Non-Fiction

Non-Fiction

The Shortest History of Music by Andrew Ford

Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve Archeologists have unearthed ancient bone flutes, their exact age impossible to determine. Drums made with wood and skin, too, would have been played for millennia but their materials could not endure as have the primitive bone flutes. This is evidence that music in its many forms has been a part of

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Non-Fiction

Leadership at 43000 Feet by Chris Smith

  Reviewed by Norrie Sanders Any new book on how to be a leader enters a crowded space. There are reputed to be more than 50,000 books on Amazon alone, with “Leadership” in the title. In recent years, self-publishing has added substantial numbers and diversity to the topic. Former airline pilot, Chris Smith has taken

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Non-Fiction

Wetlands in a Dry Land by Emily O’Gorman

Reviewed by Norrie Sanders Books about wetlands are usually the province of photographers or aquatic scientists and richly illustrated with plants, animals and landscapes that display a natural beauty. But what environmental historian Emily O’Gorman has written in her latest book demonstrates that many wetlands have been profoundly changed by people, and as a society,

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Non-Fiction

Nuked by Andrew Fowler

Reviewed by Norrie Sanders According to  a recent poll, 48% of Australians believe that AUKUS will keep us more secure from China. AUKUS being the trilateral security arrangement with the US and UK. The arrangement was forged in secret and no detail has been made public, so for that 48%, it is an act of

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Non-Fiction

The Afghans by Asne Seierstad

Reviewed by E.B. Heath Asne Seierstad, the bestselling author of The Bookseller of Kabul, returned to Afghanistan in 2022 with the goal of understanding more about the Taliban’s regime.  As an investigative journalist, she wanted to report what had changed now they were in power, what had stayed the same and what did they wish

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Non-Fiction

What Does Israel Fear from Palestine by Raja Shehadeh

Reviewed by Richard Tutin This review has been difficult to write because of the sensitivity of the topic and the emotion that comes with it. Since 7th October 2023, raw emotion has been the catalyst for the many outpourings of grief and anger from different elements of society within the world community. Raja Shehadeh’s slim

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Non-Fiction

Everything is Water by Simon Cleary

Reviewed by Norrie Sanders River journeys are a familiar genre.   Whether it be the mighty Nile, Amazon or Congo, or the less mighty Thames or Murray, historians, geographers, anthropologists and hikers, to name a few, have felt the need to explore and write about it. Closer to home, our more modest Brisbane River has been

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Non-Fiction

Why We Die by Venki Ramakrishnan

Reviewed by E. B. Heath Ageing and death are currently hot topics in the publishing world.  No doubt influenced by a wave of Baby Boomers now facing the inevitable.  But they are not the only group chasing immortality.  There are many in affluent countries who are opting for their bodies to be preserved using the

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Non-Fiction

An Everyone Story by Duncan McKellar

Reviewed by Rod McLary The subtitle to this ultimately hopeful book is Finding our way back to compassion, hope and humanity implying of course that compassion, hope and humanity were lost somewhere along the way.  This is the story of the 2017 review of the Oakden Older Persons’ Mental Health Service in Adelaide.  The book’s

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Non-Fiction

Alice ™ by Stuart Kells

Reviewed by Norrie Sanders Rethinking the world financial system is not something most of us are capable of. Even understanding the world financial system is no picnic. This is a story of two Australians who not only understood, but who set out to shake things up. Their extensive research and experience led them to conclude

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Non-Fiction

Crimes of the Cross by Anne Manne

Reviewed by Rod McLary The sub-title for this meticulously researched book tells it all – The Anglican Paedophile Network of Newcastle, Its Protectors and the Man Who Fought for Justice.  The man at the heart of the book who fought for justice is Steve Smith – a survivor of years of childhood sexual abuse at

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Non-Fiction

The Intuition Toolkit by Joel Pearson

Reviewed by Patricia Simms-Reeve This guide, written by respected psychologist and neuroscientist, Professor Joel Pearson, is both thought provoking and practical. It entertainingly conveys how the boundless capacity of the unconscious can be trained to use intuition in a scientific way.  As the title suggests, it is ‘a new science of knowing WHAT without knowing

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Non-Fiction

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World by Bettany Hughes

Reviewed by Wendy Lipke Professor Bettany Hughes OBE FSA is an award-winning historian, author, and broadcaster, who has devoted the last 25 years to the vibrant communication of the past. Her speciality is ancient and mediaeval history and culture. Her published books cover classical antiquity and myth. In recognition of her contribution to research, she

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Non-Fiction

The Immortals of Australian Surfing by Phil Jarratt

Reviewed by Richard Tutin Catching a wave from a point or beach along the Australian coastline is a favourite pastime for many Australians. For those in the elite ranks of the sport it is the source of their livelihood though even if they weren’t paid they would still be out and about looking for the

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Non-Fiction

How Not to Age by Michael Greger MD

Reviewed by E.B. Heath Dr. Michael Greger’s latest book – How Not to Age – provides readers with trustworthy scientific research on how to get healthier as you age. Wild unsubstantiated claims are used to promote anti-aging products, often sponsored by vested interests producing skewed results. It is very hard for the general public to

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