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 700 titles, with up to 20 works in progress at any time.
FREE, DISCOUNTED AND NEW BOOKS.
WE HAVE RUN OUT OF SPACE.
Good books which are overstocked must go and will be regularly
offered on our regular mailing list of new titles.
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.
Due to the media and govt virus scare tactics to cover economic problems, we have decided to temporarily close the retail shop.
However, special attention can be given for urgent enquiries.
Emails and postal deliveries remain uninterrupted.
As the old WWII saying goes 'SNAFU'.
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 history of Coast Watch Post 16 & Radar Station 48 at North Head, Jurien Bay 1939-1945
by Bob Sheppard
ISBN 978-0-85905-778-3, (New, 2019), A5, 24 pages, illustrated, 50 grams, $20.00*
This little known once secret unit has been examined by Bob Sheppard. Produced jointly with the Dandaragan Shire. Available from the Shire and HP.
Bill Cooper's Oil Rig Shift Story.
by Bill Cooper
ISBN 978-0-85905-801-8, (New, 2020), A4, 16 pages, illustrated, $15.00*
Old trucker, Bill Cooper's description of the 1939 transport of an oil rig and associated boilers from Derby to Nerrima. Well illustrated with the trucks, rig, and gear that is still there as a historic relic of early oil exploration.
Hillie's Gift: A memoir of Australia's first rural guide dog owner Hilda Schell.
by Jenny Byatt.
ISBN 978-0-85905-785-1, (New, 2020), A4, 158 pages, illustrated, 450 grams, $50.00* POSTAGE $12.45 Australia wide.
Biographical reminiscences collected by the editor over many years as a memorial to Hilda.
Indexes.
Gold in the Gascoyne, Winning the Gascoyne, Wheeltracks, Golden Days, My Fourth Tour, The Golden Quest, Beyond Boundary Fences.
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.
The State and position of Western Australia commonly called The Swan River Settlement
by Captain Frederick Chidley Irwin. With an extensive biographical introduction by Peter Conole.
ISBN 978-0-85905-780-6, (New, 2019), 240 x 160, French flaps, 168 pages, 300 grams, $40.00*
Hesperian Press takes particular pride in resurrecting this remarkable work from undeserved and disgraceful obscurity. Frederick Irwin’s book, the first large scale study of Western Australia, was published in London in 1835. Our facsimile of that now very rare book is greatly enhanced by inclusion of a 19-page biographical sketch of its author by Peter Conole. This study of an important colonial figure includes material which has eluded the attention of historians and will both dispel various inaccuracies and clarify his career and importance to WA. Irwin’s ‘State and Position’ is very well written and both frank and forthright in tackling controversial issues. In the course of nine chapters and an appendix Irwin provided brilliant word paintings of living and working conditions for settlers. He was always forthright in offering opinions, such as his hatred of convict systems. He also had a fine eye for detail in discussing a range of civic affairs and the future prospects of the colony.
THE WESTERN AUSTRALIAN EXPLORERS’ DIARIES PROJECT INC.
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.
A Farewell to Len Hill, Canning Stock Route Drover and Kimberley Cattleman.
By Felicity Hamlyn-Hill & Peter J. Bridge
ISBN 978-0-85905-791-2, (New, 2019), 11 pages, 40 grams, $10.00*
An outline of the life and an appreciation of Len Hill, author of Droving with Ben Taylor.
The First Overland Cattle Drove from South Australia to Kalgoorlie.
by EP Halford
ISBN 978-0-85905-790-5, (New, 2020), A4 illustrated, 40 pages, 150 grams, $25.00*
The Halford familiy’s great trek across the Nullarbor to Kalgoorlie where they started Credo Station in 1904. Brilliant photos.
Goldfields Memoirs of Donald Sandeman McDonald
by DS McDonald.
ISBN 978-0-85905-792-9, (New, 2020), A4, illustrated, indexed, 88 pages, 290 grams, $35.00*
From the 1890s to the 1960s he recorded N. Coolgardie goldfields life, of both aboriginals and the prospectors.
The Jarrahland Jingler.
The wit and short stories of EG (Dryblower) Murphy.
Ed by Chris Holyday.
ISBN 978-0-85905-796-7, (new, 2020, A4, illustrated, 62 pages, 200 grams, $30.00*
The goldfielder poet who was the core of the Sunday Times for many years.
Life on the Goldfields. A retrospect.
Anon
ISBN 978-0-85905-765-3, (R , 2020), A5, 15 pages, $10.00*
A very early reminiscence of the Coolgardie goldfields with detailed descriptive views.
The Massacre at the Golden Mountain.
Ed by Peter J. Bridge.
ISBN 978-0-85905-795-0, (New, 2020), A4, 24 pages, 210 grams, $20.00*
The 1890s goldrush was rocked by the claims of a great massacre on the new frontier. This story details the evidence and the result of the magisterial enquiry.
The Mystery of the San Michelle
by Peter J. Bridge.
ISBN 978-0-85905-773-8, (New, 2020), A4, Illustrated, 40 pages, 140 grams, $25.00*
Details the disappearance of the lugger San Michelle in 1971. The bios of the skipper, Stan Stojanovic and Margaret Maclean give interesting and little known details on the people involved.
Pansy’s Shanty
by Peter J. Bridge.
ISBN 978-0-85905-793-6, (New, 2020), A4, illustrated, 48 pages, 160 grams, $25.00*
On a vibrant sly grog seller and demi monde of Laverton. She cut a swathe through the underworld of the early goldfields and her customers sometimes died violently. Pansy died destitute, after seeing the light internally, from a box of wax match heads.
Prospecting Memories
of Alan Payne and Mates.
ISBN 978-0-85905-784-4, (New, 2020), A4, illustrated, 87 pages, 410 grams, $35.00*
The results and adventures of 40 years of detector prospecting statewide.
Available direct from the author: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
The Tragedy of an Overlander.
From Port Lincoln SA to Perth WA in search of work. Overland journey of a shepherd, his wife and family, their difficulties & sufferings.
by Henry Mazzini
ISBN 978-0-85905-789-9, (1886, R), A5, illustrated, 17 pages, $10.00*
The Wanderings of a Simple Child.
A record of Australian life
by A.G. 'Smiler' Hales.
ISBN 978-0-85905-783-7 (NR, 2020), A4, 69 pages, 270 grams, $30.00*
The early days of Broken Hill were the teething ground for many at Coolgardie. This autobiog details many later famous characters in training.
All Hesperian Press books are prepared, printed and published in Perth.
We do not subscribe to printing overseas. Localisation, not globalisation.
We believe that one must support the nation that breeds you and feeds you, both physically and spiritually.
Exporting our jobs is like exporting our raw minerals, it only benefits parasites.
If the book is on this list it is in print and in stock.
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.