating a vast empire. The Shianti watched with fear as Shasarak grew in power, and someday the fates have promised that the evil tyrant will cross the Sea of Dreams to the Isle of Lorn and fight with the Shianti for total domination once and for all...

Aided by seven sisters, the Shadakine Wytches, who possess mastery of animal language, evil magic, and the Kazim Stones, magical hearts of creatures of stone, Shasarak also mastered vast legions of daemons and spirits, and has ruthlessly persecuted the pilgrims of the Shianti and other religions. Once, long ago, Shasarak had control of a wondrous but terrible artefact called the Sunstone, a gem that had the power of the sun, but its abuse led to the destruction of an entire civilization...with power like that the Wytch-King has all of the human nations in his iron grip.

The Shianti, unable to help, prayed for assistance. And on the stormy night when Shasarak was crowned King of the Shadakine Empire, a ship ran aground. Nobody remained alive, save a small child, which the Shianti named Grey Star, for the streak of grey in the child's hair. The Shianti cannot help mankind, but Grey Star, being human, can..

i think all the Georgia Nicolson books are great, for all those teenagers that really enjoyed Princess Diaries and The Sisterhood of the Travelling Pants! (or who didnt, it doesnt matter)
because i have read them all, and loved them all!!!
please read this, you will have a big laugh!

This book is the best book ever! If you're a girl from ages 10 through... well... any age, this book is great! Just read it and you'll see. Well, that's about it, SO READ IT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

There is the usual praise for the author's other books in the beginning of It's Okay, I'm.....and somewhere it says that Georgia, our heroine, is a youg Bridget Jones. And that is not all that wrong.
The book is about Georgia, aged 14 and her teenage trouble with parents, littlesister, boyfriends, school, looks etc.
The plot or non-plot of this book would have been utterly boring, if it wasn't for the very funny use of the English/British language. I am also sure every girl aged 12-99 can relate to some of Georgia's antics if not all of them.
I bought this book thinking it was about a young woman, not a teenage girl, but I nevertheless liked the book. I think all teenage girls will love it.

i think the book was really good,because it was funny and you want to know what will happen next.it gives you suspenceas in when she wants to see her boyfriend.and when her dad comes back from from goo wiggy land (scottland)i as a teenager found this book very funny.hee hee hee hee hee.

The book had all the basic info. you need for hiking in New Zealand. It's easy to read with a couple of nice pictures. Enjoy!

By far the best guide available about tramping opportunities in NZ. The track guides are pretty accurate and provide a good overview of what to expect.

This edition is far better than the previous editions. It's new organization and additional information sections are a marked improvement. A new section on Flora and Fauna gives a highlight of any New Zealand tramp. This book acts as an excellent reference book while tramping. Of course, if the book contained every piece of required information, (i.e. highly detailed maps and every step of the way instructions) it would require 1000's of pages. The authors surmount that difficulty by including instructions on how to obtain additional necessary information. The book is perfect for those that are looking into or planning a backpacking trek to New Zealand.

This is a great book for planning a tramping trip to New Zealand, although it's a bit too much to carry while actually hiking. The book contains good references and maps to the most popular tracks, and some of the lesser known tracks. If your tight on cash, I recommend going to the visitor centers in New Zealand and picking up the DOC pamphlets they supply. D.O.C. has detailed pamphlets on pretty much every track in New Zealand and they only charge about 50 cents (US) for each one. But if you want to plan a trip from home, this is the book to get, it's far easier to understand than the other New Zealand tramping books, and gives good information on what you need to bring. It also gives good info on the New Zealand back country hut system. Buy a hut pass, they're only 35 bucks (US) for a year. It even supplies some decent fly fishing tips for the rivers that border some of the tracks. But be warned that almost every other tourist hiker in New Zealand also has this book, so if you really want to get away from people, you'll have to do some bushwacking.

The last thing I expected when I saw the title "Season of the Jew" was a book set in colonial New Zealand about Maori "rebels" under a leader called Kooti and colonial attempts to suppress this "menace" to the Queen's Peace.

The story basically follows the character of George Fairweather as he gets caught up in Poverty Bay, (among other places), after having discharged from the 18th Infantry. A Maori "nobody", (Kooti), finds himself exiled to the Chatham Islands sometime after meeting Fairweather. After some time, the same guy manages to return to New Zealand with a band of fellow exiles and all full of the religious zeal of a "New Israel". Fairweather gets caught up in the events surrounding this, with his remarkably honest outlook on life and his position in it.

The narrative itself is excellent, and maintains a frenetic pace that keeps you guessing at what will come next. In some places violent, the plot captures the essence of the day well, and Shadbolt's attention to detail is very much noted. Shadbolt's descriptions of the terrain and New Zealand of the time capture the land well, and almost drop you in the middle of it.

The dialogues are very long in places, and you sometimes need to keep track of who is speaking. It takes a bit of time to get used to the English that is a little different from modern conventions and styles. However, once done, the dialogues themselves are rewarding reads in witticism and observations by the characters. Contrary to another reviewer, I did not find these a problem, nor did they get in the way of the overall plot.

It is also in the dialogues that Shadbolt captures the prevailing attitudes of the colonists and settlers of the day regarding the Maori population. The arrogance and complete self-assurance that lead to some resounding beatings at the hands of the so-called "savages" who often displayed a far more Christian and civilised attitude than their "Christian betters".

In short, "Season of the Jew" is a surprising book that is well written, colourfully filled with characters of substance, and keeps one going on for more to see what or who is lurking behind the next fern.

For those with an interest in New Zealand, the book is based on true events around 1868, so it is well worth the read and effort to get. It will not be regretted.

I'm obsessed with Season of the Jew having read it 4 times in 6 years. George Fairweather, the Scottish soldier who "retired" from the British Army in New Zealand without enough money to return home,is one of the most honorably noble characters I've ever come across. I desperately wish I could give a 25 word "pitch" to a movie producer as this novel's values are much needed by today's society. What a grand movie it would make!!!The love story weaving throughout this book takes place between two level headed adults who are strong and self sufficient; no hang up's here. The choices for survival made by each at times are gut wrenching. I can say I felt intensely strong emotions; happiness, depression, anger, surprise. My heart welled in my throat several times. I was left with a grand respect for humanity, and most of all great admiration for the author, Maurice Shadbolt.

The first few chapters are difficult to follow, but, by the third you are hooked. Shadbolt's sense of irony is constant throughout his book. I loved how the dialogues took 180 degree turns; I never guessed what was next to come.

As mentioned by a previous reviewer, the Old Testatment provides reasons for imprisoned Maori's to fight for the right to pass peacefully through what used to be their land. Yet, when faced with this simple request, the British settlers set off a series of events leading to deception, disgrace, violence, death, and the beginnings of the most fascinating novel I've ever read. Hero's were made of simple men.

Season of the Jew is joyously satisfying. Shadbolt is a master with words; George Fairweather someone you'll really want to know.

The novel is based on historical events in New Zealand, a Maori rebellion inspired by the Old Testament. The rebellion's leader casts himself as a latter day Moses bringing down righteous destruction on the English Caananites. The novel's protagonist, a retired English officer, turned landscape painter, finds himself a leader of the defense forces arrayed against the rebellion, despite feeling more empathy for the rebels than his European allies.

A complex, literate novel with unforgettable characters, beautifully etched descriptions, and a suspenseful story-line. I'd rank it among the very best novels I've ever read. If you have any interest at all in New Zealand it's a must-read.

This is a serious, well-intentioned work. This book's historical detail and grasp of the mentality of colonial New Zealand were impressive, and its narrative was gripping. Shadbolt clearly has a command of the military history of the period, and he knows how to handle a plot. But the book seemed more like a play than a novel, due to not only the amount of dialogue but the mannered, periphrastic tone in which the dialogue was conducted. The dialogue was witty, full of intellectual poise, expressing its protagonists' attitudes neatly--rather like second-tier Tom Stoppard. But it did not give the impression of how soldiers in nineteenth-century New Zealand would really talk. Even if anachronism was inevitable here, the characters' attitudes seemed too polished, assured, glib--which would not hurt in a play where role-playing is part of the generic apparatus, but does tend to disconcert the reader of a novel. With the exception of the very well-drawn Hamiora Pere, most of the characters were stereotypes--the colonial regiment officer, the Irishman, the skeptical British expatriate. Given that the novel seems to want to look at this material with new eyes, this creates difficulties. Te Kooti himself is not given a well-rounded portrait, so he appears as merely a mass of contradictions.

Another problem, which probably stems from the dramatic, dialogue-based framework of the book, is that the religious aspects of Te Kooti are scanted. Despite the book being titled "Season of the Jew," little is made of Te Kooti's appropriation of the Old Testament or of the phenomenon of the Bible inspiring far more passion among the Maori than among its European propagators. But coming to terms with this issue would have required more exposition and less snappy, witty dialogue that entertains in the short run but eventually gets in the reader's way.

This work might have been mesmerizing as a drama (or, as a previous reviewer wrote, as a movie), but is somewhat disappointing as a novel. The story of Te Kooti is better told in Judith Binney's recent biography.

A condensed, concise history from from earliest human occupation to the modern times. It was interesting to see the contrast of the development of the colonies in Victoria, SA and WA with the original settlement. I felt the book gives a much wider view of the Australian persona.

Good overview of Australian history from prehostory to 2001. I have been looking for something like this for a while. A lot of information, well worth the cost. I like the explanation of why boomerangs return. It includes a historical gazeteer in the back and a summary chronology of major dates in Austrailian history.

This book is an excellent, succinct history that is an easy read. I searched for books on Australia and this seemed to be the most objectively written. I wouldn't use it like a Fodor's guide to plan a trip with interesting places to eat or stay. It does give a nice history of the country to familiarize yourself with Australia and gives you an idea of places to see in this wonderful and diverse country. I'm going to check out books from this series on other countries.

If you're going to the Olympic Games in Sydney Australia in September, this book will provide the background you need. The author takes you from the aboriginal Dream-Time, 53,000 years ago, to the booming cities of 2000. If you want to know why boomerangs return, how in the early days of settlement many ex-convicts became millionaires (legally!), where is the world's largest flat surface, at which battle in the Vietnam War the Aussies killed the Vietcong 15 to 1, why Canberra and not Sydney is the capital city, when Australia experienced a military coup, or who is the cricket equivalent of Babe Ruth, this is your book. There is also a chronology of the main historical events and, useful for visitors, a historical gazeteer of the main cities and tourist spots.

Non-fiction can be so much stranger than the made-up stuff. Remember the cartoons 30 years ago-? Popeye in the gigantic
black pot..natives in full nosebone dancing around with forks and knives?

Mr. Randell's book about Jack Renton, the Scottish sailor rescued by headhunters in the Solomon Islands is a great
read and an interesting start point if you wish to understand the "settling" of the Pacific Islands.

The book reads like fiction and is full of interesting tid bits not the least of which is the fact that boiled or grilled human was known as "long pig" by the headhunters. Yeech.

Only half the book is dedicated to Jack Renton's account. Understandably, there isn't much accurate history to glean from when you write on a little known castaway in late 1800s, and the author manages to fill the first 148 pages from Renton's own writing, the orations from natives, and the author's own observations from visiting the location. The rest of the book focuses on the ills and evils of the arrival of the white race - specifically economic exploitation, missionaries and their destruction of native tradition, and sicknesses that kill the majority of the islanders. All of this is fascinating stuff, but not expected by the title or description!
The order of the book is a little difficult also. The author lays out a preliminary timeline of Renton, then weaves through the timeline with different accounts and helpful anecdotes that occur elsewhere. A little challenging for me, who is used to reading history chronologically.
That said, I would buy and read this book again. There isn't another book on the market that is as complete a narrative on Jack Renton's extraordinary experience. But if there was, I would've rated this book 3 stars!

Absolutely awesome. This the 'Heart of Darkness' inside out. It is the story of a young shipwrecked sailor struggling to survive in a South Sea culture based on headhunting. It is told in the words of the Malaitan 'headhunters' themselves. It is a story filled with heroism, humanity and a good deal of humour.

Nigel Rendell is a very gifted author. He has the confidence to let the indigenous oral stories speak for themselves and also to breathe life into the dry 'western' accounts of the Malaita and the wider South Pacific written by missionaries and traders. These sources and others are skillfully blended to create a seamless narrative that carries the reader along as we follow Renton's journey into another culture and initiation into the rites of headhunting.

But this is not just a story of Renton struggling to understand his captors but a wonderful account of his captors trying to understand him. In their words this is the story of a young ignorant man who struggled to understand their society and in the end became not only one of their own but one of their favourite 'sons'.

But the story is also an account of the Malaitan's struggle to understand Renton's world. Rendell also manages to fix the microcosm of Renton's adventures against the macrocosm of colonialisation. This is perhaps one of the most magic and terrifying parts of the book as Renton tries to prepare his 'adopted' friends, family and tribe for the coming horrors of white civilisation. The entire tragedy of first contact and colonial rule is told in the relationship between Renton and his people. Rendell style of writing makes these characters, their friendships and rivalries come perfectly alive on the page. It is impossible not to care deeply about these people.

Remember not only is this the only authentic account of the 'Heart of Darkness' story but one told by the natives themselves and they do it with more humanity and dignity than any 'civilized' account I have read before. Nigel Rendell lets the reader feel they are sat by the campfire themselves as these stories are recounted and, with him to guide us, we are taken into a world of shanghai-ing, shipwrecks, castaways and headhunters. I cannot recommend this book enough.

OK...I admit it. The main reason I bought this book was that I was "hooked" by the gruesome aspects. After all, who can resist a classic tale of shipwreck, with the added frisson of headhunting and cannibalism? And while Mr. Randell (who, by the way, looks like a combination of Sting and Malcolm McDowell...and poses in the author photo with a skull, not his own, in hand) certainly delivers in the goosebumps department (describing in loving detail how humans, referred to as "long pig" by the cannibals, were wrapped in banana leaves and slow-roasted), he turns out to have bigger fish-to-fry. This is a very thoughtful book, which works on several levels. The "adventure tale" aspect is significant, but Mr. Randell also talks about the religious beliefs of the Solomon Islanders, the clash of cultures, the destruction of the islanders' way of life, etc. The author has spent much time in the Solomon Islands. It is obvious that he has studied, and respects, the native culture. The book can be enjoyed by those with an interest in anthropology, sociology, and psychology...in addition to those who are looking for a "ripping-yarn." While the focus of the book is Jack Renton- the "white headhunter" of the title, who was forced into a situation not of his own making, and did what he had to in order to survive- Mr. Randell also makes sure we see things from the islanders' point of view. Renton is allowed to live not out of any altruistic feeling- it turns out that, previously, another white man named Doorey had been marooned on the same island and his extensive knowledge of carpentry had made him indispensable. The islanders' were also hoping for big things from Renton, and he delivered- with his abilities as a military strategist and warrior. However, what starts out as realpolitik turns into affection, as the tribal chief Kabou develops fatherly feelings for the young Renton (who was still a teenager when he was washed ashore). The author also makes it clear why the islanders were so hostile towards white men: these were people who sometimes kidnapped islanders for use as cheap labor back in Queensland. (Even worse from the perspective of the islanders: the outsiders appeared to be people who constantly wandered the seas in their large and strange ships. What were they doing for food? The islanders assumed, naturally enough, that those who were being kidnapped were being eaten.) These were also men who brought death through disease- the islanders had no immunity to "western germs." And, of course, the white visitors had nothing but contempt for what they didn't understand- the "primitive" lifestyle and religious beliefs. The islanders didn't appreciate the attempts of the Christian missionaries to "improve" them by asking them to jettison everything they held dear. Mr. Randell is especially good at getting you "inside the heads" of the islanders. While I don't recommend the headhunting/cannibal lifestyle, at least I now understand the reasons these practices were engaged in. By possessing an enemy's head and consuming his flesh, you were able to "tap into" both his spiritual and physical powers. As an example of the latter, Mr. Randell points out that if an enemy warrior was fast on his feet, and you ate his legs, you were looking to improve your own running ability. It obviously makes no sense when seen by an outside observer but, as with any religious belief, there is internal logic. On all levels, (unless you are looking for recipes) Mr. Randell has written an excellent book.

This is a book which anyone interested in architecture should own. The pictures are amazing and there are houses here which will make you drool. I have spent days on this book and will continue to do so for years I am sure.

I enjoyed this book because it was not full of fluff or the hit and miss content of similar books - the architecture was compelling, the theme was consistant - I really enjoy this one! In fact I am sending it to several of my friends.

This is a nice book in general. It has a good format, showcases interesting projects and unlike the first book of the "100 Best" series, devotes more pages to each project with more photographs and plans. Some of the photography however is disappointing. Even though most of the projects are professionally shot, some of the houses are represented by snapshots with distorted walls and incorrect color balance, and in my opinion do not belong in a book of this caliber.

While the author Ken Duncan strongly advocates Creationism, this is one of the best picture books on Australia that I have come across! I am bit suprised it is out of print? He does has a great eye for taking pictures!

Ken Duncan is a famous photographer in Australia, with three galleries showing his work exclusively. A deeply religious man, Ken would rather use a picture of some natural wonder to try and prove the existence of God than to argue technical theology. But whether you agree with him or not about the source of his subjects, there is no denying that he has a unique ability to communicate the beauty of nature with his camera. The book will take you on a tour of Australia, a country roughly the same size as the continental US, yet still unknown to most of us. Moving through the varied landscapes and seascapes of each region, Ken captures moments of beauty that will take your breath away. Waves crashing, sun rays tearing through clouds, familiar landmarks seen in with fresh eyes. This book will bring glimpses of Australia to your home just in time for the Olympic Games in Sydney. If you can find this book, buy it--spend some time with it--and share it with your friends. I had it on my coffee table and it was difficult to have a conversation with anyone once they saw the book. Also, if you're ever in Australia, don't miss one of the Ken Duncan Galleries. There's one in Sydney, one in Melbourne, and another near his home near Terrigal. Ken has just released an even better book entitled, "The Great South Land," which is selling like crazy in Australia.

Ken Duncan is a famous photographer in Australia, with three galleries showing his work exclusively. A deeply religious man, Ken would rather use a picture of some natural wonder to try and prove the existence of God than to argue technical theology. But whether you agree with him or not about the source of his subjects, there is no denying that he has a unique ability to communicate the beauty of nature with his camera. If you can find this book, buy it--spend some time with it--and share it with your friends. I had it on my coffee table and it was difficult to have a conversation with anyone once they saw the book. Also, if you're ever in Australia, don't miss one of the Ken Duncan Galleries. There's one in Sydney, one in Melbourne, and another near his home near Terrigal. Ken has just released an even better book entitled, "The Great South Land," which is selling like crazy in Australia.