PLEASE NOTE: Any book title starting with "The" - the second word of the title is used to list by.
C.C. Hunt's 1864 Koolyanobbing Expedition
by Kim Epton
ISBN 0 9586539 0 9, (1995), Soft Cover, A5 spiral wire bound, 44pp, 110grams
$12.00* + POST
Charles Cooke Hunt was one of Western Australia's greatest explorers. However, he died young and his exploits were never fully acclaimed. Hunt's trip from York to the Koolyanobbing area and return is his 'forgotten expedition'. Nearly all published information on Hunt erroneously claim that he made 'three expeditions to the eastwards', neglecting this one, his first of four.
This work provides never-before-published biographical information on Hunt. Short biographies of each of his four fellow explorers, R.D. Hardey, Edward Robinson, Cowitch and Tommy Windich, are also included.
Hunt recorded details of his expedition from York to the Koolyanobbing area and return in his Field Book No. 2. An exact transcription of this Field Book is included. Importantly, a "translation" to modern maps, including modern-day rendering of place names and features, allows today's explorers and adventurers to follow Hunt's tracks.
This book is the first in a series on the expeditions and life of C.C. Hunt, sailor, explorer and surveyor.
Calvert's Golden West
by Geoff Blackburn
ISBN 0 85905 241 9, (1997 new), Soft Cover, 139mm x 215mm, 88pp, illustrated, 130grams
$22.00 + POST
The story of the enigmatic Calverts and their role in Western Australian history. Includes a full bibliography.
Camels and the Outback
by H.M. Barker
ISBN 0 85905 182 X, (1995 reprint of 1964 edition with new material), Soft Cover, 207pp, illustrated, 260grams
$30.00 + POST
In Camels and the Outback H.M. Barker gives a fascinating account of the years he spent as a camel driver in remote areas of Australia. In his lively anecdotes he introduces the reader to a number of unforgettable characters, such as W.C. Snell, who was known as the 'roughest camel driver in the country', and the eccentric 'Dobson of Australia', who used to shave by burning off his beard with lighted sticks.
Perhaps the most interesting aspect of the book is the detailed description of camels used as draught and pack animals in the bush. The author's commentary on the behaviour, capabilities, and limitations of camels shows how well he knew and understood them. His vivid recollections remind the reader that camels were invaluable as carriers and were used extensively throughout the continent for more than a generation.
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.
Camp Fire Sketches
by A.G. HALES
ISBN 0 85905 339 3, 1997, Soft Cover, 139mm x 215mm, 108 pp, 160grams
$22.00 + POST
As the wind gathers sparks from the camp-fire, so these stories have been collected, here, there, and everywhere. Sometimes they may echo the throb of marching feet, as memory stirs again the half-forgotten echoes of falling footsteps on the grassy veldt. Sometimes they may be damp with tears as we stand together, you and I, on battle-fields, and look upon fallen fruit of war: the brave, proud men who died that our imperial flag might wave unchallenged in the breeze. Sometimes the headlong rush of mounted men, sweeping the grassland like hawks unhooded, may find a far-off echo in these tales of mine; for I have seen the best and bravest ride, and riding fall, and falling die.
Cannibals, Constables, and Courts. Pilbara-Murchison 1887-1896.
by Peter J. Bridge.
ISBN 978-0-85905-865-0, (New, 2021), A4, 70 pages, indexed, 220 grams, $30.00*
An in-depth look into an oft debated subject using a wide range of publicly available records held by the State Library of Western Australia. Compiled predominantly over the space of a number of weekends by a dedicated researcher together with uncondoned introductory remarks penned solely by the manager of the publishing company. The two have deliberately chosen to refrain from commenting on the accuracy or otherwise of the information presented, particularly with regard to the statements obtained by the accused as well as the witnesses in each of the three events detailed, leaving the reader to judge for him or herself as to whether any one of the these incidents actually transpired, and the reasons as to why.
The underlying aim in producing a study of this nature was not in any way intended to re-ignite any form of debate with respect to such a controversial subject but rather to demonstrate how one could and should be prepared to explore as wide a number of resources as possible to paint an untarnished image in order to unravel the mysteries of our little known and much neglected past as distinct from a reliance on too fewer sources in order to produce a skewed account of history for politically correct motives and academic leaning.
Both the compiler and the publisher trust that that the reader will not in any way be offended by the nature of the verbatum transcripts or our choice of subject, inspired in part by a number of entries within in the official and private diaries of Sergeant H. C. Ord, who was privy to one of the incidents described, but instead be inspired to follow the journey we have embarked upon in like manner and with similar dedication.
Cannibals, Cooke and Customs
by Peter Bridge
ISBN 978-0-85905-666-3, A4, 120 grams
$22.00* + POST
An examination of some undigested customs of our indigines.
Canning Stock Route Royal Commission Royal Commission
to inquire into the Treatment of Natives by the Canning Exploration Party - 15 January – 5 February 1908
Edited by Phil Bianchi, Peter Bridge, Ethel Bianchi, Angela Teague, Maria Bloomfield.
ISBN 978-0-85905-059-3], (2010), A4, 374pp, illust., 1kg
$55.00* + POST
Important desert and bush history. This was not published, except as reported in the newspapers of the day. Contains the opinions of many of the best bushmen of the day.
Captain Bully Hayes
Blackbirder and Bigamist
by Frank Clune
ISBN 0 85905 239 7, (1997 reprint of 1970 edition with new material), Soft Cover 190pp, illustrated, 260grams
$25.00 + POST
The buccaneer, blackbirder and rascal of the Pacific - one of the great “characters” of the age
Captain John Thomas Esq.
From Tragedy He Triumphed
by Rod Dickson
ISBN 978-0-85905-509-3, (2013, New), A4, illustrated, 85pp, 270 grams.
$30.00* + POST
The colonial story of the Thomas family, from early disasters to great wealth and social prominence.
Thomas became a ship owner, with an importing business, owned a Fremantle hotel and the property at Pinjarra now known as Ravenswood.