This volume inlcudes a key to all of the species of Eucalyptus found in Australia. Unlike other books which require several volumes to cover all of the eucalypts (i.e., Brooker and Kleinig's "Field Guide to Eucalypts," Vols. 1-3), this volume is all-inclusive and is not divided by geographical region. The black and white drawings in this volume are excellent as well. As a field biologist in California, I find it very useful. In sum, this book is an excellent resource for anyone needing to identify Eucalytps.

In Flying Foxes, Fruit And Blossom Bats Of Australia, two acknowledged authorities on Australia's bats, Leslie Hall and Greg Richards, effective collaborate to produce an informative, illustrated guide to Australia's thirteen species of Megachiroptera -- the "mega" bats. While these bats are nocturnal, they live in forests rather than caves, they navigate by sight rather than radar-like sound reflection (echolocation), and their long snouts and large ears and eyes give them a canine-like appearance and the resultant appellation of "flying foxes". Flying Foxes discusses such controversial matters as these creatures being kept as pets, the management of flying fox populations, and recent incidents of viral diseases being transmitted from the bats to humans. The informative, authoritative, comprehensive text is enhanced with line drawings by Louise Saunders and twenty-nine superbly presented color photographs (including many by acclaimed wildlife photographer, Theo Allofs). A highly recommended addition to exotic wildlife reference collections, Flying Foxes, Fruit And Blossom Bats Of Australia is also available in a trade paperback format (1575241765, $21.50).

Fodor's 2000 Australia gave very clear and concise information about all areas in Australia. The book begins with beautiful color photos and brief information highlighting attractions in the different regions of Australia. Then it goes into great detail providing information about things to do, places to stay, where to eat, and available tours. There is a wide range of listings encompassing all price ranges. Sample itineraries are provided as well as a multitude of addresses and phone numbers for travel guides. There are local maps throughout, as well as a full size pull-out map. The book is organized nicely and perfect for someone who is interested in planning a trip to Australia.

I found this book very helpful in planning my Oz holiday. It provides useful recommendations on places and things to visit. The plentiful color pictures add much to the book's appeal.

While the book is good for planning your vacation, it does not provide detailed information on accommodation, transportation, or other essential information. Get another guidebook (such as The Rough Guide) to complement this book.

Being on a long term stay in New Zealand, we have received nearly all the travel guides as gifts. This on is by far and away the most functional. It is not merely a laundry list of sites and hotels, but includes rankings and other information to prioritize your visit. It helps enable you to get the most out of the time you have available. Strongly recomended

This book is a must have for anyone travelling to New Zealand. The places that are listed to stay are wonderful at any price. I find that this book was extremely helpful in my travel planning for my trip to New Zealand. Full of a lot of travel facts and information you need to know. It has information on everything from tandem paragliding to information on who to call for ferry service. A very good and informative book!

I would highly recommend this book to anybody who likes original and imaginative food. The recipes come from Australia's leading chefs many of whom are world famous. Cheong Liew (his recipes in the book include Four Dances of the Sea; and Veal Cutlets with Shrimps and Green Tea)is perhaps best known for inventing much of Australia's fusion cuisine. His restaurant, The Grange at the Adelaide Hilton certainly bears his name as much as the restaurant name itself. Just reading the recipes in itself is a temptation to visit Adelaide and make a booking at The Grange.

Easy to follow instructions and wonderful color photographs of the dishes certainly make this one of the better cookbooks. For the adventurous cook, try substituting ingredients, if it is not available in your hometown.

If you are intrigued by the name of the dish, Four Dances of the Sea, I'd recommend taking a look at the book.

One important aspect of this book is that the truth is known. Tibble Smith can regain his proper place in Australian History as the first person in Australia to discover gold.

As an Anthropology student at the Australian National University, Taylor spent two years in South Vietnam (92-94), then returned to this country in 95, 98, and 99. Faced with a unique southern identity, he decided to define the "idea of the South".

North and South Vietnam despite decades of postwar communist control are two completely different countries from the political, social, economical, and even musical aspects. In the first decade after the 1975 fall of Saigon, the communists controlled everything down to the toothpaste the Vietnamese used. Faced with poverty and income loss, southerners began to peddle their cherished belongings to the black market in order to survive. While goods in state stores were scarce, everything was available on the black market. Goods and money sent home from overseas Vietnamese swelled this illicit economy. As a result, the southern economy rebounded. A southern reformist, Nguyen Van Linh spearheaded the doi moi (renovation) policy officially moving the country to free market economy. The "modern" South thus replaced the "backward" North.

This unique southern free enterprise spirit did not sit well with Hanoi, which did everything to undermine it and ironically to profit from it at the same time. "Corruption, abuses of power, and administrative incompetence" became the hallmarks of communist Vietnam. However, the free southern spirit traced back to the pionering spirit of the South Vietnamese who settled in the Mekong delta some four centuries ago, lives on. If Saigon lost the war in 1975, it won the peace a decade later. Despite acknowledging past "errors", the communists still refused to release their grip on power.

The author is to be congratulated for his most interesting study and his keen observations of the South Vietnamese mind.

it has a good cove