Australia Books

The marine fishes of North-Western Australia : a field guide for anglers and divers : a general guide to inshore fishes of tropical Australia.

The marine fishes of North-Western Australia : a field guide for anglers and divers : a general guide to inshore fishes of tropical Australia.

This is a very good book which eefctively encompasses the genres of Horror and Science Fiction. A body is cryogenically frozen and stored in a spaceship which nullifies the effect of the Earth's gravity on the cadaver. However soon things go awry as they usually do and where do you run to on a spaceship if you are being sought by a ghost? This is a very good book from an up and coming Australian writer and I eagerly await his next offerring.

Imagine being haunted by a ghost on a space station, where do you run!

This is Graeme Hague's 4th full length book that he has written yet it was his first book that was published.

From the depths of space to the vast Australian outback this story takes the reader on an often spine, neck and hair tingling roller coaster ride of twists and turns that will leave you not wanting to put the book down for the night, or even to turn off the light. It's not often that I am "scared" by a book but I will admit this one had me checking under the bed before getting out of it and I first read this book when I was about 23! Repeated readings are still wonderfully scary and even though I know what is going to happen I still get the chills.

I love horror books and am a huge fan of Stephen King, Dean Koontz, Richard Laymon and others, and I am so proud to have an Australian author who I truly believe is at home in the company of these others. If you enjoy these other authors I am sure you will LOVE Graeme Hague's work.

"The Girl in the Check Coat" is a second book by Christine Winecki. The first, published in Polish, concerned her own survival, this one combines both her and her future husband Oton stories and by doing so, provides a testimony to life of Jews in German occupied Poland as well as of those deported by Soviets to Siberia, the latter not told in other memoirs of Holocaust, yet important. This is a moving story of a young teenage girl, fresh from a happy childhood home and alone in the face of mortal danger, who struggles to avoid being recognized and caught, and one must admire her intelligence and courage. The story of Oton, a few years older, takes us to the Siberia penal colony forests where he was forced into hard labour, suffering from hunger and bitter cold, while caring for his injured father. The book follows him later fighting on the Eastern front all the way up to the outskirts of Berlin.

The story, however, does not end with their marriage in post-war Warsaw. Anti-Jewish campaign in 1968 forces Christine and Oton with two small daughters to emigrate. The author provides the reader with an intimate look into their struggle with the decision to uproot again, and tells the story of their efforts to establish a new life in Australia. When twenty years later, in view of new political realities in Poland, they decide to re-visit the old country, they engage in preservation of the remnants of Jewish life in Oton's native town, while Christine's emotionally-charged journey into the world of her childhood provides the final closing of that chapter.

The book is very well written, obviously benefiting from the author's journalistic background. Her remarkable memory is helped by the immediacy of the diary kept by Oton, and by the letters from his father. Apart from its biographical contents, this rich in observations book provides the most interesting reading about life in places where the author takes us, with the interwoven historical events anchoring the story. There is a wealth of engaging material in the book, above all, however, this book is a moving testimony to resourcefulness and resilience, and it is the uplifting spirit of survival and eventual success which makes this book a highly recommended reading.

There are many books on the holocaust but none quite like "The Girl in the Check Coat." Christine Winecki, a journalist by trade, provides a beautiful narrative that weaves together her life story with that of her husband Oton. Whereas Christine survived the war in occupied Poland, her husband-to-be was exiled to Siberian and subsequntly stormed the ramparts of Berlin with the Polish army. The story of Christina and Oton offer us a rich perspective on Jewish life during World War II including the constant threat of death in occupied Poland and the counting of every gram of bread and butter among the starving exiles in Siberia. Another unique aspect of Ms. Winecki's novel is that the narrative continues past the war years with a fascinating account of how Christine and Oton navigated their lives through marriage, birth of their two daughters, anti-Jewish backlash in communist Poland, and finally emigration to Australia. In sum this well written, insightful, and moving book spans the best part of the XX century from the the blissful life in pre-war Poland through the hell of the holocaust to the tranquility of life in Australia. A must read indeed!

The Global Studies series is a great way to get a general overview about a region of the world and its quick history. Each country is divided up into a quick overview of demographics, trade, economics, population and other pertinent data similar to a scaled down CIA world fact book. There is then a general overview of each country and how it has played its part in the region with a particular focus on World War II to the present. Finally there are about 24 articles in this one that focus on all sorts of different aspects from the region. They address everything from gambling opportunities in Macau to population control in Japan. Overall this book does an excellent job of capturing the Pacific Rim and the countries that reside there. It is a great start to learning about the region and provides an overview that will give you a focus to direct further investigations. If you are just getting started on this area of the world as I am you will find it an invaluable resource.

Book was new and just as described. Good information regarding Japan's history and economy as well as good information on countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore, and Thailand.

Although some of the love letters become repetitive, this book captures better than anything the true nature of the destroyer war in the Pacific against Japan. The commentary gets to the point of the hard work and anonymous sacrifice of the common enlisted man in the desperate fight against Japan. The final letter written by Yeoman Raines, and delivered to his wife after his death, is one of the most wrenching and moving literary expressions to come from this war.

Orvill Raines was my friend. We were together from the time the ship was commissioned 4/3/44 until he died on April 6, 1945 at Okinawa. Ray Ellen (his wife) kept these letters and when I first contacted her in 1990 she mentioned them to me and offered them to the HOWORTH VETS. We published them at our own expense. Williams McBride took the War Diary AND Letters/Memories and completed the manuscript that became Good Night Officially. After our Memorial Service aboard the USS Kidd in Baton Rouge, I escorted her around the ship and was able to answer all the questions that she had, had down thru the years. It made it possible. It made it worth while

In this country of immigrants, how many of us know the story of our own family's arrival here? What forces drove them? What risks did they take and what hardships did they endure? We may never know the answers to those questions.However, reading the story of Ante and Fedora Sikic's journey brought me a little closer to understanding and appreciating the universal refugee experience. Yasna Sikic Hood, in photos and in her translations of Ante's diary and family letters, has brought her parents' story alive. I highly recommend "Goodbye Dear Old Homeland".

I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars. I couldn't put it down. I cried & cheered page after page. This is a must-have for everyone and every school who is concerned about honoring all-inclusive diversity, learning about other cultures and their struggle in search of freedom. I had the privilege and honor of knowing Ante Sikic. He was a very sweet and gentle man. A quiet hero who endured grave hardship and still had a smile for everyone in his golden years. Dr. Sikic passed away March 6, 2004.

I found this in a book shop for AUD$120. One of those moments in life when you have the opportunity to purchace a masterpiece. re-released in 1999, it comes in two large books, one full of large plans in a folder, all deserving of framing. The log of this vessel is included in the second part, from its' inception, construction, crew and history of the journey that mapped the east coast of Australia. If you ever wanted to make a wooden ship model of a truly amazing vessel in a time of adventure equivilant to any Wilbur Smith, this is all you will need. It could never be surpassed, as the author is obviously one of those men who is truely dedicated to his art. The anatomy of the ship series should be so good!

I have just taken delivery of this volume and have been unable to put it down. This book is a wealth of information. Beautifully bound and boxed it is printed on the finest paper I've seen in a book like this. H.M. Bark Endeavour is not for the budget conscious. However, having owned it for just one day it is obvious the time, effort and the passion the Author has poured into researching this volume, right down to reproducing a comprehensive set of drawings of the actual ship. For anyone interested in maritime history, shipbuilding (including modelling) or even geography, I think this book is a must.

The internet can both be a tool for good and evil. "Harum Scarum: Spinning a Web of Evil" is a story of the latter, following the trail of certain sick individuals using the web as a tool to pick their next victims for their crimes, which happen to be pre-adolescent girls. DS Stevie Hooper is out to find the root of all this, and must deal with a vigilante who is also after them. Their good intentions can be as much of a problem as the bad intentions of the Dream Team - the name of the very pedophilia ring Stevie Hooper wants to crack down on. "Harum Scarum" is a riveting mystery and a classic tale of good versus evil and those who would use the latter to do the former.

This one has it all...crackling action, engaging, wonderfully developed, believable characters, plot twists...aha! so that's what happened...cyber tech...
An excellent read and a welcome continuation of the adventures of toughly tenderhearted Detective Sergeant Stevie Hooper.
If possible, try to first read Felicity Young's previous thriller "An Easeful Death" in which we meet Stevie, Monty, her extended family and the diverse crew at the Serious Crime Squad.
And schedule some uninterrupted time because you won't be able to put down either book.

I am a Hayley fan; however, I did read the book objectively and critically. I put my status and emotions as a fan aside in this review. Overall I do believe the book is quite good. It is written well with good punctuation and syntax. In the beginning it leaves the reader as an outsider and about a quarter of the way through starts to pull the reader in and makes him feel a part of the action. Toward the end, the reader starts to become an outsider again, but only off and on. There are many times that you do not want to put the book down and eagerly await the next item with good anticipation. This is after you get drawn into the book. I am really glad the book does not get "braggy" or egotistical. It is pretty straightforward laced with enthusiasm, honest happiness, honesty and encouragement. The book does stay on course and target throughout. It is also interesting and presents situations and things that one would never suspect. One can think of it as a roadmap, not necessarily to stardom, but to help one visualize how another has made her way through an ever increasingly complicated "real world" and her help along the way and why personal networking is so important for everyone involved including parents, friends and supporters.

I would really like to think that Hayley completely wrote the book, but she did have a partner in Darren Henley and I don't know how much or what part he played in the effort. I think all writers have such a partner though. The book does sound a lot like Hayley and displays her focus, determination and smoothness in the author's style and choice of words.

I think anybody who reads this book will enjoy it and even find inspiration. I recommend it heavily for expectant parents and parents with young children. It will actually help them see what can be in the lives of their children and give such parents the encouragement and example to help their children develop and be successful in whatever endeavor is their calling. I also recommend it for Hayley fans for it gives an insightful glimpse into who she is, her development and what she has had to go through in her progress to stardom. She is no longer "little ole Hayley from Christchurch" though.

I do give this book a 5-star A+ rating even from the standpoint of a stranger.

On the negative side, I was introduced to Hayley through Celtic Woman and would like to have heard more about her life there, her interactions and why she left. That latter may have been answered in many clips throughout her book however?

I could actually see this book turning into an inspirational movie that only Hallmark or Disney could put together. That's a challenge for some screen writers recently returning from strike. I can actually see a "Hannah, Miley - Hayley" connection here. Kenny Ortega, if you are reading this, please take note.

Art D.

This autobiography covers the life of Hayley Westenra a young soprano from New Zealand. At the age of 16 she released her first international album, Pure. This book covers some of the more private parts of her life discussing her life growing up and her candid views of the world. The beginning of the book covers her life as a child where she constantly worked towards a career in singing. It then goes on telling the story of how she was discovered by Universal New Zealand to produce her first album, Hayley Westenra. The book covers her experiences of album production up to Celtic Treasure. One of the chapters of the book covers her trip to Ghana in which she realized the plight of the people there and promotes her bikes for young girls in Ghana project for UNICEF. Additionally the book covers her experiences with live performances including her performance for the Queen. Lastly the book covers her experiences with the mucis industry and is an interesting perspective of the industry.

The Amazon write-up lists the grade level for this book at Baby-Preschool. It is about 10-13 year old children stranded when a flood destroys their town. It is an excellent book with a strong moral lesson similar to Lord of the Flies. Definitely not preschool reading material!
I remember reading this story when I was a teenager, and it stuck with me as a thrilling adventure book. Now that I am a grandmotherly school teacher, I am enjoying rereading it. I find myself identifying with the elderly school teacher who is saved by the children.

Then you should read this. As a result of an argument, a whole class stays back from the annual town picnic to help their teacher find aboriginal paintings in a nearby cave. While in the cave, a violent storm breaks out and the group get stuck in the cave. When they come out they find their teacher and classmate have disappeared and their small town of Hills End has been devastated by floods. Their fight for survival in a devastated town where no adult is around, their experiences and the things they learn about each other makes a book that you will not forget in a hurry. This is one of the best books I have ever read. You won't regret it!