Australia Books

Ngarrindjeri Wurruwarrin is about big issues like the quality of justice enjoyed by Indigenous peoples and what sort of society we want to be. It is about the particulars of Hindmarsh Island and the writing of ethnography in the southeast. It is about anthropologists and anthropology. It is about the politics of knowledge in an oral culture and those of a print-oriented one. It is about women who insist on being authors of their own lives. And it is about belief, dissent, story-telling and story tellers.

"[A] compelling account that demands to be read... a meticulous piece of scholarship but very readable and accessible." Prof. Fay Gale, President

"[A] formidable collection...It leaves the reader wondering whether the outcome would have been different had the contents of the book been known at the time of the events it describes." John Toohey, former High Court Judge and former Aboriginal Land Commissioner

"Ngarrindjeri Wurruwarrin falls into the category of books which are likely to be valuable to almost all sectors of the reading public, and at the same time, to be criticised by almost all sectors of the reading public." Deborah Bird Rose

This work of scholarship by Diane Bell is a world away from technicist anthropology meant to be read only by specialists: it engages in a highly controversial contemporary landrights issue in a way which demonstrates the profound importance of the act of documenting culture in as polyvalent and multivocal a way as possible. She is also candid about the voices she would like to have represented and could not, those of the dissident women. For me the most valuable section of the book was its re-reading of early anthropology with an eye to the muted women's voice in it. This section demonstrates the systematic bias against recording the rich women's culture, which in the late twentieth century is the powerhouse of cultural reclamation and renovation in many Aboriginal communities. Without engaging in postmodern jargon, this book demonstrates a fine postcolonial and poststructuralist understanding of the complexities of symbolic analysis and the conditions of transmission of epistemologies, both by the Ngarrindjeri and white anthropologists. What the book demonstrates very powerfully is the gender-blind ethnocentrism of the discipline of anthropology, and its tendency to read Aboriginality through patriarchalised eyes.In particular, its assumption that men are the 'natural' makers and controllers of culture. It's a very westernised notion of power relations between the sexes, and one born of at least five millennia of patriarchy. It's a tragedy that 'women's business' as a lens for understanding the role of women in Aboriginal communities was employed in Australia as late as 1941, as by then much dominant-culture contamination and destruction of Aboriginal culture had occurred. It's surely time to pay more attention, as this book does, to the quiet but rich understandings of land and story and people that is vested in women's business. This book will inevitably create controversy because of the financial and deep political investments in the Hindmarsh Island affair, and the appalling bureaucratic fumbles and lack of respect which have marked the public utterances about it. To hear the proponent women's stories, in all their variety, is to be taken into a parallel and very moving universe of discourse, of which we need to learn the subtleties. This book is a great teacher of those. Frances Devlin Glass, School of Literary and Communication Studies, Deakin University

Upon encountering this book in Foyles on Shaftsbury Ave I picked it up and dusted it off. It was discounted so I bought it... it has been invaluable to me in the past and I thank myself for finding it almost everyday.

Inside the book are all the classics of bad thinking analysed -- everything from the common red herring argument, to argument from authority and the classic Popperian argument that an argument must be weak if it cannot be proved wrong (something amazingly the vast majority of people just do not seem to get).

All of the beliefs that lead to much of the misery in the world and the poor allocation of resources to solve the worlds problems are all here... indeed if people were to read this book the malaise of mysticism, faith-based healing, religious fundementalism, bad science and even worse political reasoning would be avoided...

Oh... and if you're a business person, like I am, you will immediately benefit by avoiding 90% of the rubbish that passes for wisdom in the business/ self-help section of your bookstore.

Treasured.

In my biased opinion, this ranks as one of the finest books on the subject of critical thinking. Unfortunately, it is highly priced on Amazon.com, but one can find cheaper alternatives on the internet. Thouless focuses a lot on how social proof, and other biases do impede one's ability to think rationally, especially when facts are not conclusive, or when there are more than two plausible arguments in a given scenario. Good for policy makers, students, regular folks, and people who routinely make decisions under uncertainty.

I last read this book about 15 years ago as a student and the lessons of the 38 dishonest tricks used in arguments detailed in the book have left a life-lasting impression on me. It is an invaluable book which is still relevant today as it was when it was first published in 1930. Could the copyright owner(s) please reissue this book or better yet, contribute to the public domain?

Reading this book opened my eyes to exactly how badly crooked thinking runs our society today: how little emphasis we place on actual evidence and argument, what kind of dishonest argumentation our politicians and news providers use, etc. The only thing I didn't like about this book is that I had to go to a used bookshop in Perth, Australia to find it! Why isn't this masterwork still in print? We need it just as much now as they did in the 1930s!

Although written at the end of the 1930's, the book is amazingly relevant today and one of the most clearly presented and well thought-out books of its kind that I've ever read. It is well worth your time.

Some of the stories are only four star, and that says a lot about the standard to which I hold Tim Winton. "Only four star." I've been writing for years and publish three-star work sometimes. This collection, meanwhile, is five stars overall.

This is a collection of thought-provoking stories which are loosely linked, always excellent, always natural, never showy or forced, always observant, and a pure pleasure to read. He's such a gifted author that you're actually not always aware of how gifted he is.

If you are looking for writing that takes your breath away and stories that make you look deeply into yourself and your life and the lives of others, then read this book. You will not be disappointed.

Sometimes Mr Winton seems to be straining to be profound riddling his books with impressive literary devices - or maybe I'm too dumb to recognise great art. But with THE TURNING he seems completely at ease and as a consequence the stories ring with a truth - an emotional and spiritual truth firmly set in a believable landscape. The title story about Raelene's physical and spiritual journey, is in the patois of we Australians - a ripper! Mr Winton's great contribution to world literature may indeed be the way in which he is liberating the Australian language and bringing the voice and stories of our caravan dwellers, fishermen, and other inhabitants of small town Australia - working and otherwise - to the fore.
The Lockie Leonard trilogy and THE TURNING I expect have joined or will be joining our collective memories much as Blinky Bill, Ginger Meggs and Voss already have.

Tim Winton has created a Western Australia community, which remote as it is, portrays a commonality of human spirit instantly recognizeable. The scruffy town of Port Angelus, whose whale-processing history is laid out in his book THE SHALLOWS, is as original a concept as the communities of Faulkner or Louise Erdrich or T. R. Pearson, and with each book, Winton continues to expand the community of Port Angelus while limning out the human condition. The people in these stories could live anywhere, but are still ineffably Australian. In this latest book, each story is complete within itself yet linked to one another. Each story could be a springboard for an entire novel of its own. And each story makes you care about its characters and wish you could know what happens long after you've closed the book.

There's a special appeal to the "linked" short story collection. Although the same names and places appear, each is new with the next story. The desperate men, the battered wives, the confused and bewildered children. They interact in their own ways, coming together and breaking apart over the years. In the hands of a master storyteller like Winton, each tale is a spark of reality. Every individual comes almost startlingly alive in but a few pages. As the sequence unfolds through the view of the protagonist, you gain fresh insights on circumstances. Absolute values have no place here, a lesson most of us would do well to remember.

The tales are set in a coastal town in Western Australia. Angelus is a fishing community - often under stress from unemployment, it is a contained locale. Children grow up as neighbours, move through school together, and interact in almost wildly varying ways as they mature. There are mysteries - why was a boy left broken and battered on a beach? Who was the girl found dead in a school loo and how did she die? Who escaped the almost desolate town and how bound do they remain to it in later years? These are common situations and questions in a small town, and the economic pressures add intensity to the expected conditions we all endured in adolescence. It is a credit to Winton's outstanding prose skills that beauty emerges within this forlorn community. A coastal location always provides a sense of expanded view lacking in inland towns. Yet here, as almost everywhere in Australia, the desert looms as an ever-present menace, poorly understood and a block to escape even mountains fail to match.

Vic Lang, the character around whom these stories weave, emerges first as a young child at a beach party. His life is complex. While in school, a girl with a facial birthmark fascinates him, but that's not the girl he marries. His attachments are intense and sometimes offbeat. He takes up with "Boner" McPharlin [the term comes from his job in an abattoir], the Huckleberry Finn of his time and place. Totally without ambition, Boner's presence gives Vic a basis for comparison with his own life. It's a shaky foundation to launch into adulthood. Vic symbolises the small-town outlook with his sense of being under constant scrutiny. In "The Long, Clear View", Vic reflects on his life and how the town imposed so much of itself on his later life.

North American readers often balk at the "culture shock" of Australian conditions and language. Winton's deft touch softens the shock to what might be deemed a "culture tickle". His character portrayals and the manner in which he deals with the passage of time among what become familiar people, guide the reader effortlessly through some unfamiliar terms and conditions. What does "shoot through" mean? It has nothing to do with weapons. It means "escape" or "desertion" depending on the protagonist's viewpoint. A "jacaranda" turns out to be a tree, ugly when not blooming, but a stunning array of colour in the proper season. If a blossom falls on while walking underneath, it is said to be a sign of good luck. Does that happen in Angelus?

Winton's realistic view of people and events is at odds with much of today's literature. His voice, while grim and sometimes even bleak, doesn't overwhelm the reader with despair. His people aren't crushed by events, they remain battlers even in the most seemingly desperate circumstances. You must, however, traverse the entire sequence to understand how they accomplish that feat. While each story stands entirely on its own, like a brick-built building, they must all be taken together to perceive the entire stunning edifice. [stephen a. haines - Ottawa, Canada]

I first read this book early in my private pilot training, many years ago. Needless to say, I did not really understand what I was reading. Coming back to it now, with a number of additional ratings and many more hours of flight time to my name, was a revelation. Almost on every page, I found myself saying, "Yes, that's how it is." Buck really knows what he is talking about, whether it be ice, thunderstorms, turbulence, or transitioning from instruments to visual on the approach. Taking to heart what Buck has to say will first and foremost help you to survive as a pilot by making good weather decisions. Just as importantly, he imparts a great deal of wisdom on how to get maximum utility from the airplane while keeping risk to a low level. However, as indicated earlier, the book is definitely not for beginners. A solid understanding of basic meteorology and a considerable amount of piloting experience are needed to interpret it correctly--and safely.

As a CFI I have numerous books in my aviation library. This book details flying in weather and the mindset required to be a safe and competent instrument pilot.

Recommeded to me by my instructor after I received my instrument rating I now recommend it to students and associates whenever the subject of flying in weather (or not flying in weather) comes up.

I read Northstar Over My Shoulder prior to buying this book so I had an understanding of Captain Buck's history and experience which added weight to the wisdom obvious in Weather Flying (buy that book too!)

Not a lesson on meteorology; more of a lesson on judgment and decision-making. In other words, how does one deal with the weather? What does one do with the information one has?
Bob Buck is a man of authority, vast knowledge and experience when it comes to weather flying. His advice is, therefore, not to be taken lightly.
The book is readable, Buck writes "as he talks and flies, with an easy touch...he makes it simple and plain". The only thing that frustrated me at times was the fact that due to the sheer amount of information and knowledge he wants to impart, he occasionally jumps from one issue to the other, picking up new subjects while seemingly leaving others unfinished.

... and will remain so after you read this book. Everything in Buck's book is useful but it is tough to remember all of his rules without a solid grounding in meteorology. The cover's subtitle "a practical book on flying in all kinds of weather" is accurate. This book is about practice, not theory. However, after finishing the book, I was disappointed to find myself as ignorant as ever about weather and completely at the mercy of the FAA briefers.

It is hard to imagine a pilot with more weather flying experience than Captain Robert Buck. And much of this flying was in the old days: in the early years of the Army Air Corp and a young company called TWA. Much of this flying was accomplished without the assistance of modern instrumentation. Captain Buck travelled the world seeking the most ornery weather he could find, and then flew into it time and time again, compiling the experience and collecting the data that no one else had at the time. Captain Buck shares that experience here. This book is interesting and engaging to the flying enthusiast, essential to the VFR pilot, and absolutely priceless to the aspiring instrument pilot. Every discipline and every pastime has its classics, and WEATHER FLYING is, without a doubt, one of the classics of aviation.

The language of WEATHER FLYING is simple and straightforward. The lessons are practical more than theoretical, though Captain Buck keeps his readers briefed on essential weather theory as well. Virtually every weather situation that a pilot can encounter is covered in this book, from the ordinary to the exotic. Then Captain Buck instructs you how to fly it. The concept is simple and direct; the lessons are comprehensive and pragmatic.

In short, this is not a book to read once and then shelve. The lessons are too important to be forgotten. This is a manual to be taken down and read over and over again by any sort of pilot who flies any sort of aircraft.

Jeremy W. Forstadt

Andrew Griffiths has written another classic. There are so many simple ideas (actually over 101!!) that will make a difference to my business.

I enjoy Griffiths writing style - he speaks with experience but doesnt talk down to you.

This book deserves a home in every small business owners library

Great for my business, these marketing ideas have helped me set up new ways of building my coaching and training business internationally! Loads of information, easy to read and great examples make this book a MUST for all small business owners!

This book is a simple, thorough, engaging manual of methods people can easily apply immediately to market their business. What I most appreciate are the many unusual ideas - and the passion Griffiths uses as he makes suggestions to the reader.

He has a very engaging, friendly style which any reader would enjoy - it is as if he is sitting beside you, cheering your efforts.

This is one of those books that belongs on the shelf of any business. Those with a limited marketing budget or a SOHO will find it especially helpful.

"101 Ways to Market Your Business" by Andrew Griffiths is a sensational tool for any small business owner. It's simple to read and the ideas are easy to implement and best of all, don't cost a great deal of money. As a marketing manager for a shopping centre, we find business owners often need inspiration - and something that will help get them back on track. We buy this book in bulk and hand it out to those who need it - and it's great to see them implement the ideas and to see their businesses ultimately improve.

If you can't get advice from this book - you are not trying! An easy to read guide to marketing - logicial, practical - a common sense guide which can be applied to any business, anywhere. THis book, along with Andrew's other guides to business are written to genuinely help you - not to dewilder you. You never feel as though you are being spoken down to - rather you feel as though these steps are so easy, logical and cost effective they have to work. Highly recommended and congratulations Andrew.

Herb Kawainui Kane (pronounced KAH-ney) is a master artist, voyaging canoe designer, and Hokule`a captain. He is also author of Ancient Hawaii, a visual extravaganza of his vision, based on research and his artistic interpretation, of the life and times of pre- and post-contact Hawaiians.

Kane writes: "Without writing, kahuna were the living libraries of the old culture, preserving knowledge in trained memories. Some feats of memory seem incredible today. The story of Kamapua1a required sixteen hours of word-perfect recitation. Some temple invocations, we are told, in which any mistake would break the power of the words, required two days to deliver. Early Christian missionaries were astonished to find among their converts some who could recite entire books from the Bible soon after learning to read. Knowledge kept in living memories and shared only among a select few is extremely fragile, which helps explain why so much has been lost. One epidemic of an introduced disease could wipe out the masters of a guild, and with them knowledge accumulated over millennia. Disenfranchised in 1819 and subsequently condemned by Christian missionaries as sorcerers and witch doctors, their veil of secrecy became their shroud" (p. 40).

Given the reduction of the Hawaiian population from a high of over 800,000 to only 40,000 in a hundred years, Kane's hypothesis explains a great deal.

"Much that we would like to know about them has been lost by the impact of Western ways as well as their own customs of secrecy. Much of what remains is tantalizingly indistinct, blurred through the lens of our modern vision, distorted by the fantasies and embellishments all peoples invent about their pasts" (p. 7). I think Kane would admit that his personal fantasies affect him as well, with his depictions of ancient life in his paintings, noble and proud. Regardless, his paintings are magnificent, and they are well integrated into his text.

Ancient Hawaii is a nice addition to the secondary literature on Hawaii's history. For the price, it is probably the best bargain around.

Liked the story. LOVED the artwork. If you're only going to have one book on Hawaii's history, then make it this one.

This compendium of beauty and history will be enjoyed and cherished by all ages. Children will revel in the wonderfully intricate paintings of Kane. He is able to express the baeauty and unique culture of his people. His descriptions and historical information truly shows his love for the islands and of all things kanaka. I reccomemend this to anyone interested in a loving people.

I bought this book to be able to describe ancient Polynesian life. The photos are treasure troves of information. The text is almost secondary, even if it is right on track. Well worth the cost if only for the beauty of the prints. Did I say the pictures were pretty?

Before the grand hotels and resorts, before crowded beaches, before paved roads and cars... there was sacred Hawai'i of old.

Herb Kawainui Kane allows you through his words and mostly through his artwork to revisited old Hawai'i in its truest and purist form. It's a visual journey that details even the smallest things. Herb Kane does an excellent job at retelling a story almost forgotten... a spiritual and emotional journey experienced by all but so often unexplained until now.

Hawai'i was and is still a magical place and Herb Kane's work shows that better than most any other artist I've seen in Hawai'i. Herb's work allows you to take a differant kind of trip to paradise... the one that existed and flourished for a thousand years before discovery by Captain Cook.

I think this is really nature writing posing as a novel. It is a story of Australian feral cats told mostly from their own perspective. There are two men who have minor roles but the cats are the stars.
Toby, a Show Siamese, is taken on a picnic by his foolhardy owners, and answers the mating call of a feral female. A previous reviewer must have skimmed, citing that Toby has the greatest sex in his life. Yeah, well, Toby has never been put to stud, so he's never had sex and I doubt he'd make comparisons. The greatest sex to an animal is the current sex. It's an instinct, not a romance. Toby returns to man, drawn by the smell of bacon but his mating results in a litter of 4 kittens for the she-cat. Fifty years ago, when I was young, people did not have pets spayed, so the she-cat's care of her kittens reminded me of the delight in watching domestic cats rearing and training their kittens. Hopefully, in today's world, most pets are being neutered.
The story continues with the fate of the kittens, the wide variety of edible game for them in Australia, and it continues to follow the life of the one tom cat from the litter. Particularly upsetting was his encounter with an abandoned mixed terrier dog. Dogs have an even smaller chance of survival on their own. And, of course, that is the ultimate message to be found in this absorbing story featuring a wide assortment of exotic creatures, even a flood, that impacts the life of this cat.
The book is a fascinating and educational read.

This book is a masterpiece that deserves more stars than Amazon allows. I read it in one sitting, and have read it several times since. The publishing world should be proud of carefully-crafted gems like Cat Tracks. I look forward to more novels from Aalborg.

I loved this book from start to finish. The author did a wonderful job making you feel like you were right there with the cat. I was so sorry when it ended. What a sad but beautiful story. Everyone needs to read of the plight of abandoned animals and thrie feral offspring.

Amazon states that this book is for children, ages 9-12. Not! Like Cat Fancy magazine, I would recommend Aalborg's CAT TRACKS for readers 12 and older. It's a marvelous book, and Aalborg certainly gets inside his cat-protagonist's head, but the mating ritual, the search for - and fininding of - food, and the inherent danger from owls and foxes, might be way above a 9 year old's head. An adult, however, would be truly caught up in the suspense of a feral cat striving to survive. I'll echo what Cat Fancy magazine said: If one person who was considering abandoning an animal reads this book and changes his or her mind, then Aalborg has achieved more than just a good work of fiction. Highly recommended!!! Especially for adults.

To say that this book is magnificent is not giving it enough praise. To say that this book is so realistic is not enough. To say this book is a commentary on our world is not enough. This story of a feral cat is such that you are there with the cat, thru every positive and negative moment. You wonder just what is going to happen next. I laughed and cried and mainly worried throughout the novel. Such is the way of a great story teller. You live the book. You become the cat.

I could not put the book down, I was riveted to the story line from the beginning, following his growth, learning what he needed to survive thru trial and error. The ending was such a surprise to me.....I am encouraging everyone I know to read this book.

I learned as much from this book as the tomcat I believe. And to me, that is worth it. The care to detail Gordon took gives the belief you are there, with this cat, going thru all he has to, surviving. The human, Dave, is a caring man. Someone you want to cheer on as he attempts to aid in several ways.

I am going to insist my grandchildren, especially the oldest one, read this book. He will learn much and hopefully pass on what he has learned to others.

this book is very good, for anyone doing musculoskeletal health, or related. covers everythin under the sun, well recommended

Anyone working in sports medicine should have this reference guide in their library. It's an outstanding resource that will help in diagnosing an injury.

Awesome book !!! I'm a P.T. and Athletic Trainer getting
back into sports medicine and this book is a "must" for
your library. It's well organized and covers such a variety
of subject matter regarding injuries,rehabilitation, specific
medical injuries, and even aspects on the use of supplements
by athletes. It also contains functional anatomical references
that aid in the evaluation and differential diagnosis of
the injury. Great Book !!!

This is an astounding book. When was the last time you saw a 900+ page hard cover book packed with useful photographs and excellent line drawings...The practical advice in this book is unparalleled. No wonder it is an international best-seller. It arrived quickly and well packed from Amazon. Keep up the good work and thanks!

The second edition (2001) of this work is indeed an outstanding resource. My daily work includes imaging of sports and musculoskeletal injuries. I find this book frequently useful to supplement deficiencies in my knowledge and experience, and a most useful companion to the second edition (2001) of "Musculoskeletal Ultrasound" by Marnix van Holsbeeck and Joseph Introcaso.

Highly recommended as a workbench resource to those interested in imaging of sports injuries.

In Star Wars Galaxy of Fear Nightmare Machine. Two kids from the destroyed planet Alderan has foiled three phases of Project
Starscream. This evil plot was made from evil scientist Bog.
When Tash and Zak go to Hologram Funworld. It is not so fun. It'scary. The people start disapearing. The Holograms are real.
Will Tash and Zak stop another plot of Project Starscream. Read
this book to find out. What I like most about the book is when
Zak spews tons of cards on Bog's face. I didn't like about this book is that it is comfusing. This book is good. You should really try to read it.

I love Star Wars. When I first got into the whole Galaxy of Fear book series, I wasn't sure whether or not I would like it. I ordered it(book 4), not knowing what it was even about! But when I finally DID get around to reading it(which was about a month ago) I had a hard time putting it down each time, because it was soooooo interesting! And as I put it in as my review title: The Nightmare Machine is a real page-turner!

The ending of this book was so great that it couldn't get any better. On the last 30 pages, I couldn't stop reading. It even started to scare me. The Galaxy of Fear series is a great series that mixes in suspense with the story. I encourage anyone to read this book. It has a great plot, and is easy to read.

I think this book was a good book. It was exiting and funny. I give it five stars becaus. It was about two people that go to a place called fun world. There is a ride called the nightmare machine. It scans your brain for your worst fear and shows it to but they find a few bugs in it and your fear comes true! If you liked this book you will like the next book.

Tashs uncle drops her and her brother off on hologram fun world where nothing is the same. GOG is back and taking fun world by storm Tash meets lando and toghether they are off on an adventure to THE NIGHTMARE MACHINE. RENT THIS BOOK TODAY.

All Ben Arnold wants in life are Mongolian Fighting Fish. The day he walks into Mr. Dodds's Pet Emporium with enough money to buy them should be the best day of his life. Except that he walks out with a cat. It's not really his fault. After all, the cat made him do it.

Ignatius Sorvo Coromandel, Iggy for short, also known as the Wanderer, has quite a story for Ben. He is from another world, a world called Eidolon. A world full of exotic, mythical, talking creatures. A world that is slowly dying and losing its magic. Someone is stealing creatures out of Eidolon and selling them in Ben's world. Each time a creature leaves, the magic is less. And each time one dies, which happens shortly after they enter our world, more magic disappears.

The most amazing part of all, aside from the talking cat thing, is that Iggy claims Ben's mother is the Queen of Eidolon! That's why Ben can understand Iggy, and the other strange creatures that are beginning to appear in random places. That means that Ben is a prince and his two sisters are princesses! And that's why Ben's mom is getting sick.

If Ben can go to Eidolon, he might be able to help save both the world and his mom. First, he'll have to escape Mr. Dodds and Awful Uncle Aliester, who are bad enough in the regular world and ten times worse in Eidolon. Not to mention Cousin Sylvia and her creepy hairless cat. Then he'll have to navigate a completely foreign land where he can't be sure who to trust.

Mythical creatures and huge battles are all well and fun in books, but living through them is a whole different story!

I love this book, in every way possible! The plot is interesting and moves along at a perfect pace, fast enough to keep you interested but not so much so that you get confused. It's written simply, but never in a way that makes you feel silly. The characters, even the creatures, are extremely interesting and realistic. The part I like best though, is that there is a great sense of humor throughout the story.

I love it. My six-year-old nephew loves it. My ten-year-old niece loves it. You can't ask for more than that.

Reviewed by: Carrie Spellman

Though it may seem like something of a ripoff of Harry Potter, The Secret Country: The Eidolon Chronicles truly stands alone as a brilliant novel, seemingly 'inspired' by Harry Potter, Tolkien etc.
Written in third person, Jane Johnson A.K.A/ Gabriel King A.K.A/ Jude Fisher, takes the reader through an enchanting tale of the adventures of a boy named Ben Christopher Arnold, who, in his infancy, accidently changed the color of his right eye. Then, some years in the future, he sets his sights on two Mongolian Fighting Fish. When he finally raises the money, he is 'convinced' by a talking cat, to buy it instead. The cat, Ignatius Sorvo Coromandel, (you can call him Iggy) turns out to be from another world, and 'wandered' into Ben's (Note: This does take place on earth) world, where he was promptly kidnapped. Everything from there onward is perfect blend of adventure, humor, horror, possible romance, and friendship. This is a genius book for both boys and girls, and a sequel is in the making. This is a must read for anyone who likes: fantasy, action, cats, dogs, most magical creatures and talking cockroaches.

This story is about a boy named Ben Arnold who is relatively normal, but then he buys a talking cat named Iggy. Iggy is from a magic country called Eidolon, where there's dragons, magic, talking animals, and fairies. Ben finds out that his mother is the Queen of Eidolon, so he is prince, even though is father is from earth. "The bad guy" in this book is the Dodman (who exists also in the human world) and Old Creepie (who is someone VERY close to Ben, but I won't tell who) and they are trying to take over Eidolon and it's magical creatures. This book was soooo good, I finished it in an hour because I just HAD to figure out what would come next! :)

Twelve-year-old Benjamin Christopher Arnold (Ben, to his friends) has always been quite an ordinary boy. Like many other boys of his age, Ben is going through the typical gawky stage - long, gangly legs; big feet; hair that never stays in place. There is one thing slightly abnormal about Ben, however. The fact that he has one brown eye, and one green eye; the result of an accident when he was a mere child in a stroller, where he fell victim to a nasty bruise upon his head. And, after an emergency trip to the hospital, emerged with one brown eye, and one green eye. Peculiar indeed, but no cause for worry. Ben's ordinary boy status is thrown for a loop, however, the moment he enters the illustrious Mr. Dodds's Pet Emporium. Drawn into the shop by an advertisement for Mongolian Fighting Fish, Ben sets his sights on the prize, and does everything in his power to earn money for the two floundering fellows - from doing laundry, to mowing the lawn. But when he arrives at Mr. Dodds's Pet Emporium, clutching his freshly-made savings, Ben falls victim to a change of heart. And, as opposed to emerging from the store with his Mongolian Fighting Fish in tow, he purchases a scruffy, talking tabby cat by the name of Ignatius Sorvo Coromandel - also known as Iggy, or the Wanderer. It wasn't that Ben was interested in purchasing the cat. Quite the contrary, actually. But Iggy insisted that Ben take him home, and, feeling a sense of compassion towards the badly mistreated yowler, Ben hands over his savings, and retreats. According to the story Ben is told, Iggy has been kidnapped from his homeland known as the Secret Country. The Secret Country is a parallel world, where mythical animals run free, and beautiful scenery is plentiful. Teaming up, Ben and Iggy soon learn that Iggy is not the only resident of the Secret Country to find himself in the real world. In fact, it is quite obvious that various other creatures have become the victim of Mr. Dodds's get-rich-quick scheme of the mythical creature trade. In fact, with a little investigating, the two learn that Mr. Dodds has been stealing the creatures of the Secret Country, and selling them to England's rich socialites. It doesn't sound too horrible, but Ben soon learns that Mr. Dodds's actions are more harmful than even he realized. According to Iggy, the longer these creatures - whose connections to the Secret Country are quite more than skin deep - are away from their homeland, the worse things become for the Secret Country. In fact, as these creatures are removed, the Secret Country falls under an immediate threat, that could harm their existence. Ben doesn't want to see anything happen to these exotic creatures, but he feels that there is little he can do to assist them in their plight. When he learns that his mother is the long-lost queen of the Secret Country, and that Mr. Dodds's actions are contributing to her deteriorating health, however, he vows to save the creatures, and the country. Now, with his mother's in limbo between life and death, Ben accepts his role in the ancient prophecy of the Secret Country, and begins his quest to prove that he is more than worthy for his title as the Prince of Eidolon.

So often the synopsis on the back cover of a book promises thrilling adventure, spectacular characters, and a fantastical journey to an unexplored world. Yet, when you begin reading, you find that the story falls flat, and leaves you searching for more. So is not the problem with Jane Johnson's debut THE SECRET COUNTRY. Reminiscent of J.K. Rowling's lyrical language, Johnson has penned a tale that leaves you gripping the edge of your seat from beginning to end. Ben is an irresistible character, whose ordinary ways of life are relatable, and quite refreshing in a sea of novels depicting the "lifestyles of the rich and famous." His oddly colored eyes, and ability to see things differently through each one are imaginative and exhilarating to learn more about; while his penchant for succumbing to the pressures of the creatures and family around him make the reader not only sympathize with his character, but cheer on his bravery, as well. His oft-times tumultuous relationship with the snippy, bossy, yet totally lovable tabby, Iggy, is humorous, and quite refreshing. Iggy is fun, yet quite ornery at the same time. His determination to not only save, but to protect his beloved homeland is admirable; while his constant confusion regarding direction often makes the reader question how, exactly, he received the title of the Wanderer. While Iggy and Ben dominate the story, Johnson has also created a wide array of supporting characters, who certainly work to hold their own throughout the tale. From the evil Mr. Dodds - whom you can't help but love to hate - to the gorgeous selkie, Silver, whose unique identity, and ability to transform from seal to human girl - even if she's not yet a pro at the transformation yet - makes for an interesting character. Ben's family is also quite fun to learn more about. His father's constant cluelessness is humorous; while his Uncle Aleister is despicable in a way that makes you loathe and love him at the same time. And his mother - the long-lost queen of the Secret Country - is quite a confusing character, often causing the reader to raise their eyebrows as they struggle to learn more about the illustrious parent; while Ellie - Ben's older sister - and her love of garish make-up makes for a strikingly frightening, yet funny addition to the cast. An engrossing roller coaster ride that combines mythological and fantastical elements to create a thrilling debut. Bravo Ms. Johnson!

Erika Sorocco
Freelance Reviewer

Gotta love a "children's" story that introduces the basics of platonic ontology (not entirely guised, either!) to my kids! Started reading: ran into talking creatures, then a world that is "more" real (via magic) than the "shadow" world that our protagonist lives in (socrates' analogy of the cave), where suffering and evil conflict as compassion and love eventually engages and empowers our just-your-average-kid hero into a reluctant but necessary struggle to keep the powers of blinded brute force at bay. Started reading as bedtime story (anyone else use that excuse to keep reading our kids' books??) but had to finish book myself just because it was impossible to put down. From notes on author (whose other great gift to us was helping JRR T. get published?!) could expect no less...Still was completely blown away by how engaging the narrative was! Have read Magyk and Septimus of late, and found that this was an wonderful cross (between harry potter's England and the fantastical magical world of the former. BRING IT ON! Need more in this series please...and a couple of movies would be just honky dory fine. ENCORE! ENCORE!