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,
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
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
Reviewed by E. B. Heath The Power Code by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman provides readers with a well-researched survey regarding social power. Shipman and Kay define social power as being similar to scientific power – that of energy transferred with effect of making things move. Social power is generally understood as the power to
Reviewed by Norrie Sanders The fires of Australia’s black summer of 2019/20 were amongst the largest ever recorded in human history. Burning 24 million hectares, they eclipsed any of the infamous Australian bushfires of the last 100 years (Ash Wednesday, Black Saturday, for example). The fact that they were named for a whole season rather