Australia by
Australia presents the story of a land, its people and places, with a breadth of subject matter never before published in a single volume. Australia is one of the oldest continents on Earth and its original inhabitants, the Aborigines, the most ancient continuous culture known. Its history is monumental and its culture rapidly evolving. The natural wonders of this land are recognised the world over. This book also explores what Australia has become through the sciences, politics, history, arts, media and people. The other unique feature of this book is its detailed description of the cities and towns, spectacular national parks, wineries and tourist destinations across Australia. Place entries are keyed to the detailed road maps that cover the whole country. Coverage extends from the capital cities to the small and charming country towns; to spectacular, rugged destinations that can only be reached by 4WD; and activities such as fishing and vineyard touring. Sections include: The Story of Australia (248 pages) Geology, climate and geography Indigenous Art and Culture Flora History Since 1788 Government Sports Media and the Arts Architecture Science and Medicine Fauna Economy Culture and Society Indigenous History Places in Australia (553 pages) Victoria New South Wales Australian Capital Territory Queensland The Northern Territory Western Australia South Australia Tasmania This beautifully produced volume with stunning color photography and detailed cartography is for anyone who wants to know more about this amazing country, its landscape, people, culture and what to see and do when traveling there. The CD-ROM contains all the information in the book, plus additional information on trips: for four-wheel-drives, fishing and to national parks. As well there are approximately 500 extra photos on the CD-ROM.
Australia by
Take a trip around the world with the latest from the Enchantment of the World series! In each book: Colourful photos provide breathtaking views of foreign cities and landscapes Sidebars highlight especially interesting people, places, and events Delicious, easy recipes give readers the opportunity to experience foreign cuisine firsthand Fun facts and statistics are included for easy reference
Australia by
This title provides information on the geography, history, wildlife, governmental structure, economy, cultural diversity, peoples, religion and culture of Australia. All books of the critically-acclaimed Cultures of the World® series ensure an immersive experience by offering vibrant photographs with descriptive nonfiction narratives, and interactive activities such as creating an authentic traditional dish from an easy-to-follow recipe. Copious maps and detailed timelines present the past and present of the country, while exploration of the art and architecture help your readers to understand why diversity is the spice of Life.
Culture and Customs of Australia by
Students and other interested readers finally have a solid resource that describes the breadth of the evolving modern Australian society. Culture and Customs of Australia is the first general introduction to the rugged continent, written by an Australian novelist with particular insight. Clancy focuses on the Anglo-Irish and more recent immigrants, but the Aboriginal context is also presented. Americans' generally superficial familiarity with the Australian continent stems mostly from recent films. Particular images stand out: the Outback, sheep shearing, surfing, the Sydney Opera House, Aborigines, and the Walkabout. Yet Europeans arrived in the late 18th century, followed by convict transports from England that started the colonization. Today, Australia remains a land of immigrants, and its ethnically diverse population has increased dramatically since World War II. Students and other interested readers finally have a solid resource that describes the breadth of the evolving modern Australian society. Culture and Customs of Australia is the first general introduction to the rugged continent, written by an Australian novelist with particular insight. Clancy focuses on the Anglo-Irish and more recent immigrants, but the Aboriginal context is also presented. Readers will learn about the Australian identity, with its male mythology of the Bush. The mateship is the core element of a myth of independent, self-sufficient, freedom-loving citizens in a harsh land. This myth is set against multiculturalism and feminism. Other highlights include discussion of the weak hold that Christianity has over the population; the drastic urbanization of the last century and the suburban dream; adventure and the beach culture, with tourism; the importance of sports; the changing roles of men; the evolving cuisine, from the national barbeque to European and Asian influences; strong and long literary, artistic, and performing arts traditions; film industry talent; and the power of media in a sparsely populated country.
Culture Smart! Austrailia by
Outstanding features of CULTURE SMART!- All the essential cultural and etiquette points are covered, making you confident in a variety of situations.- You will know what to expect in each particular culture.- You will learn how to behave in specific social and business situations.- Essential attitudes and values are clearly explained.- You will find each topic a quick, easy read due to the concise writing style.- Laid out in a clear and easy-to-read format.- Each book has the same look, page count, and organization for reference use.- Small and light, it tucks into your pocket or purse for on-the-go use.- Your Culture Smart! books are written by a staff of experts who consult on world travel as a profession.
A History of Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific by
This book provides an arresting interpretation of the history of Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific from the earliest settlements to the present. Usually viewed in isolation, these societies are covered here in a single account, in which the authors show how the peoples of the region constructed their own identities and influenced those of their neighbours. By broadening the focus to the regional level, this volume develops analyses - of economic, social and political history - which transcend national boundaries. The result is a compelling work which both describes the aspirations of European settlers and reveals how the dispossessed and marginalized indigenous peoples negotiated their own lives as best they could. The authors demonstrate that these stories are not separate but rather strands of a single history.
A History of Australia by
An invaluable introductory textbook that provides students with a concise overview of Australian history: from the first settlers thousands of years ago, to the great migrations of recent centuries, through to those living within the more anxiously controlled borders of the present day. Drawing on political debate, official reports, intellectual discussion and popular culture, Peel and Twomey weave together a vivid, multi-dimensional national history that explores central topics against the wider international background. This is an ideal core text for dedicated modules on Australian History, or a supplementary text for broader modules on World History, which may be offered at all levels of an undergraduate History degree. In addition it is a crucial resource for students who may be studying the history of Australia for the first time as part of a taught postgraduate degree in Australian or World History.
Australia by
Australia: The Great Southern Land is a major new account that draws on a rich array of sources to place Australia's history fully in a global context. In a compelling narrative, acclaimed historian Frank Welsh traces the history of the land from scattered convict settlements to today's thriving independent nation. Original, provocative, and witty, Australia: The Great Southern Land is the most comprehensive single-volume history of Australia yet published. It makes a strong claim to becoming the standard work on this fascinating and often misunderstood country.
Cook by
Commonly regarded as the greatest sea explorer of all time, James Cook made his three world-changing voyages during the 1770s, at a time when ships were routinely lost around the English coast. He made history by making geography-- sailing through previously unknown southern seas, charting the eastern Australian coast and circumnavigating New Zealand, putting many Pacific islands on the map, and exploring both the Arctic and Antarctic. His men suffered near shipwreck, were ravaged by tropical diseases, and survived frozen oceans; his lieutenants-- including George Vancouver and William Bligh-- became celebrated captains in their own right. Exploits among native peoples combined to make Cook a celebrity and a legend. Cook is not, however, viewed by all as a heroic figure. Some Hawaiians demonize him as a syphilitic rascist who had a catastrophic effect on local health. Indigenous Australians often see him as the violent dispossessor of their lands. Nicholas Thomas explores Cook's contradictory character as never before, by reconstructing the many sides of encounters that were curious and unusual for Europeans and natives alike. The result of twenty years' research, Thomas's magnificently rich portrait overturns the familiar images of Cook and reveals the fascinating and far more ambiguous figure beneath.
Keep Australia on Your Left by
The challenge? Paddle a kayak around Australia. As Eric Stiller and Tony Brown would discover, the attempt would be a fascinating, maddening, and at times hilarious crawl. Swamped by high waves and rain, hampered by faulty technology, blown off course, baked by a broiling sun it, would be the most demanding emotional and physical challenge either had ever attempted.
Chasing Kangaroos by
In his most personal book yet, Tim Flannery, the internationally acclaimed author ofThe Weather Makers, draws on three decades of travel, research, and field work to craft a love letter to his native land and one of its most unique and beloved inhabitants: the kangaroo. Crisscrossing the continent, Flannery shows us how the destiny of this extraordinary creature is inseparable from the environment that created it. Along the way he uses encounters with ancient aboriginal cultures and eccentric fossil hunters, farmers and scientists, kangaroo advocates and kangaroo hunters, to explore how Australia's deserts and rainforests have shaped human responses to the continent -- and how kangaroos have evolved to handle the resulting challenges. Ultimately,Chasing Kangaroos is a smart yet utterly readable synthesis of memoir, travel, natural history, and evolutionary science -- and further proof of Flannery's "offhand interdisciplinary brilliance" (Entertainment Weekly).
Birds of Australia by
The best photographic field guide to Australia's birds Australia is home to a spectacular diversity of birdlife, from parrots and penguins to emus and vibrant passerines. Birds of Australia covers all 714 species of resident birds and regularly occurring migrants and features more than 1,100 stunning color photographs, including many photos of subspecies and plumage variations never before seen in a field guide. Detailed facing-page species accounts describe key identification features such as size, plumage, distribution, behavior, and voice. This one-of-a-kind guide also provides extensive habitat descriptions with a large number of accompanying photos. The text relies on the very latest IOC taxonomy and the distribution maps incorporate the most current mapping data, making this the most up-to-date guide to Australian birds. Covers all 714 species of resident birds and regularly occurring migrants Features more than 1,100 stunning color photos Includes facing-page species accounts, habitat descriptions, and distribution maps The ideal photographic guide for beginners and seasoned birders alike
Why Australia Prospered by
This book is the first comprehensive account of how Australia attained the world's highest living standards within a few decades of European settlement, and how the nation has sustained an enviable level of income to the present. Why Australia Prospered is a fascinating historical examination of how Australia cultivated and sustained economic growth and success. Beginning with the Aboriginal economy at the end of the eighteenth century, Ian McLean argues that Australia's remarkable prosperity across nearly two centuries was reached and maintained by several shifting factors. These included imperial policies, favorable demographic characteristics, natural resource abundance, institutional adaptability and innovation, and growth-enhancing policy responses to major economic shocks, such as war, depression, and resource discoveries. Natural resource abundance in Australia played a prominent role in some periods and faded during others, but overall, and contrary to the conventional view of economists, it was a blessing rather than a curse. McLean shows that Australia's location was not a hindrance when the international economy was centered in the North Atlantic, and became a positive influence following Asia's modernization. Participation in the world trading system, when it flourished, brought significant benefits, and during the interwar period when it did not, Australia's protection of domestic manufacturing did not significantly stall growth. McLean also considers how the country's notorious origins as a convict settlement positively influenced early productivity levels, and how British imperial policies enhanced prosperity during the colonial period. He looks at Australia's recent resource-based prosperity in historical perspective, and reveals striking elements of continuity that have underpinned the evolution of the country's economy since the nineteenth century.
Australia - Culture Smart! by
Australia is different--a vast island-continent with distances so great that the capital of Western Australia is closer to Singapore than it is to Sydney. The landscape embraces magnificent tropical rainforests and deserts the size of several European states; temperate areas that sustain a flourishing wine industry, making Australia the world's fourth largest wine exporter; a sixteen-thousand-mile coastline of breathtaking beaches; and its unique fauna is testament to the country's "down-underness." Indigenous Australians have inhabited the continent for more than fifty thousand years, yet European settlement is just over two hundred years old. Since the end of the Second World War the country has opened its doors to a hugely diverse immigrant population and slowly shaken off the mantle of British influence, transforming what was perhaps one of the dullest nations into one of the most stimulating. The Australians' old settler mentality--regarding themselves as "battlers," and embarrassed by their lack of sophistication--has given way to a new national confidence. The achievements of Australia's artists, sportspeople, entertainers, scientists, and businesspeople puts them on the global stage. Despite the diversity of ethnicities there is a pervasive homogeneity among Australians: a generosity of spirit and a forthrightness, sometimes disarming for the visitor. A sense of fairness and equality is valued, as is the ability not to take oneself too seriously. Culture Smart! Australia introduces you to a young nation with one of the world's highest standards of living, "where people work to live" in order to enjoy a lifestyle that many across the globe covet, and in which Australians take great pride (and don't mind telling you about).
Race, Ethnicity, and the Participation Gap by
In its appropriation of migration theories and various empirical tools, this book examines why settler and multicultural countries such as Australia, the United States, and Canada differ in the political participation and representation of immigrants and ethnic minorities.
In the Front Row : How Australian Fashion made the World Stage. by
In the Front Row charts the rise of Australian Fashion Week, from one man's ambition to take Australian fashion to the world, to the glittering international event it is today. Simon P. Lock's determination placed Sydney on the international fashion week circuit, up there with New York, London, Milan and Paris.Lock's story takes you backstage for the twenty years that Fashion Week has wowed the world. It tells the story of daring designers, supermodels and celebrities and details how Australia's biggest fashion stars—Akira Isogawa, Collette Dinnigan, Peter Morrissey, Wayne Cooper, sass & bide, Zimmermann, Dion Lee and Ellery—got their start. He reveals the parts Miranda Kerr, Elle Macpherson, Linda Evangelista, Dita Von Teese and Cate Blanchett played in this often drama-filled adventure.In the Front Row reveals the feuds, frustrations and triumphs of producing one of Australia's most fabulous international events.
Sunburnt Country : The History and Future of Climate Change in Australia by
What was Australia's climate like before official weather records began? How do scientists use tree-rings, ice cores and tropical corals to retrace the past? What do Indigenous seasonal calendars reveal? And what do settler diary entries about rainfall, droughts, bushfires and snowfalls tell us about natural climate cycles? Sunburnt Country pieces together Australia's climate history for the first time. It uncovers a continent long vulnerable to climate extremes and variability. It gives an unparalleled perspective on how human activities have altered patterns that have been with us for millions of years, and what climate change looks like in our own backyard. Sunburnt Country highlights the impact of a warming planet on Australian lifestyles and ecosystems and the power we all have to shape future life on Earth
Australia's Home by
Since its first publication by Melbourne University Press Australia's Home has been in constant demand. The author summarises his story, from 1788 to 1960, as 'a material triumph and an aesthetic calamity'. Readers have thoroughly enjoyed the combination of informative detail and quiet humour, and the architectural features of a house, a street, or a suburb, which have up until now been simply 'different', gain an added interest and significance. People read Australia's Home for pure pleasure as an eventful illuminating story. Householders read it to see their house and streetscapes afresh through Boyd's eyes, their own vision both criticised and enriched by his. Architects and planners read it to agonise with Boyd over built forms and townscapes . . . But the book is most remarkable of all as history, a great bit of poaching by an architect-journalist who never claimed to write history at all.
Consumer Australia by
Donald Horne's The Lucky Country claimed that Australia was one of the first nations to find part of the meaning of life in the purchase of consumer goods. Significantly, similar views had been expressed in the late 18th century, where everyday life in the antipodean outpost of Empire was regarded as being pecuniary and acquisitive in nature. While references to Australia as a consumer society continue to be made, the question of how Australia came to be so has attracted less attention. The chapters in Consumer Australia actively redress this omission by examining the ways in which the processes of selling, buying, and exchanging have characterised the experiences of consumption in every day Australian life. Prepared by leading and emerging scholars, the chapters in this unique collection critically explore the different ways that Australians have consumed products, brands, and even consumption itself from the 19th century and through the 20th century. By charting the growth and development of consumption in Australia, Consumer Australia reveals how Australia came to be a consumer society and asks where it is headed.
Following Burke and Wills Across Australia by
Every Australian has heard of Burke and Wills but few have travelled in their footsteps. In 2008, historian Dave Phoenix decided to walk across Australia from Melbourne to the Gulf of Carpentaria, following the track taken by the ill-fated Burke and Wills Expedition. Now you can follow them too. Following Burke and Wills Across Australiaguides you on a road trip that follows one of history's great transcontinental journeys, sharing the explorers' experiences on the way. Maps lay out a route that takes you as close as possible to the Expedition's track. As you travel the outback roads, you can learn all the details of the day-to-day journey of the Expedition from the explorers' own words, and compare what you see with their descriptions of the country in 1860-61. Each chapter provides information about what to see now: the location and descriptions of the markers and memorials placed along the route over the 150 years since the Expedition, and places where you can stand where the explorers stood and look out over prospects they drew and described. The book is a perfect companion for those wanting to see outback Australia, and at the same time understand a journey that has attained mythic status in the history of Australian exploration. Even if you want to follow only part of the track, this is the book for you.
