Australia Books

This book is a must read for any mystery or sports fan. It is just a terrific book.

I first read this book when I was about 7 years old, and it started a lifelong interest in mystery stories. I practically squealed with joy when I found it again at the library recently.



The story is pretty simple, but it really encourages kids to think as they try to solve the clues to the mystery along with the heroine, Meg. Meg is visiting her grandfather when he tells her about a sort of treasure hunt that his cousin, Alice, created for him years ago that he was never able to solve. Alice took his prized possession, a baseball signed by Babe Ruth, and refused to tell him where it was. Instead, she left him a series of clues leading to the place where it is hidden. Although her grandfather was unable to find the answers to any of the clues, Meg is determined to solve the mystery and find the baseball. To add to the challenge, Meg's brother is also trying to solve the mystery, and she is trying to find the baseball before he does. At each stage of the mystery, the book asks readers to consider the clues Meg finds and to study the pictures to find the answers before turning the page to find out what Meg's conclusions are.



All the clues in the treasure hunt are based upon popular nursery rhymes, which kids can easily recognize. From personal experience, I know that kids are impressed when they realize that they know enough to figure out the meanings of the clues on their own. This is a good book for kids in early elementary school, especially ones who enjoy mysteries and puzzles.

I wrote this book, so I think it is terrific.

Hey Paul great book. Will you be writing a book as a follow up to your story in Readers Digest about the lost tribes. Pretty interesting stuff. If not, do you know of any books written on this subject. Also can you post your e-mail address I wish to inquire about purchasing a copy of the Photograph that was displayed on pages 110 & 111. I would like it large enough so that I may frame it. Best Regards C.A. Esposito

This collection of travel writer's accounts of their experiences in the land of kangaroos is amusing and informative. From an explanation of why Aussies call Americans "seppos" (a legacy of the rhyming slang of convicts, seppo means septic tank and tank matches Yank)to adventures in the Outback and quite a lot else, this is just a fun book to read.

If you are planning a trip to Australia or wish you could, this book should top your reading list. It's not a travel guide, it collects 39 articles or book excerpts from diverse sources that get to the heart of Australia.
You hear first-hand accounts of back packers, travel writers (Paul Theroux, Bruce Chatwin), Australians, adventurers, vacationers, and just ordinary people. Such a wide selection lets you see Australia from many angles from the food to the people to the animals and the landscape. This is so much more in-depth than a guidebook could possibly be.
Read the harrowing account of a woman canoer who survived a crocodile attack, experience learning to surf at Bondi, ride after brumbies in the Snowy Mountains, etc. Not all stories are heroic, as these are real people writing their impressions of a country and its amazing animals and hardy people. Each gives their own viewpoint which makes for fascinating reading.
The selections vary from 5 to 20 pages, making it a great book to dip into when you don't have extended reading time.
I highly recommend this book. After living in Australia 3 1/2 years, it brought back many memories of a wonderful country and showed me why I need to travel there again.

If you've ever had a desire to see kookaburras, koalas and kangaroos in their natural habitat, you will relish the book Australia Calling: The RV Travel Handbook by Lionel Mussell. Lavishly illustrated with color photos, the book covers everything from choosing an RV type, planning your trip, what to pack, emergency preparation, the best communication devices to have when you're in the outback, to (best of all) descriptions of the various travel routes to and from major points of interest in all regions of Australia, including the island of Tasmania.

It was surprising to see photos of Australian RVs as well as vehicles made by manufacturers familiar to Americans, such as Winnebago, and to note the contrast in body styling. Australian RVs as well as those made for Australian distribution appear to be on the small side in comparison with American models. If looks are an indication, we'd say it's a safe bet that Aussies value utility and durability over glitz and glamour when choosing an RV.

You'll enjoy Mussell's easygoing, informal writing style, peppered here and there with Australian vernacular such as "caravans" for trailers and "cuppa" for "cup of coffee."

Aside from useful advice about trip planning and budgeting, the real meat of Australia Calling consists of Mr. Mussell's detailed, generously illustrated travel routes that cover the entire continent. Mussell possesses an intimate knowledge of Australia off the beaten tourist path and offers expert advice on where to go, what to see, where the campgrounds are, and where to eat.

We've all heard of Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne, but who knew that towns with names like Caloundra, Mooloolabah, Maroochydore, and Yandina also have attractions worth exploring -- like the Ginger Factory at Yandina or the Siding Spring Observatory near Coonabarabran in the foothills of the Warrumbungle mountains? From wine country in the temperate valleys of southeast Australia and its great cities of Melbourne, Victoria, and Sydney, you'll follow the Pacific coast to the Great Barrier Reef and the beaches of tropical Queensland, then drive across the desert wastes of the central outback to Ayers Rock and Alice Springs. Or follow the less traveled north coast, washed by the Coral Sea, home to ancient aboriginal culture and more akin to Asia than to the rest of Australia. Find yourself in the metropolitan port of Perth in western Australia on the Indian Ocean, and return to southeast Australia via the South Coast Highway where you can gaze out over the Southern Ocean from majestic cliffs, knowing the nearest landfall is at the bottom of the world.

As if that weren't enough, scattered throughout the book are many practical tips to make your journey safer and easier. If I have a criticism, it would be the lack of detailed maps of each region. However, Mr. Mussell stated early on that he omitted them on the assumption that most readers would have their own maps (less likely, though, for American readers). All in all, Australia Calling offers an entertaining and comprehensive look at the facts and possibilities of Australian RVing.

While in the process of planning a one month RV/motorhome trip through Australia, I was having great difficulty finding appropriate planning information for such a trip. Most of the guide books provide lists of things to see of course - but not in a manner suitable for planning an RV/Motorhome trip e.g. where is each must see location in relation to major roads, where are the good RV/caravan parks to stay the night. Then I came across the author's web-site (http://www.caravanning-oz.com/) and immediately ordered his book. While waiting for the book to arrive I sent the author some more immediate questions - which were answered very quickly. The book arrived and it had all the detail I had been looking for contained within the route notes e.g. Melbourne to Sydney via Hwy 1. The author has continued to answer my questions as they arise and even offered to review and provide further input to the full day-by-day itinerary once it is complete. I could not be happier with this purchase and the help provided by the author.

Having completed a 3week trip to Australia for shelling...I was overcome with the variety of my collection...82 new species....so I immediately turned to Amazon for rescue...this book has proven to be totally covering of all the Gastropods I found.....I liken this to R. Tucker Abbotts "Compendium of Seashells"....it is definitely a Classic!!! Roz

We deal with Australian seashells and often get asked by collectors around the world about more information and images of Australian (particularly the endemic) shells. We usually recommend this 2 volume-book as it not only contains the latest information and numerous excellent colour plates on the subject, but is also beautifully designed and a real joy to browse through for beginners and advanced collectors alike. The text is very exhausive on all major Australian gastropod families and provides the first ever published comprehensive info about the fascinating Zoila group (Western Australian endemic Cowries).

Fantastic, a book that covers all.Well worth a look at if you are interested in Australian plants.

Probably the best reference book available for Australian Native Plants

This book is a must have if you frequently find yourself lucky enough to enjoy Australian seafood. It features almost all of the commonly available species you are likely to find in a restaurant or a fishmonger.

This book enables you to plan your meals- it mentions eating qualities for each species, and oil contents so you can actually "get the good oil"! It also features latin names, habitats and similar species guides.

Recommended marketing names are also used which is essential for Australian exporters. It is recommend to the novice fish eater and the professional seafood exporter. You can also get this in a laminated version which I suppose you could safely take to sea with.

Hard to find, even in Australia but well worth the hunt. Fantastic photography throughout of the whole fish and fillet.

As a commercial fisherman this book has been invaluable to my day to day working life.If you like to eat seafood , wish to learn more about fish , crusteations , molluscs , and invertibrates of Australia then this book is a fantastic reference item. inside are clear sharp images , protein fingerprints and a complete written breakdown of each species mentioned.The text is clear , concise , and straight to the point without scientific mumbo jumbo to confuse you. what can i say BUY THIS BOOK !!

One of the best biographies I have read. Harsha does well to take the reader on a emotional roller coaster ride along with Azhar the player. Azhar as a player had seen many ups and downs in his career. Every time Azhar came back with a century, the reader feels vindicated. Azhar had played some of the greatest test and one-day innings played by an Indian batsman and the book recounts those innings very well. With the match-fixing controversy, it is easy to overlook Azhar's contribution to Indian cricket. Leaving match-fixing aside, this book is a deserving tribute to one of the greatest batsman produced by India.

I am extremely happy to review the book about azharuddin by bhogle. This book completely analyses the career graph of azhar and also his strange way of bouncing back at the right time. This book will tell us if you are mentally strong, would like to work hard always, if you happens to be a god fearing man and if you accept your mistakes, then you can also succeed like azhar inspite of any external disturbance coming on your way.
harsha bhogle has given a inside picture of azhar the man, the character of azharuddin on and off the field, his affection towards the game, fellow players, and ability to succeed in very difficult circumstances.
His relationship with the mumbai cricketers have been very much highlighted throughout like shastri supporting him initially and having difference of opinion with him in the later stages, vengsarkar who was unhappy with azhar on the tour of west indies as azhar failed miserably (remember vengsarkar also failed in the series), gavaskar's mixed reaction on the captaincy issue when azhar was made the captain for the 1992 world cup and the rapport what he shared with sachin tendulkar throughout his career (which should have got ended with the match fixing saga as sachin accused azhar on his credibility,quite strange and shocking!?)
the last line of the book is still in my memory like harsha finishing like " kisi rah pe kisi mod par tum chal nehidana mera hamsafar" which means that azhar doesn't want to miss friends at any point of his time in life which he recollects from a very famous hindi song, bhogle signed off the book saying that azhar is not alone!
But, now the whole world has left azharuddin alone without knowing the actual truth, hope the man of destiny will bounce back with the grace of god!!
regards - venkat

Basil is the Sherlock Holmes of the Mouse World. His friend and associate Dr. Dawson narrates the story. Mrs. Judson is their mousekeeper. The mouse detective has learned his sleuthing skills by listening to Sherlock Holmes tell Dr. Watson how he solved his cases. Basil takes notes in shortpaw. Basil and Dr. Dawson live in the mouse village Holmestead in the cellar at 221B Baker St. In this book Basil solves the kidnapping of the mouse twins Angela and Agatha. Children will enjoy this book, and grown-up Sherlockians will appreciate it even more. It is charmingly illustrated. If you like "Basil of Baker Street," there are four delightful sequels.

I really liked this book because I like books about detectives. This is about a mouse detective who gets lessons from Sherlock Holmes.Like Sherlock Holmes, Basil has an assistant and together they go on lots of adventures solving cases.I couldn't put this book down I liked it so much. It wasn't too scary but it was never boring.

I agree with the reviewer above that this book contains a great collection of memories and pics from the famous 1964 tour of the Far East & Australia/New Zealand. As a collector of Beatle books & such, I'd recommend this to any avid collector.
I have to disagree with this reviewer regarding the "inaccuracy" of reported numerous liaisons with fans. This tour was famous for them! I have personally not come across anywhere George or Ringo refute or even discuss these allegations. However, John Lennon made it clear that Beatle tours were "like Satyricon on tour." Further, in a later interview with Jimmy Nicols (the drummer who temporarily replaced Ringo on this tour, he states: "....Paul was not the clean chap he wanted the world to see. His love of blonde women and his general dislike of the crowds are not told. John, on the other hand, enjoyed the people, but used his sense of humour to ward off any he didn't care for. He also drunk in excess. In Denmark, for example, his head was a balloon! He had drunk so much the night before, he was on stage sweating like a pig. George was not shy at all, as the press had tried to paint him. He was into sex as well as partying all night with the rest of us. I was not even close to them when it came to mischief and carrying on. I thought I could drink and lay women with the best of them until I met up with these guys! But I did as they did. To sit here and list each and every little thing we did in such a short time, well, I just can't do it... The Beatles living life to the fullest. I just thank God that I was there to live it with them. Needless to say, the 300,000 people screaming at me and tearing me coat off to the skin was a trip in itself,"(excerpted from a 1987 interview with Austin Teutsch).

In all the books written about The Beatles, the Australian tour of July 1964 is usually dismissed with the three word reference "Far East Tour". This book was the first attempt to redress that injustice. Quite simply, the Beatles tour turned Australia upside down. In Adelaide 600,000 people gathered outside the hotel where they were staying (Adelaide had a population of 1.4 million). John Lennon told reporters "This is the greatest reception we've had anywhere in the world". In this book, acclaimed rock historian Glenn A. Baker chronicles the tour, and the visit to New Zealand. There is one glaring inaccuracy - it is claimed that the group slept with hundreds of young girls during the tour. This has been discredited by Ringo and George. Anybody familiar with the group would know that there was simply no time for this type of funny business, besides Brian Epstein kept them on a tight reign and wouldn't have allowed it. This part was probably included to get some cheap headlines in Australia's more salacious tabloids. One interesting section is the information on Jimmy Nicol, the stand-in drummer who filled in for Ringo during the first half of the tour. There is also the devastating photo showing Nicol sitting in a deserted airport terminal waiting for the flight back to England. All in all this book is a must for any serious Beatle afficionado. It gives a stark illustration of a country still coming to grips with not only a rock tour but a whole social phenomenon.