Cirrus@Austlit

'Barry Hill, prize-winning author of social history and poetry, and skilled in numerous other literary traditions, has written a book about Uluru that reminds me of a Mountain Devil lizard—a bit on the prickly side, and with an amazing ability to change colour. One can be irritated by the former, bedazzled by the latter. I make this point at the outset: it is worth hurdling those aspects with which you disagree to appreciate the rest. Whereas Stanley Breeden's book is one that suggests quiet and close observation, and a gentle 'working together' with Anangu people, Hill's book often questions, asserts, confronts and challenges. Hill undoubtedly has the capacity to quietly listen and closely observe, yet he prefers a dialogue with the country, with people of the past whose records can be studied, with Anangu and other friends, and with strangers. This is not a bad thing, but it means that you, the reader, are required to engage your critical faculties, not just go along for the ride.' (Introduction)

'This is the first coffee-table book about a Central Australian artist. It is superbly illustrated with photographs of his works, contains a further range of interesting photographs, maps and sketches, and altogether is a fine publication. At $80 it is not a cheap book, but it compares favourably with similar works, and is more substantial than most'  (Introduction)

Barbara Henson's biography is aptly titled: Pastor Friedrich Wilhelm Albrecht undoubtedly was 'a straight-out man'. The author traces Albrecht's life from his birth to German parents in Planawice, Poland, in 1894 to his death in Adelaide, Australia, ninety years later. His parents' life as farmers, his lameness from the age of twelve which meant that he spent much time reading Lutheran tracts, and his war service as a stretcher-bearer, all undoubtedly influenced his life as a Lutheran pastor in Central Australia. He was a steadfast man, dependable, brave, a staunch Lutheran and also, as one of the Devil's own flock stated, a rarity amongst the Lutherans at Hermannsburg mission in that he could mix with anyone and had a sense of humour (pers. comm., the late Bryan Bowman ; also p p 119-20). Bryan considered that it was Albrecht's war service that had given him a strong sense of the strengths and weaknesses of human nature, and contributed to his tolerance and sense-of humour.'  (Introduction)