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.

Gift of $10,000 worth of Hesperian titles to the WA prison system.

We have given some 15 copies each of 24 titles that are still current books but of which we are overstocked. We need the space. Hopefully some of the prisoners will appreciate good books as a relief from the mind rotting TV. We even gave an extra set for the staff so they do not have to pinch the prisoner’s copies.

Free books this month.

For any retail purchase you may have one free book from this month’s list.

That is you can have a free book for each book you buy. The downside is that you pay the postage.

This month’s free books :- Misfortunes of Phoebe, Golden Land of Silence, All Australians now, Borneo Surgeon, The Thousand Hours, The Growing Up, Thermo-electrical Cooking.

Book details on our booklist.

Honours.

Our author Phil Bianchi has received an OAM in the Australia Day Honours List for his work on community history. Phil is a prolific compiler of bush history including on the woodlines and the Canning Stock Route. His new masterpiece on the Woodlines is out now.
 

Coming soon.

"Chasing the Dragon's Tale": The full story of the recovery of the wreck of the Gilt Dragon treasure ship.
 

"Ben O'Dowd - Hero of Kapyong"

 

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 forthcoming 50 years anniversary.  

A History of Dressage in Western Australia

by Marion Hercock with Zoe Harrison.

ISBN 978-0-85905-750-9, (New, 2019), 160x240mm, French flap soft cover, 398 pages, well illustrated, indexed, 940 grams, $55.00* + POST Country and Interstate $14.55 Perth metro $10.90 or free pickup at office.

The progress of horse and rider training underlies the story of the development of the specialist sport of dressage in Western Australia. This history covers the years from 1829 to 2000. It includes the mounted police and the first riding schools; the hunt club, the pony clubs and the original Dressage Club of Western Australia. It looks at the horses and the riders, from the hackies and eventers to the FEI masters of dressage. Historical detail is blended with personal memories to create an informative and lively ride into the past; and for some readers, a trip down memory lane.

Camels, Exploration and Development in the North

by Herbert M. Barker

ISBN 978-0-85905-739-4, (New, 2019), A4, soft cover, illustrated, indexed, 24pp, 75g, $16.50* + POST

A collection of reports, letters, etc. by Barker on the NW. Details of his exploration to the east of the Oakover River and proposals for development.

Chasing the Dragon's Tale - The Vergulde Draeck Story

by Bob Sheppard

ISBN 978-0-85905-723-3, (New, 2019), 160 x 240, heavily illustrated, indexed, 730 grams, $50.00*

The most comprehensive book ever written on the heritage, history and archaeology of the Vergulde Draeck (1656). Illustrated (with some never seen before photos) and containing around 700 references. The book is in two parts. Part One, The Vergulde Draeck Story, is a formal history of the wreck and its discovery. Part Two, Chasing The Dragon's Tale, covers the author's experiences in his 10 year search to unravel one of Australia's greatest maritime mysteries.

Cobbers of Mine and the Mining Magnate

by The Axeman, Alfred E. Wallace

ISBN 978-0-85905-735-6, (New, 2019), A4, 47 pages, 140 grams, $22.00* + POST

Alfred Wallace died of silicosis in 1924. He was an axeman in the forests and an underground miner on the Murchison. His verse was in demand for local celebrations and the regional newspapers. Few modern poets have had the acclaim of the public that the Axeman had.

His collection was reprinted for many years by the Northam newspaper. Some of his satirical verse such as The Bush Geologist, and The Mining Magnate was still being circulated in mining circles in the 1980s.

Places he versifies, such as Barney Murphy's Bungalow Hotel, and the mines where he worked, were part of my wanderings fifty years ago, and my grandfather was also at Wooroloo sanatorium for TB that he got in France. PJB

Nitrate Nomads

by Daryl Binning

ISBN 13:978-0-6482274-0-3, (New, 2019), 160x240mm, heavily illustrated B&W, 39 colour plates, French flaps, 380pp, 1.2kg, $60.00* 

The exciting years of Allan Jones circuit pictures and other south-west showmen. An entertaining and highly interesting history of the early picture show business.

Incidents, biographies, film stills, will bring back memories of those who attended the bush shows in the south west halls. This will become a classic for film historians.

Available directly from the author, Daryl Binning

20 Norton Ridge, Winthrop, WA 6150

Phone (61)/(08) 9310 3377

Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Okinawans Reaching Australia

by John Lamb.

ISBN 978-0-85905-747-9, (New, 2019), A4, 142 pp, heavily illustrated, indexed, 400 grams, $40.00* + POST

This publication fills a large gap in research into aspects of the pearl-shell fishing industry and Japanese immigration to Australia in general. Through careful research, and with over 200 photographs, John provides a comprehensive record of all Okinawans known to have ever reached Australia up until the early 1960s. He fleshes out how and why Okinawans came to be chosen over mainland Japanese in the post-war period and challenges some of the misconceptions that have arisen around their role and performance. Through identifying the stories of many individuals, including some who spent most of their working lives in Australia, he brings to life this little-known history of northern Australia. In detailing the deaths of some forty men and a half dozen births, he creates a very detailed picture of their circumstances and creates a valuable record for their families and descendants, as well as for those interested to understand more about indentured Asian labour during the time of restricted immigration.

We have only published a small run of this book, so please be early if you are interested. 

The Murchison Revisited

by FCB Vosper

ISBN 978-0-85905-746-2, (R 2019), A4, 78 pages, indexed, 210 grams,

$30.00*

The mining journalist and politician wrote of the changes to the Murchison and it mines in 1895, several years after his first experiences there. Interesting comment on the people, mines and institutions of the wider Murchison goldfield.

To the Golden Land. Exploration to the Eastwards 1869-1896

by Peter J. Bridge and associates. With an Introduction by J.M.R Cameron.

ISBN 978-0-85905-704-2, (New, 2019), 160 x 240mm, 712 pp, colour and black and white illustrations, maps, indexed, hard cover, 2kg+, $140.00* + POST

An important contribution to the history of WA covering all that periods 65 expeditions, including many that were previously unknown. Includes for the first time all the colour plates of Forrest in the 1870s. Over 150 illustrations and maps.

Like our other Exploration Diaries this will become the basic reference in this field. Due to the poisoned arrows of our economy the edition is small, so please do not delay ordering. 

Woodlines of Western Australia 

A comprehensive history of the Goldfields woodlines.

by Phil Bianchi.

ISBN 978-0-85905-725-7, (New, 2019), 170 x 240, french flaps, heavily illustrated, 449 pages, 1.2kg, $85.00* + POST

Without a source of cheap energy to fuel steam boilers and for ore treatment, only the Western Australian mines with rich ore would have been productive.

Firewood companies established privately owned train lines up to 120 miles out from major centres such as Kalgoorlie to bring in firewood. Although the Kurrawang and Lakewood woodlines are the main feature of this book; other woodlines included Lakeside south of Boulder, Kurramia/Kanowna, Cue, Laverton, Gwalia and Westonia.

Firewood cutters, carters and loaders from war torn Europe, came to Australia seeking a better life; they lived in hessian walled basic camps with earthen floors and a tin roof. The book features 22 first-hand accounts of the hardships faced by woodliners working, living and growing up on the woodlines. Many a wife and family joining the husband after a few years were shocked at the conditions; suffering flies, heat, cold, loneliness, maggots in meat and poor quality drinking water.

Between 1900 and 1964 a total of 21.6 million tons of firewood had been cut; during 1912-16 average production was 650,000 tons per year. By the time the firewood companies ceased operations they had clear-felled a staggering 3.04 million hectares of goldfields woodlands; almost half the area of Tasmania.

Other woodline topics discussed include: racism, riots, internment, exploitation and bribery, shanties, sports days, strikes and deaths and accidents.

Leo Laden

1937-2019

The passing of Dr Robert David Leopold Kosak Laden, universally known as Leo, on 19 January 2019 was a changing of the zodiac.

There have been few like him and in our degenerate age, with its soul crushing political correctness, aka Leninist claptrap (appropriate for one who died of raging syphilis), most do not want to raise their heads above the parapet.

Leo was the public pox doctor in Perth, and he endured the presence of such illuminating degenerates as the one who had a light bulb lodged in his rectum. His antagonism towards psychopathic sexual perverts is detailed in his bestselling book. 

This led to his early retirement at 54. And for that, all who remember him are thankful.

So when Leo came to me in 1995 with his manuscript of Dicks and Dickheads I have known, there was an instant rapport of like individual minds against the hive.

His public lectures on the subject allowed all those questions which previously many were too embarrassed to ask. The result was almost revolutionary.

The book raised instant antagonism from the ‘Health’ Department as he flatly contradicted the mass propaganda about those poor inoffensive people with AIDS. There were apparently threats of legal action from the government and if it had been anybody but Leo the scum of our bureaucracies might have shut us down.

He empathized with the main MASH characters in their contempt for the irrelevancies of officialdom designed for lesser minds.

Leo was born in London on 18 December 1937 to Georg and Leah Kosak, of Russian and German stock. He grew up in London and was evacuated to Wales during the blitz. His father died just after the war and his mother remarried to a Dr Laden. He never wanted to be a doctor but perhaps this pleased his mother.

He met Daphne at University College whilst performing on stage in a hospital review. Apparently neither the girlfriend nor the acting was supported by his Jewish mother. Lovely Daf remained his best friend who accompanied him everywhere until she passed away in 2017.

He joined the RAF and served as a Flight Lieutenant in Aden but the troubles there and the birth of Guy (1963) and Helen (1965) resulted in returning to Cornwall. A rainstorm in London and shelter in WA House led to his signing up as a doctor in outback Leonora. He built a house at Sorrento. Steven (1968) and Jon arrived (1972). He worked at Heathcote and Graylands as a staff psychiatrist and a Quarantine Officer at Fremantle and the airport.

Tennis clubs, P & C, wide travelling and sporting interests were all played well.

Later their haven at Nowergup with Leo’s arms collection became a place of pilgrimage for all arms collectors.

Leo was a passionate collector since a teenager and his wheeling and dealing in all things military led to his Antique Arms and Armour business and to his Perth Muzzle Loading Club championships and international competitions. His involvement with the SSAA(WA) and his outspokenness regarding licensing matters with the government and police flummoxed them and was a great support for rational licensing.

The Sherlock Holmes Society and re-creations of historical events with the Perth Volunteer Rifles were important catalysts for all in appreciating the historical wealth of the nation.

His interest in things that went bang, like gumnut bombs and cannon, was  appreciated as the editor was also an early disciple of the Big Bang club.

A special edition of the Perth Muzzle Loading Club Inc newsletter, The Black Powder Report, February 2019 is dedicated to Leo.

Unfortunately I could not go to his funeral but Sanghee, Calliope and Celene of Hesperian were there to wave goodbye.

I am indebted to Leo’s children for sending me their funeral orations which gave much detail on this extraordinary chap and old friend.

Peter J Bridge, OAM

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.

In 2014 we published a booklet, Jacky and Polly, & Jimmy, about the murder of New Zealand Jimmy. This is a postscript.

From Moya Sharp of Outback Family History:- 

I think these two snippets bring an end to the Jacky and Polly story: 

The following story was told by Kathleen Mary Byrth, and may tell of the later fate of Jacky and Polly:- 

An Aboriginal man, Jacky, and his blind wife Polly, were often about the place. I did hear that Polly became blind through ants eating her eyes out many years before – she was drunk and asleep at the time. She just sat out near the stables all day and when Jacky went bush with horse and cart to get wood for Mum, I’d have to take her dinner and billy of tea. She led a miserable life and old Jacky was so good to her. Then sometimes Jacky would go out ‘specking for gold’ and when he returned Mum would ask, “Get any gold today Jack?” and he’d sadly say, “No missus, only little ‘ply chit’”. 

After a few months in Bardoc they would go up the line on the train – riding in one of the trucks and later would return to Bardoc the same way and Jacky would do all the same work again. If it was hot Mum would fill a beer bottle out of the keg on tap and he’d go and share it with Polly.

Aboriginal Woman’s Death. The Kalgoorlie police authorities received a report on Saturdays night to the effect that an aboriginal woman “Polly” had been found dead in a native camp about 24 miles away from Broad Arrow. Subsequent investigations set at naught the conjecture that her demise was the result of murder. Detective Parker and Mounted Constable Goldie, with a blacktracker, motored out to the scene on Saturday night. The deceased gin was lying in a perfectly natural condition with nothing to warrant a suspicion of foul play save and except blood had issued from her mouth and nostrils. “Jackie,” her man, stated he had gone out hunting on Saturday and left her in the camp with food and water and a dog for company. She was very old and she had been blind for years. Two outback aboriginals, by their tracks, must have visited the camp during the day. Scared upon finding the dead body of the gin they made off for Kalgoorlie and half-way to their contemplated destination they were interviewed by the police. Detective Parker and Mounted Constable Goldie came to the conclusion that death was due to natural causes. The substance of this telephoned report was furnished to the Coroner, Mr. E. McGinn, who determined to dispense with a post-mortem examination and an inquest and give an order for burial: A grave was dug on the confines of the Broad Arrow Cemetery and the remains interred without religious ceremony. Western Argus 5 February 1929.

But what happened to Jacky/Jackie! There is a death registered for a man in Kalgoorlie registered as just Jacky, who died the same year as Polly, 1929.

The article was found by John Pritchard and the story by Kathleen Mary Byrth was sent to me by Robyn McLean, here is the full story:-

https://www.outbackfamilyhistoryblog.com/2017/05/24/reminiscences-kathleen-mary-byrth/