STATIONERY

Bubsie And The Boys Setting off on a “big lap” of Australia is an adventure today, but 100 years ago it was truly pioneering—especially when it wasn’t what you’d originally set out to do.In 1925, there were no serviced roads in the great outback. No petrol stations. Nobody had ever driven the northern route from Perth to Darwin. So when 21-year-old Nevill Westwood approached his employer with a plan to explore the possibilities of outback Western Australia and the Northern Territory, there was some trepidation. But no-one else was volunteering to go.The journey that began with two young missionaries setting out on an errand for their church soon became an epic adventure through rugged landscapes and vast cattle stations. Travelling in a tiny second-hand Citroën nicknamed “Bubsie”—a car with less power than a modern ride-on lawnmower—the boys glimpsed the triumphs and tragedies of life in early 20th-century Australia, met memorable characters and ultimately found themselves in a race to be the first to lap the continent.This is the true story of Bubsie and the boys.David Riley now lives and works in Newcastle, but his youth was spent in inner-western Sydney, where he developed a love for the South Sydney Rugby League Club, of which he is still an avid fan.

Gold: The True Story Of The Discovery Of Gold In Australia And The Shameless Pretender Who Took The Credit, From The Popular Author Of Rum, Perfect 'Impostor', 'greedy', and 'incompetent' - Edmund Hammond Hargraves was beloved by few and reviled by many more. Ask Google "Who discovered gold in Australia?" and you'll promptly get "Edward Hammond Hargraves". Hargraves has for decades (and decades) received the fame, fortune, and adulation from all corners of the country, but did he earn it? What about the two diggers he met on the Californian goldfields who told him where to look when he returned to Australia? What about the guys who led him to where they'd heard gold had been found before? What about the pioneers whose discoveries had been documented years earlier? This is the story of an oversized layabout who received years of accolades and free lunches, despite lumbering from one embarrassment to the next, and of those who spent decades trying to expose him and seek their share of the glory. PRAISE 'Put this book in schools' Jack Marx, The Australian FOR MATT MURPHY'S Rum 'Fun, spirited popular history' Steven Carroll, Sydney Morning Herald/Age

The Last Charge Of The Australian Light HorseOn 31st October 1917, as the day's light faded, the Australian Light Horse charged against their enemy. Eight hundred men and horses galloped four miles across open country, towards the artillery, rifles and machine guns of the Turks occupying the seemingly unassailable town of Beersheba. What happened in the next hour changed the course of history.This brave battle and the extraordinary adventures that led to it are brought vividly to life by Australia's greatest storyteller, Peter FitzSimons. It is an epic tale of farm boys, drovers, bank clerks, dentists, poets and scoundrels transported to fight a war half a world away, and is full of incredible characters: from Major Banjo Paterson to Lawrence of Arabia; the brilliant writer Trooper Ion Idriess and the humble General Harry Chauvel; the tearaway Test fast bowler 'Tibby' Cotter and the infamous warhorse, Bill the Bastard. All have their part to play in the enthralling, sprawling drama of the Australian Light Horse.Theirs was a war fought in an ancient land with modern weapons; where the men of the Light Horse were trained in sight of the pyramids, drank in the brothels of Cairo and fought through lands known to them only as names from the Bible.The Last Charge of the Australian Light Horse traces the hard path of the Light Horse from the bleakest of starts - being deprived of their horses and fighting at Gallipoli in the tragic Battle of the Nek - to triumph and glory in the desert. Revealing the feats of the Australians who built the legend, it is a brilliantly told tale of courage, resilience and derring-do from Australia's favourite storyteller.

The English SoulA magisterial portrayal of English Christianity over the last 1,400 years

Emperor Of Rome A sweeping account of the social and political world of the Roman emperors by 'the world's most famous classicist' (Guardian)

This Way Up: When Maps Go Wrong (And Why It Matters) A SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLERA Waterstones Best Nature & Travel Writing Book 2025'Educational, smart and funny’ Richard Osman‘This book is superb’ Charlie Brooker‘Brilliant. Fascinating. Hilarious.’ Jonn Elledge, bestselling author of A History of the World in 47 BordersThe debut book from the YouTube sensation and all-round cartographical nerds, The Map Men!Hello, we're the Map Men, and in the following pages we've selected what we believe to be some of the very best wrong maps. Some of them are decades old, some are centuries old and some are so recent they're being published today (or yesterday, if you’re reading this tomorrow).They include world maps, colonial maps, corporate maps, Soviet maps, pioneer maps, news maps and maps whose intended use was hijacked for a French surrealist political movement in the 1950s. Whether you’re an avid map junkie or simply ‘map-curious’, you will uncover a unique tale of adventure, error and unexpected humour in each chapter, as we attempt to answer the question: ‘What on earth happened here?’So, ditch the compass (or disable location services) and set out on a journey with us, the Map Men, into a world of cartographic chaos and mappy mishaps.Because the worst maps are the best maps.

Sisters Of ScandalDirty secrets, wild romps, unruly behaviour, unapologetic rebels, wild seductresses and badasses galore ... History is HOT.Did you know that women occupy only 0.5 per cent of the historical record? Diving into the lives of queens, witches, bitches and It Girls throughout the ages – from Cleopatra, Marie Antoinette and Mata Hari to the British PM’s secret weapon: Pamela Churchill Harriman – this is a fabulously illustrated compendium of those women (from the well known to the more obscure) who broke boundaries, rules and occasionally limbs, to carve out their place in the male-dominated history books.From Alva Vanderbilt’s $6 million ball to Empress Sisi’s meat mask, we look at the boldest, most indecent and totally unruly things that pissed men off enough they simply HAD to write them down!

The Convict And The CompassSentenced at 26 years old for his role in an uprising against British rule in Ireland, James Meehan arrived in Australia in 1800 as a servant to English explorer Charles Grimes.Through talent and diligence, he rose to Acting Surveyor General of the young colony, working for five governors from 1800 to 1822. Meehan was instrumental in mapping the Sydney environs and planning the town’s layout, as well as early expeditions to the Hunter Valley, Port Phillip Bay, King Island and Tasmania.Kings and governors respected him and he played a crucial role in establishing Australia’s first Roman Catholic place of worship, St Mary’s Church. However, Meehan is a forgotten man in Australian historical writing. The story of how this Irish political prisoner became a fine explorer, conscientious surveyor and excellent busman, is at the heart of Peter Bradley’s thoroughly researched historical non-fiction.

World HistoryA truly global view of history covering over 350 of the world's most important milestones and key turning pointsAn essential gift for every history buff, this boldly illustrated book maps out the events that have shaped our world - from the dawn of human civilization to the present day.A comprehensive and accessible guide to the history of human civilisation, World History profiles everything from the emergence of Homo Sapiens to the Greek and Roman empires, through Chinese dynasties, the rise of the Vikings, and the Renaissance, to the Industrial Revolution and World War I and II.Offering a concise and insightful overview of key historical milestones that have occurred over the course of the last century, the book also covers more recent events such as the rise of ISIS, the Arab Spring, and Brexit and populism in the Western world.

The Courageous Life Of Weary Dunlop The extraordinary story of the heroic doctor whose courage and leadership were a lifeline for thousands of Australian prisoners-of-war on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway of World War II - brilliantly told by Australia's favourite storyteller, Peter FitzSimonsIn September 1939, young Australian surgeon Edward 'Weary' Dunlop was working in London when the dogs of war were unleashed. Signing up, he was commissioned a captain in the Australian Army Medical Corps (AAMC) and sent to the Middle East, serving in Palestine, Greece, Crete, Egypt and Tobruk.As the European war dragged on, an emboldened Japanese force captured Singapore and marched closer to Australian shores. Weary and over 3000 others sailed back to Java to fight this new enemy. At the No. 1 Allied General Hospital in Bandoeng, the Japanese were ready to murder the bedridden when Weary put his body in front of the bayonets. From that moment his leadership, ingenuity and selflessness became legend as Allied prisoners-of-war were sent to Singapore, Thailand and finally faced the hell of working as slave labour on the infamous Thai-Burma Railway. In the POW camps, tropical diseases, malnutrition, and the brutal work regime imposed by their Japanese captors meant the death toll was horrific. And yet, with little to no medical supplies, under extreme physical pressure, Weary Dunlop took risks and beatings to defy the Japanese and keep his men alive in circumstances that tested the limits of human endurance.Weary was a gentle giant of a man. A boxer and former Wallaby, he could have been an elite sportsman but chose a different path - one that led him from rural Victoria to training as a pharmacist and then to medical school. World War II was the fire that fuelled this remarkable hero. His courageous leadership and calm endurance became beacons of hope to the POWs under his command. His name has become synonymous with courage, compassion and resilience. Now, Weary Dunlop's heroic and inspiring story has been brought to life by Australia's greatest storyteller, Peter FitzSimons.

Big Ideas From History is an engaging alternative history book for children that helps them make sense of the world today.

AustraliaHow an ancient land became a great democracy.'Tony Abbott should be congratulated ... This history of Australia is vivid, readable, provocative' Geoffrey Blainey, historianAustralia is one of the world's great success stories: a land long hidden from outsiders, chosen as a convict dumping ground, where - since 1788 - people from many backgrounds have built one of the freest, fairest and most prosperous countries on earth.By the standards of a harsher time, the early governors tried to respect the original inhabitants and to encourage the convict outcasts of the British Isles to make a new start to a better life. This Indigenous heritage, British foundation and immigrant character have shaped the land of the 'fair go' especially for those willing to 'have a go'. It's not perfect, even now, yet mostly we have a history to be proud of. Within a century of settlement, Australia had not only the world's highest standard of living but had become a global pioneer for democratic freedoms such as the secret ballot, the payment of MPs and voting rights for women.A country largely created by settlement and negotiation has evolved from 'White Australia' at the time of federation into one of the world's most colour-blind societies and has managed the transition from an old 'Anglo' identity to a civic patriotism based on an overriding commitment to Australia and its values.This book is intended to give anyone interested - as every Australian should be - an account of our past that's positive, while not oblivious to our mistakes and imperfections as a nation. If to be an Australian is still to have won the lottery of life, the history that's produced us is surely something to savour.Now a major TV documentary coming to Sky News Australia, 13-15 October 2026.PRAISE'Tony Abbott's book is inspired by love of country, yet he comes to grip with our flaws. This is a fresh, powerful, highly readable single-volume history of Australia that deserves a wide audience' Paul Kelly, editor-at-large, The Australian'Scholarly researched, scrupulously fair-minded and very engagingly written, this is big narrative history at its best. It explains why Australia is such a wonderfully unique place, and why history is all the better when written by those who themselves helped make it' - Andrew Roberts, author, Churchill: Walking with Destiny'Not quite the "white armband" version of history I was expecting in the first half, nor a "Liberal Party highlights package" in the second half. I enjoyed reading it' - Peter FitzSimons, author, KokodaThis is an immensely readable account of how - as I frequently call it - the "Australian Achievement" has been built - Hon John Howard OM AC, former prime minister of Australia'Tony Abbott's latest book is a powerful antidote to the poison of little and bad history ... we have much to be thankful for and to build on' - Hon John Anderson AC, former deputy prime minister of Australia and leader of the National Party'if you have a serious interest in Australian history, the book will go on your shelves' - Hon Kim Beazley AC, former deputy prime minister of Australia'Tony Abbott has written with reverence and richness, bringing our nation's past, although both painful and proud, to life with striking clarity' Nova Peris OAM OLY, first Aboriginal-Australian Olympic gold medallist and former Labor senator'This book is a compelling reminder of our inheritance, which gives us a reason to be proud of who we are and the country we've become' - Jacinta Nampijinpa Price, federal senator for Northern Territory'Tony Abbott brings history to life in a way that is both enlightening and deeply engaging' - Brett Lee, former Australian international cricketer'This book helps us rediscover our past with honesty and respect, so we can better understand our present and shape a stronger, more inclusive future' - Dai Le MP, independent member for Fowler

Saving Elli is a compelling true story that delves into themes of sacrifice, sabotage, survival, and impossible choices during the darkest days of war.

From warrior queens and the 300 to the Peloponnesian war, a major new history of the world's first superpower

She Shapes History is a series of walking tours and vignettes that celebrate the accomplishments of women who made an impact on the small towns and big cities of Australia. Author Sita Sargeant has travelled the country to uncover tales of women who have so often been left out of the history books, to reframe well-known stories and let readers see the amazing histories around every corner of their own hometown or city. The book features 30 cities and towns from across the country; from Coober Pedy to Hobart, Hahndorf to Rockhampton, and all of the major cities in between, each place has its own indelible identity, and a myriad women who left their mark there. Whether it's the underworld queens who ran Kings Cross, the businesswoman of African heritage and single mother of four who became the first recorded woman to vote in an Australian election, or the pioneering activist who founded Meals on Wheels (and just happened to be in a wheelchair), there are countless funny, heartbreaking, inspiring, and eye-opening stories of women who lived and thrived in these disparate and often challenging landscapes. There are 18 city walks included, one for each of the major cities, with easy-to-follow maps with stops that relay stories of women who affected change there. The book will have a fun and engaging scrapbook feel, with breakouts and vignettes that highlight amazing women that have helped to shape history.