King Charles II by Antonia Fraser

$12.00 AUD

Category: General History

The story of King Charles II is one of enduring fascination. The golden childhood of the boy Prince in the Van Dyck pictures gave way to an adventurous youth in Civil War England and abroad, ending traumatically when his father was executed in 1649. Charles II, King at eighteen, succeeded to `nothing bu t the name'. After his valiant attempt to regain the throne was defeated by Cromwell at Worcester, the King made his epic escape - to years of exile, poverty and humiliation in Europe. The `miraculous' Restoration ushered in a reign coloured by a series of equally dramatic events: the Great Plague, the Fire of London, two Dutch Wars, the bizarre Popish Plot, and finally the efforts of the Whigs to exclude his Catholic brother James from the succession, culminating in the King's unexpected triumph over them at the Oxford Parliament of 1681. A lover of women, passionate planner of parks and palaces and friend of the arts, this was the man who was to overcome the many problems of his reign and die not only in control of his country but in the affection of his countrymen. In this meticulously researched biography, Antonia Fraser offers important judgements and reassessments on central questions of the reign, such as Charles's relationships, his attitude to Kingship, his patriotism and his religious beliefs. Above all she has succeeded in writing a totally compelling narrative, both moving and exciting, and showing all the skills and insights which have secured her place as one of the foremost biographers of our time. `A rich feast of instruction, drama and entertainment' TLS `The fullest and most sophisticated account of the most charming and approachable of English Kings' OBSERVER ...Show more

Daily Life of the Aztecs by Jacques Soustelle

$6.95 AUD

Category: General History

Tireless speech-makers and lovers of verse, the ancient Aztecs were also prodigious record keepers, using a pictographic system to keep records of their history, geography, and rituals. Many of these accounts were destroyed after the Spanish conquest; but fortunately, a few survived, including those ke pt by the invaders. This book by an international authority on Mexican archaeology and sociology presents a vivid history of that profoundly religious Aztec warrior society -- from its days as a primitive people, to the early sixteenth century -- when, on the eve of the Spanish conquest, a powerful native government ruled with great organizational ability and restless energy. Rare illustrations of the temples at Tenochtitlán and Tenayuca, human sacrifice, Aztec gods, weddings, the midnight revels of warriors, and many other subjects accompany a highly readable text that describes the problems of living in a great city-state, the ruling classes and living standards, religious beliefs, and the everyday lives of people. Here also are detailed descriptions of public buildings and market places, home furnishings, games and amusements, family life, the conduct of war, the arts of language, music and dancing, and other topics. Amazing in scope and detail, this work will be invaluable to students of Mexican history and of interest to anyone fascinated by this ancient civilization. ...Show more

The World of Henry Lawson

$12.00 AUD

Category: Australiana

The Small Back Room by Nigel Balchin

$6.50 AUD

Category: Military | Series: Cassell Military Paperbacks Ser.

A true classic of war literature

Eleanor of Aquitaine by the wrath of God, Queen of England by Alison Weir

$7.95 AUD

Category: General History

Eleanor, Duchess of Aquitaine, was one of the leading personalities of the Middle Ages, and also one of the most controversial. Having inherited a vast feudal domain stretching from the Loire to the Pyrenees, she was one of the greatest heiresses in history; yet in her own day, she was famous not only f or who she was, but also for what she did. In an age when women were treated as mere chattels, she made her own choices, wielded power and won widespread respect. Circumstances, however, dictated that her memory would be sullied by calumny and misunderstanding. Eleanor was no saint. She was beautiful, intelligent and wilful, and in her lifetime there were rumours about her that were not without substance. Her contemporaries were sometimes scandalised by her behaviour. She had been reared in a relaxed and licentious court where the arts of the troubadours flourished, and was even said to have presided over the fabled Courts of Love. Eleanor married in turn Louis VII of France and Henry II of England, and was the mother of Richard the Lionheart and King John. She lived to be 82, but it was only in old age that she triumphed over the adversities and tragedies of her earlier years and became virtual ruler of England. Eleanor has exerted a fascination over writers and biographers for 800 years, but the prevailing myths and legends that attach to her name still tend to obscure the truth. By careful research, Alison Weir has produced a vivid biography with a fresh and provocative perspective on this extraordinary woman. ...Show more

Bush Bishop by Howell Witt

$12.00 AUD

Category: Australiana

Sex in Human Loving by Eric Berne

$4.50 AUD

Category: General History

Eric Berne, best known as the originator of transactional analysis and the author of the 1965 classic Games People Play, presents a comprehensive overview of sexuality based on a series of lectures he delivered in 1966.

The Origins of Virtue - Human Instincts and the Evolution of Cooperation by Matt Ridley

$9.95 AUD

Category: General History

If, as Darwin suggests, evolution relentlessly encourages the survival of the fittest, why are humans compelled to live in cooperative, complex societies? In this fascinating examination of the roots of human trust and virtue, a zoologist and former American editor of the Economist reveals the results o f recent studies that suggest that self-interest and mutual aid are not at all incompatible. In fact, he points out, our cooperative instincts may have evolved as part of mankind's natural selfish behavior--by exchanging favors we can benefit ourselves as well as others.Brilliantly orchestrating the newest findings of geneticists, psychologists, and anthropologists, The Origins of Virtue re-examines the everyday assumptions upon which we base our actions towards others, whether in our roles as parents, siblings, or trade partners. With the wit and brilliance of The Red Queen, his acclaimed study of human and animal sexuality, Matt Ridley shows us how breakthroughs in computer programming, microbiology, and economics have given us a new perspective on how and why we relate to each other. ...Show more

The Girl from Botany Bay by Carolly Erickson

$9.95 AUD

Category: Australiana

Acclaim for Carolly Erickson"Carolly Erickson is one of the most accomplished and successful historical biographers writing in English."-The Times Literary SupplementThe First Elizabeth"Even more readable and absorbing than the justly praised works of Tuchman and Fraser. A vivid and eminently readable p ortrait of history's favorite Tudor."-The New York Times Book Review"A masterpiece of narrative, a story so absorbing it is as hard to put down as a fine novel."-Los Angeles Times Book ReviewAlexandra"Gifted . . . breathless . . . heartbreaking . . . Erickson excels."-Chicago TribuneJosephine"An intimate, richly detailed, and candid portrait . . . Erickson's] scholarly insights combine superbly with a mastery of period manners more often found in the best historical fiction."-Kirkus ReviewsMistress Anne"Carolly Erickson is a most admirable biographer, and this book is highly enjoyable as well as being reliable and acute; indeed, it is popular historical biography at its best."--The Times (London) ...Show more

1918: The Year of Victories by Martin Marix Evans

$4.95 AUD

Category: Military

Memoirs of an Arabian Princess from Zanzibar by Emily Ruete

$14.95 AUD

Category: General History

Emily Ruete was born in Zanzibar (in modern day Tanzania) as Sayyida Salme, Princess of Zanzibar and Oman. She was the youngest of the 36 children of Sayyid Said bin Sultan Al-Busaid, Sultan of Zanzibar and Oman. Her extraordinary life story is the subject of Memoirs of an Arabian Princess from Zanzibar . This new digital edition of Memoirs of an Arabian Princess from Zanzibar includes an image gallery. ...Show more

Great Australian Droving Stories by Bill Marsh

$9.95 AUD

Category: Australiana | Series: Great Australian Stories Ser.

A collection of amazing, hilarious, controversial, rugged stories that pack a real punch. Listen as these drovers, ringers, stockmen, stockwomen and scoundrels speak about their way of life in an Australia that is fast disappearing.