Australia Books

My 9-year-old son enjoyed this book a lot. It is quirky and funny, and pleased a fussy reader!

My 10 year old son has read all the Toad books and loved them. He is not a book lover either...wish there were more.

My 9 year-old son and I read these books together and fall apart in fits of laughter. Just good, clean fun!

I saw Glenn Murcutt speak at USGBC's GREENbuild 2004 conference. He absolutely lit hearts on fire with his passion for his craft. This book is a GEM and it the lucky person who finds this treasure!

'Touch This Earth Lightly' is a compilation of Murcutt's various comments about certain aspects of his own architecture and architecture in general. Murcutt, who is a minimalist dealing with mostly house projects in coastal Australia, is one of the very few people who respond to nature this friendly. His designs encompass very economic use of resources, in addition to great integration with nature.
He responds to the structure in nature, and not the beauty in it. His shapes are defined to this respect. He thinks that there are no styles in architecture, but rather there are only ideas beneath designs. Read his book, and you'll learn a lot more his ideas. Well written, well illustrated, and well edited...

There are no books in architecture that are this sincere, candid, and honest. Glenn Murcutt's words through his interviews with Philip Drew are expressive and quite refreshing. In his own words, he explains how, where, and most importantly why he has developed his worldview. In the world of overenphasized aesthetics, Murcutt expresses his design philosophies in a more down to earth vocabulary and design. His upbringing in PNG, his parenting, and all of the experiences that he has had (traveling in Europe and around the World) has lead to his unique point of view of architecture and the world.

This is a great book to read. It is very easy to read, and it emphasizes the things that are truly important in life.

It is truly amazing to have a scientifically credible accounting of trachoma, one of the historical scourges of mankind - assembled into a visually beautiful text that combines art, science and very readable insights into a single package. This is a wonderful achievement and a magnificent book.

This book is amazing! I had no idea! I thought it was going to be another trachoma handbook or clinical guide for those working in the trenches, but it's a history book that reads like a novel! Hugh Taylor discusses how trachoma influenced ancient and modern cultures, armies, and health systems. The photos of the early trachoma pioneers and mentors are priceless. This book is well worth a place in any medical library, highly recommended.
Victoria M. Sheffield
President & CEO, International Eye Foundation, USA

This is a fascinating story. Hugh Taylor has a lifetime of experience fighting trachoma and I doubt anyone else could have produced such an authoritative yet compellingly readable account. Beautifully illustrated throughout, this is a perfect example of a medical book that really needs to be a book. It can be dipped into and enjoyed by medical and non-medical people alike. Highly recommended.
Keith Martin, University of Cambridge, UK

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

After my husband died, I was alone except for his little Papillon dog and my own dogs and cats. I ignored his dog. She was so sweet to me but I never appreciated her. Until I read this book. It was just a book I was going to sell but I loved the cover. I read it and broke into tears before I could finish. I struggled through the story. . .I looked down through my tears and saw a sweet little face begging for attention. I picked her up and she licked my tears away. That was 8 years ago. We are the Best of Friends.

"The Very Best of Friends" is illustrated by Julie Vivas. Her watercolor paintings of round, warm people and friendly animals grace such books as "Wilfred Gordon MacDonald Partridge", "I Went Walking", and "I Went Visiting". "The Very Best of Friends" is about a quirky older farm couple (Jessie and James) and James's cat, William. Jessie tolerates William, who is James's best animal friend, until James dies. James's death takes a hard toll on both Jessie and William, until Jessie sees what she must do in order to finally go on with her life. "The Very Best of Friends" is filled with a humor that even adults will laugh at and quality illustrations everyone will enjoy.

This is one of my favourite children's titles. Margaret Wild's story and Julie Vivas' illustrations will really touch you. The farmer's death is very subtle, there are many areas were further discussion could lead. This is a story to read to all children. If you are a farmer, if you are a cat lover, if you are a wife, if you are a husband... you will love this book too.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Although this book on women and beauty was written over 20 years ago I found it both relevant and refreshing. The author Sophia Loren gives her opinions gently but firmly and she makes reading about her life both entertaining and informative. Here are some of the chapters:

Some Thoughts on Beauty

The Pursuit of Beauty (in which she covers discipline, hair, skin, make-up, fashion and style, healthy diet, and exercise.)

The Mystery of Beauty (in which she covers charm, men and love, pregnancy and motherhood, tranquility, and coming to terms with age.

I certainly think any woman interested in beauty, especially women over 30 years of age would find much useful information in this book.

Looking for some seriously useful beauty advice from a time before Botox?
I know it's hard to believe, especially as this book was published before I was born!
This is it... some fantastic skin advice as to makeup, moisturizers, even making your own exfoliators and masks!

I found Sophia's perspective to be warm, refreshing, charming and above all, practical. You will too!

While reading the book, i was under the impression I was chatting with my good friend Sophia! I found her advises very helpfull( even though the book was published in the eighties). Great scence of humor. I want to read another book by Sophia!