Cirrus@Austlit

'Cyclone Tracy demolished Darwin, capital of the Northern Territory when it struck during the night of Christmas Eve and Christmas Morning, 1974. Over almost ten hours the small, intense, but slow-moving weather system left a swathe of destruction across the entire town. Few buildings escaped. Sixty-six people died, many of them on vessels which put to sea, while many hundreds were injured. The destruction of essential services made a reduction in the population of about 40,000 imperative and what followed was the greatest peacetime evacuation of an Australian community with nearly 10,000 leaving by road and more than 20,000 evacuated by air. Every survivor has a story and just over 50 of them have responded to the invitation to tell theirs, some for the first time, in their own words.' (Publication summary)

'This is a history and a travelogue to Sumbawa, Indonesia, released on the eve of the bicentenary of the largest eruption in recorded history – Mt Tambora with a VEI of 7 was ten times the size of the more famous Krakatau. It erupted on 10th April 1815 with dramatic impact on the East Indies and across the world: it changed the global climate for at least three years (known as the “Year Without Summer”) and the world reeled from its long lasting effects: more than 100,000 Indonesians died from the event or from the disease and famine that followed: millions were affected worldwide through starvation, disease and death; it caused the total the destruction of the Tamboran culture, language and people; massive European emigration; numerous floods and/or droughts; religious fervour and the creation of a new religion; the invention of the bicycle; the ‘westward ho!” wagon trains in the US; magnificent art; the birth of science fiction and Frankenstein; widespread riots and political instability; coloured snow and frosts in mid-summer.

'The author outlines the history of this largely unknown mountain, travels to Sumbawa and watches four year old jockeys racing horses, wades knee deep through a million jellyfish, meets royalty and unintelligible surfers and climbs the mountain and discusses the effects of world climate change on a population that is far from ready, even today.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.

'By turns reflective, tragic and hilarious, Turn Left at the Devil Tree is the story of a visiting teacher in remote Aboriginal Australia. Accompanied by a ‘rough-tough hunting dog’ named Turkey, Derek Pugh founded several outstation schools in the most isolated parts of Arnhem Land.

'Spending many years among the people and wildlife of the Top End of the Northern Territory, Derek Pugh reveled in the lifestyle and freedom of the bush and gained an insight into a traditional culture which has been witnessed by only a few outsiders. Told with respect and candor Turn Left at the Devil Tree is Pugh’s ‘slice of history’. ' (Publisher's blurb)