Australia Books

I was a young child in Primary School when baby Azaria got taken by the Dingo, but even now 25 years on, I still remember the debates on whether Lindy Chamberlain was innocent or guilty.
Comments such as "she looks too emotionally cold for a woman who has just lost her baby" and the speculation that because Azaria had a black dress in her wardrobe, her parents must have been invoved in sacrificial rituals, because who would dress a baby in black?
What occurred at the time was a media sensation that used peoples fear of the uncommon (ie. a little known religion "the seventh day adventists) and used it to sell their magazines, newspapers or boost their television ratings. The media have a lot to answer for, as do the Northern Territory Police whose shoddy investigative methods and conclusions led to a Nation wide hate crime against a family who were going through one of the most difficult experiences a family can face, the loss of a child.
Evil Angels is a factual and non-biased account (despite my afore mentioned feeling on the matter) about the events leading up to the dissapearance of Azaria Chamberlain and the investigation, media frenzy and court trial that occurred afterwards.
It is a long book, but very interesting and tragic.
I highly recommend this book.

This is a classic in not only telling the story of the Chamberlains, particularly Lindy, the mother whose baby was taken by a dingo 20 years ago, but also about how people can be caught up in a maelstrom of media scrutiny.

I remember the events so well, and, like the rest of Australia, watched them unfold year by year.

The Northern territory government and the media have a lot to answer for. The NT remains a backwater of injustice to this day - most often directed towards Aborigines, but also, as demonstrated here, with invective directed towards another group outside the conventional mainstream.

The media reported in the most outrageously biased and one-sided fashion, and actually whipped up the populous into a frenzy of finger-pointing, gossiping hatred toward Mrs Chamberlain.

I am not at all religious, but to my mind Seventh Day Adventism doesn't even sit far outside the mainstream Christian tradition, yet we were encouraged to believe it was some sort of devil-worshipping Jim Jones type sect.

Eventually the government was forced to recognise the veracity of the Chamberlain's story. ironically, another person died on The Rock for the essential clue to be discovered - a tourist fell off and his body was found near the baby's matinee jacket. It is almost beyond belief the lengths the authorities went to to balme the parents, when most of the people closest to the event on that night verified or supported the Chamberlain's case. Yet those voices were drowned out for years.

Bryson did a wonderful job of bringing this story to public atttention,and some of the most important parts were effectively translated to the screen in the Meryl Streep movie (Cry In The Dark).

Bookbag...
A writer and photographer who splits his life between his native California and his adopted homeland of French Polynesia, Winston Conrad has put together a sampler of Pacific paradises. The title - Fabled Isles of the South Seas (dist. by ACCESS Publishers, $49.95) - says it all, or nearly, and Conrad's selection is hard to quarrel with, including as it does Tahiti and its Society Island neighbors, Pitcairn, the Cooks, the Tuamotus, the Marquesas, and Easter Island. Conrad clearly knows the territory, and each of his essays conveys a personal take amplified by extended quotes from eminent literary visitors (Jack London to James Michener). The illustrations include both Conrad's own color photographs and a nice melange of drawings, historical charts, and old prints. It's the grand Pacific tour with an informed guide.

This handsome coffee-table book, which covers roughly the sweep from Tahiti to Easter Island, is the work of the photographer son of the writer/painter Barnaby Conrad. The brief text skillfully introduces the islands, incorporating quotations from famous earlier visitors such as Melville, Gauguin, and Robert Louis Stevenson. The photographs are well chosen and provocatively juxtaposed with historical images, including old postcards, portions of maps, and even postage stamps. Unlike many books of this genre, there is an emphasis on portraying the local people in their everyday activities, as well as views of stunning sunsets. Primarily a gift book for those planning a tour and a souvenir to remember it by, this book may be priced beyond the budgets of many libraries.- Harold M. Otness

My mother read this to me when I was a little girl from when I was four to eight years old, trying to encourage me to always do my best. I remember that at the time, my only conscious opinion regarding the book was that I wanted to have wings just like the title character in Pixie O'Harris's breathtaking illustrations. Rereading it, I've realized just how brilliant and sweet the story is. The artwork, of course, is incredible. But what makes this book truly wonderful is the story of the little fairy, who never used her wings until she was forced to go to a strange wood, along with all the other creatures that never tried to use their special gifts. While a description of the plot may sound saccharin to jaded adults, the tone of the story is that of a proper fairy tale (no pun intended), with a quietly reassuring message and naturally happy ending. The quality of the artwork of the book is enough to make it a treasured family possession, but the story that guides it will make children of all ages adore it.

My mother read this to me when I was a little girl from when I was four to eight years old, trying to encourage me to always do my best. I remember that at the time, my only conscious opinion regarding the book was that I wanted to have wings just like the title character in Pixie O'Hara's breathtaking illustrations. Rereading it, I've realized just how brilliant and sweet the story is. The artwork, of course, is incredible. But what makes this book truly wonderful is the story of the little fairy, who never used her wings until she was forced to go to a strange wood, along with all the other creatures that never tried to use their special gifts. While a description of the plot may sound saccharin to jaded adults, the tone of the story is that of a proper fairy tale (no pun intended), with a quietly reassuring message and naturally happy ending. The quality of the artwork of the book is enough to make it a treasured family possession, but the story that guides it will make children of all ages adore it.

This book is undoubtedly one of the best exposures to Shakespeare for children. My eight year old daughter loved it so much she brought it to school and shared it with the class. Her teacher found a copy and made it part of his curriculum. Parents were delighted and tried to find their own copies. I must say this was back in 1978! I have recommended this book over the years to numerous young parents who cannot find this wonderful book. Very sad. To not have this book would be like missing "Pat The Bunny" or "Good Night Moon".

This book and its amazing illustrations will expose your children (and yourself) to the wonderful world of Shakespeare. Several of Shakespeares best known plays are retold as stories, without the complicated language. Bernard Miles is able to weave these tales so well that you get completely drawn into the characters and the time. Reading these as a kid (the stories are long, probably best for 12 and up) gave me an interest in Shakespeare and help me to understand them when I read or saw them as plays. Don't miss an opportunity to get a copy of this book!

There are quite a number of Australian Bird field guides these days. they all have merit. This one is right up there with the best and is an indispensible, easy to use essential. The Family summaries and short summary of classifications are succinct and informative - they certainly whet the appetite to learn more if the user is so inclined.
I have used Pizzey extensively ever since the first edition in 1981 (illustrations were then done by Roy Doyle). I actually preferred that first edition but it is now long out of print and this seventh edition is a worthy successor. The illustrations are sound and do help identification. The book is too large to fit in a pocket for a field trip but is certainly packable and although I do not use it in the field, it seems robust enough in construction to handle that if the user wished it.

As with any bird watcher, I have all the field guides to the birds of Australia. There are many and they are all good. However, my favourite (for the last few years...it does change with different editions, etc), is this, the "Pizzey and Knight". As a biology and wildlife based guide and educator in Australia, I travel all over the continent with school groups, tours and for my own recreation, so I 'road test" a lot of different field guides. I have found the illustrations in this book to consistently be the best, especially with the waders and shorebirds where it is most important. It also covers the family groups very well at the end of the book, which is important to gain a wider perspective on our bird fauna.
Damon Ramsey
Author, "Ecosystem Guides Rainforest of tropical Australia"
www.educational-tours.com.au

I love this book! The pictures are wonderful. The authors have taken a very complex ecosystem and presented it in such a way that anyone with an interest in ecology will enjoy this book and find it easy to understand.
I like the way the book is broken down in to large categories. For example, there is a chapter on the sponges common to the fiords, the brachiopods, the echinoderms, the fishes, the mammals and so on. I found the glossary to be helpful when my memory needed a bit of refreshing, and the index is nice because they have listed common and scientific names.
The photographs are amazing. Very high quality and professional. The captions that accompany the pictures are also very well written and informative. As good as they are, however, they almost don't do the beauty of New Zealand justice. The scenery is breath taking and the fiords are a must see should you happen to have the opprotunity to visit New Zealand.

This is a fabulous book to buy if you are interested in learning about the unique ecosystems of the fiords. The pictures are beautiful and the information explaining how this unique enviornemnt exists is easy to read and understand. If you have visited New Zealand and want a book that shows the beauty under the sea, this is a winner.

Wow I don't believe it, Amazon has the same wonderful edition I borrowed from the library. I've been looking everywhere for this big 8 tape set read by Wanda McCaddon. My daughters and I felt this was just an incredible story, and the reader they picked made all the difference in bringing it to life. I think this is unabriged version, so don't settle for anything else, especially if your family is going to listen to it. The story is just so interesting it just moves along fine, don't worry about it being too long, you will wish it was longer!

A wonderful book about everyday life in Africa around 1914 through the eyes of a young child. Every page is filled with wonderful details of the customs of the African tribal people, the English characters are very well defined and interesting. The love of the animals, the tribulations of English settlers who have to deal with lazy unreliable workers,the lack of medical services, everything is so real, it is like being there. Humour is also part of the wonderful, sometimes poetic style of the author.

Nearly a year has passed since the death of patriarch Bertram Thorton. Rebecca and Daniel Thorton are expecting their first child and deeply in love with one another. Life is good at Douloo Station.

Daniel, struggling with his feelings of inadequacy in filling his father's footsteps, works long hours and feels the heavy burden of supporting the station, his mother, wife and coming child. To add to his burdens, a drought has hit Queensland, Australia, turning the surrounding countryside to nothing but dust. As a cattle rancher this is disasterous.

For the Love of the Land is a story of love and courage, strength and faith as the family supports one another, loves one another and looks to God for His divine intervention.

Bonnie Leon ends this book with a dramatic flare that leaves the reader breathless.

In 1872 about a year has passed since Bostonian Rebecca Williams married Australian rancher Daniel Thornton and moved to his Dooloo Station in Down Under (see THE HEART OF THORNTON CREEK). Although her father-in-law has since passed away, Rebecca is happy and pregnant. Adding to her feelings of euphoria is her beloved Aunt Mildred has come for a visit. Perhaps her only concern is how hard Daniel works to keep the station afloat especially with the devastating drought.

Daniel feels like a loser as he works as hard as he can but feels failure is pending. He believes he is not the man his dad was as his father would never allow their family station to go under. Still in spite of his efforts Daniel finds each day closer to the doom with only his beloved mother, wife, and now newborn keeping him going. Rebecca, unable to help her spouse, prays everyday for rain.

The return to Thornton Creek is an interesting Australian historical romance that showcases the plight of farmers when the weather fails to cooperate for an extended period as much as living up to the title FOR THE LOVE OF THE LAND. The story line provides a deep look at people struggling to cope with a drought especially Daniel who feels the weight of the world on his shoulders as he believes he is not up to the standard set by his late dad in spite of the women who love him telling him his father would be proud of his efforts. Bonnie Leon writes a terrific family driven Queensland saga.

Harriet Klausner

This is an excellent book with down to earth material information. If interested in Australian species as a whole or perhaps into Eucalyptus trees, this book is a 5 star purchase.

This widely respected book is the only example I am aware of to combine botanical and naturalistic information with silvicultural and timber usage notes.
The most useful book on the subject that I am aware of.

I cannot rate this book highly enough - thorough research and incredible stories make it impossible to put down until the last page.

Freedom or Death is a collection of stories about the most dangerous aspect of the Australia prisoner of war experience - escape. Here is all the adventure, suspense and courage of ordinary Australians who defied their captors; men willing to risk death in order to overcome almost impossible odds in the loneliest war of all - the fight for the right to be free. In Freedom or Death we meet Australian POWs from all walks of life and all theatres of war: one who fled a German work camp during the Great War; another who escaped from the legendary Colditz Castle and an airman who brazenly attempted to fly a German Messerschmitt back to England. We also re-live the tragic saga of the brutal Japanese death marches across North Borneo, from which six Australians escaped to become the only survivors from 2000 POWs on the march. We follow the incredible journeys to freedom from the Japanese-held islands of Ambon and Hainan by some resolute members of Gull Force. The author, Colin Burgess, is also the author of several children's books and adult non-fiction including The Diggers of Colditz (with Jack Champ), Prisoners of War and Barbed Wire and Bamboo (both with Hugh Clarke). These tales of valour, sacrifice and grim survival are Australia's great escape stories, true stories of suspense and the indomitable spirit of ordinary men determined to escape - or die.