In the upside-down world of the Covid-19 pandemic business have closed or are running with skeleton staff, queues of newly unemployed people have stretched around the block from Centrelink offices and people have stopped spending money. Well-functioning economies require a healthy population. The economy declines if a rampant disease is affecting society. In times like these … [Read more...] about Australian & NZ Publishers Release New Histories During Covid-19
books
War, Business and Orchids – the Smith Story
Stanley Smith was an Australian businessman, WWII operative in China and expert horticulturalist. His life took him from a comfortable Brisbane upbringing to the danger of war and finally to a life half-way across the world. His Chinese-born wife, May Wong, grew up during the civil war in China and the fighting against Japanese occupation. May and Stanley met through their work … [Read more...] about War, Business and Orchids – the Smith Story
Review: The Art of Time Travel by Tom Griffiths
The Art of Time Travel: Historians and their craft is a very readable exploration of the writing of history in Australia since World War II. Written by highly respected historian, Tom Griffiths, The Art of Time Travel examines the work of fourteen influential historical writers who have developed the way we understand history in Australia. Each chapter focuses on a different … [Read more...] about Review: The Art of Time Travel by Tom Griffiths
Review: Waging Peace by Anne Deveson
Anne Deveson was a highly regarded journalist, film-maker and human rights activist who died late last year. Her last book was a memoir titled Waging Peace and was published in 2013. Anne Deveson was a groundbreaker in many ways. She helped Australian society grapple with serious issues that people experienced silently such as mental illness, poverty and abuse. As I expected … [Read more...] about Review: Waging Peace by Anne Deveson
Debut Author Chat: Jayne Persian and the Beautiful Balts
Today I am delighted to publish a post written by Jayne Persian, lecturer in history at the University of Southern Queensland, and author of Beautiful Balts: From displaced persons to new Australians. Her book was published this month by Small Publisher of the Year, NewSouth Books. This post is part of my 'Debut Author Chat' series where authors who have recently published … [Read more...] about Debut Author Chat: Jayne Persian and the Beautiful Balts