Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Archaeology / Anthropology    3. Ethnic Studies - General    4. Polar Regions    5. Social Science    6. Sociology   

Reviews (23)

Never Give Up
Lennard Bickel's "Mawson's Will" is the story of Australian geologist Douglas Mawson's 1911-1912 Expedition to Antarctica, and more particularly, his desparate struggle to return alone from a sledging expedition gone badly.
Bickel's Gift
Rarely has fiction served the truth so well. Rarely has the truth served fiction so well.
An Unbelievable Tale of Courage and Will
I couldn't put the book down, once I started.I was awestruck by the courage and will demonstrated by Mawson.I would have given up long before.These types of men are fast-disappearing from our society--a real tragedy for us. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (1911-1914)    2. 1882-1958    3. Antarctica    4. Australasian Antarctic Expedition    5. Australian    6. Discovery and exploration    7. Expeditions & Discoveries    8. History - General History    9. Mawson, Douglas,    10. Polar Regions    11. Research & Methodology    12. Scientific Expeditions    13. Sir,    14. Sports    15. Travel    16. History / Polar Regions   

Editorial Review

James Cameron's 1997 Read more

Reviews (146)

The 'definitive' version?
I've wanted this book for ages, and have both the book and the criterion collection DVD on my wishlist. The DVD is virtually impossible to get, unless I want to part with some serious money, so for now, it's a wish to have.
Book Talk Review
The book A Night to Remember by Walter Lord is an exciting educational learning experience reliving the night of April 14, 1912, the night the Luxurious Liner Titanic sank to the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.This book is filled with facts, actual interviews, and transitions to help you understand the terrible tragedy that took place.It gives you a sense of wonder and sorrow and keeps you interested every page.For die-hard Titanic fans, this book is definitely the best.Even if your not, the way Walter Lord writes captures your mind and attention.This book was excellent, one I will read repeatedly and still catch things I missed before.This is a great book for everyone.

A Great Book That Keeps You on The Edge of Your Seat
There are good books, and there are not so good books. Walter Lord's A Night To Remember is definitly one of those good books. I thought that the quality in this book was amazing, and kept you on the edge of your seat. He uses descriptive phrases combined with eyewittnes accounts/interviews with the survivors to make you feel like you are there on the ship with them. When I was reading this, I could almost feel the desperation of trying to get in one of the few lifeboats aboard the titanic.
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Subjects:  1. General    2. History    3. History: World    4. Maritime History    5. North Atlantic Ocean    6. Oceania    7. Ships & Shipbuilding - History    8. Ships & Shipbuilding - Shipwrecks    9. Shipwrecks    10. Titanic (Steamship)    11. Transportation    12. Transportation / Ships & Shipbuilding / General   

Reviews (6)

Oceanic navigation classic
The most complete study of early navigation I have come across. The author does a fantastic job of comparing the different styles of landfinding as used by the Pacific islanders. Lewis brings the knowledge and experience of an accomplished western sailor and navigator to his studies, and in doing so is able compare and contrast ancient and modern techniques. A scholarly study of primitive navigation, the book is not always an easy read, however for the reader looking for a complete comparison this is the volume to have.

An academic book by a knowledgable navigator
This book is written by an academic. I don't necessarily mean this in a negative sense. The author has done a very thorough research on the topic and presented his findings. The effect is a book that can be called a comprehensive treatment as far as it can be done given that the practictioners are disappearing fast. Exellent on Pacific Voyaging
David Lewis has zig-zaged the Pacific in modern yachts and traditional canoes. His broad experience and long resarch, using his own and many schoolars data, has made this a good analysis and documentation of theextremly impressing and interesting phenomenon of ancient and presentvoyaging in the Pacific. Others, specially anthropologists fieldworking inthe Central Carolines of Micronesia, had written about the presently usedMicronesian voyaging system, others less throughly about the forgottenpolynesian,but Lewis mangage to give a synthesis of the technologies andsome of the social aspectsof traditional voyaging in the Pacific ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Australia & New Zealand - General    2. History    3. History: World    4. Micronesians    5. Navigation    6. Polynesians    7. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    8. South Pacific Ocean    9. Transportation    10. Hawaii    11. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (2)

Very Good
This guide covers all the bird species known to occur in Australia - not an easy task in a continent with as rich an aviafauna.
Peterson Down Under
This book never left my side while I was in Oz, although at times I thought about leaving it behind.My biggest complaint would be size; this book is a bit too large to be a proper field guide.It is as thick as Nat'l Geo, but about an inch longer in width and height.The plates were more than adequate, however few birds were shown in juv. plumage.Good text descriptions, notes on behaviors, and birds in flight usually shown.Very Peterson-esque.Half of the book is a handbook at the back.Plenty of good life history info. on the birds, but not necessary in the field.If only the handbook came as a seperate supplement . . .Read more

Subjects:  1. Australia    2. Birds    3. Birds & Birdwatching - General    4. Birds & Birdwatching - Guides    5. Identification    6. Life Sciences - Zoology - Ornithology    7. Nature    8. Nature/Ecology    9. Biological Sciences    10. Birds (ornithology)    11. Birds and Natural History    12. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching   

Subjects:  1. 1795-1869    2. Australia    3. Australia & New Zealand - General    4. Central Australia    5. Diaries    6. Explorers    7. History    8. History: World    9. Natural history    10. Sturt, Charles,   

Reviews (7)

funny and depressing
The book is depressing because it's about extinction and endangerment; it's funny because our authors manage to stay optimistic and cheerful in the face of extinction. They have an extremely clear eye for the foibles of humans, as well as for the traits of the animals they see. It takes talented writers to make roadkill amusing; these guys manage it.
This book is very special
I loved this book, because it was humorous, compelling, and educational.The "team" felt like friends, even the odd but likeable Alex.I found all the information about Tasmanian wild life fascinating.It made me feel differently about that little corner of the world.This is way to learn about the background of the Tasmanian tiger and many other creatures.It sure beats reading a dry 'academic' tome on the subject.

Magical Mystery Tour to Tasmania
Carnivorous Nights is a hugely enjoyable read. The authors and their artist pal travel from the museum of natural history in NYC to view rare aboriginal artwork outside of Sydney, Australia, and then on to the wild and strange island of Tasmania---where they encounter screaming Tasmanian devils, baby fairy penguins, creepy cave creatures, andmuch more. All the while, they keep their eyes peeled for the iconic Tasmanian tiger---which was last seen in 1936. While theoretically extinct, this wolf-like marsupial has been sighted repeatedly, and is the object of awe and lore in Tasmania.Do they still exist, are they extinct, or something in between?
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Subjects:  1. Australia    2. Australia & Oceania - General    3. General    4. Natural history    5. Tasmania    6. Tasmania (Australia)    7. Thylacine    8. Travel    9. Travel - Foreign    10. Wildlife    11. Travel / Australia & Oceania   

Editorial Review

The leap between dreamy child living in a provincial Australian neighborhood and journalisthopscotching through war zones is massive. In Read more

Reviews (19)

The Country I Wanted to know.
Geraldine Brooks has written a book that I can empathise with. I think of how I might have had that life in Australia had my parents not returned to England in the 1930's. I wanted, and still do, very much to talk to the author and ask her questions as she is such a good writer with a warm personality.

Not as wonderful as her other books
I have read several of Brooks' books (both her non-fiction and fiction) and I was excited to rec'e and read Foreign Correspondance.Unfortunately, I was deeply disappointed. Great one for book clubs!
I bought this as an "airplane read" but couldn't put it down. Geraldine Brooks has done us a great favor by not only illuminating the process of finding one's long lost penpals, but also by educating many folks about Australia in the process. It's fascinating to see her perceptions of the world, and particularly America, based on the letters that come in her mailbox each month. Read more

Subjects:  1. Australia    2. Biography    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Brooks, Geraldine    7. General    8. Historical - General    9. Journalists    10. Media Studies - Print Media    11. Pen pals    12. Women    13. Biography & Autobiography / General    14. Biography: general    15. Press & journalism    16. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (6)

Harm not the Magyars!(Zrinyi)
I often wondered why Hungary and Hungarians have such poor public relations, particularly in the US.Unfortunately, this book fails to answer that question.It is a fascinating read, if only because it gives, (in parts) a refreshingly different perspective.In others, unfortunately, the Communist-era interpretation of the author's sources is painfully evident.The many details in the narrative are interesting, partly because the selection of the details reveals the author's biases.There are a number of translation errors I found in the book which naturally led to faulty conclusions.P.e. "Honved"(seg)(hon=home, vedni=to defend) is not the militia, it's the standing army."Nemzet orseg," (nemzet=nation, orseg=guard) is the militia. All in all however, it was worthwhile to read through the book.It will lead those, who are not familiar with the Magyars to some understanding of the background of this nation although will leave them feel shortchanged in understanding their psyche.I senta copy of the book to both of my (adult) children together with a 16 page commentary.It is a laudable effort on the part of author Lendvai and by and large I believe it will benefit the Hungarians' image as well.

The Hungarians is a victory
This book is a well rounded look at a thousand year old country.
A comprehensive focus on the Hungarian people
Hungarian history is largely omitted from college-level courses, at least as a focus on its own: European journalist and television commentator Paul Lendvai corrects this omission with The Hungarians: A Thousand Years Of Victory In Defeat, a comprehensive focus on the Hungarian people once known in Europe as 'huns'. Hungarians became defenders of the Christian West and fought many freedom battles: The Hungarians traces their many achievements, their country's changing history, and how the Hungarians have survived as a people against all odds.
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Subjects:  1. Eastern Europe - General    2. Europe - Austria & Hungary    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. Hungary    7. Australasia, Oceania & Other Land Areas    8. Australasian & Pacific history    9. Eastern Europe    10. European History    11. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    12. Sociology, Social Studies   

Reviews (5)

Tremendous Storyteller
What happens when men won't take up the cross and go to the most remote areas of the world to share the gospel? Single women such as Marilyn Laszlo take up the burden. Marilyn has a wonderful way of telling stories that bring her readers right there with her. You understand exactly what she was going through, and are inspired to sacrifice and go yourself--as I was, also in Papua New Guinea.

Good Story But Terrible Theology
This book is an okay missionary story, but Ms. Laszlo's approach to spreading the Gospel is entirely wrong. She was either by herself or had another lady with her at the tribe she was working in. I know from being on the mission field that that is no way to spread the Gospel and please God at the same time. What Ms. Laszlo and her fellow missionaries did, I think, is just like having a lady pastor.

THE NITTY GRITTY OF THE MISSION FIELD
This was a life changing book for me. I have been a Christian for a long time but only recently became interested in missionaries. This book describes so beautifully what happens when an ordinary person is called by God to take the gospel to people who have never heard it. This school teacher from Indiana answered the call to go to New Guinea (350 miles from the nearest radio contact) and learn a new language, then translate the entire New Testament into that language. It is a very personal account of her relationships, her struggles and the miracles that occurred while she was there. I will never again be able to put missionaries on the back burner after getting to know this woman. I'm giving this book to all my close friends at Christmas, I can't think of anyone who would not be fascinated by this journey. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. General    6. Hauna Village    7. History    8. Laszlo, Marilyn    9. Missionaries    10. Missionary Activities Of Specific Denominations    11. Missions, American    12. Papua New Guinea    13. Religious    14. United States   

Reviews (1)

The best introduction to early NZ history
James Belich is probably now the definitive New Zealand historian, with a strong grasp of both M�ori and pakeha (New Zealand decendants of Europeans) perspectives.This account of New Zealand's history up to the mid-to late 19th century is both informative and interesting.Read more

Subjects:  1. Australia & New Zealand - General    2. Australia & New Zealand - New Zealand    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History: World    6. New Zealand   

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Antiques / Collectibles    3. Art    4. Clip Art    5. Collage    6. Collage, Australian    7. History - Modern (Late 19th Century to 1945)   

Reviews (1)

Excellent use of Hawaiian-Language Sources
Dr. Silva's book relies on seldom-used Hawaiian-language newspaper sources to document native Hawaiian resistance to foreign power in the islands. Most histories of Hawaii depend on English-language (and all too often missionary and American) accounts of the people and events in Hawaiian history, which means that they often miss, or ignore, the opposing, and generally native voices. It is as if the Hawaiians simply gave up. But, as "Aloha Betrayed" documents in some detail, this version of history is not true, and is in fact part of an on-going struggle to erase native struggles. At times, the book is one-sided, as if only native Hawaiians resisted imperialism and only foreigners supported it, but this tendency is forgivable because she is reacting to so many books on Hawaiian history that have written native Hawaiians out of Hawaiian history and created a mythical history where missionaries and capitalists take over the islands with great fanfare and little resistance. "Aloha Betrayed" is not the final history of the Hawaiian islands, but it is a well-researched, well-written and much-needed contribution to the field. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Colonization    2. Government relations    3. Hawaiians    4. History    5. History - General History    6. History: American    7. Imperialism    8. Oceania    9. Politics and government    10. United States - 19th Century    11. Australasian & Pacific history: c 1750 to c 1900    12. Hawaii    13. c 1800 to c 1900   

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Art    3. Art & Art Instruction    4. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions - Museum    5. History - General    6. Reference    7. The Arts   

Editorial Review

From the acclaimed chronicler of open spaces, Gretel Ehrlich, comes a stunning and lyrical evocation of a practically unknown place and people. Beginning in 1993, Ehrlich traveled to Greenland, the northernmost country in the world, in every season--the four months of perpetual dark (in which the average temperature is 25 degrees below zero), the four months of constant daylight, and the twilight seasons in between--traveling up the west coast, often by dogsled, and befriending the resilient and generous Inuits along the way. Greenland, unlike its name, is 95 percent ice--a landscape of deep rock-walled fjords, glaciers, narwhal whales swimming among icebergs the size of football fields, walruses busting through oceans of shifting ice. In the far north, the polar Inuit--the "real heroes"--still dress in bear and seal skins, and hunt walrus, polar bears, and whales with harpoons. The only constant is weather and the perilous movements of ice, the only transport is dogsled, and the closest village may be a month and a half-long dogsled journey away. The people share an austere and harsh life, lightened with humor and the fantastic stories of Sila, the god of weather, Nerrivik, the goddess of waters, of humans transforming themselves into animals, and interspecies marriages. Interwoven with Ehrlich's journey is the even more remarkable story of Knud Rasmussen, the founder of Eskimology, an Inuit-Danish explorer and ethnographer who took some of the most hazardous and brilliant expeditions ever, including a three and a half-year, 20,000-mile adventure by dogsled across the polar north to Alaska. Like Rasmussen, Ehrlich learns that the landscape of Greenland is "less a description of desolation than an ode to the beauty of impermanence."Alternately mind-expanding, gripping, and dreamlike, Read more

Reviews (19)

Heaven On Earth?
In "This Cold Heaven", Gretel Ehrlich extolls the life of the subsistence hunters of Greenland. Her writing is really very nice and brought this remote place to life for me. Jared Diamond's "Collapse" gave us the picture of the european Greenlanders and now Ehrlich gives us the picture from the 'other side of the hill.'
WONDERFUL BOOK
I really enjoyed this book, Gretel takes you with her in her travels and experiences to one of the most starkley beautiful places in the world.
Good, but a missed oppurtunity
I enjoyed the book and would recommend it. She obviously deeply respects the people who she spent time with in Greenland. However, as she barely hints at, there are problems under the surface with alcoholism dysfunctional families and sexual abuse. By glossing over the darker side of things and portraying the Innuit as "noble savages" she provides us with a one dimensional portrait of thier way of life. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1879-1933    2. Description and travel    3. Ehrlich, Gretel    4. Essays & Travelogues    5. Greenland    6. Polar Regions    7. Rasmussen, Knud,    8. Travel    9. Travel - General    10. Travel / Essays & Travelogues   

Subjects:  1. Christianity - History - Protestant    2. Religion - Church History   

Reviews (2)

Unique Topic
Vietnam ANZACs - Australian & New Zealand Troops in Vietnam, 1962-72 is the latest Vietnam War-related volume in Osprey Publishing's Elite Series.For years Osprey has been known for its excellent treatment of a wide variety of military history topics and this volume is no exception.Kevin Lyles has written and/or illustrated more than a dozen books on military history, most particularly on the Vietnam War, his area of special interest.Lyles does double duty as both the book's author and illustrator, allowing for a greater coordination between the photographs and artwork than is possible when different individuals perform the roles of author and illustrator.
Long overdue treatment for a niche subject
Given that Vietnam War uniforms is a pet subject of Kevin Lyles and knowing that he has devoted a number of years to this project, I had high expectations of this book.I am happy to report that these have largely been fulfilled.
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Subjects:  1. History    2. History - Military / War    3. Military    4. Military - Vietnam War    5. Asian history: Vietnam War    6. Australasian & Pacific history: postwar, from c 1945 -    7. Australia    8. History / Military / Vietnam War    9. Land forces & warfare    10. New Zealand    11. Special & elite forces    12. Vietnam    13. c 1960 to c 1970    14. c 1970 to c 1980   

Reviews (2)

Fascinating collection for the Arctic fanatic
All I can say is that, this is a beautiful picture volume that I am proud of owning for my Arctic book collection.Not only you will find lots of information regarding this polar region, you will also find numerous colour photos from the Canadian Archipelago islands, Greenland, some of Iceland, Norway, Svalbard (Norway), and Russia to name a few.There are also pictures from Lapland Scandinavia and Russia.This book not only reveals the beauty of the barren landscapes and ice, it also shows both human and animal life that survive such harsh climates. Beautiful Book
This is a beautiful picture book of the diversity of the Arctic. Photos range from the standard icebergs and igloos to scenes which are common in the arctic but uncommon in books - fields of arctic flowers and inuuits asthey really live, not just the tourist version.There is a fair amount oftext with some good information but the photos are its strong point.I gotthis book before a trip to the arctic and when I returned I appreciated iteven more. I even sent a copy to a friend who was with me on the trip andhe loved it as well. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Arctic regions    2. General    3. History - General History    4. Nature    5. Nature/Ecology    6. Polar Regions   

Reviews (4)

A Window into a Fascinating Culture
Over the past two decades, Aboriginal art from Australia has been gathering momentum as a major international art movement.Christie's, Sotheby's and other auction houses hold regular, successful sales of paintings and artifacts produced at Aboriginal settlements across Australia.Major historical figures such as Rover Thomas and Emily Kngwarre can command several hundred thousand dollars for a single painting.Even though indigenous people make up less than three percent of the population, their art in recent years reportedly accounts for about half of the total dollar value of all art sold in Australia.
Aboriginal Art - Howard Morphy
This beautiful reference book is full of beautiful photography of aboriginal art and Howard Morphy has researched this subject in great depth having lived with tribes in Arnhem Land.A great resource for those studying for degrees in Anthropology and Art History.

How the Aboriginals Coped
This book is not your standard art history, by any means.It is the story of how the Aboriginals coped with the European indruders.They had much experience dealing with strange people from overseas but nothing prepared them for their encounter with Europeans.They were at first completely baffled and also almost wiped out.The people of Tasmania were literally completely eliminated--the last native of Tasmania died in the second part of the 19th century.Read more

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Art, Aboriginal Australian    4. Criticism    5. Fine Arts    6. History - General    7. Primitive Art    8. Art / History / General    9. Art of indigenous peoples    10. Australia    11. Cultural studies    12. Social history