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 : Getting a Job in Australia: A Step-by-step Guide to Finding Work Down Under
Author : Nick Vandome
Rating : 3 Stars out of 5.
Summary : informative but dated

there is alot of informative information in this book from healthcare to workplace issues, tax implications to useful addresses. I found it perfect for starting to get my head around all the differences to what I am use to in the UK BUT IT'S OUT OF DATE on alot of things. The book has been revised and updated on some things. However, they have not put any notes on other sections to say if it is still the same today, e.g. is it still the same as what was quoted in 2000 on the tax law???

Overall it is a good starting book to get a feel for what you need current information on before you travel.

Title : Living and Working in Australia (Living Working S.)
Author : David Hampshire
Rating : 4 Stars out of 5.
Summary : The title says it all

Having read a number of publications of similar approach I must admit this one's outstanding. The information provided is not only considering almost every single aspect of living in Oz, but most important: it's (imho) spot-on and even pretty much up-to-date. David's writing is fun and easy to read and I would recommend this book to everyone on the move down under.

Title : Ashes 2005: The Full Story of the Test Series
Author : Gideon Haigh
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : An intelligent read

A really intelligent read with some great character sketches and a wide-ranging take on contemporary popular culture as well as what has made cricket tick over the decades. Some of the prose can be a little dense but is well worth the effort. It's an intriguing book which one will return to with pleasure this winter when other Ashes books seem just one more photo-montage for the Christmas stocking. BUT - and it doesn't detract from the five stars - spot the howler on page 51!

Title : Down Under
Author : Bill Bryson
Rating : 2 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Not his best

Bill Bryson concludes 'Down Under' by emphasising (for about the fiftieth time) that Australia is an interesting country. It is, undoubtedly. However, you wouldn't know it from reading this book.

Remarkably, in a country that is packed with things to do (try scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, try Croc watching in Darwin, try partying in Sydney, watching Aussie rules in Melbourne) Bryson spends most of his time pottering around on his own - his inability or unwilling to actually talk to people is quite unrivalled in a travel journalist - and peering at exhibits in out of the way museums. Each day on his travels seems to have the same shape: rise with a hangover, drive a long way on his own, look around another museum and arrive at a hotel to drink quietly on his own. Is this interesting? Is this giving us an insight in life 'Down Under'?

There are so many examples of Bryson coming across as a rather introverted ninny it's hard to pick one, but here goes. On the Great Barrier Reef, where he musters the courage to take a pleasure cruise (after about a chapter of fretting at the dangers of sharks, jelly-fish, groupers (!) etc...) After finally taking the plunge, he decides to extract himself from the water without actually seeing anything because he mask continually fills with water and he feels uncomfortable. Perhaps even more unbelievably, he goes to Adelaide and stumbles upon (yes, stumbles upon ... does he do any research?) an Ashes Test Match. Rather than actually go, by begging, borrowing or stealing tickets he decides instead to sit on his own in a bar and ponder what might be happening.

Put this lack of content together with his infuriatingly limited vocabularly which covers the full gamut of adjectives from 'delightful' to enlightening' and back again and you have the makings of a thoroughly dull read. One wonders whether this was a project foisted upon him by his over-eager publishers as it is striking how weak his pool of historical anecdote-cum-factoids are (which is his usual forte). Did we really have to hear about the Aussie Prime-Minister that managed to drown himself in every chapter?

In summary, it might be an exciting read if you like the Daily Mail.

Title : Aboriginal Art (World of Art S.)
Author : Wally Caruana
Rating : 5 Stars out of 5.
Summary : An essential primer

I bought a copy of this last year to read before a trip to Australia. I knew very little about Aborigine art but this is an excellent introduction to this fascinating culture with such a vast and powerful art history.

Coverage is given to the various regions of Australia, pointing out differing cultures, environments, subject matter, styles and techniques. I was also pleased to discover it gave coverage not just to the traditional arts but also to more contemporary works, pointing out both the continuations and differences.

Title : Down Under
Author : Bill Bryson
Rating : 4 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Slight criticism of a superb book.

I recently spent almost 5 weeks in Oz and was handed this book by my son on arrival. Its a perfect book to read of relaxation ( and a little education) either whilst travelling or on return from Oz. His writing is so enjoyable and so apt. My only criticism is that there are some places he should have given more time to, although he did this in his book about Great Britain, as soom places are far more fun than he seemed to appreciate. Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this book!

Title : Down Under
Author : Bill Bryson
Rating : 4 Stars out of 5.
Summary : Very informative, telling you many things no ordinary travel book does

Bill Bryson is best known for writing very humorous travel books, and "Down Under" is indeed a funny account of his travels in Australia. Those who love Bill Bryson's books for their humor won't be disappointed.

But unlike most people, I like Bill Bryson best when he's NOT trying to be funny, and my appreciation of this book is mostly due to the great amount of very interesting information presented.

Bill Bryson amazes you with loads of information about the geology, the animal life, the plants and insects, the history, the statistics, the folklore, etc., etc. The many dangers: poisonous snakes, poisonous insects, poisonous jellyfish, crocodiles, sharks, and rip currents - they're all out to get you. The inhospitable deserts, the beautiful beaches, the huge distances; Bill Bryson gives you a feeling of what it's all like.

The book goes into detail about many aspects of Australian life that are fairly unknown, including the discovery (and re-discovery) of Australia, the settlement by British prisoners, the early expeditions to explore the interior, the gold rushes, the outlaws, and the devastation caused by rabbits and other imported animals and plants. Bill Bryson talks about the many unusual animal species found only in Australia, including giant earthworms that grow up to 1 meter (and can be stretched to 4 meters) and the platypus, a cross between a reptile and a mammal. He talks about Australians and the Australian society, and the situation regarding the native people, the aboriginals.

Bill Bryson doesn't cover all of Australia from the geographical point of view, and the parts he does cover are somewhat random. But that doesn't matter because he captures the spirit of the whole country based on the parts he does visit and the general information he includes.

A very positive aspect is that Bill Bryson makes it clear that he loves Australia. The feeling is infectious, and it makes you want to pack your bags and head "down under" for a long leisurely trip so you can do your own exploring.

If I were to mention two things I was less happy about, it would be the occasional excessive attempts to be funny and the lack of contact with Australians. One of the best parts of the book is about his traveling together with an Australian couple for 3-4 days, but other than this passage Bill Bryson is mostly playing the typical tourist, with little or no contact with Australians. And despite a fairly long discussion about the aboriginal situation he does not ever get into contact with any aboriginals. Why not?

A final note regarding the unabridged audio version of the book, read by Bill Bryson himself: Most authors are poor readers, but Mr. Bryson does a very good job here, almost on a par with a professional reader. Recommended.

Rennie Petersen

PS. "Down Under" has also been published under the title "In a Sunburned Country". It is exactly the same book.

Australia In Restaurant Sydney Wildfire and Australia online resources.