Australia Books

Brunes has written a personable, informative account of traveling in the South Pacific useful to any traveler. The book tells you exactly what to expect as an independent traveler, how to find the wonderful local places to stay, and how to settle into the life style of the place. She writes in the uneffected style of a friend, rather than a travel writer, so you feel right at her elbow sharing the experience. She gives information, mood, inflection of the places and people that you won't find in a guide book. Whether your an on-the-road traveler or an arm-chair traveler, this book is a good read.

This is more than just a travel book. Ms. Brunes digs deep into the culture of the So. Pacific Islands. She does an excellent job of blending people, culture and adventure all while informing the reader of the information necessary to "get around". To stop here would be to do an injustice. Ms. Brunes.
shows fierce determination and courage, a grandmother travelling alone, with little resources but a lot of guts. She is truely an inspiration!

Evangeline Brunes takes us to lands which most of us are not privileged to travel.

As we admire her courage to travel alone to far-off places in the South Pacific, we also share vicariously in her wonderful experiences.

She is an inspiration to all women, but particularly to those with limited incomes, determination, and self-confidence. I hope she will write another book!

A collaborative compilation and effort by Stephanie Alexander and Maggie Beer, Tuscan Cookbook: Recipes And Reminiscences From The Italian Cooking School is superbly enhanced with the full color photography of Simon Griffiths and showcases a cornucopia of wonderful dishes. From Salsa Agresto; Green Salad with Walnuts and Verjuice; Herbed Pasta with Fresh Tomato and Red Onion Sauce; and Figs Stewed in Amaro Syrup; to Spinach with Lemon, Garlic, and Pine Nuts; Baked Prune Plum and Mascarpone Tart; Cuttlefish Salad; and Pheasant in Vin Santo with Chestnuts and Pancetta, Tuscan Cookbook is as much fun to simply browse through as it is inspiring to plan a menu with. A true culinary treasure, the Tuscan Cookbook is a welcome and treasured addition to any dedicated gourmet cookbook collection.

This is an excellent "recreational" cookbook, perfect for your coffee table or library. Exceptional photographs and relatively few, but very well chosen recipes. I have tried several of the recipes and did not find myself even tempted to make alterations. The "Grilled Quail in a Grape bath" as well as the Mascrapone tart, were two of my favorites, so far! Buy with confidence, you'll treasure this one for years!

I have owned this book for three years now and whenever I want to transport myself back to Tuscany and the green rolling hills of the Chianti countryside I just open this book. Maggie Beer and Stephanie Alexander are true legends of food and wine in Australia and their innate knowledge and love of their art shines through every page. This book was the result of the two cucina divas combining their talents to run a cooking school in Italy.

The hardcover volume is beautifully bound with superb photography. The narrative is flowing and friendly and makes you feel like you are in a conversation with the two whilst cleaning porcini mushrooms or sampling thin slices of prosciutto.

The recipes are explained clearly and are in keeping with the simplicity and freshness of true Italian cuisine. This is a book for lovers of Italian food but also for lovers of food based on fresh, seasonal produce. The recipes are not complicated and do not rely on long labourious hours in the kitchen. The Rotolo di Spinaci recipe has won me accolades every time I have made it. I recommend this book to anyone interested in true Tuscan cooking.

Like the other two reviewers, I bought this cookbook when it first came out and used it til it completely fell apart. And I had the good fortune to live in Santa Barbara, close enough to Ojai to have eaten at Hooker's Ranch House restaurant. I wowed friends and family again and again with dishes that became my favorite classics like Snow White Soup, Mushroom Cutlets and Eggplant Cairo. They are so good, being vegetarian isn't the point of serving them. Here I am today with a beautiful fresh head of cauliflower and the fond memory of Snow White Soup but no recipe. I am SO GLAD I can get another copy...even though this cauliflower won't last til I get the book.

The first Vegetarian Gourmet Cookery, which came out in 1970, has been my constant companion n the kitchen for 30 years. In spite of stains, tatters, rips, a split spine, many missing pages and even mildew, I wouldn't give the book up for anything. I'm delighted there's a new version!

This cookbook features absolutely outstanding receipes from one of the best restaurants in Southern California (the Ranch House). The receipe for Vegetable curry (Navratan Korma) is better than that in most mainstream Indian cookbooks and, by itself, is worth buying the book for! I have used this for many years and always get compliments on the results.

Wisdom Of Stones is really good. I am Australian and I loved it. I don't know why everyone is complaining about the first 30 pages . I thought they were great. I also recommend The Further Adventures Of Huckleberry Finn. Greg now resides in Australia again. Welcome home Greg. John Baranyai

Once again Greg Matthews delivers the goods in this Epic Novel set in Pre World War 2 Australia.The reader is introduced to a former teacher, Clive Bagnall who arrives in Australia in order to claim a property as his inheritance. Upon arriving he meets Doug Farrands, a part time pearl sheller. Doug and Clive soon become good friends and the story follows the two of them as World War 2 begins and Clive goes to fight for his country , England. There are many twists and turns in this novel and one is awed by the majesty and dignity of this book with real characters that the reader comes to like very much.The book has a distinct Australian feel to it which comes a no surprise as the author is an Australian. This book encompasses the Great Australian Outback to the Prisoner Of War Camps in which Doug and Clive find themselves in. Do yourself a big favour and read this book and you will realize that Greg Matthews is truly a Master Storyteller.

This is typical Greg Matthews, which means that it's superb. This story begins in pre-WWII Australia, but it's mostly a war story, with an especially vivid rendering of a prisoner-of-war camp. There are about 30 pages near the beginning that don't work (no conflict, no action, no nothing) but the rest of the novel is so great that it has to get five stars.

Elegant writing on both sides of the tape-recorder. A dialogue of great verve and flair.

Elegant language on both sides of the tape-recorder. A dialogue of great verve and flair.

This is a marvellous book. Digby has written a very accessible book of interview with Australian female poets. The best thing about this book, for me, is the way it captures the ebb and flow of the creative process and the determination of female creators in the face of ridicule and discrimination.

I read this book more than 26 years ago as a young man of 21. The book changed my perception of my place in the world and how I as an individual could effect change. I will never forget the title of the book or its' contents... the subject matter is too important. I am deeply grateful to its author.

If you're unfamiliar with these writings, this is a very good starting point. There's repetition here because the book is a collection of talks given by the author. There's a series of three lectures given at Brandeis; four at Berkeley; four at Stanford, and one at Santa Cruz. These are all aimed at college students.

Certain themes recur in each series, but these themes are reworded, given fresh perspective each times. The central theme is one's relation to the entire world emphasizing that each person does have an impact upon the whole, and we are a part of the good and a part of the bad in the world.

Another recurrant theme is the relationship between the observor and the observed, the goal being to reduce the space between the two until they are the same.

Dreams are mentioned, as is meditation. In each instance, Krishnamurti emphasizes that we must learn these things for ourselves. Books, churches, different spiritual paths, each, according to the writer, is divisive.

There is much here to think about and absorb.

Before I read this book I was an obsessive compusive, manic depressive. I was addicted to Cocain and lost my wife and kids due to my addiction. I was sitting in my room in rehab and was given this book by the Book Man. I read it and found out that we can not change the world, we can only change ourselves. If we each do that we can change the world, one person at a time. It gave me light in a tunnel of darkness. I awoke from a nightmare and saw the way to virtue. I gave up everything and now am working in a shelter for people who can not afford rehab. It has changed me and can change you too!

I discovered an earlier edition of this truly great book in my local book shop and have since walked most of the walks in both the earlier and this current edition. It has to be the bible for anyone wanting to experience the joys the State of Victoria in Australia has to offer. The track notes are concise, yet easy to follow and are accompanied by useful maps for each walk. The publishers would be advised to re-think their layout designs as the book has a decidedly old fashion feel about it, BUT this does not detract from the usefulness of the book. WELL DONE MR THOMAS !

A diverse range of hikes for all grades of walkers from families to hard-core adventurers. Includes contour maps for each hike as well as photographs and illustrations to accompany the comprehensive route descriptions. The destinations include the Australian Alps, the magnificent Grampians, Wilsons Promontory and Gippsland. Sixty of the walks are with 60 miles of Melbourne, the capital city of Victoria. Introductory chapters include advice on equipment, food suggestions, first aid, etc etc.

Every time my husband and I plan a trip we check this little jewel and discover what exhibits are in vicinities we will be in. In fact, we have planned trips to go to particular exhibitions. Not only are exhibitions listed and clearly described but also accurate museum hours and telephone numbers are given. It is a must-have for us and a great gift for travelers.

This book has once again lead me to include the best exibits when planning my travels. It has helped me coordinate my travel plans with those of touring exhibits. Concise and worth trusting, this guide is a must for those who enjoy great art and love to travel.

The pictures are breathtaken and Penny Tweedie really captured the feeling and spirit of Arnhem Land.

Great book to read and see.

This book contains the most beautiful photos. Admittedly, I haven't read the text, but based on browsing through it in a shop, I have bought it for two different people as a present.

This book fills a gap which has existed for a long time. There just is not much available for the traveller, resident or person with a general interest in the Aboriginal heritage of Australia's first city, as well as modern Aboriginal culture.

The first chapter is an Introduction which gives a very brief, but good overview of pre-European Aboriginal presence in the area now known as Sydney, as well as post 1788 survival and communities.

The rest of the book is arranged according to geographical areas and sites within each. Many are well and truly on the well-beaten tourist path, such as Bennelong Point, where the Opera House sits. Others are a little less known or visited, such as the Casula Powerhouse Arts Centre in western Sydney.

Each site has information about getting there, both by private vehicle and public transport, hours, admission, contact phone no, facilities, and location on the most popular Sydney street directory (Gregory's) as well as a brief description and more detailed information. Includes beautiful colour photos by Aboriginal photographer Alana Harris.

Also interspersed in the relevant places, is text relating to a wide range of significant events, people and places.

I think this book has a place in every Sydney-sider's home. It helps non_Aboriginal people to better appreciate the land and places they have come to. It would also be invaluable for any visitor, as this type of info is just not found in this detail in generalist guides books.

Illustrated with breathtaking color photographs by Alana Harris and accessibly written for non-specialist general readers by Melinda Hinkson, Aboriginal Sydney: A Guide To Important Places Of The Past And Present is an informative guide to the cultural heritage of Australia's native aboriginal population. Forty-five historic sites, and the stories behind them, are surveyed in this impressive survey which is as fascinating for the armchair traveler, as it is for on-site Australian travelers wanting to learn about and come to a more coherent understanding of Aboriginal history and its cultural legacy.