Australia Books

As a fan of Alec Guinness, it gave me additional insight to this great actor's life. It made me want to learn more and more about him, read books on him and see his movies again A great actor.

Sir Alec writes beautifully and simply about the his life through the lives that affected him. Funny, honest, and thought provoking. He's not at all the stereotypical stuffy Englishman, but a regular person with a huge amount of talent and alot of great stories to tell. This book should be back in print!

BLESSINGS IN DISGUISE stands out in my reading as one of the most enjoyable autobiographies I've ever encountered. Unlike so many actors, Alec Guinness is a truly modest man, and his wry humor and ability to laugh at himself are extraordinarily refreshing. Guinness is worth reading even if you've never seen one of his movies or plays or television appearances. It is a damn shame that this fine book is apparently out of print.

Alex was an amazing man. I was privileged to meet and get to know him during the last year of his life. His wisdom, his honesty and his heart will never be forgotten my me or, I dare say, anyone who knew him. He gave me an autographed copy of his book and I have read it several times. This is not just a story, it's a remarkable man opening his heart, to share his experience, even though it hurt. He was never afraid of that pain, but faced it with courage, hope and a powerful love of life and the world and the people around him.

I heartily recommend this book, do read it.


Do Svidaniya, Rest in peace, Child of the Kulaks.

this book is sort of sad but it is also very suspicious and breathtaking i think that it is really good but its sad how many people die. two brothers go to china then to australian from russia.one dies but the other then returns to russia for a visit sixty years later!!!!

Alex Saranin's story is a vivid description of the first lost generation of Soviet Russia, millions of children lost their parents into the civil war, collectivization and other soviet human mills and it's aftermath. The great suffering endured by them and the waste of lives and souls is great evidence of these terrible whirling years into which a whole generation was engulfed.

Excellent book. The only thing is about Brazil. I lived in Brazil and only the super rich speak English and even some of the wealthy do not. If you go to Brazil, expect to hear Portuguese.

I use this book in my grade 4 classroom. The pictures and writing help my United State's students better understand the world around them. This book is a favorite in my classroom.

Stunning photographs, concise maps, and simple text that introduces the basics of a culture, a country, and a way of life make this book great "back seat" reading. Kids shouldn't be watching tv in the car anyway. Books like this will make the ride more enjoyable and enriching. It also would be a great addition to a pediatrician's waiting room, or a dentist.

This is a great book to learn the basics of College Physics I and II, based on Algebra, and not on Calculus. The book is divided up into 30 chapters, ranging from Vectors to Nuclear Physics. It is formatted in outline form, and is really written with the reader in mind.

At the beginning of each chapter, there is a little box that states in large, bold font "this chapter is about," and lists the topics covered in the chapter. Each topic is then quickly explained in clear terms (summaries for one topic are between half a page to a page long). As the summary progresses, there are some fully solved, relatively simple, example problems interspersed in the text that help you solidify your understanding of a concept as you review it. I found that the explanations were short, but that they were really helpful, and more clear than other review books I have come across, such as the Schaum's Outline for College Physics. And the example problems, while simple, really helped me build a solid foundation, so I could tackle more advanced problems later.

At the end of each chapter, there is a table that lists all of the formulas covered in the chapter, and a quick summary of what each formula means. What is even better is that this is followed by a second table called "Raise Your Grades," which makes sure you understand key terms, concepts, and problem solving techniques covered in the chapter. It will ask, for example, if you can define "kinetic energy," and whether you can "calculate the kinetic energy of a moving object," etc. If it was in the charts, it was usually on my test, and so these charts have been of infinite help to me, and have helped me raise my grades.

These table are then followed by some solved problems, and unsolved supplementary exercises with the answers listed at the bottom of the page. The thing that must be said though, is that the problems in themselves are not very difficult. They aren't meant to trick the student, but to just make him or her understand the material. If you are looking for a book with difficult problems, I suggest looking at the Schaum's Outline for College Physics or at one of those books with 3000 Physics Problems. Personally, I found that the problems in this book have really helped me approach my own teacher's problems with greater ease and confidence because I had a good grounding in the basic concept.

This book also has 2 "midsemester" and 2 "final" exams printed in the text, with complete solutions. They are formatted in a manner similar to the example and practice problems from the pertaining chapters. They are, once again, not worded in a way to trick you, but to make sure that you can approach basic problems with confidence and ease.

In the beginning of the book the authors tell you to "use" the outline instead of "reading" it. And I have to agree. Passive skimming generally won't help you in Physics, but if you are actively involved in the text, in doing, and analyzing problems, in planning the steps to solve the problems, etc. you will be better off. This book really tries to give you simple problems that solidify your understanding of the material, so you will be better prepared for anything more difficult that may come up down the road.

Also, it is really important to understand that this book isn't a substitute for your regular textbook and your teacher. While it is a good resource, it's intended as a supplement (you could say it's like a study guide), and can gloss over some points that your teacher may choose to emphasize. When used in conjunction with your textbook and teacher, it will really help you learn Physics. This book can actually be read before you attend lecture, or before you read your own textbook, as a quick way to introduce yourself to the material.

All in all, I can see this book helping almost anyone, whether or not you are a first time Physics student, and I highly recommend it.

Thanks for reading my review! Please rate or comment to let me know if it was of any help to you.

This book will help you who want to study physics by yourselves so much. You can be familiar with physics as you answer many questions in the book. As the author said, to understand physics well, you should not just read the book but use it(that is, answer questions many times!).

I found the methods of explaining problems in this book to be clear, concise and very helpful. Though this is more or less the basics of physics, it would be useful to any senior in an advanced level physics class.

What an awesome book! We studied the book carefully before our visit to Easter Island 3 weeks ago. Then we took it with us everywhere on the Island and used it constantly for the 6 days we were there. It was our Easter Island bible. It is packed full of helpful hints, historical background and all the information you could ever want to know about the ahus, moai and caves on the Island. Plus, the maps, drawings, etc. at the back of the book were SO helpful. You don't need any other book to visit Easter Island. And thanks to the author's recommendation, we ate at the wonderful restaurant Au Bout du Monde on our last night on the Island and loved it! Thank you Shawn McLaughlin for enriching our Easter Island experience so much!!

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.

I loved this book. It is very funny, and hard to put down. It reminded me a bit of Bridget Jones Diary. The ideas in the book about changing your life are well thought out can be applied to many areas besides just becoming more healthy. Her story is inspirational and definitely makes you feel as if she can do it so can you.

Funny, inspirational, and right on the money. AJ describes all of the things that go into losing weight. You don't have to be obese to want to lose a few kilos and her description of cravings and working out are something everyone can relate to. She breaks down losing weight into something that not only seems plausible but fun and energizing.

I laughed and laughed and then took her advice to the gym. Truly an inspiration.

'Confessions of a Reformed Dieter' isn't a book that only overweight women should consider reading. It is a book that anyone who has ever faced the excrutiating challenge of trying desperately to reach a personal goal, while fighting the self descructive part in us that holds us back, will find inspirational and touching. AJ Rochester documents her daily, even hourly, struggles to lose weight, and shed the demons of her childhood which are so inherently tied to her obsession with fat-filled, unhealthy food and over eating. Humorous, uplifting, and oh-so human, the real woman in the pages takes shape (a progressively thinner shape..) before our eyes as she takes charge of her life and her eating.
NOTE - Look up AJ on her website to see the AMAZING before and after pictures of her 8 size weighloss! Truly inspirational.

This marvellous book is a must-read for anyone interested in this subject.

This book is a story of comradeship and fighting spirit among ordinary people in the face of tyranny and the most acute evil. The Summer of 1944, when Allied forces were sweeping towards Paris, was the beginning of the end for Hitler's Third Reich. However for a group of downed airmen evacuated from Fresnes Prison ahead of the advancing troops, the worst of the war was about to begin. 168 Allied airmen (including several from Australia and New Zealand) were transported illegally to the infamous Buchenwald concentration camp where they experienced first-hand the black heart of Nazism. Miraculously they survived the order for their mass execution, but not before members of their group had died through starvation, brutality and neglect. The author, Colin Burgess, has interviewed many of the survivors and carried out extensive research to create this gripping account of the full story.

This book is a story of comradeship and fighting spirit among ordinary people in the face of tyranny and the most acute evil. The Summer of 1944, when Allied forces were sweeping towards Paris, was the beginning of the end for Hitler's Third Reich. However for a group of downed airmen evacuated from Fresnes Prison ahead of the advancing troops, the worst of the war was about to begin. 168 Allied airmen (including several from Australia and New Zealand) were transported illegally to the infamous Buchenwald concentration camp where they experienced first-hand the black heart of Nazism. Miraculously they survived the order for their mass execution, but not before members of their group had died through starvation, brutality and neglect. The author, Colin Burgess, has interviewed many of the survivors and carried out extensive research to create this gripping account of the full story - from tense days in the care of the French Underground through to the only recently resolved fight for proper compensation.

It isn't too often that you find a book covering Australia and New Zealand primeval life, and especially a Harvard publication, for that matter. Some excellent visuals and examples of fauna, with a chart of genus.

As specified in the book title, it focuses on dinosaurs, so no flora representation, nor elaborate info on geologic time. It really is a book aimed at curious individuals, perhaps early to late teens, and something that is uncommon to find now days in subject matter. This was published following the time period of Jurassic park, where curiosity about genetic involvement with amber were all the rage. Such things are relegated to sci-fi, though it doesn't mean such intrigue about the dinosaurs must end in the 1990s. It's an excellent book, and one that I wish I knew of earlier on. Perhaps supplement this book alongside the first Dinotopia book? :)

RMP

DINOSAURS OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZELAND (ISBN 0-674-20767-X) by John A. Long, Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology at the Western Australian Museum, Perth, may at first glance seem primarily a beautiful picture book, because of the many fine photos and illustrations. BUT EXAMINE THE TEXT! The book is imbued with reader-friendly scientific insight and description. Not just dinophiles, but all lovers of ancient vertebrates will find a book to celebrate, one beautifully filling a hitherto serious void. Here is an admirable synthesis of quality information, technical data, and easily comprehended explanations that will prove a joy to both amateur and professional paleontologists. Furthermore, magnificent color photos of Australian dinosaur tracks, along with detailed descriptions, and photos of opalized dinosaur bones add a welcome dimension to this exciting 'journey' around the Land of Oz (as Australia is often called)during Mesozoic times. John A. Long, the well-known author of The Rise of Fishes: 500 Million Years of Evolution, can add one more feather to his hat. Meanwhile, we dinophiles should tip ours to him!

DINOSAURS OF AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZELAND (ISBN 0-674-20767-X) by John A. Long, Curator of Vertebrate Paleontology at the Western Australian Museum, Perth, may at first glance seem primarily a beautiful picture book, because of the many fine photos and illustrations. BUT EXAMINE THE TEXT! The book is imbued with reader-friendly scientific insight and description. Not just dinophiles, but all lovers of ancient vertebrates will find a book to celebrate, one beautifully filling a hitherto serious void. Here is an admirable synthesis of quality information, technical data, and easily comprehended explanations that will prove a joy to both amateur and professional paleontologists. Furthermore, magnificent color photos of Australian dinosaur tracks, along with detailed descriptions, and photos of opalized dinosaur bones add a welcome dimension to this exciting 'journey' around the Land of Oz (as Australia is often called)during Mesozoic times. John A. Long, the well-known author of The Rise of Fishes: 500 Million Years of Evolution, can add one more feather to his hat. Meanwhile, we dinophiles should tip ours to him!

My son is 2 and loves Little Einstein. Thought the book might be a little young for him but he knows exactly what to do with the spinning circle. He just loves it

My preschool students adore this book. The picture viewer gets them hooked from the very beginning.

My son loves to look at the viewfinder and has learned a lot from this book.

As an internationally published aerial photographer with five books in print I have no problem in saying this is the finest book of aerial photography I have seen. The photos are disarmingly understated which is refreshing in a book of this kind. It is a well written & well captioned fresh view of an incredible landscape. This book belongs in any serious photography library.

Jim Wark

Richard Woldendorf and Tim Winton collaborate to produce a breathtakingly handsome compendium of photography showcasing the beauty, grandeur, majesty, and scenic wonder of Australia in Down To Earth: Australian Landscapes. A remarkable body of work transforming a varied spectrum of landscape images into works of memorable and impressive photographic art recommended to students of photography, as well as the non-specialist general reader who appreciates images drawn from natural landscapes and elevated to the standards of fine art.

As an Australian who has lived for 28 years in the tropics of Australia, I can testify the this book is WYSIWYG. I have seen some of the places depicted, and can assure anyone that the photographs are genuine. I can only urge any person with an artistic frame of mind (or indeed anyone with an interest in Australia) to have a look at this book. They will find it rewarding.

Cheerio

Robbie White