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We Recommend

Australian History in Biography : from Colonial Life to the 1960's

Mary Braidwood Mowle mixed with many people, from the important citizens of Sydney to the whalers of the NSW south coast. Through her diary, and Patricia Clarke's research, the well-known people of the infant Colony come to life.

The story of an offbeat childhood told with passion and wit, Tony Maniaty relives the off-centre world of being a half-Greek, half-Australian kid, growing up in the corner shops of the 1950s and early 1960s.

Kingsmill brings to life things and habits long gone - the woollen swimsuit, the picture-show pianist, the compulsory man's hat.

Quong Tart was one of the most fascinating and colourful characters of colonial Sydney - a Mandarin of the Blue Button, honoured by the Dragon Throne with the Peacock Feather.

Charles Hotham, the governor of the colony of Victoria at the time of Eureka, has long been cast in the villain's role. How surprising to learn of his considerable achievements as a naval officer of verve and ability. This book argues that Charles Hotham has been unjustly denigrated. It is a moving account of a life of brilliant and tragic proportions.

This book is an affectionate memoir of "Diamond Jim", politician, writer and judge, written by Gillian Appleton his wife of over 20 years.

From the unique perspective of Sally Dingo, the widpella (whitefella) and wife of actor Ernie Dingo, this moving family saga is full of life, death, laughter, violence, struggle, children, poverty, alcohol, and eventually success. It is also a history shared with every other Aboriginal family.

This biography draws on much unpublished material including diaries, letters and other manuscripts to present a remarkably talented, independent woman who lived in vastly different social worlds and experienced personal tragedy as well as creative achievement.

Maie Casey lived her long life under the chandeliers in Melbourne, London, Washington, Cairo, Calcutta and Canberra. She was a talented writer, artist and poet, and an early aviatrix Her husband, Lord Casey, was a politician, diplomat and governor-general of Australia.

While her husband governed a colony in its infancy, Mrs King recorded her observations of their extraordinary life in a chatty journal. Her unique record is full of dry wit and clever perceptions, and Marnie Bassett uses it to great effect.

Born in 1909, King made his home at Melaleuca in remote south-west Tasmania. By the time of his death in 1991 he was the king of his remarkable wilderness and internationally celebrated for his unique lifestyle.

James Graham was one of the earliest pioneers to settle in Melbourne. He arrived in 1839 at the age of 20 and, over a period of sixty years, wrote an enormous number of lively, detailed letters which paint a vivid picture of life of the growing town.

This is a fascinating life story of a remarkable woman. It is also a rich, colourful and authentic portrait of early colonial life, from the corridors of power to the crime-filled alleyways infesting the wharves and waterfront of the young settlement.

This is a love story about a woman who loses her heart to hot, wild Australia and to an Australian man. It is about her escape, from the darkness of German guilt and from her own past, into a passionate marriage, motherhood, her career as a rural GP and obstetrician, and a new home in the pristine beauty of Tasmania.

Joseph Docker emerges from this lively history as a man of astonishing courage and enterprise. Docker came to the colony as a priest for the Church of England. Judy McMillan covers the Dockers' journeys, houses, families, and servants.

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