KRIS: The Snowy: a history by Siobhán McHugh
The Snowy Scheme was an extraordinary engineering feat carried out over 25 years from 1949 to 1974 – one that drove rivers through tunnels built through the Australian alps, irrigated the dry land and generated energy for the densely populated east coast. It was also the site of post-war social engineering that helped create a diverse multicultural nation.
The author tells the human stories of the migrant workers from many countries, the engineering and political challenges.
An enjoyable read.
JUDY J: Why do birds do that? Over 50 answers to the most often asked questions by Dr Grainne Cleary
Judy described it as a fun and fascinating read for anyone with only a passing interest in birds right up to the most serious bird watchers or twitchers.
The author is a frequent guest on radio programs and her enthusiasm is very infectious.
Many simple questions and facts are explained.eg Why do Flamingos stand on one leg? and Why do birds pooh white? Simple explanations are given and then followed up with reference to studies and research.
These topics began much light-hearted conversations among Book Club members.
LYN : I’m Glad my Mom Died by Jeanette McCurdy
The author is a well-known actress having appeared in several successful sitcoms.
But her early life with her mother was very difficult. Having been diagnosed with cancer, the whole family tiptoed around her to keep her happy. But her mother’s great desire was for her daughter to become an actress. So from the age of 6 her mother controlled all aspects of her life and pushed her into the direction of an acting career.
By the time her mother died, McCurdy had had no experience in making choices for herself, so made many bad life choices.
Lyn was attracted by the titles and ‘hilarious’ reviews but thought that the story was too sad to be funny.
JUDY DE LA T: The Remarkable Mrs Reibey by Grantlee Kieza
This is the true story of the woman who now appears on our $20 note. Deported to the colony in 1791 for horse stealing, she went on to develop a family business which eventually became a fleet of merchant vessels making her the richest woman in the colony. She was widowed at 33, leaving her with 7 children as she continued with her business.
Judy found the book to be well written and researched, and an interesting read about early Australian history.
The portrait used for the $20 note, is thought to be the only portrait of Mrs Reibey available.
The author has written several other books on well-known and not so well-known Australian characters.
PRUE: Dark Emu by Bruce Pascoe
The author is of aboriginal descent from different mobs. There has been some controversy about his heritage, and this has continued with the subject of this book.
According to Pascoe, the aborigines were more than just hunters and gatherers. He claimed there was evidence they may have built homes to stay in, fish traps were on the rivers and there was harvesting of grains to make bread as some examples of this. The aborigines have cared for the land so well and for so long that no damage has been done to the environment.
Prue said that the book was very interesting and well researched.
VAL: Sunday Best; 80 Great Books from a Lifetime of Reviews by John Carey
Since 1977 John Carey has been the Chief Reviewer for the Sunday Times contributing over 1000 reviews. This selection covers many subjects including ones that Val wouldn’t read. Several of the titles she was familiar with, and most books are recent enough to be still available.
It was well written and a joy to read.
JO: You’re Old, I’m Old… Get Used to It by Virginia Ironside
The book gives 20 reasons why growing old is great! These unsung benefits are amusingly told by author. They include the wisdom gathered over the years, common subjects of discussions such as operations and aliments. While some are just funny, others also have a serious side.
Jo loved the book and it provided many funny moments.
JOAN: Colditz; Prisoners of the Castle by Ben McIntyre
Published in 2022 the book tells the true story of WW2’s most infamous Nazi prison set up in a Renaissance castle in Germany. As its inmates were recidivist escapees it was staffed by Army officers who treated the prisoners well, and according to the regulations for treatment of prisoners of war.
Despite the claim that it was escape proof, the detainees were obsessed with escape and over 32 escapes were successful.
Joan described it as not a riveting plot, but interesting characters and ingenious ideas.
DIANN: Independence; Stories of the Royal Australian Navy by Johanna Butler
On the 10th July 1911, King George V granted the title of Royal Australian Navy to the Commonwealth Naval Forces. Two years later, the RAN displayed the new fleet to the Australian public in Sydney. This was an important symbol that Australia was now a self-reliant nation.
The book covers many aspects of the Navy’s history including the establishment of the Royal Australian Naval Nursing Service (RANNS) in 1942.
On a lighter note the long history of cats living on warships is explained as well as stories of rescues and incredible bravery.
Diann described it as a book of many diverse and interesting stories. A good read.
CONNIE: The Chocolate Wars by Deborah Cadbury
The book gives the history of Cadbury’s chocolate through 5 generations of owners. It was begun by Quaker families who gave ½ of their profit to the poor and lonely, and built factories and villages for their workers to live in.
As chocolate became more popular and accessible, other companies became involved. So the 150 year rivalry between the English firms of Fry, Rowntree and Cadbury (to which the author is an heiress), their European competitors in Lindt and Nestlé and the American upstarts Hershey and Mars begins.
Eventually in 2010, Cadbury could not afford to remain as a single identity and continue to give away ½ of their money and were sold to Kraft but kept some of their factories.
PAT: Andrew Thompson: From Boy Convict to Wealthiest Settler in Colonial Australia by Anngret Hall
The book tells of his life from the age of 17 when he was arrested in England and eventually transported to Australia on an uncertain stealing charge. His sentence was for 14 years. He died in 1810, aged 37, from an illness of the lungs.
Once released, he built a vast empire and became one of the richest and most successful men in Colonial Australia. He was the first ex-convict to be made Chief Magistrate. Through his honesty and leadership he was appointed to official posts by 4 succeeding governors.
He is acknowledged today in various places, most notably, Thompson Square in Windsor.
JUDY A: The Gene: An Intimate History by Siddhartha Mukherjee
Mukherjee takes a very complicated scientific subject and makes it understandable although there was a lot in this book that Judy didn’t understand.
It’s the story of the quest to decipher the master code that makes us who we are, what we look like and how we function. It’s told in a conversational style that keeps you reading. He starts in the prologue with the history of schizophrenia that runs through his father’s family. He then goes on to 1856 with Mendel, the obscure monk in Monrovia who stumbles on the idea of a ‘unity of heredity’ and goes right through to today, when we to talk about the moral and physical issues involved with gene manipulation and gene therapy. He weaves history and personal stories of his own and others all the way through.
Judy’s final comment was that ‘this book nearly fried my brain, but I really enjoyed it’.
HELEN: How to Grow the Flowers; A Sustainable Approach to Enjoying Flowers Throughout the Seasons by Camila Klich and Marianne Mogendorff
This beautiful book is much more than just the photos and illustrations of flowers. It is a manifesto of sorts for the change in the floral industry to make it more sustainable.
The authors advocate and practice farming flowers with regenerative, nature-centric principles at the heart of their work. Embracing the seasons is the first step to a more sustainable relationship with flowers.
Some disturbing facts were quoted: 50% of flowers sold in Australia come from Kenya, Colombia and Ecuador. In winter months up to 80% can be imported. This results in a huge carbon footprint, unsustainable farming methods, refrigeration required for transport, fumigation to prevent pests and unsafe and unfair working conditions.
The alternative is to grow your own with the practical but approachable guide quoted in the book, although all details and conditions refer to the UK.
BEV: Great Commanders of the Modern World edited by Andrew Roberts
The book concentrates on the main conflicts of the early 20th century. It features 4 German generals of World War 2 and shows how lucky we were. Despite the higher quality of German generals, the Fuhrer was a strategic dunderhead who reckoned himself the greatest warlord who ever lived.
Another subject was Rommel, the youngest German Field Marshall of World War 2. Among his qualities was his intuitiveness and ability to colonize the mind of his enemies.
Bev found the book technical, but interesting.
DECEMBER:
The best book you’ve read this year, but not a Book Club title!
🎄🧑🎄📚
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