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Friday, May 13, 2011

The humans who went extinct by Clive Finlayson

This is a fascinating text that gives a deep insight to the evolution and survival of early man, it also serves as a warning of the dangers of climate change to our own species. Far from being the dull-witted monkey-men we imagine Neanderthals to have been, they were intelligent, worthy proto-humans who were in the wrong palce at the wrong time and became extinct due to climate change. Their technology was equal to that of contemporary proto-humans, our species could just as logically possess equal social and technological skills as today, if Neanderthals had been our anccestors. The cover photo on the book is enlightening, a facial conmstruction of an Neanderthal skull - and without a doubt possessing "human" characteristics.
Stephanie

The holy thief by William Ryan

This books begins with a fairly gruesome killing, but the storyline follows in a pacey style which is very readable. Set in Moscow in 1937, Stalin is in power and all is not so good in the state of Soviet Russia, corruption and social inequality are prevalent in the egalitarian society. Our polite detective seems to have an impossible crime to solve, as well as risking his own life in the investigation. William Ryan weaves the threads of his own story very skillfully, he portrays the bleak atmosphere of 1930s Moscow and the depressing deprivations that the populace endure, as well as creating sympathetic adn very human characters.
Stephanie

Monday, May 9, 2011

Book reviews from the ROADS

One of our regular ROADS borrowers, Mrs Yvonne Hayes, has sent us the following three reviews:
Lunch with the stationmaster by Derek Hansen
The stationmaster is a Hungarian Jewish father of two boys, who he tries to protect as the Second World War rolls over Hungary. An engrossing tale of different Hungarians during WWII and the Hungarian Revolution as told by one of the group of men who meet each month for lunch, in an Australian city and tell the story of his choice.
Sole survivor by Derek HansenA story about a small group of solitary people who find each other on a small island in New Zealand. People whose lives has lost meaning then find meaning with each other but in a realistic way.
Both books are a great read, very believable characters and the story lives in your mind for days after finishing the book.
The courier's tale by Peter Walker
An engrossing tale about King Henry VIII and his long running anger at the English Cardinal Reginald Pole. The courier is Michael Throckmorton who moves between England and Italy as messenger and bodyguard to Cardinal Pole. Also King Henry's Lord Chancellor, Thomas Cromwell, another main character, in this story of powerful people surviving in turbulent times. The story moves into Queen Mary I's reign and the destruction of many lives. The story is well told across many different regions of Europe and England, about people who lived during the fearful times. A great read for people who enjoy historical dramas from an earlier age.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

The happiest refugee/ Anh Do #oznzreads2011

Anh Do nearly didn't make it to Australia. He and his family nearly lost their lives as they escaped from war-torn Vietnam in a very creaky, overcrowded boat. Pirates, hunger, disease and thirst didn’t stop them from trying to get to Australia and a better life. Unfortunately, their new life in Australia was not always the dream they hoped it would be. With parents who worked every hour of the day and night to provide for the basics, Anh and his brother and sister lived a far from normal childhood, in sometimes less than ideal circumstances. The one thing that was always constant was the love of his close family and all the extended family that came in and out of their lives. Anh, his sister Tram and brother Khoa always managed to keep optimistic and find the good, even in the darkest of times. When his father left the family it hurt all of them very deeply. It also placed a large burden on his mother to support the family as a single parent. Her perseverance and ability to never give in was Anh’s inspiration to work hard to help the family out and to not lose sight of the dream of making a good life for himself and his family. He graduated from high school, went on to do a law degree and then gave it all up to pursue a career in comedy, all the time putting the happiness and survival of his family above all else. Through every stumbling block and heartbreak he had to endure Anh came out smiling and keeps true to his undying belief that anything is possible
The Happiest Refugee is a truly inspiring story of one of my favourite people. Even though the story is full of tragedy and heartache it is counterbalanced with a huge dose of optimism and determination. Anh never lost sight of what his father told him as a young boy, “There’s today, and there’s too late” and Anh never stops making everyday count for the better.
Chris

DOG: The definitive book for dog lovers/ Bruce Fogle

Dog is a book that is not just a list of do’s and don’t’s or a set of instructions – it is an actual families experiences. The good and the bad, the right and the wrong, the ups and the downs. Everyone can relate to the text and stories. It is written with wit and wisdom and emotion. This book will change your attitude to dogs and their training in a very positive way so that you both will have long and happy lives.
The chapters start with the history of dogs and classification and finish with the older dog and a dignified end. Every aspect of having a dog is covered – birthing, choosing, infancy, puppyhood, adolescence, adulthood and everything in between.
This is a book that you could turn to every time your dog surprises you, worries you, needs you or if you are just absolutely desperate for an answer.
Beautifully illustrated and written, you can tell this book is a real labour of love. Dog will always have a place on my book shelves.
Tracie

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