Cirrus@Austlit

'In Legends of the Track: Australia's champion jockeys and trainers, best-selling author Alan Whiticker tells the stories of 25 modern-era horse racing greats.

'This book celebrates the careers of champions trainers such as Bart Cummings, Tommy Smith, Colin Hayes, Gai Waterhouse, Lee Freedman and Chris Waller, and features interviews with the best jockeys of the modern era – Ron Quinton, Darren Beadman, Shane Dye, Hugh Bowman, Damien Oliver, Glen Boss and James McDonald.

'With full career statistics for each chapter and dozens of rare photos, Legends of the Track details the greatest achievements in a wonderful sporting era of Australian horse racing.' (Publication summary)

'Most people know Pat Webster as the incredibly successful trainer of Happy Clapper, the first horse in history to win the ‘big three’ Randwick miles. However his life was anything but easy. His fledgling career as a jockey was cut tragically short after a fall during a race and, after starting a family with the love of his life, to almost losing his son to the ravages of drug abuse. With strength, wit and perseverance Pat turned his misfortune into success: a winning stable, and a life-changing role as a mentor for young jockeys, trainers and stable hands.

'Don’t Die Wondering - The Pat Webster Story is a tale of a man who never gave up, who made something from nothing, and used his experience and knowledge to change the lives of those around him. Pat Webster is determined to give back to the sport that has given him so much. An accredited drugs and alcohol counsellor with Racing industry, Pat mentors young jockeys about the demands of their career and the perils of early success. Pat is also an ambassador for the Racing Mates initiative which supports country racing communities struggling to survive in the most unforgiving of sports.

'A unique Australia Story from a dirt poor upbringing in the country to a successful trainer along the way he has rubbed shoulders with millionaires and battlers.'

Source : publisher's blurb

'DEREK PERCY - Australian Psycho is the story of Australia’s ultimate ‘cold case’ police investigation. In 1969, Derek Ernest Percy was captured after the abduction and murder of a 12-year-old school girl near a lonely beach on Melbourne’s Mornington Peninsula. Found not guilty of murder on the grounds of insanity, Percy was detained at the ‘governor’s pleasure’ and was Victoria’s longest serving prisoner deemed too dangerous to be released.'

Source : publication summary

'There's a difference between belief and ego ..you've got to have a little bit of ego in this game...I think I've proved I'm no flash in the pan; I have a career and I can sell a tour ... I've come so far, and yet there's so far still to travel.'

'Driven to succeed, it was Shannon Noll's passion for music and his unfailing self- belief that led him to fame in the first season of Australian Idol in 2003. After finishing runner-up, the hard work started and for the next ten years Shannon toured, recorded, made mistakes and finally took charge of his career. Shannon remains the only Australian male artist to have ten consecutive singles in the top ten ARIA charts.

'Shannon Noll captured the hearts of music fans around Australia and overseas with his raw, gifted rock voice. His first album 'That's What I'm Talking About' debuted in the Australian chart at Number One and included the smash-hit 'What About Me'. He repeated that feat with his second album, 'Lift' and hit single, 'Shine'.

'Shannon Noll: So Far tells the whole story... brother, son, husband, father... the journey from his early days on the family farm near Condobolin and as an unknown singer to one of Australia's premier recording and performing artists.

'This book also explores the pain the Noll family suffered with the loss of their father, Neil, Shannon's subsequent depression and drug usage and the battles he waged against his critics and the music industry. Full of showbiz anecdotes and country philosophy, the book also displays Shannon's private side... the powerful bond he built with his brothers, his relationship with and marriage to Rochelle, the mother of his three young children. ' (Publication summary)