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

BOOKS TO CLEAR

Come One, Come All - APRIL SALE
11 books at $10 each - 

MINIMUM MAIL ORDER OF 5 BOOKS. 

Then they called me Norma by Norma King

Suicides and Settlers  by Claire McIntyre

Steadfast Endeavour by Graham J. Wilson

The Shearers' War by Stuart Svensen

Londonderry - The Golden Hole by A. Sprake

Liberty Call by Ian Johnson

The Law Provides by E. Morrow

Kimberley Scenes edited by C. Clement & P.J. Bridge

The Gold Stealers by Brian Purdue 

Gold on the Murchison by Phil Heydon

Climb When Ready by Dave James

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

Ted (Edward John) Cockram on 2 January 2021, at 90.

We published Ted's Memoirs in 2018.

Brought up in the tough life of the depression bush he made himself through varied occupations.

These are well described in his book (220 pages). Late in his careers he was instrumental in developing early tourism in the North West.

It is for this that he will be remembered by old hands of the North. While some of the modern hotshots will say how they did it all, Ted was the man who actually did do what he said.

Over the years I enjoyed his reminiscences and I am glad that he finally got his story down.

Vale! Ted.

Rhonda McDonald at 93 on 20 February 2021 at Mt Claremont.

I first met Rhonda and Alan in 1969. With my mate Alex Saar, I had overlanded during the night, star steering from the northwards on disused tracks. We came out at Mangaroon Station. The next morning at the homestead an irate Alan complained about our nocturnal wanderings, having thought that thieves might be trying to raid his sheds and stock. But Rhonda gave us breakfast with the family and my interest in minerals and the Star of Mangaroon Gold Mine soothed Alan.

We kept up erratic contact and when Hesperian Press commenced its current publishing programme we reprinted Rhonda’s Gold in the Gascoyne in 1986, which described their station life and the Star of Mangaroon mine. In 1991 Winning the Gascoyne created great interest in the station histories. This was followed by Along the Ashburton in 2002.  These are important Western Australian books and with several others of a similar ilk are a template for anyone wanting to record the people and history of their districts. Later these encouraged me to compile histories of the Upper Gascoyne and Upper Ashburton areas. Recently we published detailed indexes to Rhonda’s books so as to enable readers to find the sometimes fleeting glimpses of the bush denizens.

Rhonda loved talking to people and was quick to find those who had a tale to tell. Even the reticent whose stories took some winkling out were not safe. But it was Alan who was the salesman. He would nobble people at the races, meetings, and on the track, and few ever escaped the tollkeeper of the books.

I very much enjoyed Rhonda’s tales of pretentious poisonalities such as one of the ‘Scrub’ clan. The patriarch would have breakfast at the Stidworthy hotel, and then demand a discount because he had not eaten his piece of toast!

Her passion for doll creation and collecting intrigued my daughters as did the collections of minerals and bush relics for myself and other visitors.

The passing of Alan in 2009 left Rhonda rudderless. Looking over the acknowledgements in her books is like a roll call for the Legion of the Lost. With Rhonda now on that hallowed list her passing is a watershed between a fascinating past and the current amorphousness that engulfs us all.  

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.

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. 

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

Patrick C. Hughes. Pioneer prospector and political philosopher.

by Peter J. Bridge.

ISBN 978-0-85905-870-4, (N, 2021), A4, illustrated, 38 pages, 170 grams, $30.00*

Pat Hughes was a great beacon to prospectors in the 1890s, having near perished in the scrub, and though he did not make a great strike, his selflessness in the Alluvial Rights Riots of 1898 made him a true exemplar of Kipling's If.

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.

Pioneering Ningaloo Fishing and the Early History of Coral Bay

by Don Heather

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.

Spear and Club, Rifle and Revolver.

The Noltenius murders in the NT and the native killers. Wild Toby and Burketown Peter of North Queensland.

Ewan K. Patterson.

ISBN 978-0-85905-858-2, (New 2021), A4, 19 pages, 90 grams, $16.00*

Historical essays on native murderers in the North of Australia. Ewan Patterson was a Queensland journalist and publisher whose work, like that of many writers, is almost forgotten. This collection of articles and biographical notes on the author seeks to change that, and to bring to light the savage depredations which are now being hidden.

The Secret of the Dead Heart.

by W.C. Charnley

ISBN 978-0-85905-879-7, (1935 R. 2021), A4, illustrated, 39 pages, 170 grams, $30.00*

The many expeditions into the desert in search of rumoured gold reefs have been overshadowed by the largely mythical account of Lasseter. Here Charnley details the men, machines and disasters that are real adventure in the Western Desert.