Hesperian Press

PLEASE NOTE: Any book title starting with "The" - the second word of the title is used to list by.

   All prices quoted are in Australian currency and include GST. * Short trade discount.

   If you are unsure of a title use the search facility on the left hand side of this page.

Price Changes
 

Early Woodline  $40*

Lake wood $50*

Brideships $40.00*

Wreck of the Barque Stefano   price is now $26

Murder on the Rabbit Proof Fence  Price $26. New edition 2021. ISBN 978-0-85905-857-5

FREE BOOKS

When you visit the shop you can choose from the 'free book shelf'. Mail order - we will try to add in a free book if it does not increase the postage.

It is important that we get support for our books from our readers. Hesperian does not get taxpayer funding.

Many millions of dollars have been mis-spent on unreadable novels and plainly irrelevant and obnoxious propaganda.

There is no other publisher like us in Australia concentrating on REAL Australian history and people.

Hesperian books will stand the test of time.

But if we do not get buyer support we may not be around too long after our 50 years anniversary.  

Obituary

Vale Rod Dickson. 1941-2021.

Rod was a powerhouse in all his activities, whether bottle collecting, leatherworking, scrimshaw and knot working as well as tracking treasures of the past, archival research, or in writing books on maritime history.

In my hallway hangs an intriguing example of his sailor’s art.

Over the years we both argued with him and congratulated him, while he produced and we laboured to publish.

Goethe said that no man can do well except that which he loves, and Rod loved doing all the things that he did.

The full list of his publications is in the catalogues of the State Library and National Library.

However there is more to come as we attempt to catch up on our history backlog.

His life story is told in Mum’s Grey Hair.

His battles with the destructive fools in the State Library struck a sympathetic chord with me as I had jousted with the same dragons. Unfortunately in these warped times such creatures are a protected species.

With the passing of another generation of authors whose like we will rarely see again in this homogenised and pasteurised world, the loss of Rod is great.

Our sympathies are with Marilyn and his grandchildren in Melbourne.

Peter Bridge  

 COMING SOON 

The long awaited reprints of now quite rare books:-

He Rode Alone by Joan Brockman.

Commandant of Solitude by Mulvaney and Green

On the Swan by Michael Bourke.

A Century of Service. A history of the Returned & Services League of WA.

by Chris Holyday

ISBN 978-0-85905-829-2, (New, 2020), A4, heavily illustrated, 140 pages, 600 grams, $40.00*

The author worked directly within the RSLWA for eighteen months to record their over 100 years of service, support and hospitality to returned soldiers, sailors, nurses and other service personnel in Western Australia from 1915 to 2020 in all wars. It documents, using the RSLWA’s own archives, how the returned soldiers began to organise themselves into soldiers’ associations from late 1915. This was attributed to returning 11th and 16th Battalion ex-soldiers. The book, with a Foreword by Governor Beazley, AC, documents the dramatic changes that overtook the WA government, and WA society, following that first 25th April 1915 action at Gallipoli. It identifies those individuals that first came together in support of the returning maimed and injured soldiers. It covers the wide extent of civilian and RSLWA support activities for returning soldiers – and for those still serving at the front. Later chapters explore the RSLWA’s increasing relevance in an ever-turbulent and troubled world. The RSLWA has a vital role to play in reminding the nation of its everlasting responsibility, to those who are serving and have served; to its fallen and to the partners and children of the fallen. Its duty will never end for as long as our men and women continue to serve the cause of freedom – and pay its price of eternal vigilance. A copy of the book will be included in a time capsule to be placed in the floor of the new 2020 ANZAC House (completed in September 2020) – the time capsule to be opened in another 100 years’ time.

Aboriginal Sign Language.

by Walter E. Roth.

ISBN 978-0-85905-862-9, (1897 R 2020), A4, 35 pages, illustrated, 140 grams, $22.00*

Forgotten by most but still used in many areas. Perhaps a useful study for teachers and police.

AIRFLASH

by Bob Sheppard

ISBN 978-0-85905-890-2, (2021, New) A5, illustrated and including maps, 47 pages, $15.00 + $3.00 Postage Australia wide.

In early 1942 Japanese forces were advancing through Southeast Asia and there was a real concern Australia would be invaded. In a small tin shed at Island Point on the southern end of Jurien Bay in Australia's remote Mid-West, a guard and two Royal Australian Air Force wireless operators watched for enemy activity and monitored their radio. Through the static they heard a call. The three men were terrified by the radio conversation that resulted. An English speaking Japanese wireless operator aboard a submarine somewhere near Jurien Bay spoke directly to the men telling them he knew who they were, how many were at the camp and their location.

This is one of the stories collected by Bob Sheppard and is included in AIRFLASH: A Guide to Coast Watch Posts in the Mid-West of Western Australia 1942-1944, Royal Australian Air Force. Bob provides details, including the locations, of the RAAF Coast Watch Posts established between Port Gregory and Burns Beach in No. 3 of his MID-WEST AT WAR series of publications.

The book is available from the author. 

Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call or SMS 0407770139.

The Aliens.

By Dryblower E.G. Murphy.

978-0-85905-876-6, (1904 R 2021) $10.00*

A famous warning poem by the great Dryblower. 

Between Beach and Bush. Remember Old North Beach, Trigg and Watermans Bay.

By Chris Holyday

ISBN 978-0-85905-838-4, (New, 2020), A4, colour sections, well-illustrated, 142 pages, 620 grams, $40.00*

The book is a virtual trip back in time to the coastal suburbs of North Beach, Trigg and Watermans Bay of old, and is lavishly illustrated. It provides the first comprehensive history of these coastal suburbs. Attractively presented and including numerous photos, many never before published, this limited print book will undoubtedly become a sought-after collectors’ item.  It describes, in great detail, the first homes built by non-Aboriginal people in the coastal districts, the pioneering Hamersley empire along the coast, the first shops opened, an early shipwreck, convict visitors, early developments by the Perth Road Board (predecessor of the City of Stirling), building of the first jetty, the first land subdivisions, derivation of the street names of the district, early transport, the first surf lifesaving club,  the story behind Mettam’s Pool and many tragic drownings at Trigg Island, as well as many other interesting events and people that helped build these suburbs over 100 years from 1869. 

BMC Leyland in Western Australia Mk.II

The People, the Cars, the Dealerships

by Gary Mentiplay

ISBN 978-0-85905-880-3, (2021, New), A4, French flaps, heavily illustrated, 367 pages, 1.4kg, $60.00*

Post / Pack (within Australia): $15.00 AUD extra.

This second edition is now available, featuring new material and extensive updating. It features the most complete coverage of the car companies that were a part of BMC and Leyland Australia (and their dealers and agents) in Western Australia, and is well illustrated with photos and period adverts.

Included are the stories of 45 people (from 20 dealerships) who owned, sold, and serviced BMC Leyland vehicles during the post war years.

New material includes more information on country agents; the longest-serving dealers in WA; the number of dealers and agents in WA (in five year periods); the national BMC dealer rationalization 1959 to 1963; and Appendix A now contains information on over 675 dealers from 1908 to 1978.

Contact: Gary Mentiplay

0420 448 036 email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Building the Line. The construction of the Overland Telegraph Line.

by Andrew Crouch.

ISBN 978-0-85905-856-8, (New, 2020), A4, well illustrated, indexed, 48 pages, 180 grams, $26.00*

From the diaries of the men involved in the construction, this book gives a detailed look at the men and the line itself.

Contraband

by WC Charnley

[ISBN 978-0-85905-887-2], (1935, 2021), A4, 18 pages, illustrated, 105 grams. $22.00*

Opium and Chinese were the two great problems for the Customs a century ago. Little has changed and complicit functionaries and politicians have compounded the problem a thousand fold. This report details some incidents in the earlier battles before we lost the war.

Creating Australia’s Electronic Gold Rush 

by Peter J. Bridge

ISBN 978-0-85905-833-9, (198*, 2020), A4, heavily illustrated in colour, 32 pages, 150 grams, $30.00*

The author created the metal detector gold rush in the mid-1970s. It has changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of people in Australia and elsewhere. Details the story of some of the first prospectors and their finds, with photos.

Dog Registration Discs in Western Australia

by Walter R. Bloom & Alf Campbell.

ISBN 978-0-85905-845-2, (New 2020), A4, heavily illustrated in colour, 168 pages, french flaps, 530 grams, $60.00*

A small run of what will become a real collector’s item. Postage is $12.45 for 1 to 3 copies.

The first and only catalogue of these very collectable relics, which is an outcome of the metal detector gold and relic hunting hobby. Judging by the value of some items the finding these could be like finding gold.

This is a thoroughly researched and outstanding colour publication with many fine examples illustrated of a substantial collector base. It is a snapshot of 20th Century WA local history, where there are more dogs than people.

DUE NORTH
The Exploration of the North West of Western Australia.
By Peter J. Bridge and the WA Explorers’ Diaries Project.

ISBN 978-0-85905-837-7, (New 2021), 892 pages, 160x240, illustrated, +2kg $160. 00*

The most important book on the NW for a century. Contains all the exploration diaries for the NW from 1861 to circa 1900. Important first contact material. Illustrated with maps and photographs of the explorers with their biographies. 

Postage will be $15.70 or Sendle metro area $11.90

The Desert of Tragedy

by WC Charnley

[ISBN 978-0-85905-882-7], (1935, 2021), A4, 21 pages, illustrated, 120 grams. $22.00*

The NT desert claimed the lives of many travellers. With the introduction of aeroplanes the disasters continued. This is the story of a series of air crashes and lost life in the 1930s. 

Ethno-Pornography. Male and female Aboriginal initiation and customs.

by Walter E. Roth.

ISBN 978-0-85905-852-0, (1897 R 2020), A4, 23 pages, illustrated, 110 grams, $22.00*

Despite the unfortunate title, a serious study.

Ethnological notes and phallic rites of the Aboriginal tribes of Western and South Australia.
 

by R.H. Matthews.

ISBN 978-0-85905-859-9, (1904 R 2020), A4, 54 pages, illustrated, 185 grams, $35.00*

Important reference for all seriously interested in the real background to native tribal customs.

Forestry through the Fifties. A young forestry officer’s journey with the Western Australian Forests Department.

By Kevin Coate.

[ISBN 978-0-85905-977-3], (New, 2021). 175 x 250, 262 pages, heavily illustrated, indexed, 730 grams, $50.00*

This interesting book provides a fascinating insight into how an aspiring young forest officer gained knowledge and skills through practical experience, working and camping in the bush.

Kevin Coate started work in 1951 at Margaret River and was stationed at settlements from Mundaring Weir in the north to Walpole in the south.

It was an era when steam powered timber mills still operated and power saws had just begun to take over from axes and crosscut saws.

A gem for all interested in the forests and the south west.

This book was published without any input from shire, company or state coffers. Nevertheless it outshines any literary eructations from those structures.

The Ghost of Garden Island. The secret of Singing Rock.

by E.G. Murphy.

ISBN 978-0-85905-871-1, (1934 R 2021) $10.00*

A forgotten aboriginal legend.

The Hunting of Ninaluk

by WC Charnley

[ISBN 978-0-85905-885-8], (1935, 2021), A4, 19 pages, illustrated, 120 grams. $22.00*

The escape and recapture of the NT murderer Ninaluk in 1934. 

Into the Arms of Death 

by Neville Green

ISBN 978-0-85905-820-9, (New 2020), A4, Soft Cover, 188pp, well illustrated, 720 grams, $50.00 + Postage

An important and revelationary study of the effects of disease on Westralian Aboriginals that will change the way we perceive their diminution and which places the politicised claims of many mythical massacres squarely into the propaganda (aka bullsh) basket. From the measles of European settlers to leprosy, smallpox and VD from the great Asian disease reservoirs, the effects on native populations were a real holocaust.

The Kalamazoo.

ISBN 978-0-85905-873-5, (R, 2021) $10.00*

Descriptions of the trolley use on the Port Hedland – Marble Bar railway in the 1930s.

The Lost Flyers

by WC Charnley

[ISBN 978-0-85905-883-4], (1935, 2021), A4, 20 pages, illustrated, 105 grams. $30.00*

Hans Bertram and Adolf Klauseman were flying from Germany in 1932. They crashed on the northern cost of WA. All was thought lost but when eventually found they had been succoured by the once fierce tribal aboriginals.

Notes & Anecdotes of the Aborigines of Australia: Observations in Western Australia during 1841 to 1853.

By Philip Chauncey, J.P., Surveyor.

ISBN 978-0-85905-863-6, (1878 R 2021), A4, illustrated, 72 pages, 220 grams, $35.00*

Chauncey was based mainly at Albany and this information has rarely been accessed by local researchers being an appendix on a major and large book on Victorian natives, published in 1878.

Contains portraits of the locals and much information.