Oceania Books

This book hit the mark for a travel guide to Africa. Small, it fits into the 32 pound weight limit for local plane flights. The map which comes with it is nicely detailed. The book has a good blend on info about the parks and brief reviews of the places to stay. There aren't a lot of books to help with traveling to Tanzania, so this was a good find.

Very helpful for plotting the northern safari circut and understanding the distances between the game parks.

Used this guide book for a one-month biking trip in Tasmania. Other than differences in price listed (expected), the information provided is very accurate and I appreciate the author's personal touch in this book, particularly those blocked text introducing ordinary locals doing extraordinary things. In fact, I had one of the most memorable excursions following the author's footstep. Looking forward to using other Bradt guide for my future travel.

This anthology is my "deserted island" book. All the wisdom of the entire universe is contained within. It's the I Ching of anthologies-toss it in the air, let it fall where it may, absorb the wisdom within.

This was a very interesting book, written by an Australian, giving us an idea of what it felt like when the Americans came to Australia.

It's an unvarnished account, taking General Douglas MacArthur to task for being a prima donna -- leaving his men to fight to the death or be captured and face the Bataan Death March. In an interesting touch, the author uses popular song titles of the era for his chapter headings. The one for MacArthur is very appropriate: "Too Marvelous for Words."

The cultural differences between the Australians and the Americans is, at first, something that both sides can learn from. After a time,it becomes apparent that the Americans are better paid and more popular with the Australian women, and skirmishes begin to break out. Then, a full-scale riot happens (The Battle of Brisbane). It takes some time before things calm down, but Australia was changed forever by the presence of the Americans.

There are accounts of the different services, and how they performed in battle. I was glad to see the U.S. submarine force received an entire chapter, and even more surprised to find that one of the boats that my father served on in the Korean War was active in the fleet off Australia (I knew they had been in the Pacific, but had not known it had been that far south!).

In all, a good read, and the only book that I've ever found on this subject.

I had been trying to get my son to read for months, trying out different authors and styles, and FINALLY, he read this book in three days, couldn't put it down.
Highly recommended.

"To the Outskirts of Habitable Creation" by Stuart Scott is a very readable, and scrupulously researched account of the actual armed invasion of Canada by Americans. The story covers events leading up to the Rebellion of 1837, as it is known, through to the capture and punishment of both the Canadian "patriots" and American combatants. Following their capture, trial and numerous executions, ninty-two US citizens and Canadians were transported to Van Diemen's Land (Tasmania) for a life of penal servitude. The story ends with a recounting of the efforts undertaken by many to secure the release and repatriation of the US citizens, which was accomplished after 4 long years.

Events during this period actually began along the Canadian/American border from Michigan in the West to New England in the East. Specific military action took place along the Great Lakes in Western New York. Having lived there myself for quite a few years, it was fascinating to read the story, considering many of the places, and buildings are extant. This account contains a wealth of information about the participants, including family relationships, names, and their final resting places. As such, I believe this book is a valuable resource for anyone from the Great Lakes region interested in geneaology. "To the Outskirts..." contains copious footnotes, references and explanations that allows the reader to find out more information and sources on particular situations that may be of personal interest.

I enthusiastically recommend anyone interested in this eventful period of Canadian/American history to read Stuart Scott's fine work.

ALL of these novels are gems. This one is one of his best. Set in the early 1900's, Prohaska is a cadet seaman on a voyage of discovery. Like all the novels, this one exposes the rotten core of the Austrian civil and military systems in a way that will have you rolling on the floor. I've loaned these books to my friends and they won't be coming back anytime soon. They have become a regular topic of conversation in my historical group. Highly recommended even if you aren't interested in the period.

A wonderful read, and the recipes aren't bad either. Actually the recipes are excellent. Brennan's writing is excellent and transports you to the exotic Far East if only in your dreams.

Not only does this collection of essays inspire one to travel to Australia, it inspires one to come back and write about it. The quality of the pieces is top-knotch and the selections hone in on specific and surprising aspects of Australiana. Stories of travellers who spear-fished with Aboriginals and trekked through the desolate Red Centre ignite a sense of adventure and offer appealing travel alternatives. The material is always vivid, clear, and exciting, but is not just a travel brochure. Authors certainly portray the bad with the good (although good usually prevails) and the mixture of sources ensures a good variety of serious, humorous, and romantic styles.