The Prettiest Horse in the Glue Factory by Corey White

$32.99 AUD

Category: Biography or Memoir | Reading Level: 3 Biography

Praise for Corey White's stand-up- 'Captivating' Tom Gleeson 'It's a spiritually enriching show. Whitey has safer hands than Gilchrist circa 2003 ... Strap in for this one, it's a harrowing little number that leaves you in a good mood, quite a feat.' Herald Sun 'Corey White runs the full gamut of human existence in a well planned, carefully executed show with a consistent voice and thoughtful jokes that, at times, had me crying with laughter.' Crikey 'A ferocious talent. Pay attention.' The Age 'Wonderful ... It's a rare stand-up show that you emerge from feeling like a better person, and that you want other people to see so that they can be better people too. I can't give any higher praise than that.' The Guardian 'He seems like an everyman you could happily have a beer with ... A winner straight out of the gate, a show with depth and insight.' Courier-Mail ...Show more

A Brief Guide To OZ: 75 Years Going Over The Rainbow by Paul Simpson

$15.00 AUD

Category: Biography or Memoir

What if Dorothy Gale wasn't the only person who went to see the Wizard of Oz? MGM's landmark 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz, starring Judy Garland, did not mark the beginning of adventures in Oz. Both before and since, dozens of tales have been told of the Marvellous Land of Oz, and its inhabitants such as the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, the Cowardly Lion, the Hungry Tiger and Jack Pumpkinhead. In this fascinating and wide-ranging book, Paul Simpson looks back at the Famous Forty - the original novels by L. Frank Baum and his successors which entranced generations of children with their wonderful world of munchkins, princesses and wicked witches. He examines the many ways in which the stories have been retold in movies - from the silent era to Disney's recent blockbuster Oz the Great and Powerful - and on television, featuring everyone from Tom & Jerry to trades union leaders. On stage, Oz has come to life in the many revivals of The Wizard of Oz musical and the worldwide reign of Elphaba in the smash hit Wicked. You can celebrate the 75th anniversary of the world's best-loved film and the whole magical world of Oz with its vampires, muppets, dragons, living statues and so much more. ...Show more

Einstein by Walter Isaacson

$15.00 AUD

Category: Biography or Memoir

Love from Boy: Roald Dahl's Letters to His Mother by Donald Sturrock

$20.00 AUD

Category: Biography or Memoir

'Dear Mama, I am having a lovely time here. We play football every day here. The beds have no springs ...' So begins the first letter that a nine-year-old Roald Dahl penned to his mother, Sofie Magdalene, under the watchful eye of his boarding-school headmaster. For most of his life, Roald Dahl would co ntinue to write weekly letters to his mother, chronicling his adventures, frustrations and opinions, from the delights of childhood to the excitements of flying as a World War II fighter pilot and the thrill of meeting top politicians and movie stars during his time as a diplomat and spy in Washington. And, unbeknown to Roald, his mother lovingly kept every single one of them. Sofie was, in many ways, Roald's first reader. It was she who encouraged him to tell stories and nourished his desire to fabricate, exaggerate and entertain. Reading these letters, you can see Roald practicing his craft, developing the dark sense of humour and fantastical imagination that would later produce such timeless tales as The BFG, Matilda, Fantastic Mr Fox and The Witches. The letters in Love from Boy are littered with jokes and madcap observations; sometimes serious, sometimes tender, and often outrageous. To eavesdrop on a son's letters to his mother is to witness Roald Dahl turning from a boy to a man, and finally becoming a writer. Praise for Storyteller 'A truly magnificent biography ...a masterly account' A N Wilson 'Superb ...hugely readable' Sunday Telegraph ...Show more

Serving The Servant - Kurt Cobain by Danny Goldberg

$32.99 AUD

Category: Biography or Memoir

On the twenty-fifth anniversary of Kurt Cobain's death comes a new perspective on one of the most compelling icons of our time-and the only book written by someone who knew him. In early 1991, top music manager Danny Goldberg agreed to take on Nirvana, a critically acclaimed new band from the undergrou nd music scene in Seattle. He had no idea that the band's leader, Kurt Cobain, would become a pop-culture icon with a legacy arguably at the level of that of John Lennon, Michael Jackson, or Elvis Presley. Danny worked with Kurt from 1990 to 1994, the most impactful period of Kurt's life. This key time saw the stratospheric success of Nevermind, which turned Nirvana into the most successful rock band in the world and made punk and grunge household terms; Kurt's meeting and marriage to the brilliant but mercurial Courtney Love and their relationship that became a lightning rod for critics; the birth of their daughter, Frances Bean; and, finally, Kurt's public struggles with addiction, which ended in a devastating suicide that would alter the course of rock history. Throughout, Danny stood by Kurt's side as manager, and close friend.Drawing on Goldberg's own memories of Kurt, files that previously have not been made public, and interviews with, among others, Kurt's close family, friends, and former bandmates, Serving the Servants sheds an entirely new light on these critical years. Casting aside the common obsession with the angst and depression that seemingly drove Kurt, Serving the Servants is an exploration of his brilliance in every aspect of rock and roll, his compassion, his ambition, and the legacy he wrought-one that has lasted decades longer than his career did. Danny Goldberg explores what it is about Kurt Cobain that still resonates today, even with a generation who wasn't alive until after Kurt's death. In the process, he provides a portrait of an icon unlike any that has come before. ...Show more

A Lot With A Little by COSTELLO, TIM

$45.00 AUD

Category: Biography or Memoir

In this evocative memoir, Tim Costello explores the people and experiences that have shaped him into a socially active fighter for the world's most challenging issues. Tracing each defining stage of his life with stark insight and honesty, Tim untangles his ongoing struggle to align his self-perception s with his choices and what his life represents.    More than a simple life story, this is a book about individual and community, public and private, spiritual and material, equality and liberty - and, most of all, about faith and its power to sustain in the face of the world's big issues. Challenging and thought provoking no matter what your beliefs, this is a book to savour and re-read. Praise for Tim Costello and his bestselling books, Hope and Faith: 'Tim has an extraordinary moral compass and sense of how the world needs to change.' -- Paul Ronalds, CEO, Save the Children 'He just lives it [his faith].' -- Nick Xenophon 'Thoughtful, fascinating, broad-ranging read.'-- Amazon review  'Made me stop and self reflect.' 'Costello's passion for spirituality, justice, and peace are evident, and his dedication to the struggle for equality and universal human rights is rooted in his faith. The quick, punchy chapters, accented with personal anecdotes, are a treat, and the narrative style is inviting and clear. This is a must-read for Christians looking to reconsider how faith affects lives on the most basic levels.' -- Publishers Weekly 'Reading Faith is just like sharing an evening with Reverend Tim Costello - an evening rich with stories, wide-ranging, warmly engaging and infused with Tim's spirit of generosity and curiosity. Tim shares insights from years of travels across the world, as he encounters humanity at its best and its worst. Perhaps it's because his deep Christian faith has been tested and challenged in so many ways, Tim's reflections speak powerfully to the lives of seekers and believers alike. Whenever Tim's at the table, there's always space for another person - so pull up a chair!' -- Tim Dixon, Managing Director Purpose.com, board member of Sojourners, co-founder of The Syria Campaign and More In Common 'I've known Tim Costello to be a man of faith who always speaks his mind - often as a powerful, prophetic voice for God's concern for justice and for the poor. Tim's thoughtful honesty is on display in his latest book, Faith, as he mines his life experiences to bring out how our beliefs shape us and enable us to makes sense of and engage in an often confounding world.' -- Richard Stearns, President, World Vision U.S. 'Tim Costello is one of the clearest and most prophetic thinkers and voices on the relationship between faith and public life that we have in our world today. Faith is a compelling account of his personal journey and, through it, a remarkable portrait of the true meaning of faith.' -- Jim Wallis, New York Times bestselling author of America's Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America, president of Sojourners, and editor-in-chief of Sojourners magazine.   ...Show more

My Life with Bob: Flawed Heroine Keeps Book of Books, Plot Ensues by Pamela Paul

$36.99 AUD

Category: Biography or Memoir | Reading Level: General Adult

Pamela Paul has kept a single book by her side for twenty-eight years - carried throughout high school and college, hauled from Paris to London to Thailand, from job to job, safely packed away and then carefully removed from apartment to house to its current perch on a shelf over her desk - reliable if frayed, anonymous-looking yet deeply personal. This book has a name: Bob. Bob is Paul's Book of Books, a journal that records every book she's ever read, from Sweet Valley High to Anna Karenina, from Catch-22 to Swimming to Cambodia, a journey in reading that reflects her inner life - her fantasies and hopes, her mistakes and missteps, her dreams and her ideas, both half-baked and wholehearted. Her life, in turn, influences the books she chooses, whether for solace or escape, information or sheer entertainment. But My Life with Bob isn't really about those books. It's about the deep and powerful relationship between book and reader. It's about the way books provide each of us the perspective, courage, companionship, and imperfect self- knowledge to forge our own path. It's about why we read what we read and how those choices make us who we are. It's about how we make our own stories. ...Show more

A Celebration of Beatrix Potter - Art and Letters By More Than 30 of Today's Favorite Children's Book Illustrators by Beatrix Potter

$20.00 AUD

Category: Biography or Memoir

2016 marks the 150th birthday of Beatrix Potter, making it the perfect time to pay tribute to the beloved author/illustrator with A Celebration of Beatrix Potter   With illustrious tales of characters like Peter Rabbit, Squirrel Nutkin, and Jemima Puddle-Duck, Beatrix Potter established herself a s one of the most cherished and influential author/illustrators of children's literature. To mark her milestone birthday, this gorgeous collection features beautiful illustrations of Potter's characters, as interpreted by well-known illustrators. Each illustration is accompanied by text from the artist explaining what that character means to them, making this a true celebration of Beatrix Potter.   Praise for A Celebration of Beatrix Potter:   "How delightful to see Peter Rabbit, Mr. McGregor, Mrs. Tiggy-Winkle, and company portrayed in various and unique styles. Excerpts from and introductory descriptions of nine of Potter's books round out this superb collection... This 150th anniversary celebration of the life and work of Beatrix Potter will encourage aspiring young artists to carry on her legacy."-Linda L. Walkins, School Library Journal, Starred Review ...Show more

Turmoil by Robyn Williams

$32.99 AUD

Category: Biography or Memoir

Robyn Williams, presenter of The Science Show on ABC Radio, reveals all in Turmoil, a searingly honest and often blackly funny reflection on his life, friends, the people he loves and loathes, and a multi-faceted career that includes over forty years on radio. Robyn writes frankly about everything, from performing with Monty Python, his impressions of fellow scientists Richard Dawkins and David Attenborough, and his unique insights on climate change and the recent devaluing of science, to frugality and being treated for bowel cancer. ...Show more

Frantumaglia: Fragments: on Writing and Reading by Elena Ferrante

$29.99 AUD

Category: Biography or Memoir

Elena Ferrante is one of the greatest novelists of our time. Read her novels and don't worry about who she is: you will be entranced by her writing. Fragments is a riveting compilation, over the course of her writing career, of Elena Ferrante's letters to her publisher, interviews with editors and journ alists, and responses to readers' questions. For fans of Ferrante, and for fans of writing, this is essential reading. Her comments have the ring of truth and the power of wisdom. This is a woman who not only knows her own mind, she can see deep into ours, too. ...Show more

The Epic Voyages of Maud Berridge: The seafaring diaries of a Victorian lady by Sally Berridge

$24.99 AUD

Category: Biography or Memoir

Maud Berridge (1845-1907) was the wife of a Master Mariner, and she travelled with him on at least five occasions (1869, 1880, 1882, 1883, 1886), sailing to Melbourne with emigrants and cargo. The first occasion was 1869 just after they were married, when Henry was Captain of the Walmer Castle, and they returned via New Zealand instead of travelling east and around Cape Horn. However, most of Henry and Maud's voyages were undertaken in the three-masted clipper Superb, sailing from Gravesend at the start of summer and leaving Melbourne for home at the end of the year (the southern summer, best for heading east with the trade winds and rounding Cape Horn). Record times taken from London to Melbourne under Captain Henry were 79 days (1878), 76 days (1881) and a final time of 74 days (1886).In 1880, Maud and Henry took their two sons (aged six and eight) with them. In 1883, they sailed on from Melbourne to Newcastle in New South Wales to take on a load of coal, then on through the Windward Isles to San Francisco (51 days). Here they stayed for two months exploring SF and surrounds, unloaded the coal and took on a load of wheat (in large bags) at Port Costa. They then sailed down the west coast of the Americas, around Cape Horn and on to Queenstown in County Cork (134 days). The whole voyage took 14 months. There are also some photographs of Henry, Maud and the crew taken in San Francisco, and a photo from the State Library of Victoria showing the Superb at dock in Melbourne.Maud wrote diaries of these voyages of which one in particular, that of the 1883 voyage, comprise some 50 000 words. The book will tell Maud's story through her own words and through a number of relevant contemporary documents and will paint a picture of the life of a captain's wife in the Victorian era as well as aspects of society in Britain, the US and Australia at the time. Her enthusiasm for new experiences shines through her writing. ...Show more

Baggy Green Legends: The Cap. The Courage. The Camaraderie by Martin Lenehan

$49.99 AUD

Category: Biography or Memoir | Reading Level: 4 Non Fiction

For more than 140 years, our baggy green heroes have captured the hearts of fans who follow their fortunes with pride and passion. Compiled by former Inside Edge editor Martin Lenehan, who has covered cricket in print and on radio for 25 years, 'Baggy Green Legends' pays tribute to the most sacred piece of headwear in Australian sport and the men and women who wear it with distinction. Featuring more than 150 magnificent images and the unique insights of Mark Taylor, Allan Border, Nathan Lyon, Ian Healy, Jason Gillespie, Colin Miller, Rick McCosker, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt and more, 'Baggy Green Legends' takes you on a journey from the making of the cap to the emotional presentation to debutants and the buzz of singing the team song after a win. Find out which Aussie sporting legend 'AB' presented one of his treasured baggy green caps to and share the moment Mike Hussey passed the coveted role of song master to Nathan Lyon. Take a trip down memory lane with 'Baggy Green Legends' and revel in the rich history of our national game. ...Show more