Australia Books

This book is also available from a different publisher. CRESSCOURT, an Australian publisher. The author is James Cumes but on this edition he has taken his middle name and now writes under the name James Williams.

It is an excellent book but I thought I'd mention this in case you find it hard to get this book under the original name he used. I bet this would be a good movie since it shows little known facts about a group in Australia during the trying times of WW2 and Japanese invasion.

Clearly it's hard not to get carried away on this one. This author is so steeped in place and subject and so skilled in crafting a human canvas uniquely suited to this locale and litany of experiences that anyone associating major Australian fiction with paulhoganist one-dimensional pap needs to read this book.

It's easy to raise comparisons to Dostoevsky and Kings Row and War & Peace and Gone With the Wind and The Sundowners, but yet in some respects these comparisons appear dwarfed when held up as standards by which to evaluate the enormity and all-encompassment of the piece at hand.

Twice I've read HAVERLEIGH, and each time I was mesmerized by the characters, the surroundings, the historical accuracy. The Kokoda Track, (The New Guinea campaign including Milne Bay and typified by the Kokoda Track) is recognized as a defining moment in Australia's history; and yet, few know about it. This was where the invincibility of the Japanese Army was first broken. Mr. Cumes doesn't "just" tell the story of young Australians in WWII. Instead, he takes you there in his words, through his characters and gives you the gift of seeing first-hand what happens to people in the dredges of war. His characters capture your heart, and take you beyond what you think happens before, during and after a war to the people in and around the war. Mr. Cumes gives you cause for retrospection; he allows you to wonder "what if"... I will read HAVERLEIGH a third time. And I know at the end of the third reading, I will have the same reaction as the first two. As I close the book, I will breathe a deep sigh of gratefulness that Mr. Cumes transported me to another time, another place - and for those moments I was reading... into another person. If you appreciate excellence in writing and history, and want to meet some incredible characters, you must read this book!

This was an exciting novel about peter and his Dad. This was a great book with many different settings. Peter and his Dad were very close. Considering they were partly homeless and Peter's mother had died. They have been running away from the C.I.A. when his dad gets put into the hospital. Peter gets put into foster care. He hates school and his teacher. I would recommend this book to people who like intense books.

The style of writing drew me quickly into the novel. Peter and his thoughts about being hungry and the closeness to his father made me want to keep turning the pages. I had not read about this book, so as I continued to read a question popped into my mind. Something is wrong here; but what? I teach English to 9th graders and this is a book I would like to use in all my classes. The art museum, the mice, the planes create enough confusion that the young reader would fly with this book.
Great writing, reading.

This review first appeared in the "Ephrata (PA) Review":

Fensham, a teacher for 15 years in her homeland of Australia, set out to fill a void--a novel for children who have family members suffering from schizophrenia.

"Information booklets were not enough to ease their pain and bewilderment," she writes. "I searched the library for a fiction novel that might both entertain and inform, but could find nothing."

Fensham penned "Helicopter Man" so skillfully that it reads first and foremost like a novel--not a story superimposed on facts about mental illness.

As the story opens, 12-year-old Pete and his father are "camping" in a dilapidated shed on someone's property. Pete's father must stay hidden or on the move. Convinced that a spy network is out to get him, he freaks when helicopters pass overhead.

The story is told from Pete's viewpoint, through journal entries and letters to a friend, which lends a fresh authenticity to the account. Pete's entries range from musings on the past to his daily concerns, gradually revealing how he and his father have arrived at their present homeless state and how they are extracted from it.

The story is gripping, the characters believable and likeable. American readers will be tickled by some of the Australian English and will enjoy piecing together the meanings of colloquialisms such as "chucking a wobbly."

I've always thought economics was a dry, theoretical subject area. HOW WRONG I WAS! Ms Edwards makes the topic crunchingly relevant and digestable. The key concepts are clearly explained and related to recent events. I never knew how economics contirbutes to shaping our community.
This book has left me with a sense of urgency regarding economics. Government policies matter, not just for short-term budget balancing, but for long term impacts on how we think and act.
The autor's experience at the upper levels of the public service gives startling insight into why our politicians only seem able to create mind-numbingly similar 'solutions' to still unresolved problems.
A first-rate read. (Especially if you know an economist and you need some educated ammunition to argue your point!)

One of those books that expresses perfectly that gut feeling you have in your stomach that something is not quite right. Highly recommended!

This is a good book. It doesn't get bogged down in economic language or take too long to read. It provides a historical context to the last few decades of Australian politics and the way things have been done. It takes note of the relationship between the Tax Office and it's bureaucrats and those on the edge, the back bench Members of Parliment, and outer government agencies.

It goes into detail of the nature of Economic Rationalism. Although we may feel we understand it, this book gives examples and help us understand that which is around us but not necessarily understood. It talks about people, and how people see the world. It doesn't humiliate those of either side of politics and doesn't dismiss the beliefs we, or they have.

It is however, focussed wholly on the Australian experience of politics and the economy. This may put some international readers off, but on the other hand we already have enough books about how the American Market works. This book provides a good balance for those of us not under the American sphere of influence.

In the wake of the Tampa crisis and the appalling problems in refugee detention centres in Australia and the expensive 'Pacific solution' for the processing of asylum seekers, this book is a timely wake up call. It traces how the term 'security' has been used by governments as an organising principle, as a justification for policy, as an emotive term to encourage support for policy positions and military action.

It's an important book with global resonance in this time of the 'war on terrorism' structured by a strong philosophical framework which helps us think in new ways about global politics.

This book is an incredibly important addition to what's available on Australian foreign policy and defence relations. It's particularly timely because of the Tampa crisis of late 2001, the current Liberal Government policy of mandatory detention and the 'Pacific solution' for asylum seekers.

It traces Australian history to evaluate how 'security' as an idea has been an organising force and powerful signifier used by governments for their own purposes. What has happened during and since Tampa proves the thesis of this book in a startlingly contemporary way.

The book also has a solid philisophical underpinning that gives the book wide relevance in international relations studies and should be compulsory reading for anyone interested in global politices.

This book will become influential I think, in how we perceive the current war on terrorism, in general, and Australia's invasion anxiety, in particular.

This book is an incredibly important addition to what's available on Australian foreign policy and defence relations. It's particularly timely because of the Tampa crisis of late 2001, the current Liberal Government policy of mandatory detention and the 'Pacific solution' for asylum seekers.

It traces Australian history to evaluate how 'security' as an idea has been an organising force and powerful signifier used by governments for their own purposes. What has happened during and since Tampa proves the thesis of this book in a startlingly contemporary way.

The book also has a solid philisophical underpinning that gives the book wide relevance in international relations studies and should be compulsory reading for anyone interested in global politices.

This book will become influential I think, in how we perceive the current war on terrorism, in general, and Australia's invasion anxiety, in particular.

This is a very well-written book, containing both exhaustive background and practical travel information on Java! It is MUCH better than the Java section of Lonely Planet's general Indonesia guide - lots of "off the beaten track" places included. Despite being a few years old now, it remains highly recommended - you just have to be prepared for the prices being higher!

This is one of the better travel books I've ever used. It provides information about food, lodging, and activites that are helpful whether you're travelling on an unlimited or, like me, a shoestring budget. The maps are helpful; very detailed and usually only showing the parts of cities that are interesting to tourists. There are excellent and insightful cultural essays that really add to the traveller's enjoyment.

Take this book if you're off to Java. It's a wonderful wonderful place, so don't miss it if you've ever considered going East!

This is the book, that you have to take with you. Its not the first time I took Lonley planet books with me. Its saved me a lot of money with very good b&b recommendations. The money you spend for the book you probablly earn the first night you take the advice about the hotels.

It took me a while to get through Johnno, despite its less than 200 pages, but I must say I thoroughly enjoyed each page. The slowness was more a function of my available time than of the novel's quality. Johnno is a little gem, a wonderful chronicling of a young man's coming of age, and his relationship with Johnno, a slightly troubled young man, in Brisbane right after World War II. David Malouf is a wonderful writer. Each sentence is a work of art--but nothing is too precious, too anything. It's an enjoyable book that I highly recommend.

I read this book in 1997, having avoided studying it a dozen years earlier in school. Since leaving school I had inexplicably held out on reading what is regarded as the best work of fiction set in and about my home town of Brisbane. Once I started reading I could not stop. In amongst the beautiful prose and vivid description lies Johnno, a character we all know, love, loathe, and long for.

An excellent book. As it turns out I'm glad I held out until I was old enough to really appreciate David Malouf's style, which is rich, evocative and so very (tempted to say 'real', but this is fiction) believable.

In less than two-hundred pages, Malouf manages to capture the coming-of-age angst of the entire Australian post-war generation. Only Malouf could be telling the story of two youths and, virtually on the same page, effortlessly synthesize the realities of Australian experience with European philosophical themes, and connect them both to the whole tangled mess of our national identity. And yet for all its efficiency and high intent, 'Johnno' still reads like an affectionate and deeply-felt memoir, never shying away from the emotional, physical and sexual confusion of youth, nor from the contradictions inherent in what it means to be an 'Australian man'. But that's the genius of Malouf, and it's something we find him doing again and again: telling an apparently simple story about ordinary people, yet with this richly poetic, philosophical undercurrent which can suddenly reach up and pull you under. For Australian readers, this is a particularly important skill. Not only does Malouf deal with significant human issues, but he brings them home. He takes them out of the realm of abstract philosophy and makes them implicit in this place. This makes his work at once deeply personal and resolutely public in the best sense: he has something to share with all of us, something important, and he shares it beautifully.

As an adult, The Journey Home remains one of my absolute favorite books of all time, capturing a brother and sister's incredible travels through all magical elements of life. I reread it now and fall in love all over again.

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Alison Lester's books capture the innocence of childhood. It's not a saccharine world though. We see a spirit of adventure and at times there is mischievous fun to be had.

When two children have names like Wild and Woolly (we suspect brother and sister) we can anticipate something out of the ordinary will happen.

Every child's fantasy is realized when they dig a hole in their sandpit and fall through it to the North Pole. Their dog (who remains nameless) comes along too.

We all know who lives at the North Pole and it just happens to be Christmas. Turkey and Christmas Pudding are on the menu. They enjoy the feast and its time for bed,

The next day they continue their trek. They visit all the famous fairy tale characters and at each of their houses they are welcomed with generous hospitality, and given a magnificent feast.

Each day they arrive at a new place. Their itinerary (and menu) included angel cakes and sugar kisses at the Good Fairy's, royal trifle and rhubarb fool at Prince Charming's, sea-grapes at the Little Mermaid's, salami sausage and pickled cucumbers at the Pirate King's and goulash and dumplings at the Gipsy Queen's.

After all these feasts they eventually find their way home. Before bed, of course it's time for a big mug of hot chocolate.

Ms. Lester tells the charming story of a sister and brother who fall through a hole dug in their sandbox to the North Pole and then travel home. They visit Father Christmas, a mermaid, and a pirate, among others. The text is charming and the pictures are entertaining. It is a delight to report that the sister is as much the actor in the story as her brother--a still all too rare event in children's literature, where boys "do" and girls "watch."

I read this book at a friend's on Maui on a quasi-spiritual retreat. It was so lovely I had to track down a copy for myself. Not only is the book inspirational, but it really "explained" through the story certain spiritual concepts that I had studied but couldn't yet grasp.

Contained in this book is a lot of wisdom and truth, which really helped me put my life(s) in perspective.

I've read all of Michael Roads books. This one is my favorite. It is the pinnacle of all the books that came before. "Into a Timeless Realm" was published after, but written before "Journey Into Oneness."

Michael Roads has always been admittedly resistant to sharing his knowledge. Perhaps this is why he is so little known in America. Yet part of his appeal is that despite being a true Self-realized master, he is humanly a stubborn, down-to-earth, world-involved person like his readers. This makes it easy to relate to him for he is as gee-whizzed over his adventures as we are.

And what adventures! Most of his books, but especially this one take place in an out of body state where he encounters strange and wise Beings, some of whom turn out to be himself! Every encounter is fraught with danger, humor and great learning -- not just for Michael, but also for the reader. As he grows in consciousness, so do we.

This book is not for you if you are rigidly religious, overly fearful or do not believe in mystical possibility. This book IS for you if you are a genuine spiritual seeker, a believer in wonders and miracles, a lover of Nature, and if you have a hope or a knowing that you, too, can experience the states of being that Michael has and bring your life into the Light of meaning, purpose and love. You will learn that this crazy, seemingly chaotic world and your confused, over-burden life really do have great, amazing purpose and meaning and that you are never alone.

Truly one of my favorite books ever, it challenged the limitations of my thinking in almost every chapter. Often I had to put the book down and let the borders of my mind expand enough to comprehend it. Now two years later, I am still grateful for the exercise of expansion the book puts you through. The mind keeps desiring expansion, pushing the boundaries outward as well as inward. When you're ready- you must read this book!

An astoundingly good read. Visually entertaining. Something perfect for expanding the minds of ones' young whilst at the same time being rather entertaining. The Australian aboriginal tales speak of a time long since past, but strangely of the present. This is a book well worth the purchase, so good that I picked one up for my friends children. Cheers!

This collection of Aboriginal folk tales has been updated for today's readers and one can almost her the haunting notes of the traditional didgeridoo and see the red earth of the arid Australian landscape. Beautifully crafted, these stories of the "Dream Time", as the Aborigines called the beginnings of living things, remind the reader that all morality tales and legends are similar, no matter what civilization or religion. Though often described as primitive, the Aboriginal civilization establised an ecological life that enabled them to survive in their harsh land. This short and easyy-to-read volume will be a helpful addiition of students studies of diverse peoples.

Ancient Aboriginal Tales in New Retellings will nurture your dreams about ancient times. As we say in French, the result of this very professional work is 'merveilleux'.

Laughs, chills and thrills for Children of all ages. Tia - Gam The Trickster delights with a sense of humor and mischief! Whales Canoe will take you on a trip that must be explored by young and old. This CD is a must have for entertainment.... cruising down the road, sitting around the campfire or just playing pretend!

It is no wonder that the author has children fighting over copies of this !!! When I hold it I say "MINE MINE MINE" too. The work is not only excellently WRITTEN - it manages to achieve that ever present goal of the writer - to entertain and teach simultaneously. The parables are so unforgettable - they stay with you and haunt you and make you a better person. I find myself going over and over the stories in my mind when I am quiet or even when I am not - they just keep running through my brain - and each time I learn something more. There is gentle and strong wisdom here - with a touch of magick. However it becomes very addictive - mine is being used and loved till it is worn out. This is more than a collection of stories - it is one of those creations that also becomes a beloved friend.

The stories are wonderful for all ages. Entertaining and engaging. Listen to learn how the kookaburra got it's laugh. Ever wondered how kangaroos found their way to Australia? Dal Burns will draw you into the characters and stories where you will find the surprising answers!