Hesperian Press

Welcome to Hesperian Press

Hesperian Press has been publishing Real Australian Books since 1969 when its principal, Peter Bridge, first published technical material. The current program commenced in 1979 and Hesperian Press has now published well over 800 titles, with up to 20 works in progress at any time.
 

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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.

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.  

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.

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. 

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. The contents page is on the website.

Postage will be $15.70 or Sendle metro area $11.90

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.

Indexes. 

Gold in the Gascoyne, Winning the Gascoyne, Wheeltracks, Golden Days, My Fourth Tour, The Golden Quest, Beyond Boundary Fences, Before Coolgardie II.

Indexes to the above Hesperian Press books are $10 each. Eventually they will be incorporated into a vast master index of Hesperian books. If I survive that long.

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.

Pharmacy Apprenticeship Education in Western Australia

by Bruce Sutherland

ISBN 978-0-85905-828-5, (New, 2020), 160 x 240, illustrated, 80 pages, 230 grams, $30.00*

This book describes the background to the commencement of pharmacy and its statutory recognition in Western Australia. It particularly focusses on the history of pharmacy education. This was a special arrangement which commenced in 1903 between the pharmacy profession and Perth Technical College. Pharmacy education was embodied within the Department of Chemistry at Perth Technical College. It traces the factors that influenced the nature of the education and responsibility for the practitioners that qualified from the only course available to the public in Western Australia. The role of apprenticeship education is debated and how it affected pharmacy education in Western Australia, until the course closure in 1968. 

It is essential reading for all involved in both higher education in Australia, and specifically those who have trained in Pharmacy.

Pilchowski's Crossing. The triple murder of Richard Pilchowski.

by Peter J. Bridge

The savage shovel nosed spearing of a sleeping man at Wyndham in 1913 has led to the murder being justified by vested interests. The true story is now revealed together with the stupidity and cupidity of the detractors.

Pioneers of the Forensic Division of the Western Australian Police Force.
 

by John Horton.
 

ISBN 978-0-85905-839-1, (2020), A4, 53 pages, heavily illustrated, 190 grams, $35.00*

Covers the development of all aspects of forensic work and the men who pioneered the techniques.

Save the Union

ed. by John C. Rice.

ISBN 978-0-85905-853-7, (c1920 R 2020), 160x240, illustrated, 80 pages, 150 grams, $30.00*

A very small reprint of a Franklin G. Rice’s memoir of life, and death, in the Michigan Volunteer Infantry in the Civil War of 1862-65.

Slash and Burn - Flint or firestick: Subincision and kindred rites of the Australian Aboriginal.

by Herbert Basedow.

ISBN 978-0-85905-850-6, (1927 R 2020), A4, 39 pages, illustrated, 150 grams, $30.00*

Those who survived the initiations could survive anything.

Some account of the New Colony of Western Australia etc.
 

by William Milligan.

ISBN 978-0-85905-844-5, (1837 R 2020), A4, 38 pages, illustrated, 150 grams, $30.00*

An important colonial description of the colony and the natives.

Some notes on scientific travel amongst the black population of tropical Australia, 1904-1906.
 

by Hermaan Klaatsch.
 

ISBN 978-0-85905-861-2. (1907 R 2020), A4, 43 pages, heavily illustrated, 160 grams, $35.00*

A valuable, interesting and entertaining work.

The Swan River Aborigines

by George Fletcher Moore

ISBN 978-0-85905-840-7. (1841 R 2020), A4, 34 pages, 130 grams, $30.00*

These lost writings of Moore are important documentation on the natives of the Perth area. Essential reading for all interested. This is another example of the SLWA non-system that lost both the original documents and has failed to index the information in its Clayton’s catalogue. 

Geological and mining library for sale.

My library of some 60 years of collecting must be disseminated to the wider world.

I can categorically state that this is the best privately held library in Australia of this material.

Such items will never come on the market again.

It covers many countries from America, north and south, Africa, Europe, Asia, and especially Australia. Much Australian material goes back to the 1850s, while the world wide items go back to the 1890s. Covers all aspects of geology and mineralogy. Much is general. Much is collectable.

With lighting installed in my new shed and raring to go, I am at present unpacking the mountain of cartons which have been stored for several decades.

The extent is too large to list. Perhaps if anyone has a specific interest in a country or subject they can query me. Offers accepted for the bulk collection.

Peter J. Bridge, mineralogist.

The Pilbarra Society.

This organisation, based at Hesperian, has been set up to concentrate on Pilbara history, its places, people, and potential. The iron ore industry has dominated the area for many decades but the history of the area since the 1860s is little known.

The characters and incidents are as interesting as that of the better known Kimberley and goldfields. Station, mine and town histories are needed and the society hopes to bring together those who can contribute to the subject.