Robertson Books

Think you've read it all, just because you've exhausted yourself reading Mallory's Morte D'Arthur? Get set for a fantastic new round of "forgotten" stories as retold/arranged by the author. Authentic feel, easy to read, everything you hoped for when you said to yourself, "there must be more to the Legends than this!"

The 1970s were a bit of a crazy time it seems. Loads of coups and the era of Cold War politics. In Australia, a democratically elected government was sacked by one man, John Kerr, then a sudden election was held and a different political party took over, and a different political system resulted. This book is an in-depth analysis of the events of Nov 1975 by a political journalist of the time.

The book describes how Kerr sacked democratically elected Australian Prime Minister Gough Whitlam wihout giving him any kind of a choice and of how Kerr acted to give his opponent Malcolm Fraser's party "incalculable advantages".

Lots of interesting revelations in this book. Whitlam angered the CIA by blowing the cover of several CIA operatives and caused anxiety at high levels in the CIA by possible disclosures of the functions performed at the Pine Gap U.S. military base in Australia. On the day he was sacked, Whitlam was due to announce the CIA connections of an American responsible for Pine Gap, an action which the head of the Australian defense dept described as "the gravest risk to the nation's security there has ever been."

The book gives a profile of Whitlam's successor: "Malcolm Fraser is a living testimony to the notion of the power elite in Australian society [...] Oxford educated, English cultivated [...] extensive contacts at the highest levels of the Australian media industry".

Details of how Whitlam's government tried to get loans via a Pakistani middle-man Tirath Khemlani are also included. Usual finance channels were not used because Whitlam's government didn't want profits from the mining of mineral resources going overseas. Huge controversy was generated from this once the details became public and Australia's economic policy was criticised by American economist Milton Friedman.

Overall, Whitlam seems to have angered the CIA, the Australian treasury, the international finance system, the Australian and foreign intelligence services and the British Establishment. Also, the act of attempting to raise election funds from Iraq no doubt angered Israeli authorities. However, the act of sacking him, according to several "leading law professors" resulted in "irreparable damage to the parliamentary system" and meant that "orderly government and rational long-term decision making will become impossible" due to "a debasing of our constitutional system and the democratic values it is supposed to protect." What this meant, according to Whitlam, speaking shortly before he was sacked, was that control of Australia was to be handed to "vested interests, pressure groups and newspaper proprietors." A Labor party member is quoted as saying that there was a "conspiracy being mounted to destroy Whitlam by the combined influence of the CIA, Israeli intelligence and elements of the Labor party."

According to this book, Whitlam's government initiated programs to promote racial equality, civil liberties, land rights for Aborigines, legal frameworks for environmental protection and improved medical care and migrant communities identified and responded to him as they had done with no other political figure.

The 1994 edition of this book has an index and footnotes and is slightly revised to take account of John Kerr's autobiography. The 1976 edition has more about the CIA and the Australian intelligence agencies. There are also lots of interesting facts about Pine Gap in the 1976 edition that are not present in the 1994 edition. (For more on Pine Gap see Extra-Terrestrial Friends and Foes by George Andrews.) For more on the apparently suspicious/mysterious deaths of John Kerr, Kerr's first wife Alison and Tirath Khemlani see The Obedience of Australia by Peter Jones (in the unlikely event that that book is ever reprinted!).

The magic of this collection stretches far beyond that which is first visible: the simple laguage of poems such as "An Absolutely Ordinary Rainbow" and "Spring Hail" work with Murray's typical contrast between short and long sentences to present the essence of the 'vernacular' he is exploring; the constant concern of the Australian spirit in the City and the Bush mingles with the literary form and complements the Poet's rich imagery -- one which really breaks through from the conventional into something entirely Australian and something which moves the spirit profoundly.

This work is a cornerstone of Australian and Human culture, and is a must!

Drawing upon their personal research, the authors combine their findings with great insight to elaborate on the role of women in politics. Many different levels and types of political contests are discussed and the emerging role of the Internet and candidate Web sites as a political tool is extremely interesting. A great book for anyone interested in a women's role in our political system and how they are viewed by voters.

I first became aquainted with Bonhoeffer's work through his poetry, and Voices in the Night is an excellent example of why I love his writing. The translations do not sound as if they were forced, they sound like true poetry. The translator also includes comments about both the context of the poem and notes on the translation where necessary. Bonhoeffer asks some very deep questions but also displays a deep faith which carried him through his trials. His poems address emotions and questions which all of us can relate to, questions as basic as "Who am I?" and as complicated as "Why do these things happen?". Although all the poems are excellent, the poem that the title of this collection is taken from is especially noteworthy. Bonhoeffer moves from sorrow and emptiness, the hopelessness of life in a Nazi prison camp, to a call for his fellow prisoners and to anyone who will listen to be strong, to stand for freedom. His testimony through this poem shows how even in the most desperate situation, faith in God can give hope.

I read this book when I was a kid. Its a very enjoyable Australian adventure book. I think many young teens and children would love this book. By the way, the author is Jackie French.

This book is an excellent book for students who need encouragment to read. It has the ability to keep you wanting to return to see what happens to Sydney next. I would recommend this book to any teacher who is trying to get their students to read more.

We Women of Many Shades and Hues is a profound and empowering piece of work. The author, a survivor herself, structured the book in daily increments, that all together, weave a year full of inspiration. Shirley Itim Melo Phelps cuts to the core of the vast array of emotions experienced by survivors of assault. In her daily writings, survivors can find validation, support, and hope. To quote May 31st's offering, "Our core, our center, our life force is where our strength and our healing begins and ends." This book has indeed aided me in embracing my core, my center, and the life force that made me the survivor I am today.

I teach Microsoft Windows to Adults in a self-paced style class. Many of my students have never touched a computer before they joined my class. This book has been very successful at teaching my students. In fact, of all the books I have looked at, including the "Dummies" series, I like this one most. Unlike the Dummies series, and most other books, it contains ample step-by-step instructions on make all the learning hands-on. While we use it as a text book, I think it would work perfect for anyone who wants to learn Windows on their own.

I like Redwall books, and I enjoyed The Werepuppy and the Werepuppy on Holiday (combined book, ISBN 0-141-31948-8) more than those, even. This boy Micky has some bratty sisters, the brattiest being Marigold. A certain movie he sees, Savage Snarl, about werewolves, leaves him terrified of dogs. His mom decides to get him a puppy to help him get over it. And he chooses...a werepuppy! He names him Wolfie. Wolfie bites Marigold and Micky's dad. Everyone becomes uneasy about keeping him. But they don't get rid of him because Micky won't let them. Eventually they go to the Amber Hotel for a holiday, but can't talk Wolfie along. Luckily, Wolfie follows a trail of toffees which Micky throws out the window on purpose and ends up staying in a little kids' playhouse there at the hotel (outside of course!). There are some hilarious and exciting parts in these Werepuppy books. Without giving any endings away, I can assure you that Wolfie eventually gets out of the playhouse...
Adelind C., 9 years old