Oceania Books

This is a really gorgeous book and is perfect for nap/bedtime with baby. My son, who is now 2yrs old, still enjoys looking through the illustrations.

Terrific if you have any Australian/New Zealand/Islander connection and want to share some of it with your kids.

These are original poems/lullabies from people living on the islands. My 7 year old loves this book. Even if you never read it all, the book is worth it for the fabulous artwork. This would be a great gift for anyone who has lived in the islands or feels connected to the sea.

You don't know me or my tastes from Adam. Why bother listening; well because I don't have an axe to grind or dollar to make.

James K Baxter is a great poet. Being a parochial New Zealander helps, but the way JKBaxter moves me spells 'good' in 6ft letters above my head.

Start with something fun 'An Ode on Mixed flatting' 1967 and work you're way round this collection. There is something for any mood you're in.

dorje@greenkiwi.co.nz

JKB is THE MOST underrated underappreciated poet to come out of the antipodes. This is not light reading!. Don't pick it up as before sleep fodder It deserves at least an entire cold, drizzly day by the fire.

The title of this book says it all. It is a complete guide to Easter Island--history, geography, banking and groceries all in one package. Definitely a must-read prior to a trip to the island, and to have on hand while trekking across Rapa Nui.

This guide is absolutely fabulous, whether you want to plan a trip to Easter Island (in the South Pacific, about 7 to 8 hours flight from Santiago, Chile) or just want to read about this exotic and remote island. I found the Guide fascinating and extremely helpful about all aspects regarding Easter Island, including where to stay, what historic sites to visit, and the eclectic history regarding Rapa Nui (as it's Polynesian name is known). A lot of thought and detail has been put into this hearty book. If Easter Island is on your mind, I recommend this book whole heartily.

This book is a great read to help you plan ahead for your adventure. Most importantly, it is easy to understand and gives you everything you need to know. It is difficult not to be enthusiastic or motivated after reading it.

Sven Klinge is the author of the most comprehensive cycling guide books in Australia. By combining cycling with walking treks, he has explored over 300 of Australia's National Parks and State Forests. Born in Sydney and educated at the University of Sydney, Sven now divides his time between accountancy and other writing projects. CYCLING THE BUSH: MOUNTAIN BIKING IN AUSTRALIA is a comprehensive guide to mountain biking and cycle touring down under. The range of rides includes short one day trips around the states' capitals to extended overnight cycling/walking expeditions in remote and rugged wilderness areas. Almost all of Great Dividing Range's major national parks are covered. Other parts deal with the coast and beaches, pristine lakes and rivers, spectacular waterfalls and lookouts, as well as the great outback, and our world heritage rainforests. Each ride incorporates data on distances, height variation, transport, access, track and rides grades, facilities, map references, and special equipment needed. Extensive information is provided on geological, biological, and historical aspects of natural, Aboriginal, and colonial features along the rides. In COMPACT, LIGHTWEIGHT FORMAT, this guide should be POCKET EQUIPMENT for every cyclist and bushwalker wishing to discover this exciting way of venturing into Australia's great national parks system.

I read this book a year ago and found it such a compelling but chilling read. If it were not so painstakingly researched and the history it reports were not so recent and about a time I remember well, it would be possible to read it as a dramatic nail biting political thriller. The characters that as Australians we know so well are depicted so vividly, their actions so self serving and callous. Given the current political climate in Australia and around the world this book should be compulsory reading for all those who wish to not live through another term of the radical right wing conservatives. Frighteningly history is repeating itself with another election soon, the same campaign tactics exploiting the politics of fear and greed are being played out in the Australian media, fueled by now well seasoned politicians and business interests.

This is a book for the ages. In closely recounting the Tampa crisis, the "children overboard" affair, and the whole sordid mess of Operation Relex and its role in the 2001 federal election, Marr and Wilkinson have made a profound contribution to Australian political journalism, and to documenting the shameful record of Howard, his government of moral degenerates, and their distressingly inept Opposition. What might surprise some of Marr's critics is that this book shows an admirable lack of editorializing: he and Wilkinson don't need to seize the moral high ground and lecture the reader. The facts just speak for themselves. They make abundantly clear Howard's shameless tactics (such as 'dog whistle' and 'wedge' politics), the complete lack of independence in the Australian public service, and the contemptible weakness of military officers who refused to speak up with 'frank and fearless' advice even when they knew the government was lying. What the book also demonstrates is the terrifying gap between daily media reports and the reality of what goes on - and this in a country with a reasonably free press. To be fair, Marr and Wilkinson had the luxury of access to ministers, the detailed records of naval vessels, the reports of various inquiries and more than a year to write their book. But it does make you wonder: are most journalists just lazy? Or does the "news" move at such speed these days and get presented in such a format that it disallows the kind of close analysis a democratic citizenry deserves? Thankfully, people like Marr and Wilkinson are around to reassemble all the pieces for us - their role is essential in a country which seems to be suffering from collective A.D.D. when it comes to Howard and his kind. I was particularly impressed by the authors' meticulous research and referencing, helpful glossary and thorough indexing. This is an important book about a very important issue. I encourage all Australians to read it, and any potential illegal immigrants - sorry, foreign nationals (the Liberal's rhetoric is catching) - who might be interested in understanding the mockery of enlightened democracy that is Australian politics today.

This book includes a great amount of detail for designers. Covers winding, materials, magnetics, thermal considerations, etc. Has plenty of equations that are required for design. Both authors are well known and fellows of the IEEE.

The book lacks details of motor construction, which I have not found anywhere yet. Also wish it came with a software tutorial or something. But the best book on motors I have found yet, and I've looked (and bought) a number of them.

I have read and thoroughly enjoyed this book. It helped us a lot in designing our smoovy micro motors. Technically first class and well written, recommended to anybody who needs a good understanding of motor design issues.

The Lonely Planet books on diving are always a good bet on defining a place to dive.

Great photos and explanations of all the dive sites. Also road maps and location details. Very informative book. Small enough to take with you on your trip.

This survey of the El Nino phenomenon examines world systems of climate and change, bringing together the latest historical and scientific discoveries about El Nino and its effects on civilizations. Archaeological records and scientific surveys are used in the course of considering the past effects of El Nino and its possibilities for the future of Earth's climate.

The extreme weather condition known as El Nino is part of a much bigger world weather system linking the North Atlantic Oscillation, the Asian monsoon, and the Pacific El Nino. Several El Nino episodes took place during the Little Ice Age between 1200 and 1900, especially in the 1570-1740 time frame. Based upon archaeological findings as well as historical records, El Nino: History And Crisis is a superb history of the impact upon human civilizations of this phenomena down to the present day, and offers timely warnings of the likely effects of future weather-affecting climate changes on agriculture and public health. Highly recommended reading for anyone with an interest in the environment.

In the scope of the great cities worldwide, Melbourne is a baby. Slightly larger than Vatican City, it's easy to write the city off in contrast to the big five; New York, Paris, Rome, London and Tokyo. However, I always felt with utmost conviction that Melbourne can hold a torch to those great landscapes because of the sheer number of cultures, religions, ideas, viewpoints and backgrounds that have been integrated to give this city its unique character unlike anything else in Australia; Melbourne truly falls under the banner of melting-pot. This encyclopaedia chronicles all the suburbs, municipalities, nationalities, landmarks and institutions that have given the city its rich, albeit short, history from the indigenous era to the gold rush to the booming years of development during the last few decades. The Encyclopedia of Melbourne deserves a place on the bookshelf of any Australian who feels a strong sense of loyalty to Marvellous Melbourne.

Melbourne is easily the best city in Australia. It has the best geography, architecture, restaurants, coffee shops, public transport (we have a fantastic tram network), libraries, galleries and gardens. On top of all that, its inhabitants are remarkably relaxed and friendly. The new 'Encyclopedia of Melbourne' is like the city, expansive and generous, and great for dipping & skipping through over a few weeks. It has hundreds of contributors and a number of personal essays by notable Melbournians (and it weighs a ton). It has a huge range of subjects, including a small section about 'nature strips' and a couple of pages about smells. One of the most poetic entries is about Victoria's seasons and their taxonomy, which were reclassified according to observations of plant and animal life (and removed autumn).

Anyone familiar with Melbourne will find one or two problems: I noticed the section about the National Gallery of Victoria neglected to mention the architect, Roy Grounds. Some readers might also find the general style of the prose too academic or humourless.

Canberra is tranquil but entirely suburban and Perth, Hobart and Brisbane are perhaps too small (but I haven't lived in those three) and Sydney - urgh - is an ugly, car-crushed wasteland that only ignorant tourists could love (yes, I lived there for six years and it's a hole). Melbourne seems to have all the best features of a great city without the usual attendant problems. Was this from luck or the talents of its citizens?

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