Thread: Australian History Books - who's read what ?

Yep, read all the Len Bedel's books and Cecil Madigans. Loved em and those that deal with the early pioneering history of the outback .

You might like Tom Cole - 'Hell West and Crooked'

"In this remarkable autobiographical account, Tom Cole tells the stories of his life in the outback during the 1920s and 1930s. With great humour and drama, he recounts his adventures as a drover and station hand in the toughest country in Australia and later on as a buffalo shooter and crocodile hunter in the Northern Territory before the war. He tells of the endurance of the Aborigines and the many personalities and 'characters' of the day."

Mary Durak - 'Kings in Grass Castles'

"the pioneering family lead by Patrick Durack who opened up the Kimberley Region in Australia. It tells of them coming out from Ireland in the 1800's, and starting to explore the region. It then tells of them setting up cattle and sheep properties all over Australia, and the huge feat of driving huge herds of cattle across the continent. It tells of the hardships of setting up a home in the middle of nowhere, and then surviving with the native people"

I think the most interesting person to read about is Governor Lachlan Macquarie, he more than any other made Australia what it is today.
Macquarie abolished the Rum Corps, replaced Rum as the currency with money (coins), started the first bank, built infrastructure, trial by Jury, appointed the first ex-convict Magistrate, encouraged Convicts to marry and build up farms with monetary and goods assistance, opened the way across the Blue mountains with a road to Bathurst.
Too many to list here, there is a book I read many years ago titled "Lachlan Macquarie", it follows his life from early days in Scotland, through his distinguished Army career in India to his battles with the upper-crust in Australia, being Macarthur (who fled to England when he heard Macquarie was coming) and Marsden and their Cronies, Marsden was trading weapons (guns etc.) with the Maories. Macarthur headed a group that wanted Australia to be kept Solely as a Penal Colony with the only Free Settlers allowed to be the Landed Gentry from England and Ireland, making Australia a Slave driven Bread Basket for the world, sounds a lot like the start of the Liberal Party LOL.
Macquarie financed most of the great explorations in his 11 years as Governor, he was also the first head of State to insist that all correspondence with the English Government that this country be called Australia.
A very interesting read esp. on his battles with the Despot Marsden (the flogging Parson) when he was arrested for refusing to pay the Toll on Parramatta Rd at Taverners Hill, should be able to get the book at any Library, Regards Frank.

Originally Posted by Jezzaol

HI all, not sure if there has been a post with anything like this but I have been hooked on Australian history books especially explorers and alike ! Also Landrover history.
.... along with Tom Cruise book around birdsville. ...

Cheers and thanks in advance
Jeremy

Jeremy

There are a lot of great books around particularly on the early explorers, the bushrangers etc and even novels set in the contemporary outback like "We of the never never" set in the Northern Territory.

However I hardly think that Tom Cruise would be able to tell us anything much about Australia or it's history other than Nicole Kidman and I don't think they ever went to Birdsville. Tom Kruse the Birdsville to Maree mailman is a completely other story.

Diana

Originally Posted by Ferret

You might like Tom Cole - 'Hell West and Crooked'

The Tom Cole Diaries are pretty good also. Tom Ronan's books are also good. Wild Colonial Boys by Frank Clune gives an unbiased report of the bushranging days. Frank Clune and Ion Idriess were prolific writers from the 30's and 40's and recount much history heard first hand. Anything about the great explorer, bushman and drover, Nat Buchanan, is informative. If you can find a copy, Vision Splendid, a history of the Winton District gives a wonderful account of life in outback Queensland from the exploration days on. This book was sponsored by the Winton Shire Council.

Hi Jeremy,

I read a lot of Australian history books, mainly about the various explorers. They are so interesting. I'm currently reading one about the actual "logs" written by various crew members from the First Fleet. Absolutely fascinating.

I'll have a look at home & see what I've got, if you're interested, I can mail some to you. In fact, why don't we set up a postal library for AULRO members?

I'll work it out & put up a post about it.

"For the term of his natural life" is an oldie but a goodie. Found Bill Bryson's "Down Under" and enjoyable read.

Not to hijack this thread, but I am intrested in a book I saw in Cooktown, in the James Cook museum book shop. It had a woman on the cover, standing next to a large dead crock. It was about her life living up north of Cooktown. Anyone have an idea of the author, or where I can purchase one?

Cheers,
Ken

Was it "An Australian Women Biography by Pat Rappolt (1905-1978)?

She wrote a book on her experiences living in Cooktown.

If you're interested, I'll see if I can find a copy for you.

Originally Posted by Mudnut

"For the term of his natural life" is an oldie but a goodie. Found Bill Bryson's "Down Under" and enjoyable read.

Not to hijack this thread, but I am intrested in a book I saw in Cooktown, in the James Cook museum book shop. It had a woman on the cover, standing next to a large dead crock. It was about her life living up north of Cooktown. Anyone have an idea of the author, or where I can purchase one?

Cheers,
Ken

for online reading try this site Project Gutenberg Australia free ebooks ebook etext etexts