Category: Non-fiction

Reading Stories, by Mellor,O'Neill and Patterson

Finding text books for the upper school English classroom is not an easy task – few offer a complete course of study which can be followed progressively to build an understanding of a text area. Reading Stories is one in a line of texts from Chalkface press which fills such a need.

The book provides an anthology of short stories suitable for mid and upper level high school and into college or university study. The questions and exercises which accompany the stories endeavor to build an understanding of the ways texts are written to invite the construction of meaning.

The stories offered include “The Good Corn”, by H. E. Bates, Ray Bradbury’s “The Whole Town’s Sleeping” and “A Jury of Her Peers”, by Susan Glaspell. With two stories studied in each of five chapters, students are exposed to a range of styles and structures.

The text attempts to guide students to an awareness of the ways expectations can influence the reading of a story, how and why these readings can differ from a writer’s intentions, how cultural and social assumptions can affect the reading and writing of stories, and more.

Reading Stories, by Bronwyn Mellor, Marnie O’Neill and Annette Patterson
Chalkface Press

Investigating Texts, by Bronwyn Mellor and Annette Patterson

Chalkface Press has a reputation of publishing quality texts for the Literature Studies classroom. Investigating Texts by Bronwyn Mellor and Annette Patterson upholds this reputation.

The book’s premise is that readers read in different ways on different occasions and therefore the text itself can be produced as a different ‘object’ on different occasions.

To help students understand this premise, the book presents concepts in a cumulative way – with each of the four chapters building on the concepts explored in the preceding chapters.

Each chapter includes a range of short stories and other texts with exercises and commentary. Activities allow for individual, class and group explorations of the text at hand, while the commentaries consolidate the concepts explored.

The selection of short stories is outstanding – from traditional folk tales to modern short shorts – and sure to appeal both to teachers and students.

Investigating Texts is suitable for thirteen to eighteen year old students.

Investigating Texts, by Bronwyn Mellor and Annette Patterson
Chalface Press, 1996.

Studying Literature, by Brian Moon

There are numerous English text books on the market – especially if you want basic comprehension, grammar or spelling activities. There is, however, a lack of textbooks for upper school literature studies. Fortunately, Australian publisher Chalkface Press has redressed this need. Studying Literature, by Brian Moon, is just one of their excellent literature texts.

Studying Literature would make an excellent introductory course for literature studies students. It combines a superb range of literary texts with thought provoking activities and considered explanation.

The book is divided into three units. In the first, What Is Literature? , students are guided through readings and exercises looking at definitions of literature. The objective of this part of the book is to help students reach an understanding that ‘literature; is a subjective term – literature, Moon concludes, “is about writing, reading and making judgements according to certain beliefs and practices” (p 27).

The second unit, Reading ‘Literary’ Texts looks at the ways that readers construct meanings from text and how dominant values and beliefs can effect the reading of a text. Moon guides students towards an understanding that, rather than existing in the text, meaning is constructed through the reading of a text.

The third and final unit, Reading in Terms of Gender, examines literary texts from women’s perspective. The unit examines how women are portrayed in selected examples and guides women towards an understanding of the role literature has played in reinforcing stereotypes. The unit concludes by discussing other groups which are stereotyped in literary texts and examining examples of writing in which feminist writers attempt to challenge dominant readings of gender.

Moon’s choice of stories and poems in Studying Literature provides an excellent complement to the understanding he endeavors to guide students towards. This is an outstanding resource for students and teachers of literature.

Studying Literature, by Brian Moon
Chalkface Press 1990. Available internationally. For a full list of suppliers, please see www.chalkface.net.au.

The Encyclopaedia of Australia's Battles, by Chris Coulthard-Clark

More than just a record of the battles in which Australia and Australians have been involved, The Encycopaedia of Australia’s Battles, provides an intresting insight into Australia’s history as a whole.

As well as detailing the many battles Australians have joined on war fields overseas, the book details the many battles fought on Australian soil in the two hundred years since white settlement. These include battles fought between European settlers and Aboriginals resisting colonization and battles such as those on the goldfields, including the Eureka Stockade.

The book includes chronological entries of over 300 battles in which Australians or Australian troops have been involved – at sea, in the air and on the ground. Each entry provides the date and location, the main units and commanders involved and an account of the course of the battle. ENtries are illustrated with maps, drawings and photographs.

The author, historian Chris Coulthard-Clark is an expert in Australian defence history. A graduate of Duntroon and the Australian Defence Force Academy, he has worked as a government policy analyst, historical consultant and a research editor.

The Encyclopaedia of Australia’s Battles is an outstanding resource for historians, writers, teachers, and anyone with an interest in Australian history.

The Encyclopaedia of Australia’s Battles, by Chris Coulthard-Clark
Allen & Unwin, 2001

Penelope Bungles to Broome, by Tim Bowden

When Tim Bowden recounts a journey, he writes much more than a simple travel diary. Instead, he fills his work with diversions into history, geographical information, character sketches and more.

In his latest book, Penelope Bungles to Broome, Tim and wife Ros journey from their home in Sydney across the country to Broome, exploring the Kimberley, Pilbara and Mid-west regions.

Bowden recounts in great detail their journey in their trusty four wheel drive, known affectionately as Penelope and their camper trailer, The Manor. They also explore the coastline on the boat The Coral Princess. Along the way readers are aquainted with some of the wonders the West has to offer, as well as many of the highs and lows of travelling the district. Bowden’s enthusiasm and detailed knowledge and research show through, so that there is plenty to learn even for those who have already experienced the region.

Penelope Bungles to Broome is a treat for lovers of Bowden’s work and those interested in travelling our fair country.

Penelope Bungles to Broome, by Tim Bowden
Allen & Unwin, 2002

High Life: Balance Your Body Chemistry and Feel Uplifted 24/7, by Matt Church

Residents of the new millenium are expected more and more to be able to balance work, family and social life, often leaving little time to focus on physical and mental health. When a problem does arise we want to be able to pop a pill or take a potion and expect instant relief.

In the short term, this might work, but Matt Church offers a more long-term solution. In High Life, he focuses on ways to feel good every day of the year. Drawing on scientific research, Church explains in easily accessible language how our body chemistry works and how it comes to be out of balance. He goes on to offer practical, straightforward ways to rebalance and maintain a healthy chemistry.

Readers are shown how to map their current chemical balance profile and how to understand the results, before being given page after page of practical techniques to improve wellbeing. There are no magic potions or miracle cures here, but there are manageable and effective ways to increase energy and well being.

Matt Church is one of Australia’s leading conference speakers and a recognised specialist on productivity and burnout. You can learn more about him by visit by visiting His website.

Third Take, by Raffaele Caputo & Geoff Burton (eds)

With much regularly written about Australian films and the Australian film industry by journalists and critics, it is refreshing to have an entire book given over to the subject from the perspective of the film-makers themselves. Third Take presents a collection of articles by and interviews with Australian film-makers, exploring the place of Australian film in today’s globalised society.

Contributors include those working in the industry in Australia as well as those who have chosen to work the United States. An entire section is devoted to the classic film Newsfront (elsewhere reviewed on this site), a film which iteself looks at the birth of the Australian film industry.

Contributors to Third Take include Peter Weir (director of Gallipoli, The Truman Show and Green Card, among many others), John Seale (cinematographer on such films as Dead Poet’s Scoiety, Lorenzo’s Oil and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone) and actor Bill Hunter (Newsfront, Gallipoli and An Indecent Obsession.

Editors Raffaele Caputo and Geoff Burton are both well-acquainted with the Australian film industry, with Caputo a writer on film for over fifteen years and Burton working continuously in the film industry for thirty three years.

Third Take is an enlightening volume for those with a passion for Australian film.

Third Take: Australian Film-Makers Talk, Raffaele Caputo & Geoff Burton (eds)
Allen & Unwin, 2002

Studying Part Time Without Stress, by Teresa De Fazio

Studying part time means juggling all areas of your life – work, relationships, family life, social life and other interests, along with fitting in time to make a go of whatever course you are undertaking. For those returning or contemplating a return to study, it can be a daunting prospect.

Studying Part Time without Stress is a no-nonsense guide to coping with these competing demands and making the most of your time. It gives practical advice on ways to make the experience a rewarding one for yourself and for those around you.

As well as chapters on choosing what and how to study, there are sections devoted to identifying your learning style, effectively organising your time, writing assignments and more. For those who have been away from study for a length of time, there is clear advice on how to write notes, essays and reports, how to correctly reference these, and how to locate suitable resources.

Appendices to the book include a list of useful print and electronic resources, note taking short cuts, weekly study schedule templates, glossaries and more.

Theresa De Fazio is a teacher at the Centre for educational Development and Support at Victoria University. She is the author of Studying in Australia (1999) and managed to find time to write this book while teaching, conducting research for her doctoral thesis and looking after a young family. Studying Part Time Without Stress is aimed at students taking courses at all levels of college and university and will help you succeed in your study.

Studying Part Time Without Stress, by Teresa De Fazio
Allen & Unwin, 2002.

Going Solo in Your Own Small Business, by John English

Do you dream of being your own boss? Of working at something you love, answering only to yourself? The dream of running a small business of their own is one thousands of Australian’s share, yet many lack the knowledge to make that dream a reality.

Going Solo in Your Own small Business, by John English, may be the book that brings you to make the leap from working for someone else to working for yourself in your own small business.

In this handy guide, English guides the reader through the process of deciding to go into a small business, to deciding what sort of business to set up, and through the many considerations and realities of the daily running of a solo business. There is advice on registering business names, gaining appropriate permits, utilising your own skills as well as those of others, paying taxes, managing money and much much more.

English presents his information in a manner so straightforward and practical it is akin to having a personal business advisor standing next to you. He continually challenges the readers to consider how his advice applies to their own situation.

John English has created and run several small businesses of his own. He is an associate Professor in the Faculty of Commerce at the University of Tasmania, a Certified Practising accountant and a business consultant. His previous books include How to Organise and Operate a Small Business in Australia and Australian Stockmarket Investor.

Going Solo in Your Own Business will help you turn your dream of independence into a reality.

Going Solo in Your Own Small Business, by John English
Allen & Unwin, 2002

The Australian Guide to Online Business, by Tony Stevenson

If your business does not have an online presence, then you are probably missing out on a range of opportunities to promote your business and increase your sales. If your business does not yet have a website you may be concerned about how to go about setting it up, maintaining it and why you even need a website.

The Australian Guide to Online Business is a comprehensive guide to setting up a business website, by internet maestro, Tony Stevenson.

Stevenson begins by discussing the reasons for having a website – from making direct sales, to simply outlining services and directing customers to your brick and mortar premises. The different kinds of website are clearly explained.

The book then goes on to explore how to go about setting up a website. Practicalities such as registering a domain name and finding a host are clearly explained, and readers are given advice about deciding who will design and maintain the website and how. The possibilities of using web design software as opposed to paying someone to do the designing are discussed.

In part three of the book, Stevenson explains how and why a website must be marketed. Getting and maintaining search engine rankings, using web rings and web directories, attracting customers, using mailing lists and a range of other marketing suggestions are explored, before the final section of the book discusses the maintenance issues associated with running a web site.

Stevenson does not paint the running of the website as an easy task, but shows how it can be done, and why it is such an essential part of any modern business. His book is packed with practical examples, screen shots, useful URLs and common sense information.

The Australian Guide to Online Business is an essential resource for any one considering setting up a web site, and for those businesses who believe that they don’t need one.

The Australian Guide to Online Business, by Tony Stevenson
Pearson Education, 2001