Showing titles in Australia, New Zealand & Oceania

"A treasure of a book."—David McCullough The harrowing story of a pathbreaking naval expedition that set out to map the entire Pacific Ocean, dwarfing Lewis and Clark with its discoveries, from the New York Times bestselling author of Valiant Ambition and In the Hurricane's Eye. A New York...

The epic story of the Boer War and Harry 'Breaker' Morant: drover, horseman, bush poet - murderer or hero? Most Australians have heard of the Boer War and of Harry 'Breaker' Morant, a figure who rivals Ned Kelly as an archetypal Australian folk hero. But Morant was a complicated man. Born in...

Madame Brussels, the most legendary brothel keeper in 19th-century Melbourne, is still remembered and celebrated today. But until now, little has been known about Caroline Hodgson, the woman behind the alter ego. Born in Prussia to a working-class family, Hodgson arrived in Melbourne in 1871. Left alone when her police-officer husband was sent to work in remote Victoria, she turned her hand to running brothels.

From one of Australia's leading Indigenous journalists comes a collection of fierce and powerful essays proving why the media need to believe Black witnesses and showcasing ways that journalism can be used to hold the powerful to account and make the world a more equitable place. Black Witness is the essential collection of First Nations journalism that we need right now – and always have.

The first comprehensive biography of the godfather of Australian bushranging – Frank Gardiner – leader of the Lachlan gang and mastermind of the largest gold heist in Australian history. Atop the hierarchy of Australian bushrangers sits Ned Kelly – the ultimate outlaw – and just below...

From peacemakers and strategists to explorers and entrepreneurs, the tūpuna of the North are an inspiration to the people of Te Tai Tokerau. This remarkable book by Melinda Webber and Te Kapua O'Connor introduces a new generation to twenty-four of those tūpuna–Nukutawhiti and Hineāmaru, Hongi Hika and Te Ruki Kawiti, and many more. Through whakapapa and kōrero, waiata and pepeha, we learn about their actions, their places, their values, and their aspirations.

WINNER OF THE ANZAC MEMORIAL TRUSTEES MILITARY HISTORY PRIZE, 2025 NSW HISTORY AWARDS When Cyclone Tracy flattened Darwin on Christmas Day 1974, it was the worst natural disaster Australians had ever experienced. Stationed in the city with the Women's Royal Australian Naval Service, Patricia...

On a Sunday afternoon in the spring of 1969, thousands of people defied Auckland city bylaws and came to party in Albert Park. A rock band played on the rotunda. Some people held hands, some danced alone, some sat under trees with guitars, flutes and bongos and made music of their own. They wore kaftans, ponchos and leather-fringed jerkins, floppy hats, headbands, beads and flowers. Poetry and political diatribes were delivered from a podium, improvised from an upturned tea chest.

A job as a deckhand on a shark fishing boat in Bass Strait for law student Chris Howse, begets a quest to keep a journal of his dreams as a way of exploring who he is and what he should do and as an antidote to a seemingly lazy zeitgeist. Via the shark boats, the occupation of a barrister at the Victorian Bar and work as a tram conductor in Melbourne (in that order), his dreams lead him to the heart of Aboriginal Australia at the Katherine Regional Aboriginal Legal Aid Service and subsequently to Darwin and the bush courts of the Northern Territory, acting on behalf of the Aboriginal people.

Prepare to embark on an unforgettable journey in "Legacy of Valor," a compelling book that brings to life the remarkable stories of courage, resilience, and sacrifice from the heroes who fought on the frontlines during World War II. Step back in time and witness history through the eyes of those who lived it. This riveting collection of true tales takes you on an epic adventure, from the deserts of North Africa to the hills of Italy, offering a profound insight into the experiences of those who shaped the course of a world at war.

Why did transportation occur, why did it end and what was it like living in Australia from 1788 to 1870? Skilfully researched and told in Jim Haynes's warm and witty style, Heroes, Rebels and Radicals of Convict Australia answers these questions and brings to life well-known and unknown figures from Australia's history as a penal settlement. This is the true story of the colonisation of Australia.

What drives veterans, military experts and forensic investigators to dedicate years to search for and identify the remains of fallen warriors? What does it mean to the families of the dead to be able to lay them to rest? Over thirty five thousand Australian soldiers and airmen are still listed...

The extraordinary story of a headmaster turned cryptographer, and our top-secret war with the Kaiser's Reich. On 11 August 1914, just days after war had been declared, Australian Captain J.T. Richardson boarded a German merchant vessel fleeing Melbourne's Port Phillip and audaciously seized a...

Tall tales of bushmen, bulldozers and back-country blokes 'It was the mid-1970s and I was about eight, I thought it was completely normal for your old man to pull out a high-powered deer-hunting rifle and fire it through the kitchen door from the breakfast table...' In the 1970s and 80s, Barry...

In the early twentieth century, it was often said that “Australia rides on the sheep’s back”—a reflection of the nation’s dependence on the wool trade. Accordingly, a vast itinerant army of labourers was required to shear the sheep and prepare fleeces for market. In this essay, Rolf Boldrewood provides a vivid picture of the shearing season on a large property.

In his book, Rasmus Rasmussen provides a full account of the Viking's [1893] journey from Norway to Chicago from a crew member's point of view.

The Complete History of the Marshall Islands is a compelling narrative that combines meticulous research and expert analysis. It presents a holistic view of the Marshall Islands' past, embracing both the triumphs and challenges faced by its people. Through this audiobook, listeners will gain a deeper appreciation for the resilience, pride, and cultural heritage of the Marshallese people.

A behind-the-scenes book about the Uluru Statement From The Heart, from the co-chairs of the Uluru Dialogue, Professor Megan Davis and Patricia Anderson, AO. The Australian story began long before the arrival of the First Fleet. We Australians all know this. We have always known this. Australia...

Five centuries before Kamehameha the Great, Kalaunui was the first person to attempt uniting all the islands under one rule. He led an army of 12,000 warriors in conquest, capturing the kings of Maui, Molokaʻi and Oʻahu. This war campaign became a rescue operation when the army of Kauaʻi defeated the invaders and took King Kalaunui hostage. Queen Kaheka ordered a second invasion to free her husband, but the prophetess Waahia suggested another option.

This is the story of a bush legend of the 20th century. A man who shunned society and chose to live a life alone with nature, with the mighty Murray River as his lifeline for 54 years. Max Jones, a Detective Sergeant with the South Australian Police Force, became interested in "The Possum" and to why he had "gone bush".