Australia Books

This is the author's first mystery novel and it deserves a place with other fast-paced attorney sleuth stories. The protagonist, defense attorney Katherine Rochelle, lands her first murder case. Her investigation takes her close to home and back to the past to solve her grandparents' disappearance. The two events are related, but can Kate stay out of the killer's range and former cop Gabe's hot embrace long enough to expose the real villain? I read through this story fast and felt it could be right at home on the mystery shelves with books like BLONDES HAVE MORE FELONS by Alesia Holliday. Katherine is a charming sleuth and you'll cheer for her from the start. I hope sexy Gabe makes a repeat appearance in the sequel.

Katherine Rochelle is putting her life and career back on track after the disastrous fallout from her previous job at the US Attorney's office when she blew the whistle on the illegal activities of her boss/lover. She's now back in Palm Beach practicing criminal law in partnership w/ her two best friends. Her first major case is the high profile defense of Lloyd Silber, who has been accused of murdering his young assistant, Grace Roberts.

Kate is from old Palm Beach money and her grandfather was a famous judge who, along w/ his wife, disappeared from the courthouse years ago. The case was never solved, and unflattering stories about the judge and possible ethical violations have circulated since he vanished. Lloyd and Grace, both of whom were friends of Kate's family, had been working on a major renovation project of the historic courthouse when Grace's murder took place.

The case brings Kate together w/ the law firm's new PI, Gabriel Chavez. Sizzling hot Gabe is also putting his past behind him as he starts a new career. As the situation between Kate and Gabe starts to simmer, they both begin to wonder if they should start thinking more about the future--together.

Kate can't escape the past, tho, as Lloyd's case seems to bring up new questions about her grandparents' disappearance and the possible connections to present events. There are also questions about the involvement of Kate's Aunt Hilary and Uncle Colin, who helped raise Kate; family friend Paul Scholfield, who has been nominated for a Supreme Court vacancy; the Castillo crime family; and even Kate's ex-husband. Clearly, this case has serious implications for Kate, both personally and professionally.

This is an excellent romantic legal thriller with a good balance between the two elements. Kate is a smart character w/ a strong sense of justice. She is well-matched w/ Gabe, who is also a crusader at heart. The chemistry between the two is ultra hot, and they have enough common interests and goals to make them a viable, believable couple. The legal mystery is well done w/ enough twists and turns to keep readers guessing until the end.

Katherine "Kate" Rochelle has been in Palm Beach's social elite since birth. She has had money all her life. For her career, she became a criminal defense attorney. Scandal hit when Kate learned her co-worker was on the take. Kate could not let such illegal matters go and dutifully turned him in. Kate is as honest as her grandfather (a judge) had been before he disappeared from his court chambers in the old courthouse over thirty years ago. However, her honesty makes the other lawyers antsy, especially those who believe Kate should have turned the other way. So Kate made her own law firm and is out to prove herself all over again. Her first case is to prove that a friend, Lloyd, did not murder Grace.

Grace Roberts had been murdered in Kate's grandfather's old chambers. Since Kate does not believe in coincidences, she begins looking into a possible connection. Kate's partners, Carling and Nicole, hire a P.I. named Gabriel "Gabe" Chavez to assist her. It does not take long for Kate to realize that her life is in danger. The evidence is beginning to look as though someone high up is the culprit. Kate's debutante skills and social connections help her get some answers. Yet only Gabe's P.I. and police skills can keep her alive.

***** This story seems to be the first of a trilogy. At least, I hope Kate's partners each get their own stories.

What? You say that you demand lots of action? You want suspense AND some romance as well? Then pick up this novel and RUN! Otherwise, you may not get your hands on a copy. Once readers begin talking about this title it will fly off the shelves. Excellent legal and mystery drama. *****

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.

Stephenson is at the top of her game with this legal suspense. Classy criminal defense attorney Katherine Rochelle investigates a murder that not only places her life in danger, but has her digging into her family's past. Blend in her two friends, Carling Dent and Nicole Sterling, along with a hot private investigator, Gabe Chavez, and you've got an un-put-downable story. This book goes on my keeper shelf. I look forward to future stories by this wonderful author!

A scandal involving sleeping with her boss Harold Lowell cost wealthy Palm Beach criminal defense attorney Katherine Rochelle her job at the U.S. Attorney's Office. So when she feels a proper amount of time has passed she opens up a partnership with two friends, Carling Dent and Nicole Sterling.

Her Aunt Hilary orders Katherine to defend family friend Lloyd Silber accused of killing Grace Roberts. Katherine reluctantly agrees and cautiously hires private investigator Gabriel Chavez to make inquiries; her hesitation stems from her attraction to the ex-cop and not his competency as he is acknowledged as one of the best. As he digs up information, the case takes a wicked spin as it is connected to the disappearance of her grandparents years ago. Before deciding whether she should recluse herself due to a possible conflict of interests as she always wanted to know what happened to her relatives, someone tries to kill Kate. Only Gabriel keeps her safe, but she wonders who will keep her heart safe once he steals it.

Fans of romantic legal thrillers will enjoy this stirring tale. The story line stars an attorney struggling to regain her reputation shattered when she had an affair with her boss; both losing their jobs. Though Gabriel is a fine male lead, Katherine is the star from her first sterling performance bringing to heel a felon, a judge, and a prosecutor in the courtroom until the final efforts to prove her client innocent and learn what happened to her grandparents. Readers will want more stories starring the "Debt, Default, and Miscarriage" legal team especially COURTING DANGER.

Harriet Klausner

I got this book for a reasonable price at a quick shipping services it took about a week to arrive and shipping was free WOW I'M LUVN IT!!!!!!!!!!

I would recommend this book to anybody who is interested in the development of children. This book covers a wide spectrum of theories and real life examples from conception till late adolescence. What is more, it is very easy to read and every single chapter is incredibly knowledgeable and attention-grabbing to go through. It was one of the best psychology books I've read so far!!!

Overall it's a well written, illustrated and researched book that keeps with the most contemporary of scientific and specialist knowledge within this area and sustains throughout right from the chapters on conception and prenatal development through to the formative years outside the womb that the roles of environment, culture and the human organism itself, all in their different contexts, work together and in sync to create the overall eventual development of the human being. One such example in the book where these forces come into play focused around the fact that exclusively looking for genetic causes for intelligence and other psychological and physical attributes is flawed. Geneticists have found that many genetically related diseases and other diversities arise from genetic anomalies and mutations that are not inherited e.g. Down syndrome. This goes some way to questioning the validity of Eugenics programs that in part aim to `breed out' genetic code or traits from the human gene pool that is seen to be unhealthy.

Other information that was of interest;
1. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and some of the research done in this area and ways to help prevent it, there is a program called the "Back to Sleep Campaign" run in the USA by NICHD, The Back to Sleep campaign is suitably named for its recommendation to place healthy babies on their backs to sleep. Placing babies on their backs to sleep reduces the risk of SIDS.

2. The Utilization of what they call `Kangaroo Care' as a means to help premature babies thrive.

3. One thing I found intriguing was the suggestion that infants who are allowed to simply actively engage and explore their environment progress better psychologically, cognitively and socially.

4. The beginnings of a sex role identity start to occur around 3 years of age when children's strong attachments to their mothers weaken. During this period of early development, "wanting to be near" (their parent) that is the dominant force in infancy is taken over by "wanting to be like".

5. The in depth discussions to do with schooling and the different modes and forms that this takes on in modern times and also the types of influence that formal education exerts on both the social lives of children and also their academic faculties.

6. The beginning of the reasoning of moral issues and Lawrence Kohlberg's theory of the six stages of moral development.

My only complaint is this; given that I am colour blind it was quite a job to often try and distinguish one line from the next on the graphs and tables throughout, so that would be my only criticism but its relatively negligible. Obviously the views of both psychology and early childhood development do overlap so I would recommend that anyone interested in this area of study read Psychology 7th Edition (Myers) first, you don't have to by any means but it does make some of the concepts and text in this particular book seem easier to understand which makes the flow of reading the content much smoother, though having said that, the authors who as it turns out also have children of their own, have done an excellent job of explaining theories and ideas first then following up by giving a working and easy to understand example in laymen's terms of where those theories and ideas have been put to work, both under scientific conditions or in the real world. Furthermore the authors have somewhat followed the basic format of briefly talking about what they are going to discuss at the start of any particular section of the book, then discussing it and finally at the end of each chapter they review and summarize the content which helps to round out the discussion.

The reference sections at the back of the book containing the definitions of the different terms used throughout the text were a nice and helpful addition to the hardback. This was my second book purchase from the `Worth' Publishing press and the style of their books, in particular the pedagogical features seem to be uniform throughout their range, also in addition to this is the accompanying website that is full of didactic features and a great way to learn interactively about this subject. Overall this book is a fascinating insight into the development of children and certainly worth reading if you're planning on starting or already have a young family as the knowledge will help give you an idea of what to expect as a parent, but it would be equally suitable to others that may be simply interested in academia or just have an interest in this general area and want to add to your knowledge about the human condition.

As a final word I'll say that although the book was mainly meant for academic study which usually makes these class of texts somewhat cold, prosaic and uninspiring, all of which I might add this books suffers none of, you can't help but come to the conclusion that the underlying message in my view is that the more children are nurtured, shaped and prepared both psychologically and socially in a positive and interesting way, then the chances of a superior eventual outcome for the child in question and society at large are improved enormously. To the casual reader of this review that previous sentence may seem blatantly obvious, but to arrive at a greater and much deeper understanding of the what, when's, where's, why's, and who's of childhood development and advancement, then one would be wise to invest some time and money into this book because it is surely worth it. Conversely, this is not a `how to' manual, rather it may be best viewed as an intense analytical overview of the different theories, conclusions, studies and the people who have influenced this area of scientific enquiry over the last 100 years or so.

Edward Gibbon wrote the "Rise and Fall of the Roman Empire" and Mike Cole and his colleagues have written a work of equal stature on the making of human beings. This is an encyclopedia of human development from single cell to adolesence. Though a leader of the cultural psychology school of development, this work includes every theory and subtheory of development around, each bringing its particular insights at the appropriate point in the story - part eclectically, part critically, but always comprehensively. Frequent break-outs take up issues of controversy, the photographs and illustrations are magnificent. Each chapter is constructed with study questions, summaries etc, making it suitable for systematic study, written by a consummate educator. This book will do you for life; use it from your first lecture in your "Early Childhood studies" course, or for that matter, libguistics, anthropology, neuroscience, till your first research project, keep it while your kids grow up, use it when composing your journalistic articles about social issues, and re-read it for sheer enlightenment. I can't say that this book is the last word on the topic, because I know that the Coles will put out a sixth edition before long and the story will go on!

Cole & Cole's work is by far one of my favorite textbooks. The reason? The authors methodically lay out child development from a biopsychosocial perspective, which is no small feat.

They write with a thoroughness and efficiency that you will rarely find in a textbook. Their treatment of child development is evenhanded, not privilaging either the bio, psycho, or social perspectives.

The four volumes of the Raj Quartet overlap and complement one another, while at the same time forwarding the main storyline of the slow twilight of the British ascendancy in India, always with the rape of a white girl by Indian men as the central lodestone everpresent in the background, the nightmare which is seldom mentioned but which none can drive from their minds. Events occur, are discussed, witnessed as newspaper reports, court documents, interviews, vague recollections from years later, or perceived directly by the main characters. Then the next volume will take two or three steps back into previous events, and these same events will be perceived from another angle, perhaps only as a vague report heard far away across the Indian plain, or witnessed directly by another character, or discussed in detail long after their occurrence over drinks on a verandah. This may at times seem like rehashing, indeed as one reads the four volumes one will be subjected to the account of the rape in the Bibighar Gardens many times over; but what will also become apparent is that additional details, sometimes minor variations in interpretation and sometimes crucial facts, are being added slowly to the events discussed, as though the window to the past were being progressively wiped cleaner and cleaner with successive strokes of Scott's pen. In this way he draws the picture of the last days of the Raj not in a conventional linear fashion, but recursively, and from multiple angles. One gets the clear impression of life in India during the first half of the 20th century as similar in nature: Fragmented, multifaceted, largely dependent upon perspective and experience and never perceived whole or all at once.

Book 4 is the tour-de-force of the series, the longest and the one that covers the greatest distance, emotionally and chronologically. Into the Laytons' social set come Nigel Rowan, an officer in the political branch whom we have met before in Book 2 interrogating Hari Kumar some years after his imprisonment, and Guy Perron, a sergeant in the intelligence service who is "chosen" against his will by Ronald Merrick to serve in his unit. Merrick seems deliberately to surround himself with people who dislike him: Guy Perron, Sarah Layton, and before them Daphne Manners and Hari Kumar. Rowan and Perron, incidentally, are former schoolmates of Kumar's at the posh Chillingborough Academy in England. And they're not the only ones: The British in India seem constantly reminded that Kumar symbolizes the insoluble problem of India's Britishness. He's too British for the Indians and too Indian for the British. Perron is an excellent guide through the final days of the Raj, stolid and proper yet inwardly seething with intellectual outrage. An explosive yet sombre climax in 1947 details the very end of the British presence in India, the beginnings of the Hindu-Muslim riots throughout the country, and gives an expansive sense of just how far one has come from the small town of Mayapore and the darkly deserted Bibighar Gardens.

A DIVISION OF THE SPOILS by Paul Scott is the last book in his series known as the Raj Quartet. The four books are classics, that have been read and will continue to be read centuries from now as readers attempt to understand what happened during the last days of the British Raj in India. I read history but I am also a great fan of well written historical fiction and these books are extremely well written historical fiction. Having read them, I am much more enlightened about the struggles which continue today betweem Hindu and Muslim.

Many of the characters from the earlier books converge in DIVISION, and the book introduces a new character, Guy Perron, who is a Chillingborough-Cambridge educated historian whose "period" and place are mid-19th Century India. Guy's character is used to tie up all the loose ends.

After arriving in India as a British army sergeant (he has elected not become an officer although his education and class clearly warrent it), Guy has the misfortune to be "chosen" by the recently-promoted-to-LtCol. and very wicked Ronald Merrick as his aide-de-camp. Merrick is still riddled with class envy, and sees in Guy an excellent opportunity to abuse someone he despises. Fortunately, Guy is able to escape from Merrick through the graces of his Aunt Charlotte who pulls strings to have him released from the army.

Fortunately for Guy, he doesn't escape Merrick before he meets Sarah Layton. Their story is told in this fourth volume and certain elements of the tale bring to mind the earlier story of Hari Kumar and Daphne Manners. In fact, it is through Guy's meeting of Merrick, Sarah, and another Chillingburrian, Nigel Rowan (who interviewed Hari Kumar in prison) that he becomes interested in the events at Mayapore in 1942 and the subsequent consequences for all involved.

As with other great classics, in DIVISION things do not always evolve as the reader would have wished. This book is very realistic -- sorrow and joy are mixed. In JEWEL IN THE CROWN, the first book in the series, Lady Chatterjee says she does not want to go to a heaven that excludes joy and sorrow because being human requires one to feel joy and sorrow.

Perhaps it is because humans can experience sorrow they are capable of experiencing joy. In the end, the reader discovers Hari Kumar's fate and the identity of Philoctetes as well as the difference between Dharma and Karma. This is a powerful series and a fabulous ending to the tale.

The Raj Quartet comes to its spectacular conclusion with "A Division of the Spoils." Of the four books, I perhaps enjoyed this one the most. The main character (Guy Perron) is observant, funny, and human, so he's easy to like. He is a complete opposite of the story's antagonist, Ronald Merrick. The scenes in which they must work together (Perron is a sergeant and Merrick his officer) are some of the best. I could hardly put this book down and finished it in just a few days.

Please do not let the length of this series dissuade you from reading it! The books are all very compelling and well-written. If you like historical fiction, they are very much worth your time. I would recommend you watch the mini-series (I rented it from Netflix), read the 4 books, and then watch the mini again. You'll get quite a bit out of it that way.

Enjoy!

Anyone reading the reviews for the previous 3 books, knows I have struggled to read these series. However, Scott absolutely redeemed himself with this final book.

The first book focused on the British occupation of India during WWII and introduced us to the "Manners" case - the only interesting bit in a book that had long waffly passages describing India. Who needs to read a history book? This book would have done it... The 2nd book focused more on the "Layton's" and was much more readable as it was the changing India as seen through the eyes of a few key characters. The 3rd book was a boring repetition of the 2nd book and this last book, about the end of the British occupation and WWII was just brilliant!

Like his much more enjoyable 2nd book, this one is told almost exclusively through the eyes of key characters we met in previous books - and it introduces us to the rakish charm of Guy Perron. I always remember Charles Dance's interpretation of Guy Perron in the BBC series making a strong impression on me, but I found the character in the book even more engaging.

This last book in the series was absolutely stunning and made persevering through the whole series somewhat worth it. I say somewhat, because it has been a real trial getting through the denser parts of Books I and III and I wouldn't push this series on anyone, even though the last book is a literary accomplishment.

I try to think if this book is readable without having read the previous books, and although I suspect it is (Scott continues to go back over vast chunks of history from someone else's point of view), it would be a shallow interpretation without the reader gaining all the knowledge from the first 3 books.

This book is just as impressive as the three others of the Raj Quartet. Once again, the cast of interesting characters is huge; the atmosphere of the time is brilliantly captured and the variety of scenes/plots is well mastered. The book is instructive and yet enormously entertaining. The Raj Quartet is one of the most rewarding pieces of literature I have ever read.

Perhaps the best book ever to explain why New Zealand is not the USA with minor differences. There are considerable cultural and societal differences which may escape the visitor unless and until they experience New Zealand on a deep level. Some find the mysterious aspects of her experience of the Maori culture to be doubtful or merely coincidence. Those born in New Zealand will understand them and will not be surprised.

My mother mailed me this book from America to New Zealand because I have recently arrived in NZ and I will be living in New Zealand for the next year. I find Carol O'Bistro's insights about New Zealand culture relevent and insightful for a current long-term visitor. Her writing is lyrical and fun to read. I wonder what she is doing now.

I bought this book when I was visiting New Zealand in 1988 where people kept recommending it, and I am just now rereading it for something like the fifth time--including one time with a discussion group. This time through I am finding new delights that I must have skimmed over before. Parts of the book are naively New-Agey, but even those parts are personal and honest and fun to read. It is the story of a woman whose job takes her into the middle of an enormous cultural shift, and she manages to stay in the middle--between the world views of American bureaucracy and a traditional people's values, and somehow to walk that precarious boundary and to be receptive to the ways it changes her. It's an amazing story.

On September 10, 1984, at first light, New York's Fifth Avenue was the scene of an unusual ceremony. On the steps of the Metropolitan Museum of Art a group of Maori women wailed the ritual welcome: HAERE MAI !! Their calls were answered and taken up by a group of Maori elders down the avenue, their leader in a feathered cloak, their path cleared of evil spirits by a small band of tattooed warriors ferociously thrusting their spears.

It was opening day of a groundbreaking exhibition at the Met: Te Maori: Maori Art from New Zealand Collections. The elders were in New York to lift the tapu and open the exhibition. Their greeting was for their ancestors, spiritually residing in the 174 taonga (treasures) on display outside New Zealand for the first time. Nine years in the planning, Te Maori was the culmination of a massive exercise in politics and logistics.

Carol O'Biso was the registrar of the exhibition, responsible for the packing and safe passage of these treasures collected from a number of New Zealand museums. First Light: A Magical Journey is her lyrical story of this great adventure.

The "cultural artifacts" are believed by the Maori to be sacred and powerful. Carol, overwhelmed at first by the vast divide between her New York self and the ancient Maori beliefs, struggled to do her job in the midst of controversy over the exhibition. She was excluded by Maori custom from speaking at the many ritual gatherings in museums and meeting houses. Frustration was her constant companion, in those early days. Gradually the power of the collection became entirely real to her and she found herself honoring the treasures in ways she would not have found possible.

Carol spent several years packing, shipping and unpacking the irreplaceable treasures and was under their spell when she returned them to New Zealand in 1986. She handed them over, in yet another ceremony that left her in tears, to a New Zealand registrar for their awe-inspiring progress through New Zealand museums.

Carol's story is a very personal one and some of her early impressions of New Zealand were less than favorable. However the country's charm and especially the strength of the Maoris' respect for their culture led her to a deep appreciation of The Land of the Long White Cloud.

I had the privilege of seeing Te Maori in New Zealand, and First Light brought back vivid memories of its power. I read the book in the early 1990s and then gave it away (read it! you'll love it!), and when I found a copy on Amazon this month I was delighted to be reacquainted with it.

Linda Bulger, 2008

Thought provoking, moving and fun. The story is told in a masterful way that made me laugh, cry and sit-up thinking about it for a week after I read it. The author takes you along on her own personal journey and as her New York City eyes and heart transform into something miraculous so does the readers'. It touches the heart and reminds us of our humanity in the most magnificent way. Read it slowly; you won't want it to end!

The well-known phrase 'for the term of his natural life' is used by Marcus Clarke to bring home the horrors of transportation and the Tasmanian penal system in the 19th century.
Richard Devine, an innocent man (under an assumed name of Rufus Dawes) convicted of a crime he did not commit, is sent for transportation and assumed killed in a shipwreck. In reality, he is heir to a vast estate (unbeknown to him) and the convolutions of the tale that evolve from this are wonderfully written; the gradual demolishing of Dawes, the unspeakable duality of Frere, the calculating guile of Sarah and the gullible innocence of Sylvia are woven together in a plot that does not end happily ever after. This I think, serves to underline the barbarism and futility of the transportation system.
Based on actual events, Clarke uses his 'hero' to illustrate the depravation and privations that prisoners (and their guards) had to endure. Graphically showing how degradation degrades and power corrupts, the narrative never dwells on gruesome details, instead it relies for effect on the imagination of the reader, which can be more terrifying.
A book that deserves a wider readership.

This was without question one of the most gripping novels I've read in many a day. I first ran across this work in a brief mention by British travel writer/popular historian James Morris, where he thought it akin to the gulag novels of post-Stalinist Russia in subject matter and philosophical content. Add to that a wealth of striking narrative detail, immensely memorable characters (Maurice Frere, Sarah Purfoy, and particularly James North leap to mind), some truly transporting (no pun intended) and incredibly creepy passages, mind-blowing plot twists and turns, and a persistent refusal to provide too pat solutions to characters' problems... Clarke wasn't better than Dickens or Eliot, but neither of the latter could have written this book.

Clarke's masterpiece was published in 1874, after being serialized in 1870-72. Critics have lambasted a few of the less believable elements and some of the pat characterization of a number of supporting characters, but these are flaws to be found in most novels of that time (and ours). Clarke redeems himself by taking the cliches and mannerisms of the nineteenth-century English novel and using them to illuminate a whole new society, one practically mythical to the metropolitan consciousness of the Victorian Anglophone world. This work is a great counterpoint to all those English novels of the day where the hero or villain gets packed off to the antipodes and returns mysteriously changed. The main thrust of the novel, though, was the need to tell the true story of (white) Australian society's beginnings. Clarke, in telling the story of the unjustly convicted Rufus Dawes (aka Richard Devine), provides a panoramic view of early Victorian Australia, from the hellish convict settlements of Macquarie Harbor and Norfolk Island to the nascent frontier towns of Hobart and Melbourne, from the aging memories of the "First Fleeters" (the original convicts who arrived in 1788) to the controversial Eureka Stockade Uprising of 1854. The narrative frequently moves at a deliciously whirlwind pace to accomodate the exciting interaction of characters and history.

Clarke's novel is generally cited as nineteenth-century Australia's greatest and points the way towards more nuanced examinations of the colonial experience in the twentieth century (Peter Carey's JOE MAGGS, about the "off-stage" life of Dickens antihero Abel Magwitch, is apparently very much in this vein). Don't read it just for this reason, though. Please be sure to find the longer, original version, as I was fortunate enough to do. Clarke was forced to produce a revised, shortened version for the original publication, one dictated by his editors that turned the novel into a much more "conventional" Victorian literary production (and has a longer title--FOR THE TERM OF HIS NATURAL LIFE). I understand a TV series was made in the mid-80s with Anthony Perkins as North. If this was the case, then it badly needs to be remade on celluloid, because I can't seem to find the series. It's a magnificent novel whose flaws, I think, are amply counterbalanced by its unexpected joys.

It's a collation of events by various persons involved in the penal settlement of early Australia. Marcus Clarke has interwoven these events into a novel of fiction. These are stark facts; and show, as far as I've researched, very detailed. L.P. Hartely said it all,in this case.."The past is a foreign country.They do things differently there." The more you read on, the more you want to know..

LEt me set the record straight first...I have never read this book. I had seen the mini-series almost 10 years ago on CBC Canada. The series was very gripping and always left me waiting for the next in the sequence. Following the end of the series I was determined that I had to read this book. My last attempt to find it was in 1991 when I was told it was out of print and could not be found anywhere. Luckily I have just tripped across the information again and it prompted me to start looking again. Needless to say (but I must) I am thrilled to find it and now be able to finally read it. I hope it is everything that I know it is and more. It is an epic tale of grand proportions. Now if I can only find the video series AND a hard cover copy to add to my library!

Well, as an Australian living in the year 2000, reading this book, written in the 1880s, is an emotional experience.

For it is through works such as this that we can see our past. We can examine the nature of the beast that gave birth to us. Who we are. From whence we came.

If you want to understand why Australians are they way they are, and have the attitudes and language that they do, then give this book a read.

This was a very practical, down to earth guide to preparing and using herbal medicines. Seldom do you find such a straightforward easy to follow handbook on the proper preparation, storage and usage of both homegrown and purchased herbs. An extremely valuable tool to minister to the health of the whole family, young and old. Attractive full color photos and easy to follow descriptions make for a very pleasant reading experience. Fun and interesting, Ms. Ody includes instructions and cautions to ensure correct usage of these herbs, and avoid unpleasant side effects or complications of existing health conditions. I highly recommend this book for anyone interested in herbal medicine for the home.

Dorling Kindersley's Home Herbal is a lovely book containing information on 60 commonly used herbs and how to use them in health remedies. The book outlines common health problems encountered at various stages of the life cycle from babies to teenagers to pregnant women to old age. The herbs are presented with beautiful photos and easy-to-understand instructions how to prepare remedies such as decoctions and poultices. There is also an alphabetical list of health problems, including what herbs to use and how to treat those problems. Another winning book from DK.

This is a very good book for beginers and people who want to make their own herbal remedies. The pictures are clear and beautifuly done. The instructions make it very understandable for everyone. Also included are treatments for a mixture of common ailments and a good "How To" instruction on the preparation of remedies. There is alot of very helpful info. in this book.

From babies to the elderly Penelope Ody addresses the seven stages of life and how to care for ourselves at each one. Her emphasis is on taking charge of one's own day to day health. She teaches us how to make and use syrups, infusions, decoctions, tinctures, tonic wines, capsules, compresses, poultices, hot and cold infused oils, massage oils, ointments, creams, lotions, emulsions, eyewashes, mouthwashes and more. There are full color photos of how she makes these as well as of the plants she uses. There is a remedies for common aliments section that lists the herbs used for specific problems and which way of using it is preferable. I am sure when Shakespeare wrote of the seven ages of man he had no idea how stressful life would be in the 21st century and how necessary health maintenance would be. Penelope Ody has it figured out though. Thank Goodness.

The highlight of this book for me was the wonderful section on making herbal remedies: full color descriptions for crafting syrups, infusions, decoctions, tinctures, tonic wines, capsules, pessaries, compresses, poultices, infused oils, massage oils, ointments, creams, lotions, emulsions, and washes ... the beginning herbalist can feel comfortable knowing she is crafting safely and correctly ... and the A-Z of herbs helps make sure you're using the right plant!

Until the release of Michael's new book ("Getting There"), "Into a Timeless Realm" was my favorite of his books -- and I've read them all. His connection with, and love of, Nature is amazing, and is a connection I share (not yet with his depth and consistency yet, but it's coming).

"Into a Timeless Realm" takes you on his most incredible and insightful spiritual journey. Each time I read this book, I come away with more treasures.

I have read all of Michael J. Roads' books and found this one to be absolutely fantastic. It takes you deeply into the metaphysical realm and beyond. When reading it, I felt as though I had personally witnessed what the author experienced. I consumed the book quickly and then read it a second time in order to digest it. A great, well-written book! Definitely one I'm going to keep on my bookshelf.

- this would certainly be one of them!!

In this book, Michael J. Roads describes a spiritual journey unlike any other I have ever come across. It is fascinating, breath-taking, mind-boggeling, almost unbelievable - and yet it FEELS very real and true. There are a multitudes of insights throughout the book, and each time I revisit this book I find new ones. If you have never read any books by Michael J. Roads, I would recommend to start of with one of his earlier books, like 'Journey into Nature' or 'Journey into Oneness', simply because 'Into a Timeless Realm' ties these into a much larger universe and it is always fun to begin a journey with the first couple of steps. :)

If you have already read his earlier books, treat yourself to this one - it will keep you at the edge of your seat from beginning to end!

First off I would love to send my heartfelt love to Treenie who recently transitioned from her physical, and thank Michael for being so generous in giving us an insight into who she was as an incredible individual on his website. She became self-aware even before he did, according to Michael.
This book was the first one I picked up (thanks to a friend's recommendation) from the series and was amazed at the intensity and the hard-to-believe-this-is-real kind of stuff. I loved it, and I also enjoyed the writing aspect of it that was I found to be fluid, easy-to-read, well put together, and with good, dynamic literary content. Upon reading the book, it feels like a narration, and one that keeps you guessing what's next. The adventures are beyond words, beyond what I've even read in science fiction books. Reality is far more bizarre, and exquisitely creative than even what our fantasy novels can depict. And Michael here goes to places that are very hard to believe, because their existence runs completely against every scientific tenet and notion out there. Like the famous out-of-body researcher and pioneer, Robert A. Monroe, Michael visits another reality in a non physical state that is apparently adjacent to ours, and provides our reality with most of its raw 'materials.'

Because the book flows very easily, some of the events can be more accessible for the average reader. However, the events described were hard to swallow for me, and admittedly so, there are realities that our 5 senses wouldn't be able to interpret because they occupy such frameworks that barely deal with any sense of time, space, gravity and depth.
Yet, according to Michael J Road's experiences, there exists an even greater variety of species, inhabitants, and individualized consciousnesses that inhabit and function in such realities.
This book is a must-read for any explorer, scientist or mystic for it holds a concept of reality that shatters our worldview. This book was a bold one to write on Michael's part for that I say thank you.

The incomparable Michael Roads has done it again! A wonderful author who makes the other realities very real to us has another great adventure to tell in this book.

An inspirational and mystical account of his true voyages into accelerated consciousness, Roads is a natural storyteller. While others may have similar experiences, what sets him apart is his ability to share his story coherently.

A story of connecting to Source, other potential future realites, other beings from other dimensions/parts of space---this is my kind of book, and my story as well.

Thank you, Michael Roads, for giving us such a fun adventure!

Best book I've read in a long while. A rollicking, fine adventure story made all the more amazing in that it is the true life story of one of Australia's forgotten heroes. A "must" read!

Hi. Anyone who has read any of my other reviews (two were slipped in by my daughter when she was a pre-teen - unbeknownst to me) knows that I have read the Urantia Book. Cover to cover. If you are at all curious about that tome, and find the very premise of it a barrier that you simply can't overcome, I suggest starting with this biography about Sir Hubert Wilkins. Why? Because he was there - he knew the principal players who were responsible for bringing the Papers to fruition (and that's what they were at first - "papers" - the kind of thing that a professor may have on the drawing board for years before publication). Moreover, Wilkins evidently witnessed some of the paranormal events and wrote very matter of factly about it. For that particular insight you have to dig out one of the other two biographies of him or find my article about him online wherein I quote from a letter Wilkins left for his secretary. You can find that on the Square Circles website where they catalog the Spiritual Fellowship Journal. I believe my article about Sir Hubert is in the Spring 2004 edition. This book of course goes far beyond my article reguarding Wilkins life - but not far enough reguarding Wilkin's involvement with the Urantia movement in the 1940's and 50's. For a full and very clear picture of that please read the Sherman Diaries - again available through Square Circles Publishing and Amazon. These diaries contain many, many letters to and from Wilkins. This guy was there folks. If you want to call the Urantia Book all manner of silly names then knock yourself out. But - when you awaken, try writing a paper on the nature of reality or the meaning of Jesus' death on the cross. Then, compare your offering with this amazing book. After all these years of on-again off-again reading I have come to this (personally undeniable) conclusion: If the Urantia Book is what it says it is then that is incredible. And/or - if the Urantia Book is of human origin then that too is incredible. Either way you cut it, it's the best I've found on these far reaching matters. Now, to Wilkins it seems to have been simply another adventure, another journey except he went inward this time - not out into the wilderness. This was a serious man - one of the last of his kind. He led an amazing life, and to acknowledge it the United States Navy sent his ashes to the North Pole abroad the USS Nautilus - the first nuclear powered submarine. So, after you aquaint yourself with the life of Sir Hubert (knighted for his many and myriad accomplishments) ask yourself - why would he participate in the Urantia movement? There was no pecuniary gain. It was time consumming. He would pick up and go to the ends of the earth on a regular basis. Would he sit around the musty reading room at 533 (I've been there) because he had nothing better to do? Hardly. Read this book about him - this is clearly the best of the three. This man could literally have stepped out of an Indiana Jones movie or been a character in Casablanca. Truely unforgettable...................

Simon Nasht's book is like an icebreaker charting a course through the Antarctic and revealing one of its greatest explorers. It is hard to believe that one person so "aggressively modest" could have done so much with so little. Up until now, few had remembered him. What a pity. Thanks for bringing him back to life. Now, when is the movie coming out?

This true account of one man's lifelong exploration
of the polar regions makes history come alive. Yet for some reason Hubert Wilkins amazing exploits have faded from public memory.
This biography about a far-sighted adventurer who understood the importance of polar ice caps on global climate. It is a page turner that deserves a place on every bookshelf,an inspiration to the youth.

THE LAST EXPLORER: HUBERT WILKINS, HERO OF THE GREAT AGE OF POLAR EXPLORATION tells of the most successful explorer in history: a self-taught farm boy from the Australian outback who became a cameraman, reporter, pilot, spy and adventurer. His surveys were captured on camera, he helped map the Canadian Arctic, and his amazing life has only not received much in-depth coverage in past because he avoided publicity. Author Simon Nasht discovered Wilkins' journals, records and photos and used them to recreate his life and achievements: any library interested in adventure biography will welcome this vivid account.

Lifted - The fourth section of Moments and Milestones gives us, the readers, a welcome respite from the drama and angst of previous chapters. The author takes us on an internal journey of discovery that leads to the awakening of a new and brighter consciousness.

Looking - Section five, finds the author using his new found sense of self-worth empowering him to become an adventurer. Traveling overseas in a hopeful search for both purpose and meaning. It is at this point that the story really became engaging for me. Life in a strange and exotic land with romantic love seemingly just around the corner. Exciting!

The pace of the writing seems much more clear to me now, though still furiously frenetic. Perhaps I am just becoming used to the author's style.
Lifted and Looking provides a bouncy almost buoyant feel good adventure that completely enthralls the reader.

Up next is 'Loving'! (The story I originally picked this book up to read.) Can't wait!

The third and fourth installments of Moments & Milestones, with the lilting alliterative continuance of L-words, Lifted and Looking, is filled with an empirical exploration of the author's personal acquaintance with hallucinogenic drugs, and also a graphic annotation on earning a living "in the flesh." In fact, Mr. Mulder's exploration of meth is as fully rendered as Carlos Castaneda's exploration of peyote buttons. The little voice (the wee scientist, sort of a Jiminy Cricket) also takes us vividly into the world of legal prostitution and "escort services" in Australia. It's a catalog as long as Don Giovanni's and as spicy as Frank Harris'.

Mr. Mulder has indeed presented us with an immense life, and we still have more "L's" to go. Plus, his evident love and enthrallment with the world down-under inspires. The carefully crafted description of Sydney and its pristine environs compliments the work.

I recommend Moments & Milestones highly, starting with Little and going through to the last L (whatever that will be), which I am looking forward to reading. I am now proceeding to Loving, and then to Lunacy with all the interest of a newbie at life's circus. "Come one, come all. Step right up and listen to that little voice . . . ah, another L-word, but I think an important one, for there is plenty to "l"isten to in "l"ittle's voice.

As a part-time member of the New Age movement I was thrilled to read the account of Timothy Mulder's spiritual awakening. He details his past problems with organized religion and his devout connection to rationality and the scientific principle. When his investigation of the physical world dovetails into his shamanistic experiences, the results are a completely believable perspective on the nature of reality.
Though he has not yet discovered all the answers to life, in truth his journey seems to have only just begun, Mulder is definitely a man on a mission. Truth has become his goal.
Where that quest takes him is anyone's guess, but I for one intend to be there as the hoped for answers are revealed.

I found myself reading 'Lifted' with both hands holding on tight to my Kindle while perched precariously on the edge of my seat. This chapter of Timothy Mulder's memoir dealt with his experiences with drugs, one drug in particular and the effects this had on him both mentally and physically. It also describes how he came in touch with his inner psyche. I felt this section was well written. It was as though I was present in the room as the scenes played out. When the Author hit rock bottom and finally decided it was time to make a change, I felt as if I too needed to come up for air.

"Looking" is a good title for this 5th chapter of his memoir. It details how he made a change and began looking for who he wanted to be and the efforts he made to be that person. It talks of his success as he left his former self behind. There is a golden light at the end of this tunnel....and once again I find myself anxious to explore the next installment of his book.

What more mischief is in store for our hero? I thought I had seen it all. Timothy Mulder opens our eyes to a reality unknown to some and yet keeps our sympathies while he struggles with life and its revelations.

He gives hope where none is expected and passion where missed. Shows love and concern for the lonely and opens your eyes to a new reality with his discoveries.

Highly recommended and still wanting more...
I look forward to the next installment.
Sondi

I am a cookbook addict and cook quite a bit. I use this book all the time and consider it a classic! Enjoy!

This book is fantastic. It's beautifully presented and for some reason, with each of her books, I feel like I can cook like she does. All the recipes look easy (and the ones I've tried are) and they look delicious. Each is tempting and makes you want to get into that kitchen.
After an introduction, there are various chapters; Soup, Salads, Vegetables, Roasts and Simmers, Pasta Noodles and Rice, Pies and Tarts and then Tools. There is a glossary too and conversion charts which can be a great help.
So far I've tried the Grilled Asparagus with Balsamic Butter, Baked Chicken and Pumpkin Risotto, Vietnamese Noodle Salad and the Spinach and Fetta Pie. Everything has been so yum and easy to prepare because her instruction is clear and concise.
All of her books are worth taking a look at and in each one there is something delicious for everyone. You would be hard pressed to find that you couldn't make something from one of these amazing recipes. I highly recommend this book. It's great.

rodboomboom pretty much says all that needs to be said, however being in the design and print industry, I wanted to add some comments about the quality of this book. It's a bit oversized format and may not fit in tighter bookshelves, but I am sure you have a spot for it somewhere. The photography is excellent. Images of tantalizing food, sitting on rustic wire racks and cutting boards and utensils against a white background, which fits with the theme that these are modern versions of classics. The spot varnish on the photography with white backgrounds really makes the food pop off the page. Some of the recipes have a series of smaller photographs which show the process of cooking the food. The design and layout is very clean. This is the first Donna Hay book I have added to my collection, but it won't be the last.

This is a fantastic cookbook. My cousin sent it over to me from Sydney, Australia & i love it! I use it all the time - the pad thai is easy & delicious, the three cheese tart was scrumptious and my boyfriend LOVES the egg & bacon tart......yum! She doesn't overuse words making everything confusing, she uses a simple easy to follow text and the pictures make your mouth water. oh i made the french fries this morning for a breakfast treat.....mmmmm!!!!

This is a cookbook that makes your mouth water. It is an ideal gift, and a book to treasure. Many interesting approaches to classic dishes, lots of ideas, and a number of very simple, straight-forward dishes. You'll use this one! It won't sit on the shelf collecting dust.