Australia

Let's face it...that long haul flight is certainly worth it.

Not only that, any Australian will gladly tell you that there is so much more to see and do than what you just see in the brochure!

That's why it's so important to get your travel plans sorted out properly - whether it's Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, or even the Great Barrier Reef - Australia has it all!

Title : Aboriginal Art (World of Art S.)
Author : Wally Caruana
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Lovely little paper back book about Australian Art

I bought this book for my son as a reference guide for his GCSE Art. The original at school had been knicked as it was so popular.

He produced a Brilliant piece of work inspired by it's content and pictures. He used ther inspiration from the art to produce a map from his home to school in the style of the Aboriginees on a massive pot from BQ.

If you want a great little book on the subject then buy this.

Title : Xenophobe's Guide to Kiwis (Xenophobe's Guide S.)
Author : Christine Cole Catley
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Nostalia and Laughs

Writing this as a critical kiwi, I thought it was a fantastic book, was a a real treasure! I had no idea there was so many mannerisms and thoughts I have that are so particular to the kiwi way of life! Felt very nostalgic at times and felt homesick, but laughed just as much! Could not put it down, will make sure my English friends and family read it so they understand me better!

Title : Lonely Planet : Australian Phrasebook
Author : Sue Butler
Rating : 4 Stars out of 5.
Summary : A must-have for any Aussie visitor

used this book for my 8 month trip round australia, certainly was my bible (sorry) The information is very acurate with only a couple of mistakes that left me staying in what can only be describe as an ex-mental hospital with a few left-over patients!.. apart from that, I stayed in over 100 hostels, all listed within the book and all as acurate as the descriptions!.. if your oz bound buy it!

Title : Living and Working in Australia (Living Working S.)
Author : David Hampshire
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Fantastic!

An excellent, very detailed book which gives loads of very helpful information. I have read a number of books about emigrating to Australia and this is certainly the best I have found so far.

Title : The Fatal Shore: History of the Transportation of Convicts to Australia, 1787-1868 (Harvill Panther S.)
Author : Robert Hughes
Rating : 4 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Odd

My only gripe was: An Australian author, writing on England (let's face it, it wasn't 'Britain' doing any of this and most people outside Great Britain think Wales and Scotland are just large sities in 'England') and Australia, in English - using American spelling. Every time I saw 'Sydney Harbor' and suchlike, I couldn't help but think a little less of his abilities.

Title : Ashes 2005: The Full Story of the Test Series
Author : Gideon Haigh
Rating : 2 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Very Disappointing Ashes Book

Gideon Haigh the writer of this book tells us that he has English parents but was born and raised in Australia. He claims to support England during the Ashes but by his constant mocking of the England cause one suspects that this claim is more to satisfy his English readers. The articles in this book are those written throughout the Ashes for the Guardian and Cricinfo. They are well written, though somewhat awkward to read at times, and are of a much higher standard than most sports writing. You get the sense that Mr Haigh does not view English cricket with very much respect and indeed at times he obviously finds English cricket laughable.

The fact that on page 51 of this book it claims that Australia won the second test at Edgbaston shows that somebody didn't do their job. This is terribly wrong as millions of people in this country and around the world will testify. How this has gone unnoticed by the publisher is staggering and should surely result in the proof reader facing the sack and reprints being rushed out to sooth the dismay of their shocked customers. On the other hand, given the constant mocking of the England team, maybe Gideon Haigh wanted to stir things up by putting this score, because as a closet Aussie fan this is a result that would have surely warmed his heart.

Though Gideon Haigh claims to support England this really is the grudging Aussie point of view at the end of the day. Don't buy this book if you want beautiful images of the Ashes because there are many other books with far superior images. But if you want to read intelligent articles about the Ashes from a man who knows his stuff then this book is for you. Gideon Haigh may be the most annoying writer on the planet, because of his awkward style, but at least he has something intelligent to tell us.

Title : The Fatal Shore: History of the Transportation of Convicts to Australia, 1787-1868 (Harvill Panther S.)
Author : Robert Hughes
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : A History of British Brutality

Robert Hughes "The Fatal Shore" is a compelling, readable, and meticuously documented account of the settlement of Australia. More than that, it provides within that harrowing story a picture of 18th and 19th Century penal attitudes the biases and prejudices of which can still,too often, be recognised in contemporary penal practice. In particular, the story of Alexander Moconochie's reforms on Norfolk Island, and their rejection, is a tale of overwhelming tragedy.
This cruel and bitter saga is yet another illustration of a recurring theme in British history, of how the protection of the wealth and property of a few has always had priority over the common good. The multiplication of capital offences under George 111, and his brutal penal regime, did little to deter the poverty stricken agricultural and industrial labourers of that era. The greatest fear of the industrial capitalists and the wealthy landowners was a revolution of the dispossessed, and to transport this threat to the other side of the globe, and so eliminate it, was the safest way to secure the status quo. Although Hughes does not labour this point he does vividly show how the demonisation of a class, and the extreme brutality that accompanied it, led to a penal system that lasted for more than half a century. For convicts to resist the thuggery of the State was futile, but to resist, and so suffer more brutality, was, ironically,the only way to retain the last flickering of humanity and personal integrity.
The book is a timely reminder that the core values that have shaped British history have changed little, and demonisation is still used to protect and sustain political and corporate interests.
A stimulating, readable, and masterly account of the British Gulag and of those who suffered in the grip of its iron fist. Highly recommended.

Australia Hotel Marriott and Australia online resources.