Australia Books

Simply better than the first... and it's on my bookshelf now.

I got this book from a local bookstore. Only one was available and the cover was not in a very good condition. But I find the content stunning... the combination of photographs and no faults with the manipulations/modifications done could have easily fooled many in earlier days. Today we know such mastery is possible powerful computer software.

This book eye candy to me.

Paintbox No.1 shows the power of image manipulation. With a simple digital pen these artists blend together images that will amaze your eyes. Pages upon pages of eyecandy!

This book is chocked of photographic pictures that are skillfully modififed to blend seamlessly. Some of these may be done by using plug-ins, but others require more effort, skill and thought. For example, you cannot just mask an object and paste it on another photo; need to consider shadow, lighting, etc. and I think the pictures here involved such considerations. Great work. When I look at the pictures, I think, "That's great..." and a great challenge to me to produce similar results.

I am also intending to get "Paintbox No. 2" !!

Sometimes we come across advertisements (eg. posters) that catch our attention and make us wonder---"How REAL!!" and amaze us. This book is filled with wonderful pictures, carefully designed, composited, etc. with consideration of details such as shadows to make things realistic. Everything in the pictures blends well with other elements in the pictures. With the power of today's photo editing software, some of these may not be difficult to produce but for the rest, they seem like wonders to me. Imagination and skills are essential.

If you are in advertising and designing, it would be a great challenge to yourself to try to produce similar effects in the book. Or if you are just looking for a book that shows you great pictures in advertising, you will find this book to be an eye-candy. However, this book does not teach you how to produce the effects; which, I think is not the aim of the book.

I am happy to have a copy of this book.

I can't find this book ? Can somebody help me to find a place to buy it ?

What started out as a collection of articles in Australian newspapers The Courier Mail, the Australian and the Age has become one of the best and even now, one of the most relevant and well thought out political commentaries on political power in Australia.

Garrett is passionate, prophetic and coherent. His argument is timeless. Further more, it shows Australian politics has changed little in nearly 20 years.

Hard to find but worth the effort. Australia's most passionate voice

Wonderful writer, passionate man

After literally years trying to find this book at used bookstores around the world over the internet, I discovered that my local library could get it for me via an inter-library exchange. Boston Public Library has a copy.

- An Oils fan.

I am a 60 hour student pilot. I found Schiff's book to be broken down in easy to digest sections. I've learned much.

Even you are familiar with the principle of flying, the book can provide new insight in every flying aspect. It uses different point of view to elucidate the basic theory. I am sure you can get more understanding about what you have learnt in flying.

Schiff's wisdom and clarity are tough to appreciate when you don't know anything about flying. Save this one until after you've soloed at the very least. Then reread it once per year. And don't forget Volume 2 when you can learn how to fly the North Atlantic and also how to ditch if your flight to Europe doesn't go as planned...

As a physicist and private pilot, having read a few dozens of books on aviation, I find this book (in fact the two volumes I and II) the best aviation reading I have ever come across. Strongly recommended even if you think you have read it all.

Being a helicopter and fixed wing instructor pilot for 7 years, I thought I knew how lift worked. NOT. Read what they did not teach you in flight school in this great book by Mr. Schiff.

After reading this book, I felt it was a little "dated" but, overall, it's a great guide for the Gay and Lesbian Traveler to Hawaii. Many lists of what, where, why and when to go to Paradise!

I urge everyone to buy this book right away. It's the best damn book on Hawaii I ever read.

I urge everyone to buy this book right away. It's the best damn book on Hawaii I ever read.

Matthew Link presents a unique side to Hawaii in a complete, fun, and entertaining manner. The book is very well researched, and is suitable for anyone travelling to Hawaii or has been to Hawaii and wants to relive their experiences.

Rainbow Handbook Hawaii covers history, gay communities,interviews with local gays and lesbians, places to see, trivia, and photos. Also included in Rainbow Handbook Hawaii: detailed city and island maps - the same-sex marriage battle - homo bed and breakfasts - bars and clubs - eco-tours - restaurants - shops - vacation rentals - Hawaiian language glossary - and loads of gay island facts and pictures!

My two favorite players are Pat Rafter and Pete Sampras so this book was destined to be of interest to me. Overall, I would say I'm slightly disappointed for not getting more in-depth into Pat Rafter the man. This is nothing but a simplistic diary of a year traveling the circuit, what he did at tournaments, where he practiced and with whom, and status of his injuries.

There is nothing in this book to criticize; it's just very simplistic reading. Pat is the epitome of an Australian man, a great athlete who credits his mates and his family for his strong bearing. Everyone knows Pat likes to toast a few and this book describes a few all-nighters after key wins.

Unfortunately, this book needed to be written sooner. The yearlong diary covers few highlights. He did make it to the semi-final of Wimbledon losing to Agassi and he did play in the Davis Cup match in Boston beating the Americans in an epic struggle with Todd Martin. But while the book starts after he won his second US Open, it ends with him losing in the first round of the US Open in 1999.

Probably the most interesting part of the book to me was the squabbles with Pete Sampras, my other favorite player. Pat starting beating Pete and I assumed Pete was struggling with this and was at fault for fallout by some of his comments. From reading this I suspect Pat was just at much at fault based on comments made at a press conference and the way he states his side of the relationship. Irrespective, they're both quality individuals and great players who went at it from different angles. It says a lot for their character that they talked on the phone to hash out any difference and can both walk away with respect for each other.

I don't mean to be disrespectful to Pat about this review. I miss his game. You knew when you watched a Pat Rafter match you got 100% effort win or lose and that attitude comes through loud and clear. I just wish it had covered more background about his upbringing including his junior tennis career to show how he grew into such a champion.

As a tennis fan, I always liked Rafter and was curious to read about his career. This book has everything for the Rafter fan, match results, insights, quotes from fellow players, and even a revealing centerfold that will leave any woman satisfied.

I highly recommend this book!

If you are a Patrick Rafter fan I think you will enjoy this book. It's like he's speaking to you throughout the entire book. You get to know how he feels before and during matches. I enjoyed reading the book and hope he comes out with another book telling his story from the beginning.

I immensely enjoyed reading this book. I read it on the road while traveling to away matches. It was a refreshing and encouraging reading. It's very heartening to see such a down-to-earth person as Rafter be so succesful at tennis. The narrative is very personal and informal. It's like Rafter is having a couple of beers with you while he gives you his insight on life as a professional tennis player. Great tennis player + Great person = Patrick Rafter

It's really flattering to actually know how Pat Rafter feels inside and go through a year of tennis with him. In additional to the well-written diary, there includes pages and pages of terrific photos. I'd recommend anyone who likes tennis or Pat!

From a lay perspective, "tradition" arises from a repeated series of human acts. In many cases, those acts were first spontaneous or induced by some external event.

Can you "create tradition?"

The most interesting part of this book to me was Rykwert's analysis of Celebration, Florida. This was, of course, Disney's effort to create a brand-new "small town" from the ground up. He correctly diagnoses the effort as being dominated by profitable real estate development. In fairness, he distinguishes Celebration from a typical suburban development because of its dependency on "Olde World" design principles.

What he foresaw, almost inadvertantly, is the more widespread use of this modality for commercial/residential developments now springing up in revived, older suburban areas. These have been commercially successful and have created the sorts of delightful spaces he describes in his coverage of older urban spaces.

It's a good book, albeit a little dogmatic.

Joseph Rykwert's new book is perhaps his most radical, although he elaborates on themes that have preoccupied him for more than 4 decades. Never has he so emphatically stated his conviction that the cities we desire can become the cities we have, but only if we take hold of our capacity to effect meaningful reform. Rykwert's position is particularly encouraging and insightful at a time when most of us perceive the built environment as the result of abstract and impersonal economic and political forces seemingly beyond any individual influence. Rykwert's stance is a challenge to architect's, urban designers, planners and other citizens who cannot imagine an alternative between revolution and acquiescence other than surrender to conditions as they are. Such inertia is countered by Rykwert, as are rationalist and quantitative approaches to the city, with affirmation of the city as a fundamental setting of and for human will, dreams, and desire. It follows then, according to Rykwert, that any successful making and re-making of cities depends on a set of rational principles that are flexible enough to accomodate chance, elaboration, and improvisation. Features Rykwert believes can become the special qualities of contemporary and future cities (if they are not eradicated). Rykwert's consideration of the city investigates the full-range of attempts to make cities places of and for people; a thread he pursues from ancient cities, to the revolutions of 1848 to the Seattle demonstrations in 1999 in opposition to the World Trade Organization. It is for these reasons, and many others, that Rykwert's book is a must-read for all lovers of cities and perhaps especially for all those who don't yet love them.

Joseph Rykwert's new book is perhaps his most radical, although he elaborates on themes that have preoccupied him for more than 4 decades. Never has he so emphatically stated his conviction that the cities we desire can become the cities we have, but only if we take hold of our capacity to effect meaningful reform. Rykwert's position is particularly encouraging and insightful at a time when most of us perceive the built environment as the result of abstract and impersonal economic and political forces seemingly beyond any individual influence. Rykwert's stance is a challenge to architect's, urban designers, planners and other citizens who cannot imagine an alternative between revolution and acquiescence other than surrender to conditions as they are. Such inertia is countered by Rykwert, as are rationalist and quantitative approaches to the city, with affirmation of the city as a fundamental setting of and for human will, dreams, and desire. It follows then, according to Rykwert, that any successful making and re-making of cities depends on a set of rational principles that are flexible enough to accomodate chance, elaboration, and improvisation. Features Rykwert believes can become the special qualities of contemporary and future cities (if they are not eradicated). Rykwert's consideration of the city investigates the full-range of attempts to make cities places of and for people; a thread he pursues from ancient cities, to the revolutions of 1848 to the Seattle demonstrations in 1999 in opposition to the World Trade Organization. It is for these reasons, and many others, that Rykwert's book is a must-read for all lovers of cities and perhaps especially for all those who don't yet love them.

What's Joseph Rykwert's perspective and what's his view of the city? It's not very easy to peg down. It's not that of "sociologists, traffic experts, and politicians" as he says that he's "always been struck at how little the physical fabric of the city - its touch and smell as well as its sights - occupies their attention". Maybe he's more inclined to take an economists view and see things as Jane Jacobs does. Then again maybe not. Rykwert says quite plainly that cities do not develop "naturally". The perspective is definitely not that of a speeding, disinterested motorist. Rykwert refers to the impact of cars as "catastrophic" and says "I am not, nor have I ever been a driver." Now we're getting somewhere - a supporter of New Urbanism? Not quite. He has this to say about one of those showpiece communities: "the whole business of 'community' at Celebration is about...real estate". Rykwert is equally critical of a few architects (modernists), certain building designs (government and institutional), a couple of city plans (Brasilia and New Delhi), and some approaches to urbanism (the New Town concept of post WWII Europe).

With all that's wrong it's amazing that this book didn't turn out to be a miserable reading experience. That's partly due to Rykwert's writing skill but moreso because of his very obvious love for the city. THE SEDUCTION OF PLACE and affection for city space is obvious. The depths of his thinking about the urban form is manifest and Rykwert offers a synopsis of what's wrong and also what's to love about a city. "My polemic is not against the disordered, even chaotic city but against the anonymous and alienating one." With this we finally understand what his perspective is. It's that of a person open to experiencing the personality of a city; that of someone at ground level. Our difficulty with coming up with a clear view of the city might be due to the fact that we haven't experienced the city as Rykwert has and it doesn't yet occupy the same space in our hearts and minds. He invites us to begin. "The very condition of openess is what makes our city of conflicts so attractive to its growing crowd of inhabitants. The lack of any coherent, explicit, image may therefore, in our circumstances, be a positive virtue, not a fault at all, or even a problem."

Joseph Rykwert's new book is perhaps his most radical, although he elaborates on themes that have preoccupied him for more than 4 decades. Never has he so emphatically stated his conviction that the cities we desire can become the cities we have, but only if we take hold of our capacity to effect meaningful reform. Rykwert's position is particularly encouraging and insightful at a time when most of us perceive the built environment as the result of abstract and impersonal economic and political forces seemingly beyond any individual influence. Rykwert's stance is a challenge to architect's, urban designers, planners and other citizens who cannot imagine an alternative between revolution and acquiescence other than surrender to conditions as they are. Such inertia is countered by Rykwert, as are rationalist and quantitative approaches to the city, with affirmation of the city as a fundamental setting of and for human will, dreams, and desire. It follows then, according to Rykwert, that any successful making and re-making of cities depends on a set of rational principles that are flexible enough to accomodate chance, elaboration, and improvisation. Features Rykwert believes can become the special qualities of contemporary and future cities (if they are not eradicated). Rykwert's consideration of the city investigates the full-range of attempts to make cities places of and for people; a thread he pursues from ancient cities, to the revolutions of 1848 to the Seattle demonstrations in 1999 in opposition to the World Trade Organization. It is for these reasons, and many others, that Rykwert's book is a must-read for all lovers of cities and perhaps especially for all those who don't yet love them.

Extremely insightful and helpful on a practical level.

Ms Smith's book provides a highly readable and empathetic (without being patronizing)resource for anyone living with depression or for those just hoping to understand. The usefulness of the professional advice offered is peppered with her own experience of this debilitating disease which seems to make the book more relevant than if it was written from the perspective of an academic.

Ms Smith provides a highly readable, empathetic resource for anyone living with depression. All options for coping with this debilitating disease are covered including valuable sections to assist family members. The book is peppered with the author's own experience of depression which adds value to the professional information included.

I found this book (and I have read many) to be informative,easy to follow and have a user friendly format. I would highly recomend its reading to any one looking for help in this given area.

This book is so good. It has changed the way I focus on the issues of depression. I feel empowered by reading this book.

Marj Noble

This is a story of a girl lost in the world of today, without a soild family. It is perhaps fear that makes her "step around the corner" into the 1930's, at the time of the depression in Australia. There she meet Young Jim, whose family takes Barbara in, even though they are poor. Here Barbara learns what it is like to be loved, and to love in return. THis is a great book, and I love the feel of the 1930's, French writes it so well!

thiis book was the best book i have ever read i think it should be around for many years to come it is just a bit to hard to find.

i think it should be a compuslery book at high school's

I love it! Abolutely! I cried, I laughed, I read it again. The description of the depression days, the Australian bush, the ol' billy and hessian bag windows in Young Jim's family's shanty in Poverty Gully to which Young Jim flees with Barbara too. Lonely, 1990s Barbara. In the world of jeans and sportsgirl and makeup and discos. Plummeted into the dark depression world. But not everything's so bleak. Over Barbara's time living with Jim's family, they accomplish some wonderful things... until it takes a natural disaster to get 'Bubba' back around the corner again... The best book I've ever read. I loved the end, but it was a tear-jerker, when she and Young Jim are reunited, then only perhaps two or three years apart, now more than sixty. I could cry now! I LOVED IT!

I can't tell you all how much I LOVE this book! It was sooooo touching! I laughed alot of times and cried at the end. But don't get me wrong this book wasn't sad at all, it was so touching and sweet. A perfect ending. This book moves at a fast pace. I fineshed it in a couple of hours! READ THIS BOOK!

I think this is the best book that i have read and i would suggest anyone reading it. please read it

Murray Whelan is supposed to be a garden variety electoral officer. In reality, he does a lot more troubleshooting than paperwork and answering complaint letters.

A deputy minister asks him to look into the death of a Turkish meat packer at a factory.

Amusing antics follow as much dodgy brothers business is discovered.

Maloney's 'hero' Murray Whelan is a superb addition to the landscape of political satire in this country. His stories are also well-written with none of the clunky contrivances that less-skilled authors display.

Highly recommended.

Being the political minder for Charlene Wills, Australian Minister for Industry, is the only job that Murray Whelan wants. His personal life consists of raising his son by himself while his spouse Wendy goes all over the place turning into a big shot and lusting after waitress Ayisha Celik.

So when Agnelli informs him that he must investigate the frozen corpse of an ethnic Turk named Batraktar found in a freezer, he thinks his compatriot is acting crazy. Still, if the opposition has a plan to stir up the unions over this death as Agnelli claims, Murray figures he better be prepared. Reluctantly, Murray begins to look into the death of the STIFF, starting at the locale of the accident. When he started his inquiries, Murray never intended to be a target, but soon he finds himself in danger as his world turns upside down.

Anyone who enjoys an off the wall, jocular amateur sleuth tale should try the works of Shane Maloney. As in his previous Murray Whelan novel, BRUSH-OFF, the story line is weird and rips into any and everything involving modern urban Australia. Murray retains the freshness of a street punk attitude buried inside a political hack and the secondary players add local flavoring to the fast-paced lunacy. Fans of outrageous who-done-its will not believe they were STIFFed after reading this satirical look at politics and amateur sleuths.

Harriet Klausner

Murray Whelan is a low ranking political go-fer for the Australian Labor Party who can create chaos from the simplest chore. He redeems himself with a self-effacing humor that both entertains and endears. If you do not cry tears of laughter at his description of insulating his attic, something is seriously wrong with your funny bone.

Murray is asked to investigate the death by freezing of a Turkish immigrant meat packing plant worker. Everyone agrees it was an unfortunate industrial accident. Murray's investigation is for the sole purpose of determining if there is any potential for political fallout on the issue of worker safety.

Soon someone is trying to kill him. Is it right wing Turkish militants? Is it industrialists in high places? Is it the janitor at the plant? Is it the mis-tattooed constituent who wants redress from the government?

Reading Shane Maloney's take on Australia in the late'80's will satisfy your yen for mystery (the whodunnit is subtle), double you over with laughter and (especially for "Yanks" like me)create an unforgettable image of Australian society!

The mystery part of this novel isn't the greatest. But the sideshow is a real whopper. The story is told by Murray Whelan, gofer and fixer for Charlene Wills. Charlene and her colostomy bag are Minister for Industry of the reigning Labor Party. Her advisor, Angelo Agnelli, is Murray's boss who sends him to the Pacific Pastoral meat works to check out possible political implications in the freezing death of foreman Ekrem Bayraktar. Things spiral downwards from there with the entry of an industrial super mogul, the questionable shop steward Herb Gardiner, not to mention Ayisha Celik, that Turkish honey pot.

The author not only has a way with words. He also has an incredible sense of humor. He takes the Australian political scene apart in a roaring satire without letup or ending. His description of the Italian and Turkish minorities is memorable.

This book makes you laugh all the way to the end.

My 2 year old LOVES this book. When you are reading to him, you can hardly believe what you are reading. A total crack up!

This is one of the cutest books i've ever seen. Not only is it clever and charming but it actually makes kids think about their "business" in a healthy, funny way. The illustrations are adorable and help you really get a sense of the characters' personalities immediately, even if they appear only on one page. Its a short and simple little treat and I highly recommend it for kids and adults alike.

My son checked this book out from his school library. I couldn't stop laughing when I read it. It's hilarious! I could not believe that someone actually wrote a book about this.

I'm not going to tell you what it's about. It's more fun reading it and finding out for yourself. But, I will tell you that you will not be disappointed. It's a kids' book, but every adult I've shared it with has raved about it. You will too!

Now this book is GREAT!!!! I don't know if I should really put it in the educational category, but in fact it is - it leaves lots of subjects open for discussion with the young ones

My two daughters adore this book - it is visually rich, the story is great fun, and it is an easy read for adults and children alike. There is also, as I mentioned, a chance for discussion on issues such as why are all these animals 'business' different (as well as discussing a range of euphemisms for 'business')

The story starts with a little mole who puts his head up above the ground only to have some animal go to the toilet on his head. The mole, who is very short sighted and wears thick glasses doesn't see who it was that did this on his head so he goes in search of animals to ask. These include a dove, a goat, a pig, a cow a horse and couple of flies (amongst others) and in fact it is the flys which point him in the right direction at last.

Although I am not one for condoning revenge it is rather funny as the revenge is hardly worth the effort in the end but it makes the mole satisfied and the animal hardly notices the difference.

The drawings are gorgeous, as I said, they look like they have been done in rich colourful pastels so the animals are very alive and with excellent detail.

Kids love this book, for its toilet humour, but also for its natural biology - just why do animals have different business - it is a great introduction to talk about animal diet, circumstances, even flight of birds and things to assit. While they might not understand all the concepts it is a fun way to extend them.

Adults will enjoy this one too

I first encountered this book when I took a Children's Literature course in college. A bestseller in Germany, it had been banned in the United States because of its subject matter, so our professor had to show us the original German book and translate it for us. After our initial shock wore off, it had our entire class of English majors in stitches!

Basically, someone or something poops on the little mole's head, and the mole (understandably upset) starts going from animal to animal asking if that animal is the one who did it. Each animal says "no" and then shows what their own poop looks like. Eventually, the mole finds out which animal is responsible, and has his revenge. This is VERY similar in style to the P.D. Eastman children's classic "Are You My Mother?" where a baby bird goes from animal to animal looking for his mommy bird - except, of course, the content is a bit more unusual for the average American parent who is used to "Goodnight Moon" or "Where the Wild Things Are." The thing is, though, kids love to learn about bodily functions - especially when they reach the age of potty training.

I actually found the book so amusing that I always kept my eye out for a copy, and years later I managed to track down an English copy here on Amazon! (Note: the original American/English title for the book was "The Little Mole Who Went In Search of Whodunnit"...it looks like they've changed the name this time around.) I ordered it to read to my young son who was 3 years old at the time. He loved it and thought it was the funniest thing ever!

I find this book more tasteful than some of the others of this type - it's matter-of-fact and doesn't try to be crude in any way. It's also educational in the sense of highlighting differences between animals. I think this is a good book to get for a child who is in the potty-training process, when kids tend to get fascinated by the elimination of body wastes...and also for kids who have reached the point where they'll appreciate the humor in the mole's quest and his revenge.