The Anthology of Colonial Romance Fiction

Read in October, 2010
A fabulous anthology of short stories that are very enjoyable and all completely authentic early Australian. A wonderful effort was put forth by the editors Ken Gelder and Rachael Weaver to gather up these tales that would otherwise have been lost

Ann Pearlman

Read in October, 2010
I loved the recipes and the snippets of information of the different spices and other exotic ingredients that were used in the cookies. Pearlman has written her book based on her own involvement in a cookiee club, where 12 friends meet yearly to share their wares, bringing an extra bag of cookies for a local hospice. Each member shares a story about her cookies and the cookie leader introduces us to these women and their lives. Some stories ares so heart-rending and tragic, and are based on real ...more I loved the recipes and the snippets of information of the different spices and other exotic ingredients that were used in the cookies. Pearlman has written her book based on her own involvement in a cookiee club, where 12 friends meet yearly to share their wares, bringing an extra bag of cookies for a local hospice. Each member shares a story about her cookies and the cookie leader introduces us to these women and their lives. Some stories ares so heart-rending and tragic, and are based on real-life experiences (less)

Wilbur Smith

Assegai by Wilbur Smith

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A powerful story of an ex-game Boer War veteran turned big-game hunter who guides many wealthy overseas men interested in pitting their strength and skills against the big game of Africa in the early 19th century. His involvement in this, his chosen type of work, leads to the meeting of a wealthy German industrialist just before the outbreak of the Great War and of whom, with his involvement in the British Army which he had been commissioned to join, he was able to prevent a planned German takeover of British East Africa with the help of the German's mistress. Another of the Courtney series that Smith is noted for, portraying his in-depth knowledge of all things African. Smith is definitely a marvelous writer of historical fiction



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The Burning Land

The Burning Land by Bernard Cornwell

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


A hair-raising, frightening story of the 800s in that developing England under many Danish leaders and Saxons. A great piece of historical fiction based on fact. Its fantastic and I love the way Cornwall put all the facts together to create his story



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Charles Dickens

A Tale of Two Cities by Charles Dickens by Charles Dickens

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


It has been many years since I read this work of Dickens, when first I was apalled at the miserable existence of the people of those times. This time around I could truly appreciate the writing of Dickens and his intimate knowledge of the life of people in two distinct cities, London and Paris. Well worth another read



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John Galsworthy

The Forsyte Saga by John Galsworthy




A fabulous peice of historical work in following four generations of a family through the Queen Victoria years to the 1920s and the changes that occurred in their social outlook, their family and their beliefs. It is something that I can relate to in this the year 2010 from the early days of my my maternal and paternal grandparents and the great changes of social outlook and beliefs through four generations. One thing remained true though, the family



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1942

1942: Australia's Greatest Peril by Bob Wurth




I learned just how close we were to being invaded by the Japanese during World War Two. This well-researched work of Bob Wurth's included the Japanese side of the story, using that nation's official records. This is a very good historical work and well-researched. Wurth weaves the Japanese plans and Australia's fears together in revealing this great truth - we were almost invaded!



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