Australia Books

My history professor claims that this is one book which former students complain about years after having read it. It is dense. There are lots of odd names which run together. It is absolutely not for the casual reader. But I would consider it necessary reading for all scholars of China, Asia, or just history in general. I found it fascinating that the steppe tribes and the various Chinese governments had a not-always unspoken agreement, in which the tribes were essentially allowed to conquer a limited region of China, in exchange for securing trade routes and defending against tribes outside of the system.

Barfield's primary thesis is that the dynamics of Chinese civilization are not intelligible considered in isoloation. Rather, comprehension requires the distinction between Manchurian and Native dynasties and the role that empires of the steppe played in the changes between them.

Of special interest is that by far the best know steppe empire, that of the Mongols under Temujin and his successors, was an anomalous exception to the 2,000 year pattern. Typical steppe empires were interested in extortion (or tribute, or gifts, depending on who tells the story), not direct rule.

If you're a student of Chinese history or of the dynamics of civilizations, read this book. You'll think differently.

Steve Parish is one of the well known australian photographers. After looking through his books, I know why. His pictures are of an extraordinary quality and matter. This book shows his love for the country, it's nature, people and wildlife. 263 pages of stunning photographs. He has a very good kind to show the life in Australia and the people. It is every dime you spend on it worth it. I can only recommend this book.

Steve Parish brings his photographs to life. I can highly recommend any of his publications as I haven't seen one to date, and I've seen and bought many, that wasn't worthy of a 5 star rating.

I was in Australia visiting friends when I heard about this novel. I bought it to read on the plane back to America. Usually if I read for pleasure it takes me a week or more to get through it just bits at a time. I could not put this book down to sleep or eat until I had read every single page. Mr. Courtenay has a way of putting you right in the middle of the story with so many colourful characters that will live on in your heart until you pass. If you love history, if you love seeing the little person struggle to come out on top to only be kicked down and struggle back up again then you'll love this book and the two others that follow.

PURE BRYCE COURTENAY. ANOTHER EPIC ABOUT THE STRUGGLES OF LIFE AND THE WILL TO PERSEVERE AND NEVER GIVE UP. IF YOU'VE READ THE POWER OF ONE, YOU'LL LOVE THIS BOOK. COURTENAY SHOULD BE BETTER KNOWN IN THE GOOD OLD USA

Sonya Hartnett has really struck the psychological nail on the head in this dark and twisted narrative. Twins Ravel and Indigo live in a haunted mansion overrun by rats, with only each other as company. Hartnett develops the characters with such precision, that it is undoubtedly a book that can't be put down. I hung on every word from the shocking start to the shocking end. It is an educated look at the psychology of isolation, the extremities of love, and the power one can hold over another. Don't be put off, however, in thinking that this book is a hard read. Hartnett's ability to flow with her words makes it understandable, but intriguing and exciting at the same time. For those who like a bit of the macabre, it is definitely a 'different' and unique story, which I loved and will always be one of my favourites of all times.

Sonya Hartnett has really struck the psychological nail on the head in this dark and twisted narrative. Twins Ravel and Indigo live in a haunted mansion overrun by rats, with only each other as company. Hartnett develops the characters with such precision, that it is undoubtedly a book that can't be put down. I hung on every word from the shocking start to the shocking end. It is an educated look at the psychology of isolation, the extremities of love, and the power one can hold over another. Don't be put off, however, in thinking that this book is a hard read. Hartnett's ability to flow with her words makes it understandable, but intriguing and exciting at the same time. For those who like a bit of the macabre, it is definitely a 'different' and unique story, which I loved and will always be one of my favourites of all times.

This book covers all python species found in Australia. It provides in depth information, both as it relates to captivity and natural history and behaviour. There's also some magnificent photographs.
This book has the most complete info published for many of Oz's pythons species; it covers the obscure ones better than any other (trust me, try to find any other info on rough scaled pythons!). It gives the best information in any one source for many of the common ones.
Furthermore, this book actually caters to people that are neither hard core, PhD holding scientist, nor novices. It's great; a book for those of us that aren't either extreme. We're a neglected market. If you're interested in pythons in general, this book is worth having, if you can get ahold of it; it provides insights into python physiology and ecology that will serve you in good stead. And if you're interested in any of the Oz pythons, it's a must have! Great info, and lots of it, good photography, and solid, new information; this is one of the better herp books out there, and I really hope they can finish up the series.

This Book documents, describes and differentiates between the various species of python found on the continent of Australia. Anyone familiar with the work of David and Tracey Barker also knows that this book was inevitable for them to write. Very few other people have the knowledge and experience necessary to even attempt the task of dividing and classifying such a variable group of creatures. This daunting taxonomic task is accomplished with an approach of pure scientific sensibility. The book contains many beautiful photographs, some of which are of pythons rarely seen in the wild or in captivity.Each python is described in meticulous detail with notes on the captive care and breeding. The only possible improvement that could have been made would have been the inclusion of standard as well as metric measurements. This book easily stands out as one of the finest herpetelogical works ever written and is truly deserving of the 5 star rating. Oh, and by the way, spend the few extra bucks for the hardcover, you'll be glad you did!

the photos are great, i just wish there were more. i am not very interested in the human beings that performed the research, and wish there was more about the animals...

I received this book from a thoughtful, loving, and dear kindred spirit of a friend and while it is being marketed as a children's book, I found that it was just as wonderful as an animal lover's or even a conservationists' (organic-free trade-decaffeinated) coffee table book. Nic Bishop's up close and personal photography is beyond any Life Magazine or National Geo quality color photos. Sy Montgomery's writing takes the reader along on the expedition with all the science, language and even a bit of humor provided in part by the guides. Montgomery has created a fun book for kids and adults alike! A great gift for high school graduates to inspire them to follow their dreams and passions. For kid's, this would make a cake science report book!

I read these books many years ago and found them moving, perhaps 'The Sword and the Blossom' the most moving. This, the third book, attempts to understand the Japanese character as it was experienced by the POWs. It's not pretty, but it is necessary if you want to try to come to grips with quite a lot of the meanings behind the Pacific theatre of WWII.

Parkin's writing is well-balanced, as pointed out. The brutality, sadism and all the other things can't be hidden. Parkin wrestles with the complexity of the Japanese psyche in the war. The POWs are men in extreme situations. Some may not act as well as they may have liked, but Parkin doesn't judge them: who could? There are quietly heroic acts that just seem 'normal', but Parkin doesn't make a big deal about it.

What shines through is the author's humanity. In spite of the brutality, he can appreciate the people he meets, the world around him (e.g. 'the coruscating sea'), and capture it in his sketches.

The novels were first published in London in the 1960's, the author himself stating it took this long for him to take a balanced view of the things he saw as a sailor during war and as a prisoner of war under the Japanese. His hand drawn pictures in these works were made whilst in Custody under threat of execution if seized.

Before the war, PARKIN was a professional sailor, after the war he studied as a classical artist, and worked on the wharfs of Melbourne as a tally clerk.

This description meets his works, his love of the sea, his artwork throughout the works, his beautiful descriptions, and his exacting detail.

The first novel is of a shipwreck survivor, it doesn't show it, but he is the hero portrait, it is a TRUE story. The second is a diary of his captivity on the Burma railway, and the third of his captivity in Japan, including the dropping of the A-Bomb. 'He states that a newspaper dropped in by air to Japan when he was first released has three momentous events, atomic weapons, jet propulsion and ball point pens'.

His works are not bitter, if anything appreciative of having lived a life less fortunate. Very Australian in it's style and language, it is as moving as any of the recognized greats. I will not wax lyrical about its style further, the editorials above do so far more eloquently than I could.

I have been muddying my way through REXX for many years. I only recently discovered this book and would give anything to have discovered it 20 years ago. Thanks Gabe.

This is the definitive source of information on the topic. It is a better teaching/learning tool than Mike Colishaw's own text, and he is the "guru" who headed up the team that created REXX. If you cannot take a class in REXX, do not hesitate to pay $... for a used copy of this text.

This book was hard to find or buy in book stores in australia. I found the seller reliable and provided the book in perfect condition and the delivery was quick.

This masterful work by Paul Carter revisits the historical assumptions about the founding of Australia. Carter rejects previous assertions (assumptions) that lay behind a form of Australian history such as the primacy of empirical "facts" and the self-evident rhetoric of cause and effects. Instead, Carter attempts to explain the imagination of a place as somewhere one could be and he illustrates the imperial qualities of this imagination (especially as it pertains to langauge and naming). Early narratives of exploration (such as Capt. James Cook) are used to explain Australian history as a project of European meaning-making and this moves away from imperial history which assert capital-T universal Truth and toward a spatial understanding of Australia as a particular space that Westerners moved through in a particularly Western way.

This book is out of print, but should be near the top of any person's list of must-reads for spatial theory. It is erudite, combining historical analysis with philosophical frameworks, but it is also extremely readable and even poetic in its language. This is only natural as Carter is also a poet. Grab a copy of this book before they all disappear and while it remains a great bargain used.

Another wonderful story by Bob Graham that shows how children can attach amazing imaginings to mundane things, and teaches us to take some time to get to know our neighbours - life can be better when you do!

This is an appealing little book, short and to the point. It is the story of Rose which is told partly in pictures and partly in descriptive text. For instance the first image is clearly of Rose's family moving into a new house, with Mr Wintergarten's sinister house next door. It is a great way of getting children to talk about what is happening, there is lots going on and you can set the scene (along with children playing and kicking a ball over Mr Wintergarten's very high fence). I really liked the message in this which is great for pre-schoolers. Rose loses her ball over the fence of Mr Wintergarten's house, and the children start telling her horror stories of how awful she is - first she asks them not to because the baby can hear, and then she goes in and talks to her Mum who helps her take things over to Mr Wintergarten. Mr Wintergarten is very rude to Rose, but Rose is always polite and leaves when nothing more can be said - but she has made an impression, and Mr Wintergarten comes back and makes friends with the neighbourhood. The last picture is of Mr Wintergarten's fence being taken down.

Populated with appealingly illustrated characters and situations, a great story and an excellent message. It is a fun and funny book and my children love it. A definite 5 stars from me.