4 comments about While in Darkness There is Light: Idealism and Tragedy on an Australian Commune.

1. Bryant brings to life a time of struggle and idealism that stands in stark contrast to today's cynicism. Having come of age at that time, I can attest to this authentic portrayal of my generation's youthful hopes and mistakes. Clear prose and wonderfully drawn characters make this a compelling read, enjoyable and satisfying from start to finish.



2. Louella Bryant has written an engrossing memoir of a small group of young men, the sons of rich Americans, living under the stress of the war in Vietnam. "Hell-no, they won't go" (to fight), but even so they're scarred by the times. There's a lot of fun and (dangerous) adventure in Australia -- one of them dies in a diving accident and another goes off on a quixotic quest to Southeast Asia, never to return. An excellent forward by former Vermont Governor and prominent Democrat, Howard Dean, who lost his brother.
   A good read and well-written.



3. Bryant has done a wonderful job capturing the times of the 70's counterculture when just about everyone, including the wealthiest young men in the country, were turning on and dropping out. Leaving behind lives that most people could only dream of these idealists set up a commune in the Australian jungle and made a go of it. And while Charlie Dean's death was senseless and tragic it does overshadow the overall success of the Rosebud farm and the backbreaking hard work and tenacity of Rich Trapnell who, as the proverbial last man standing, runs a thriving business to this day. The book is a tribute to a time when young people were so fed up with their country that they were willing to move half way around the globe to try and make a better life for themselves. As you will see by reading the book the social struggles reverberate in each of the cast of characters in varying degrees. Highly recommended.



4. This is an amazing story about a group of young men who were seemingly born with silver spoons in their mouths, attending prep schools, summering in the Hamptons, going to the finest colleges, drinking tea out of fine china with pinkies extended whose families had country club memberships and who, by all means, should have been pure, unadulterated, spoiled snobs. But these young men totally surprised me. These amazing 20-somethings were filled with wanderlust, and they ended up, by their own decisions, on a piece of property in the rain forest of Australia, and they turned it into a working farm visited by hundreds (if not thousands) of similar young folks searching to find themselves. For me, the book was somewhat nostalgic as I was maturing at the same time as time as they were, but never in my wildest dreams would I have left the comforts that they had to toil endlessly in a foreign country. These were extremely intelligent young people, mature for their years, who survived and thrived and had the experience of a lifetime. It is a tale with a tragic ending, but you know that going into the story. It's the events that lead up to that tragic ending that will keep you riveted and entertained.

No comments about Searching for Schindler: A memoir.

1 comments about Sock It to 'Em, Baby: Forward Air Controller in Vietnam.

1. Excellent! An unvarnished account of precisely what it was like to be a forward air controller in Vietnam. The author pays tribute to, and included a photo of, (the late retired) Lt Col Richard F. Nelson in the book. Richard replaced him and endeavored, unsuccessfully (because Cooper is Australian), to have him receive the American commendations due him. Cooper sent my sister Ruby an autographed copy of the book. Of particular interest is the fact that Richard, a former fighter jet pilot and Air Force military attaché in Tunisia for three years, served in Vietnam (and all over the world, including sitting in Florida in a bomb-equipped jet during the Cuban missile crisis) and was a decorated forward air controller himself -- although he opposed the Vietnam war. He supported the first Iraq war because Hussein was a bully who had invaded Kuwait and had to be stopped. He absolutely opposed the second, which was based on lies and greed, and DETESTED Bush, who didn't even serve long enough to "repay" his jet training. Richard went to Law School in Arkansas, had Bill Clinton for one class, and once said that Clinton was braver than he for his opposition to Vietnam. I asked him once why those in "the military" did not speak out more, and he replied that: "We all thought we were the only ones." He supported Wesley Clark for president, but, then and now, would have supported any Democrat or ANYONE else who opposed the war. Richard also felt strongly that the vets who served NEVER got their due. For the record, I am proud to say that Richard F. Nelson is my brother-in-law. Ricky Lacina (Ms)

4 comments about The Last Explorer: Hubert Wilkins, Hero of the Great Age of Polar Exploration.

1. Simon Nasht's book is like an icebreaker charting a course through the Antarctic and revealing one of its greatest explorers. It is hard to believe that one person so "aggressively modest" could have done so much with so little. Up until now, few had remembered him. What a pity. Thanks for bringing him back to life. Now, when is the movie coming out?



2. This true account of one man's lifelong exploration
   of the polar regions makes history come alive. Yet for some reason Hubert Wilkins amazing exploits have faded from public memory.
   This biography about a far-sighted adventurer who understood the importance of polar ice caps on global climate. It is a page turner that deserves a place on every bookshelf,an inspiration to the youth.



3. THE LAST EXPLORER: HUBERT WILKINS, HERO OF THE GREAT AGE OF POLAR EXPLORATION tells of the most successful explorer in history: a self-taught farm boy from the Australian outback who became a cameraman, reporter, pilot, spy and adventurer. His surveys were captured on camera, he helped map the Canadian Arctic, and his amazing life has only not received much in-depth coverage in past because he avoided publicity. Author Simon Nasht discovered Wilkins' journals, records and photos and used them to recreate his life and achievements: any library interested in adventure biography will welcome this vivid account.



4. The fact the Sir George Hubert Wilkins is a virtual unknown against the supposed greatness of his contemporaries, Hurley and Mawson, is due mainly to his "aggressive modesty".
   
   Now Australians are rediscovering this truly remarkable man's life and Simon Nasht does him an immensely great service.
   
   Simply a 'must-read'!

2 comments about Dear Mem Fox, I Have Read All Your Books Even the Pathetic Ones: And Other Incidents in the Life of a Children's Book Author.

1. I enjoyed this quick read. Mem is such a clear and concise writer. It provides a entertaining overview of Mem's life experiences. Contrary to the other review on Amazon this book BARELY covers the process of getting a children's book published. I would estimate that 5 pages MAX of the over 200 pages is devoted to this so don't buy this book for this reason. Otherwise a worthwhile read if you wanted to know more about what goes on behind the scenes of writing a children's book.



2. Having never read a Mem Fox book, it was the title of this book that caught my eye. For anyone who has fancied writing children's books, this is a must-read. It covers the writing and editing processes and provides insight into obtaining publishers and illustrators. Great book, as are all of Ms. Fox's books.

5 comments about Crystal Woman: The Sisters of the Dreamtime.

1. An enthralling read a must for those who Lynn Andrews fans, and for all who are following a feminist spiritual path.



2. As a work of fiction, this book may have some merit. But, please be informed that this book IS fiction and not fact. It is currently being protested by the aboriginal community of Australia as a fabrication and outrageous exploitation of their culture. Please see their website on this matter at www.dumbartung.org.au/report2.html



3. I have most if not all of lynn's books and they are the most informative and interesting books I have ever had the Honor of reading. There is one book I do not have. That Is Crystal Woman. I work with crystals in my daily life I feel this book will help me on this journey of crystals and as always Lynn's books are always my favorite to read. Thank you, Michele



4. I have read most of Lynn Andrews books (I started with Medicine Woman) and even though her first experiences and journeys were quite fascinating, this particular narration explains much more about female spirituality and what a woman can give to herself and those around her. Through Andrews different experiences in the Australian aboriginal landscape (they are many), we see that once you start on your spiritual quest, you receive/acquire more and more gifts that are directly related to your spiritual courage. "Crystal Woman" truly moved me - and I've been into New Age studies since for the past twenty years!



5. When i first picked up this book it was by accident, but the title intrigued me so I checked it out. Boy I was in for a surprise! As I read this book I was amazed at how much power that a female possesses inside of herself. I was so into this book I read it in 2 days. After this first book I was hooked on all the rest of her books. The thing that got me the most was that these books were based on her real life experiences. From then on I have been trying to find my spirituality, this and the other books has inspired me

4 comments about Eclipse.

1. Moorehead brings the risk and result of WWII's European Theatre warfare into clear and concise presentation. This work must be one of the most effective accounts of the fight, as it proves both accessible and deep. The author maintains an unbiased and wide-ranging perspective upon events while capturing the horror and heroism inherent to battle. While a fan of Stephen Ambrose's works, I must say that Moorehead -- as a first-hand witness -- provides landscapes and portraits of WWII unrivaled by any historical author.



2. Moorehead was first and foremost a supremely talented writer. This book is chiefly an account of his experiences following the Allied advance, as much memoir as reportage. The most vivid passages are set in Italy. No other book gives such an immediate feeling for the time and place.



3. I enjoyed this book immensely. Moorehead writes of his wartime experiences in a vivid and personal way. He has the ability to tell what is happening, his reaction to the events, and what he thinks the future holds. Fascinating reporting and reflectons. His prose flows and I was swept along by it.



4. One of WWII's leading correspondents here describes the Allied push onto mainland Europe and the subsequent drive for Berlin. The book is not a blow-by-blow account of the military maneuvers, but rather a series of anecdotal impressions of the soldiers, the people, and the ebb and flow of war covering Italy, France, Belgium, the Netherlands and finally Germany. Published in 1945, it's fairly interesting if only because Moorehead doesn't write from the armchair long after the fact. For anyone interested in the war, it's a worthwhile read, although it begs for more maps (which the new Soho edition may have).

5 comments about Unreliable Memoirs.

1. What can I possibly add to what has been said by the other reviewers? This book is short in length and long in content. *EVERYBODY* whom I know and who has read the book has claimed to have laughed out loud while reading it in a public place. That's 5 people, myself included. Years after reading it, I still recall with great amusement the stories about James' alter ego, the Flash of Lightning. And although this is a book about James, it also is a subtle homage to his mother, or at least it read that way to me. Such is James' command of language, he can turn his experiences into everyone's experiences, even if you haven't lived through similar situations. A wonderful read.



2. "Unreliable Memoirs" is Clive James' description of his upbringing in a Sydney suburb lasting up to the time of his university education. I was expecting it to be funny but wasn't quite prepared for the raw emotion and literary skill displayed on virtually every page.
   
   To me this is the most impressive of James' autobiographical writing. He has a gift for describing childhood and a kind of relentless honesty which is hilarious and provides something of a turbulent rollercoaster ride for the reader, as he describes the trauma of being a single child to a single parent in the aftermath of the Second World War.
   
   I felt a little left behind by many of the historical and literary references James makes but this is more than made up for by the relish with which he uses the English language. For example, he describes a friend's mother giving him buttered bread covered with hundreds and thousands as like "eating a slice of powdered rainbow".
   
   "Unreliable Memoirs" made the hair on the back of my neck stand on end - I wish I had read it years ago.



3. One of the funniest books you'll ever read. Especially recommended for anyone who has ever been a kid, Australian, in love, in lust, in trouble, at university or has had a head that sticks out at the back.



4. For those of you who have visited Australia in recent years , it may come as a shock to you that Clive James was the man who discoverd it . Jumping from captain Cooks ship ,when the hostile crew had threatened to eat him if he risked another witism . He discovered that the land was free from parking meters . " Well boil mi billy can , cobbers , this is the place for me " . So young clive tried his hand at acting, but was disillusioned ,when James coburn was cast as the aussie in the great escape . " He sounds more real than you Clive " . "Strewth i'll have a lash at journalism " . The rest is history . A raft back to blighty . A year as an assistant to clark kent , then unexpected fame as a latex puppet on spitting image . Its all here the unreliable memoirs, of the boy from Melbourne ,The land bought by Batman .



5. This would have to be the best offering from Clive James that I have read. His acerbic wit makes for great reading. I found this text on a bookshelf in a beach holiday house and was immediately captivated. I lost count of the amount of times that I not only laughed out loud, I snorted with appreciation and had to wipe tears from my eyes (much to the consternation of those around me) He captures the innocence of childhood with fleeting glimpses of maturity like no one has before, proving that he is not just a television presenter but a Rhodes Scholar to boot. If I could give this book more than 5 stars I would. It would be a shame to tell you more because this is a book that just has to be read to be believed!

1 comments about The Breaker: The Novel Behind Breaker Morant.

1. A novel that looks at the miscarriage of justice that happened to some soldiers in the time of the Boer War. Or, again, you shouldn't get caught shagging the superior officer's woman, or that can mean very very bad things.
   
   An interesting look at a period of military history.

1 comments about A Boy's War (An Omf Book).

1. "A Boy's War" tells of a six-year old Australian boy, son of a missionary, who went off to Chefoo boarding school in China in 1939 and didn't see his parents again until 1945. World War II intervened and he was interned by the Japanese in Weihsien camp in Shandong province, China.
   
   This is a brief book of 170 pages, but Michell covers a lot of ground. He tells about his life at the boarding school as the clouds of war gather and Japan conquers more and more of China. Then, he endures two years of internment with more than one thousand other foreigners at Weihsein. The internees were rescued dramatically by American partroopers at the end of the war and young David undertakes an epic journey back to Australia by ship where he is reunited with his family. The author concludes by telling us about his 1985 return visit to Weihsein.
   
   This is a missionary's story and the author affirms his faith, although not in a way that will offend the non-religious. The boy was fortunate in having many surrogate parents during his years of isolation, of whom one of the most important was Eric Liddell, the Olympic runner (recall "Chariots of Fire?") who lived and died at Weihsein. John Birch -- who inspired the radical political organization, the John Birch Society -- is a minor character in the book as he too was a "mish kid" in pre-Communist China.
   
   Weihsien camp in China has generated a great deal of literature. Rarely have so many talented people resided together in such close quarters. "Shantung Compound" is a sociology classic by Langdon Gilkey and "The Call" by John Hersey is one of my favorite novels. "A Boy's War" is a brief introduction to missionary life in China and the experiences of foreigners trapped by war.
   
   Smallchief