This is a fascinating autobiography, full of adventure in the Australian outback that is never quite what you expect. Griselda's decision to go into the deserts with her husband, taking their kids rather than stay at home where it would be safe, is inspirational and these adventures become the centerpiece of the book. An easy and very enjoyable read, recommended for anyone interested in the outback or women's achievements.

Thomas Gladwin introduces the society of the islanders of the Caroline atolls with an indepth look at their society and how it is centered on their sea-faring tradition. These fascinating people roll with the punches as new western ideas and influences confront them, but the tenuously hang on to their traditions and, especially in the case of Puluwat, make some of the finest sialing canoes in the islands.
For a book this size Gladwin thoroughly introduces the sailing tradition of these islanders and enables European minded folks to understand the intricasies of their complex sailing tradition. Even with a limited background in sailing you learn how people can navigate small craft over long distances successfully without using any more modern technology than the compass,and even that being a recent addition.
Using star courses passed down through the generations navigators are able to travel to all the neighboring islands and even some quite far away. In this day of reliance on ever more complex technology much can be learned from these people who can travel long distances entirely without electronic instruments.
This book is pleasant to read and surprisingly free of technical jargon. It is particularly remarkable for its frank portrayal of a culture so different from most people's experience, but in a way that you feel you know them as friends anbd neighbors by the end of the book. Quite fascinating.

This book, published in 1989, is a distillation of Thor Heyerdahl's research on Easter Island. It traces the history of Easter Island's interaction with the outside world, from Roggeveen's visit in 1722 up to the time of the book's writing. Along the way, Mr. Heyerdahl builds his case that two peoples, one from South America and one from Polynesia populated Easter Island.

This book is fantastic! I am not entirely convinced of Mr. Heyerdahl's case, but found his case compelling nonetheless. The book itself has many color pictures and maps, and is visually quite stunning. Now, not all of the book is about Mr. Heyerdahl's proposed history, so if you are merely interested in Easter Island, then you will still enjoy this book. This is a great book, one that you should read!

Peggy Rismuller's book has everything for the echidna lover - info on the species habitat and biology, intriguing pictures and excellent real life stories. This book is great for fans of the echidna everywhere!

Tacey's book "Edge of the Sacred" is a brilliant assesment of Australia's spiritual future and the future of reconciliation with Australia's indigenous peoples. He recounts his experiences of living in Central Australia as especially "heavy", a spirituality unknown to many Australians who perch on the edge of the huge continent in an attempt to avoid the spiritual potency of the Australian landscape. Tacey uses his background in Jungian psychology to identify with both the Aboriginal religious tradition, and the difficulty with which non-indigenous Australians identify to country. He does this with insight and clarity, and is not afraid of speculation or going 'too deep' in his analysis. His treatment of Aboriginal conerns is sensitive and well-considered. Unlike other writings of this genre, Tacey does not encourage direct appropriation of the Aboriginal world-view (realising this would be both impossible and a sort of neo-colonial theft), but rather that Australians allow themselves to be inspired by the Dreamtime to forge a relationship with the Australian land. It is on this spiritual, land-based level that non-indigenous Australians will be able to reconcile completely with its original inhabitants. Tacey's book is a tight, compelling read. It is both realistic and hopeful, and cannot fail to set the reader thinking more deeply about soul, spirit, and the planet. A highly recommended read.

Simon Marginson, a well known Australian Professor specialising in Higher Education, has written an excellent history of Australian education since 1960. Among the many virtues of the book are its rich statistical and historical detail and the theoretical approach which Marginson takes - concentrating on the shift from education as building social citizenship to the present obsession with markets plaguing Australian education at all levels. This is a politically engaged and highly readable academic history and should be compulsory reading for anyone concerned with Australia's future.

Articulate and well structured, this book provides a critical appraisal of key policy areas.

Marginson, who is highly respected for his perceptive comment on Australian education, does not disappoint. The themes of:

resources and outcomes,

productivity and efficiency,

economic policies,

preparation for work,

markets in education and

private and public education, while examined within the Australian context, are of international interest

Gives a wonderful colorful representation of Melbourne at the turn of the century.

I wish every city was documented in this way.

This book is a tender story about Kelsie McBride and her lovely home Kildare. As a young girl she must leave her home and go to Australia where she meets a heroic thirteen year old boy named Caleb Prentice. There, Caleb risks his life for Kelsie and begins to fall in love with her. She is taken away fom him in a hurry where she must go somewhere else. Four years later, Caleb finds pregnant Kelsie in a boat and realizes that he really does love her. Kelsie and Caleb must admit their feelings for each other before it too late.This is a wonderful book about love and with God, nothing is impossible!!

I pity those who didn't buy this when it was in print for Peter Plowman has done a masterful job in telling, often for the first time, the careers of these liners "Beneath the Southern Cross". What a relief to find a book NOT on Titanic or the all too familiar North Atlantic liners!! And what a delight to read someone who has taken the time to do some serious research on his subject rather than parrot the same tired cliches. Photos are another treat and reproduction superb. Find it if you can!!