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| BLOKEY BUZZ |
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| Welcome to everyone who has a dad, granddad, great-granddad or really good brothers and uncles worth spoiling! This year we have put together the perfect selection of titles for Father's Day, 6th of September. High on the hit list we have four very special gift packs: one for dad's who like a good BBQ and Beer, one for dads who are into maritime and military history, one for dads who enjoy a really good read, featuring tales from Africa and some Jeffrey Archer and one for Australian history buffs. If you have a dad with a sense of the bizarre, you should definitely take a look at 1001 Ridiculous Ways to Die, or if there are any fans of a good thriller, don't miss our special deal on the Matthew Reilly Platinum Collection. We also have a fabulous competition to win a trip to the Barossa for two when you purchase any one of eight selected titles. If you're still curious to browse around, we have separated our best titles into four main categories: Sports and Recreation, Biographies and History, Fiction and Gifts. Within each of these you will find a range of books to suit a variety of interests and tastes - we are just about certain there is something for every dad to be found among them. Don't forget you can always navigate using 'In This Issue' to the right and everything in this newsletter is at least 20% of the retail price! The books in our newsletter are only a few of the titles we have specially selected for your dads - click here to see them all. Many of the titles are in stock, ready to order, but please allow plenty of time for our warehouse to get your gift there in time for the special day - if you order before August 14 we can guarantee in stock titles will be delivered before that all important first Sunday in September. Happy giving, Karen Coleman Managing Editor Booktopia |
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| 2 BOOKS IN 1 PACK: BBQ AND BEER |
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  2 BOOKS IN 1 PACK: MY GRILL and BEERIN STOCK MY GRILL: FOOD FOR THE BARBECUE by Pete Evans SIGNED COPIES of My Grill Pete Evans started cooking seriously when his brother and mate opened up a restaurant in Brighton, Victoria. Fresh out of high school, until that time Evans had been flipping burgers in between catching waves - and he still tries to chase a wave whenever he gets the chance. There's been a few adventures since that first Restaurant, The Pantry, first opened. Evan's was the man behind Hugo's at Bondi, the hugely popular Sydney restaurant that went on to become Hugo's Lounge Bar, Hugo's Bar Pizza and Hugo's at Manly. My Grill is Evans' third book after My Table and Fish, meanwhile this busy man has also found time to appear on the Lifestyle channel and channel nine's FRESH. In this book Evans presents three chapters of sizzling recipes starting with a weekend away, through a lazy afternoon barbecue and finishing with a slightly more stylish evening affair. These beautifully illustrated recipes range from simple dishes like baked eggs with chorizo to a light Thai beef salad and a scrumptious parmesan and sage crusted pork cutlet. Each chapter also contains cocktails to add a little fuel to the fire. Booktopia's Toni Whitmont spoke to Pete about his latest book, My Grill. Click here to listen to this interview. BEER by Greg Duncan Powell Greg Duncan Powell is a professional drinker. He lives on the south coast of NSW where wine and beer companies send things for him to taste and he writes about them if he thinks it's any good. That doesn't take up too much of the day so he also spends time surfing, playing guitar and watering the vegie garden. At university he wrote a thesis on marriage in twelfth century France and he always wanted to be a professional musician or a farmer. In this comprehensive beer guide Powell, um, taps (forgive me) into the growing obsession with boutique beers and breweries. He also covers the ever-increasing array of mass-market beers, acting as your tour guide through the dizzying array of amber liquids. Powell discusses how beer is made, providing a short history of brewing and taste-testing as many samples as the author could lay his hands on. Drawing on a fuel theme, these are categorised from 'Light (Unleaded)' - reduced alcohol beers, through to 'Biofuel' - boutique brews. Powell has also written two other books, Breakfast: Food Worth Getting Out of Bed For, and The Pig, The Olive and the Squid. He has also written a number of cookbooks with Ben Canaider, together they have been dubbed 'the Roy and HG' of wine biz'. Click here to read a Sydney Morning Herald article on the boys, or click here to see some of their collaborative titles. Click here to buy this special pack. |
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| 2 BOOKS IN 1 PACK : THE SEARCH FOR SYDNEY AND A MERCIFUL JOURNEY |
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  2 BOOKS IN 1 PACK: THE SEARCH FOR THE SYDNEY and A MERCIFUL JOURNEYWILL BE IN STOCK ON MONDAY AUGUST 17 THE SEARCH FOR THE SYDNEY by David L Mearns SIGNED COPIES of The Search for The Sydney Mearns has 23 years experience as a shipwreck hunter. Among his accomplishments, he can list the Lucona, the deepest shipwreck ever found at over 5,000 metres under the sea. In this his second book, Mearns tells the story of uncovering the glory ship of the then fledgling Australian Navy: the HMAS Sydney. On 19 November 1941 the Sydney encountered a German raider, the Kormoran, in the Indian Ocean off WA and a violent battle ensued leaving the Kormoran destroyed. The Sydney was glimpsed sailing off the horizon on fire, shell-damaged and torpedo-wounded in the bow. 66 years later Mearns and his team were among the first to set eyes on her again. Using all his talents as a detective engineer marine scientist and war archivist, he navigated clues, conspiracy theories, maddening technical problems and cyclones, until finding the Sydney again in 2008. In this book Mearns is finally able to reveal what really happened on that fateful day in November, accompanied by stunning historical photographs, detailed maps and imagery of a full-scale model of the cruiser. This book will delight enthusiasts as well as general readers with its tale of adventure on the high seas. A MERCIFUL JOURNEY by Marsden Hordern Horden has written a number of books on Australia's naval history, his passion is the great explorers, from the Beagle to Australia's first Admirals. His research first began when he served as an officer of the Royal Australian Navy in the South-West Pacific during the Second World War. In A Merciful Journey Hordern tells the story of his own experiences on the sea, beginning in 1939 when his mother refused to sign the paper allowing her seventeen-year-old son to fight with the Royal Australian Air Force. She claimed, 'I did not rear you to be killed in an aeroplane, join the navy.' Hordern took her advice and patrolled the shores of Japanese-held territory in small patrol boats, Fairmiles and a Harbour Defence Motor Launch, assisting beleaguered commandos in Timor, and finally helped collect Japanese prisoners of war from the islands. In A Merciful Journey Hordern presents a vivid account of his life from a happy childhood in Sydney during the Great Depression, to his years in the Navy from 1942 to 1947. Drawing on the letters and journals he wrote at the time, Hordern recounts his rise from a young sub-lieutenant to lieutenant in command of his own ship. He recalls his hopes and fears, and, in the face of the horrors of war, reveals an enthusiasm for new experiences and growing love of the sea. Click here to read a full review of A Merciful Journey on The Australian Public Intellectual Network. Click here to buy this special pack. |
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| 2 BOOKS IN 1 PACK: IVORY AND CAT O' NINE TAILS |
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  2 BOOKS IN 1 PACK: IVORY and CAT O' NINE TAILS IN STOCK IVORY By Tony Park SIGNED COPIES of Ivory Lovers of an action thriller need look no further than Ivory. Tony Park is an Australian author with a passion for Africa, and he lives his passion, spending six months of every year holed up in a tent with a laptop, researching and writing. He also draws on his experience in the Australian Army Reserves, including active service in Afghanistan, so that both the animal and human action all ring true. Tony Park presents us with an adrenalin charged story that has very broad appeal. He is an engaging and entertaining raconteur. Click here to listen to him in conversation with Booktopia's Toni Whitmont. In the meantime, read on for the story outline. Alex Tremain is a pirate in trouble. The two women in his life - one of them his financial adviser, the other his diesel mechanic - have left him. He's facing a mounting tide of debts and his crew of modern-day buccaneers, a multi-national band of ex-military cut-throats, is getting restless. They don't all share his dream of going legit, but what Alex really wants is to re-open the five-star resort hotel which once belonged to his Portuguese mother and English father on the Island of Dreams, off the coast of Mozambique. A chance raid on a wildlife smuggling ship sets the Chinese triads after him and, to add to his woes, corporate lawyer Jane Humphries lands, literally, in his lap. Another woman is the last thing Captain Tremain needs right now - especially one whose lover is a ruthless shipping magnate backed up by a deadly bunch of contract killers. What Alex really needs is one last big heist - something valuable enough to fulfil his dreams and set him and his men up for life. When the South African government makes a controversial decision to reinstitute the culling of elephants in its national parks, Alex finds the answer to his dilemma - three tonnes of ivory. CAT O' NINE TAILS By Jeffrey Archer Jeffrey Archer has been a force of fiction since 1975. Hailed by Time Magazine as a 'master entertainer', Archer has now sold 250 million copies of his books worldwide. The less well-understood side of Archer's past occurred in 1999, when he was selected as Conservative Party Candidate for London's Mayor but soon after withdrew his candidacy, having been charged with perjury and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice. He was sentenced for four years, but was released after two. Click here to read an interview with Archer on his time in prison and life afterwards. Cat O' Nine Tails is the sixth collection of short stories from this master storyteller. These delicious plots feature the mad, the bad and the dangerous as well as a few poignant characters. Many of these stories have a prison theme - inspired by Archer's time locked away - others were inspired since his release, overall they are simply an engrossing storyteller at his best. Click here to read an extract. Click here to buy this special pack. |
If you liked this you might also like...  For those Dads who don't mind a good travel story, you could also try White Demon, a first-hand account of a modern Antarctic adventure, Birdsville: My Year in the Middle of Nowhere, about life in Australia's most isolated towns and A Theory of Moments, about a bipolar sufferer who restarts his life by backpacking through South America and Africa. |
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| GREAT TITLES FROM PETER FITZSIMONS |
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 THE BALLAD OF LES DARCYBy Peter FitzSimons IN STOCK The author of 17 books in 14 years, ex-rugby pro, father of three and popular media personality - Fitzsimons finds time for a lot of things. In this new paperback edition of one of his books now only available second-hand, Australia's great 'Blacksmith Boxer' is brought to life for a generation who never knew him. This hero of World War 1 was pressured to become the icon 'in a uniform' that would inspire Australian men to 'march to hell behind him'. The story of Darcy's reluctance to join such a procession, or such a destination, unfold as he attempted to continue what he had been doing before the war began - taking on the best boxers the world could throw at him, and lifting his family out of poverty. Torn between duty to his family, and duty to his country, Darcy made his choice - and faced the consequences. Fitzsimons tells this ballad of love, war, betrayal, mystery, patriotism and heroism with power and humanity. Click here to read an article on how Fitzsimons achieves balance in his lifestyle. Click here to buy this book.  2 BOOKS IN 1 PACK: Charles Kingsford Smith and Those Magnificent Men AND Whale WarriorsIN STOCK We have SIGNED copies of Charles Kingsford Smith and Those Magnificent Men in hardback in stock now. Booktopia has put these two compelling tales together at one incredibly attractive price. The Charles Kingsford Smith, unsigned is normally $50, together you are getting at least $78 worth of books for just $49.95. What a great gift idea! CHARLES KINGSFORD SMITH AND THOSE MAGNIFICENT MEN by Peter Fitzsimons Peter FitzSimons' consummate skill is to plunge the reader so completely within the pages of his non-fiction books that you are right there in the thick of the action with him, blissfully convinced you are on the picnic rug with John Eales asking Lara to marry him or facing off against Rommel's Afrika Corps. Well, if he mastered that technique with his John's Eales' biography or with Tobruk, he has absolutely perfected it with Charles Kingsford Smith and Those Magnificent Men. I was right there with Smithy as he brought the Southern Cross in to land in Fiji with just a couple of gallons of fuel spare, locals scattering in fear of this strange giant bird descending on them and a his navigator Warner, naked from the waist down after a rather unfortunate mid-air "plumbing" accident, falling through the fragile fuselage out onto the rough turf much to the bemusement of the onlooking, gin and tonic quaffing aristocracy on the balcony of the nearby Grand Pacific Hotel. FitzSimons has written a wonderful book, and there is no denying he certainly had the material to work with. Charles Kingsford Smith, who went down with his plane in the Andaman Sea in 1935, at the age of 38, lived his life to the absolute fullest. This was the age of the great air races and the Red Baron, of tales of daring do and of dashing deeds. But Smithy was much more than that - he fought at Gallipoli and was shot down over France, after which he won a military cross for gallantry. He was a stunt pilot in the US and was lost for two weeks after crashing in the Kimberley. And he put Australia firmly on the map of the bold pioneers of aviation, and so the modern world. Charles Kingsford Smith and Those Magnificent Men makes for an absolute page turner of a read and is a must for anyone interested in Australia, history, aviation or pushing the boundaries of what is thought possible. Booktopia had the great pleasure of talking to Peter FitzSimons. He is a fascinating raconteur. Click here to watch Peter FitzSimons in conversation with Booktopia. WHALE WARRIORS by Peter Heller In December 2005 journalist Peter Heller arrived in Melbourne to join a pirate ship, the Farley Mowat on its mission to save whales in Antarctica. The crew of eco−crusaders who fly this Jolly Roger use a steel blade they call the ′can opener′ to ram whaling fleets and dismiss Greenpeace as ′Avon ladies′. They face gale−force winds‚ monster swells and a monotonously vegan diet as they find themselves at the centre of an international whaling war‚ where stakes are high and there is no turning back. Written with pace and humour, The Whale Warriors is a gripping adventure story set on the high seas. Click here to buy this special pack. |
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| SPECIAL PACK OF REILLYS |
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   3 BOOKS IN 1 PACK: ICE STATION, AREA 7 and SCARECROWThe Platinum Collection By Matthew Reilly These three in the Shane Schofield series begin with Ice Station, at the edge of the earth, in blinding white-outs and deadly winds. There, in Wilkes Station, a team of U.S. divers vanishes and a team of Marines is sent out to find them. As things begin to heat up waves of elite military assassins begin to arrive, each in search of a secret buried deep beneath the ice. In Area 7 and Scarecrow Shane continues solving military secrets in the Utah desert and some gritty urban landscapes. Published in over 20 countries, over 3.5 million copies of Reilly's books have been  sold around the world. Apart from being an internationally bestselling author, it turns out that Reilly is also a huge movie geek. He owns an extensive range of memorabilia, including: a life-sized replica of Han Solo encased in carbonite (Return of the Jedi), a DeLorean DMC-12 car (Back to the Future), a very rare Jango Fett replica helmet (Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones) and a replica of the Chachapoyan fertility idol (Raiders of the Lost Ark).Click here to buy this special pack. Reilly in his DeLorean (Image from Reilly's website) Four of Reilly's other classic titles have also been released in the Platinum Collection editions. Click here to watch a book trailer for Six Sacred Stones.     The Six Sacred Stones (2007)Seven Ancient Wonders (2005) Scarecrow (2003 Area 7 (2001) Temple (1999) Ice Station (1998) Contest (1996) Click on the title to buy these books.  THE FIVE GREATEST WARRIORSBy Matthew Reilly PRE-ORDER FOR OCTOBER Not the title for Father's Day perhaps, but certainly one to remember for Reilly fans. The next in The Six Sacred Stones series is on the way. Jack West Jnr and his team have been separated, their mission is in tatters, and Jack was last seen plummeting to his death. That's a bad day on the job. But after surviving this fall, Jack must race against his many enemies to locate The Machine and put in place the remaining pieces to stave off Armageddon. Meanwhile five warriors, individuals who have been most connected with this quest throughout history, are about to enter the scene. There's revenge, family feuds and the end of the world - what more does a good book need? Click here to pre-order this book. |
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| 1001 RIDICULOUS WAYS TO DIE |
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 1001 RIDICULOUS WAYS TO DIEBy David Southwell, Matt Adams IN STOCK Those with a sense of the macabre, will get a good tickle out of this book. Featuring highly: there are an awful lot of previously unknown heart conditions triggered by surprising events, such as the cricketer who fielded a ball in the chest and the failing poet who suddenly learnt he had been appointed a Professor of literature. Accidental falls also recur rather frequently, as in the skydiver who mistakenly jumped into a passing glider, killing both himself and the glider pilot and the man walking under a bridge who died when a tourist dropped a video camera on his head. Certainly know your audience when giving this book, as I have to admit, it wasn't my cup of tea (writing the review gave me a slightly queasy feeling in the stomach) but, in the time it took me to write, two colleagues have already placed their orders. Click here to buy this book. |
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| SPORTS AND RECREATION |
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  In this section you will find something for just about every Dad in some variety of jumping, hunting, hitting, chasing, tackling and many more recreational sports in between. For all those into working with their hands, you could try DIY Know How with Show How 2nd edition (IN STOCK), or Tools (IN STOCK).Click here to browse all of our Father's Day selected titles in Sports and Recreation. |
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| THE WIDE WORLD OF KEN SUTCLIFFE | TRUE COLOURS | |
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 Ken Sutcliffe, Ian HeadsIN STOCK Ken Sutcliffe began commentating sport as a radio DJ in his home town of Mudgee. It was not until 1982, sixteen years after his initial debut that Sutcliffe would begin the Wide World of Sports and travel the globe hosting everything from Summer and Winter Olympics to Wimbledon and the State of Origin. He's been an icon of Australian lounge rooms for thirty years. He is the face of sport in an industry notorious for its fickleness, and has worked with some of the biggest names in both Australian television and sport; Graeme Kennedy nicknamed him 'Two Dogs' while others have affectionately referred to him as the 'Male Model from Mudgee'. His life is a timeline of landmark events in Australian sport and television, and with Ian Heads' help, he tells it with humour and larrikin charm. How a boy living in a tent beside a railway line became one of our most familiar faces and respected names makes for a great Australian story. Click here to read an article detailing more of Sutcliffe's life. Ian Heads is a Rugby League historian, click here to hear an interview on ABC radio with him. Click here to buy this book. |  Adam GilchristIN STOCK Some quick facts: Gilchrist was born in Bellingen NSW, he bats left-handed and bowls with a right-arm offbreak and in his first ever international game Steve Waugh gave him the pivotal position of opening batsman. In that game he scored 100 against South Africa and since then, has played a significant part in redefining the role of an opening batsman in One Day Internationals. Apart from his outstanding skill as a wicketkeeper/batsman, Gilchrist stands out for the way he plays the game - with integrity and a sense of values that some suspected had departed the game forever. In True Colours Gilchrist writes of his life with honesty, intelligence, compassion and humour, taking the reader into the world of cricket as few outside the Australian team have ever seen. From his early struggles, through to his achievements on the Australian test and one-day sides, True Colours offers an extraordinary window into Gilchrist, many of cricket's major stars and on the game itself. Click here to visit Gilchrist's website, where you will also find information about the Foundations he supports and a scholarship he sponsors for young aspiring Australian cricketers. Click here to buy this book. If your Dad loves the cricket and it's heroes, Booktopia also recommends Line and Strength: The Complete Glenn McGrath Story and Homegrown Wickets (all of which are IN STOCK). If he's after a bit more scandal in his reading, you could also look at Shane Warne and Imran Kahn. | |
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| LUXURY TOYS | THE BIG BOOK OF TOP GEAR 2009 | |
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 Borja de MiguelIN STOCK This sumptuous coffee table book offers a selection of extremely affluent playthings for every taste from Aston Martins and Ferriti yachts to Gulfstrema private jets and Bentleys. A gateway into the lifestyle of the rich and famous, this escape into dreamland is separated into chapters such as Motor Yachts, Sail Yachts, Modern Cars, Classic Cars and Business Jets. The 350 colour photographs are all-engrossing in themselves, as with those of the Wally Wallypower 118, the world's fastest motor yacht, which appears as a knife slicing through the waves beneath it. This boat's glass finished deckhouse shines in the sun, and each of the staterooms (it sleeps 12) has its own en suite and dressing room. Or, if water sports don't take your fancy, there's always the silver Rolls-Royce Phantom, a variation on the classic Rolls-Royce with modern design and technology, plus rear doors that open toward the back so you can slip in and out easily. The Cessna Citation x, Jaguar xKR, Porsche Carrera GT, Lamborghini and Maserati sports cars are just a few of the other man-made wonders featured, perfect for any Dad who has an ambitious imagination. Click here to buy this book. If your Dad is more particularly into cars, you could try The Illustrated Encyclopedia of Extraordinary Automobiles (IN STOCK). |  Richard PorterIN STOCK If your dad likes the Top Gear show and would love an extra giggle on the side, this is perfect. The Big Book of Top Gear is packed with extras and tit-bits from the TV programme. Among other things you will find, 27 previously unknown facts about The Stig, some of the most powerful cars ever to attack the track, the raunchy story of Richard Hammond's love affair with a small Opel, an essential guide to Man-style sheds for the modern gentleman, everything you wanted to know, but never found out, about Top Gear's most exciting trips and comprehensive, fully illustrated arguments against both public transport and the humble caravan. Everyone from teenagers to granddads will appreciate this hilarious annual. Click here to see a Rod Hunt illustration from the book featuring Jeremey Clarkson, Richard Hammond, James May & The Stig, as well as cars from the show. Click here to buy this book. Richard Hammond's autobiography, As You Do, is also now available, or your Dad might also appreciate Go Like Hell: Ford and Ferrari and their Battle for Speed and Glory, or Peter Brock: How Good is This (IN STOCK). | |
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| IMRAN KAHN | OCCY | FISHING SEASON | ||
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 The Cricketer, The Playboy, the PoliticianChristopher Sandford I guess some great things do begin with leopard print satin trousers. In November 1974, Cricketer International wrote about new elite young talented players, fashion and pop music - bent on challenging cricket's eternal stereotypes. Of the five featured stars on the cover, 21-year-old Kahn wore a tight black shirt and those infamous trousers, plus a large dose of self-confidence. Khan's strong convictions have always made him a controversial figure. From his achievements on the cricket field as Pakistan's captain, capturing the World Cup and the game's best all-rounder in history, through to his racy social life - practising Muslim boogieing on the dance floor of Annabel's, and praise from Diana Princess of Wales, close friend of his then wife Jemima Goldsmith - his story is full of colour and contradictions. Sandford has approached his biography from the variety of people who have known Kahn over the years: Geoff Boycott, Javed Miandad, Mike Brearley, David Gower and John Major through to Nelson Mandela, Eric Clapton, Mick Jagger, John Major, Keith Richards, and Pakistan's General Musharraf. Khan and his ex-wife Jemima were also interviewed for the book. Click here to buy this book. |  Mark Occhilupo, Tim BakerNew to paperback, this book tells the story of Mark Occhilupo, a child star at 16, ranked third in the world at 17, and poised to take his radical, spontaneous, irresistible brand of surfing straight to the top. However, a spiralling descent into drug abuse and depression prematurely ended his ascent to fame and glory when he quit the pro tour at just 22. The surfing community could only watch as this talented young man shattered in a series of spectacular bursts of free-surfing, and manic breakdowns. Cocooned on the couch for years afterwards, Occy eventually emerged reborn and ready to tackle a whole new generation of surf stars. His celebrated comeback to win the world title in 1999 is a sporting legend. In this no-holds-barred account, Occy tells the complete, remarkable story of his spectacular rise, terrifying fall, and miraculous rebirth. Click here to buy this book. Occy is also IN STOCK in hardback, click here to buy Occy in hardback. |  Philip WeigallIN STOCK In Fishing Season, Philip Weigall captures the spirit of flyfishing that makes it a passion for so many. In this reflective book, Weigall engrosses the reader in challenges, victories, disappointments, frustrations and the quiet happiness that is the heart and soul of this pastime. Covering the year in its seasons, as they exist for a flyfisher Weigall ponders why an organised fly box is rarer than a 10-pound trout, and why you should think before offering to net someone else's fish, and how it is that, sometimes, the unlikeliest waters have the most to offer. Weigall is a flyfishing guide and instructor and fishes and travels as often as he can. He has been writing regularly on all things flyfishing for twenty years and is presently a columnist and feature writer for Freshwater Fishing magazine, and editor of Flyfisher magazine. Fishing Season is his sixth book. Click here to buy this book. If your dad would like this, your might also be interested in How to Catch a Fish and Cook It, or The Australian Fisherman's Companion (both of which are IN STOCK). | ||
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| BIOGRAPHIES AND HISTORY |
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  Here we have a non-fiction collection with something to suit every taste. There are entertainment biographies, political biographies, true crime books, ancient histories, economic histories and military histories. If none of them scream your Dad, you could try the fabulous Clive James' The Revolt of the Pendulum, or an answer to The God Delusion - The Genesis Enigma (IN STOCK), or even a short history of our evolution in Manthropology (IN STOCK). Finally you might find The Dangerous Book of Heroes would be the perfect collection for your paternal hero.Click here to browse all of our Father's Day selected titles in Biographies and History. |
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| AS YOU DO | THE COSTELLO MEMOIRS | MAFIA | ||
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 Richard HammondIN STOCK Hammond wrote his first autobiography On The Edge after he suffered a serious brain injury on the set of Top Gear testing a jet car at high speeds (288.3 mph, 464.0 km/h). Almost six months later, he was back on screen showing the footage of the crash in the first episode of series 9. He was greeted with a hero's welcome, complete with dancing girls, aeroplane stairs and fireworks. He told his colleagues 'the only difference between me now, and before the crash, is that I like celery now and I didn't before'. In As You Do, Hammond chronicles his life since these events in characteristic wry, honest and often hilarious style. Presenter of Arctic Explorer and one third of the BBC's Top Gear team, Hammond continues to fill his life with stunts and drama. From a race to the North Pole (with skis and dog-sled) to a journey through Botswana in a car named Oliver, and a seventeen-mile run through floods to his Gloucestershire home to get to his daughter's birthday party, life is eventful to say the least... With boundless optimism and humour, Hammond writes about a life (and a job) which constantly present a challenge. Click here to buy this book. Another similar biography worth looking at is Michael J. Fox's Always Looking Up. Or for something a little different, try INXS Story to Story IN STOCK. |  Peter Costello, Peter ColemanNew to paperback, this is Costello's memoirs of his eighteen-years as Australia's longest serving Treasurer. As Deputy leader of the Liberal Party, he worked with John Howard, Alexander Downer, John Hewson and Andrew Peacock. Costello tells how liberal leaders architectured the GST, eliminated public sector debt and supported a republic Reconciliation. As a fiscal conservative and social progressive Costello offers insight into his partnership with John Howard, their four election victories and the longest period of economic prosperity in Australian history. He also details how and why, despite a booming economy, the Liberals suffered a devastating defeat in 2007. Peter Coleman is a former member of Parliament and editor of the Bulletin and Quadrant, and also happens to be Costello's father-in-law. The Costello Memoirs offers readers an unprecedented insider's view of the Liberal Party and our recent political history. Click here to buy this book. If you're dad is into a good political biography, you could also give him Driven: A Diplomat's Autobiography IN STOCK or Gough Whitlam: A Moment in History IN STOCK. |  The Necessary Reference to Organised CrimeFrank G. Shanty Both a history and socialogical map, this exhaustive book traces the roots of the Mafia to society and, in turn, shows how the Mafia has shaped society. A wonderful book for general readers of true crime, this book lays bare the internal politics, police involvement, weapons and violence of this industry. In more than 500 colour plates, pictures and maps the book spans from the Yakuza, Triads, Russian Mafiya, Irish and Jewish crime gangs, South American drug cartels and international money trail. It traces the history of such activities back to the Middle Ages, taking in any organised group specialising in illegal activities. Specific enterprises and their global impact, funding, and some members of the communities are explored. Primary-source documents are also provided, highlighting national and international laws and treaties that attempt to curtail racketeering and corruption. Click here to buy this book. Leadbelly: Inside Australia's Underworld Wars (IN STOCK) is another true crime book, focusing on Australia, that your dad might like. | ||
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| MURDER OF KING TUT | THE BIG FELLA | WOUNDED EAGLE | ||
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 James Patterson and Martin DugardIN STOCK In this true crime thriller, Patterson and Dugard set their minds to the 3,000 year old mystery of King Tutenkamen's death. Since 1922, when Howard Carter discovered the infamous tomb, most Egyptologists have presumed that the young king died of disease, or perhaps an accident, such as a chariot fall. But Patterson and Dugard imagine something much more sinister. This is the chronicle of their epic quest to find out what happened to the boy-king. The result is a true crime tale of intrigue, betrayal, and usurpation presenting a compelling case that King Tut's death was anything but natural. Click here to buy this book. |  Peter Thompson, Robert MacklinIn this book the enigmas of BHP and Billiton are demystified from their humblest beginnings in the Australian Outback and in the Indonesian islands to the rest of the world. Using over 60 exclusive interviews, this book exposes the political and industrial forces that really drive big business in the 21st century. Thompson and Macklin are ruthless in their revelation of the visions, schemes, scandals and corporate life-and-death struggles that have characterised BHP's evolution from the first lucky strike by mysterious Charles Rasp at Broken Hill in 1883 to its merger with Billiton in 2001 and daring 150 billion bid for Rio Tinto six years later. This is a gripping story of foresight and blunder, nation-building and rampant ego, written with key access to the players themselves. Click here to buy this book. If financial wheelers and dealers are right up you're dad's alley, you might also like to try Catching the Wolf of Wall Street IN STOCK. |  The Bombing of Darwin and Australia's Air Defence ScandalDr Peter Ewer IN STOCK This is a devastating expose of Australia's defence forces, demonstrating how a clique of conservative politicians - including the Liberal Party hero, Robert Menzies, left us without an air defence force in one of our greatest hours of need. Click here to buy this book. This year we have a fabulous range of military titles selected for Father's Day. Just two of my favourites would have to be Beersheba IN STOCK, the story of the ANZACs redeeming win for after Gallipoli (the positive celebration of which has somehow slipped our national consciousness) and A Month at the Front: The Diary of an Unknown Soldier IN STOCK, a journal in the words (and the original reprint of his own hand) retelling the story of a young World War I soldier and his experiences at the Front in the summer of 1917. Both are absolute musts for military buff dads. Click on the titles to order. | ||
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| FICTION |
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  Our selection for Father's day fiction spans near and far this year and there is sure to be something to tickle everyone's fancy (including a few non-dad's - my wish list has increased considerably compiling the list). Amongst the top new titles are Vanished IN STOCK, Covenant of Genesis IN STOCK and Document Z IN STOCK. We have also listed some oldies but goodies at fabulous prices, including Gentlemen of the Road, Innocent Graves: An Inspector Banks Mystery IN STOCK and The Hound of the Baskervilles: Sherlock Holmes IN STOCK. Click here to browse all of our Father's Day fiction titles. |
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| THE PEOPLE'S TRAIN |
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 THE PEOPLE'S TRAINby Thomas Keneally Based on true stories, Keneally picks up on the years following the Russian uprising of 1905, when members of the Okhrana, the Tsarist secret police, came to Queensland. Socialists and revolutionaries, Artem Sergeiev and his friends arrive via Vladivostok and Shanghai having escaped imprisonment and the wilds of eastern Siberia. In Queensland they begin labouring on a railway camp before leading a tramways strike that becomes a general strike. During this Artem meets two remarkable women, Amelia, a suffragette and, and Hope Delohrey, a radical and wife of a Queen's Counsel. Together they invade the office of the Brisbane Tramways, and meet an engineer who has invented the single rail railway, a People's Train, which he intends to develop for Brisbane. On the eve of WWI Federal officials tell Queensland Russians that should join the AIF or they will be deported back to Russia and into the Tsar's prisons. Artem risks his safety as the leading resister in the Russian community and is imprisoned before he continues the fight against conscription and capitalism. Click here to buy this book. For more great fiction set in Australia, try Liquid Gold or Bloke. |
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| EMPIRE OF THE MOGHUL: RAIDERS FROM THE NORTH | THE ASSOCIATE | |
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 Alex RutherfordIN STOCK If I given the pick of just one new fiction title for myself from our father's day list - this would be it. Empire of the Moghul is an epic retelling of the rise and fall of one history's most powerful and opulent dynasties. 1494: the ruler of Ferghana dies in an extraordinary accident. His only son, twelve-year-old Babur, is determined to live up to the example of his great ancestor, Tamburlaine, Timur the Warrior, conquering Delhi to the Mediterranean, including wealthy Persia and the wildernesses of the Volga. But even before he can summon enough warlords to declare him the rightful king, plots against his crown, and his life, are brewing. As his obsession with Timur's legacy and the fabled city of Samarkand grows, he discovers that even the bravest and most fearless leader can be betrayed. Click here to buy this book. If you know your dad will enjoy a good historical novel, you might also like to have a look at Imperium : A Novel of Ancient Rome IN STOCK. (Or, if you would like another thriller title for yourself, I also recommend The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.) |  John GrishamIN STOCK I may be ordering Empire of the Moghul for myself, but any John Grisham makes a very easy pick for my dad. In this new to paperback edition of The Associate, a new previously unpublished chapter is included, offering something for even the most vintage Grisham fans. In The Associate a deadly game of blackmail threatens Kyle McAvoy's glittering future as a lawyer and leader of his generation. A compromising video of Kyle's deepest secret turns up in the hands of those who demand a price for it. They want Kyle to take a job in New York as an associate at the largest law firm in the world - and work against it - passing on the secrets of the company's biggest trial to date. Caught between criminal forces and the FBI, Kyle must rely on his intellect, cunning and bravery to extricate himself from an impossible dilemma. Full of brilliant twists and turns, The Associate will remind you of the vintage classic The Firm. Click here to buy this book. We have so many hot new thrillers for father's day it has been hard to pick, but I would recommend The Brass Verdict IN STOCK, Double Back IN STOCK and The Defector IN STOCK. | |
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| GIFTS |
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 Dad's of Australia are spoilt well and truly with this choice. Apart from the books straight from a kiddies heart, we have fun books such as, Little Britain: The Complete Scripts and Stuff: Series Two, historical books such as, Speeches That Changed the World, motivational books such as, The $1 Million Reason to Change Your Mind and business-minded books such as, Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap... and Others Don't.Click here to browse all of our Father's day gift books. |
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| WHY I LOVE MY DADDY | AUSTRALIA'S QUARTER ACRE | |
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 IN STOCKThis is even better than a hallmark card - a way for the kids to tell the world why their daddy is the best of them all. This book combines quotes from kids and familiar illustrations in a style Bradley Trevor Grieve would be proud of. The reasons for why each child' believes their dad to be the best range from 'because he tickles me' to 'because he is my best friend'. Perfect for Dad and the little one to read together! Click here to buy this book. If this appeals you might also like Kisses for Daddy. For anyone with a littlie at home (or if you are expecting one soon) the dad you are buying for might just appreciate Henry Loves Jazz, the story of what happens when a first-born child comes home, and a father is born. |  The Story of the Ordinary Suburban GardenPeter Timms Have you ever wondered who invented the rotary clothesline, the lawnmower or the fibreglass swimming pool? This book delves into the history of Australia's ordinary suburban block, tracing the development of its design, its plantings and its hidden meanings, explaining the differences between our gardens to those of our grandparents and why we don't plant magnolias and chrysanthemums very often anymore. Timms looks at how our gardens have been used for pleasure, relaxation and food - dogs and chooks, woodsheds, outside loos, fruit trees, fences and even the illuminated Santa Claus Christmas have all found a home. Timms describes the decline of the manicured lawn and the productive home vegetable garden, our passion for roses and gladioli and how we became the world's first great suburban nation. Above all, Australia's Quarter Acre shows how our suburban gardens are a valuable and unique part of our national heritage. Click here to buy this book.  If you fancied this you might also take a glean to Australia's Open Gardens 2009-2010 or Clearings: Six Colonial Gardeners and Their Landscapes IN STOCK. | |
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| REAL MAN'S TOOLBOX | AKUBRA | STORIES OF MANHOOD | ||
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 Tammy FarrellIt's funny because it's true: most men look after their car bodies more than they look after their actual bodies. So what can we do to convince them to change their minds? Enter Tammy Farrell. Farrell is a registered nurse who has spent a lifetime demystifying the medical world to the male mind. Taking this role a step further she saw a need to talk to men about their health and started giving Tool Box Talks to miners. She has the knack of knowing what men need to hear and want to know - her book The Real Men's Tool Box is a manual for every man to live a healthier life. Click here to buy this book. |  Grenvil TurnerIN STOCK The Akubra has been part of Australian life since 1912. In this book Turner takes us on a journey of Australians through their hats - Aussies have lived, loved, and died under them and wearing one has long-standing traditions. Featuring the combined functionality of shade provider, snake tamer, water jug and fly swat, the akubra can even be worn as a hat. This witty and light-hearted history breathes Aussie attitude - no worries so long as your Akubra's either in hand or on your head. Click here to buy this book. |  Journeys into the Hidden Hearts of Men Gift EditionSteve Biddulph, illustrated by Michael Leunig IN STOCK In Biddulph's latest book, he has selected a wealth of impressive writing about the inner world of being a man. Among them a widowed father learns to show love for his sons, a world famous author remembers a personal tragedy (one wonders where Biddulph got the inspiration?), a soldier in a civil war faces his fears, a woman discovers why her father never hugged her, a leading Australian describes his abuse by the Christian Brothers and a teacher tells why she loves teaching boys. Michael Leunig's cartoons add to the power, humour and illumination of these tales - including a Dilbert view on why men really don't rule the world. Click here to buy this book. Biddulph's most famous title, Raising Boys: 3rd Edition, is also still IN STOCK. | ||
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| GO TO THE FULL LIST OF FATHER'S DAY TITLES |
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| All of our Father's day titles have been discounted at least 20%, click here to read on and see our full list of selected titles for Father's day. |
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| LINKS August Booktopia Buzz July Mind Body Spirit Buzz July Romance Buzz July Craft Buzz Booktopia Blog Why Booktopia? Update Your Newsletter Preferences |
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PRE-ORDER THE LOST SYMBOL This might not be the right timing for Father's day, but we thought we'd take the opportunity to let you know that in preparation for the world-wide release of Dan Brown's new blockbuster, we have decided to offer The Lost Symbol to you at an amazing LOW price. The Lost Symbol will be released on the 15th September 2009 and Booktopia will start shipping them at 9am Sydney time on that morning as there is a worldwide embargo until that moment. This eagerly anticipated follow-up to The Da Vinci Code, once again features Robert Langdon, the entire narrative taking place in a 12-hour period, however this time in a new, unexpected landscape. Once again Brown demonstrates his skill as a storyteller of history, coded with intrigue and mystery. Click on the title to order. |
| THE LOST SYMBOL Dan Brown |
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 EARTH BLUEIf you happen to be in the mood to really spoil dad this Father's day, this exquisite limited edition atlas takes cartography to a new level. Ideal for a map enthusiast, collector, armchair traveller, or for those who enjoy luxury, this beautiful leather-bound edition is an absolute collectors item. Only 3,000 copies of this highly prized volume are going to be printed. Detailed maps, produced by a team of international cartographers form the foundation of this book. Each of the countries on our globe is described and illustrated in detail, with a focus on geography, history, culture and other unique features. For those of us with a little less to spend on dad, Earth Blue has also been released in a concise edition. Click on the title to order. |
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| EARTH BLUE: LIMITED EDITION Charles F. Gritzner |
| EARTH BLUE: CONCISE EDITION IN STOCK Charles F. Gritzner |
 ONE FOR THE WINOS IN STOCK James Halliday's latest Australian Wine Companion has just been released and will make a fabulous present for all those dads with a taste for a good drop. This 2010 edition has been completely updated for the current season and serves as an excellent guide for anyone visiting a wine-region or replenishing their cellar. Click here to buy this book. We also have James Halliday's new Australian Wine Encyclopedia available. Click here to read more, or buy this book.  BUY FOR DAD AND WIN! To celebrate Father’s Day, Hachette Livre Australia, together with Peter Lehmann Wines, are offering the chance to win a weekend for two in the Barossa Valley or some fantastic wine. To enter simply purchase any of the eight books featured below. When it arrives, specially stickered, visit the Hachette website and fill in the entry form, including the barcode number from the back of the book you have purchased. Click on the title below to buy the book. A Theory of Moments IN STOCK The Real Man's Toolbox Manthropology IN STOCK Vanished IN STOCK Liquid Gold IN STOCK Ravens IN STOCK The Covenant of Genesis IN STOCK As You Do IN STOCK Click here to visit the Hachette website with further details of this competition. THE $1 MILLION REASON TO CHANGE YOUR MIND IN STOCK  by Pat Mesiti Metsiti is a little man with a big plan. He promises to teach you to think positively about yourself and unlock your potential to achieve wealth, happiness and prosperity. Sound like a fortune cookie? Perhaps, but Mesiti's intricately explained approach to attacking 'whinging viruses', rising above average and focusing on a plan is a good starting point for any dad thinking of injecting their life with a little rocket fuel! Click here to buy this book. |
 SPORTS AND RECREATION My favourites (of those I didn't get to write about) are listed below. I think you'll find John Maclean's story in Full Circle particularly inspiring. Click on the title to order. |
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| FULL CIRCLE John Maclean |
| CAN WE HAVE OUR BALLS BACK PLEASE? IN STOCK Julian Norridge |
| MY COLOMBIAN DEATH IN STOCK Matt Thompson |
| A BEAUTIFUL GAME IN STOCK Tom Watt, introduction by David Beckham |
| AUSTRALIA'S SPORTING SUCCESS John Bloomfield |
| Click here to see the full range of Sports and Recreation Father's Day titles. |
 BIOGRAPHIES AND HISTORY Here we have the picks of the biographies and histories that I ran out of space to write up fully. Enjoy! Click on the title to order. |
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| DICTIONARY OF BATTLES AND SIEGES IN STOCK Tony Jaques |
| FATEFUL CHOICES: TEN DECISIONS THAT CHANGED THE WORLD, 1940-1941 IN STOCK Ian Kershaw |
| WILLIAM McINNES GIFT BOXED SET IN STOCK William McInnes |
| ENEMIES OF THE STATE Tim Priest |
| THE ABC OF AUSTRALIAN COUNTRY MUSIC IN STOCK Jim Haynes |
| AMERICAN SCOUNDREL IN STOCK Tom Keneally |
| THE HORSE BOY: A FATHER'S STORY IN STOCK Isaacson Rupert |
Click here to browse all of our Father's Day selected titles in Biographies and History. IF MATTHEW FLINDERS HAD WINGS Richard Buxton This is the amazing story of Buxton's five year circumnavigation of Australia by air and sea in an effort to raise public awareness and funds for research into Alzheimer's disease. The book is lavishly illustrated throughout, charting Matthew Flinders' original journey. Stunning images feature some of the most remote and inaccessible parts of the Australian coastline, as well as insights into the challenges Flinders would have faced against these high seas. Click here to buy this book. CHARLES DARWIN ON THE ORIGIN OF SPECIES: THE ILLUSTRATED EDITION  Edited by David Quammen IN STOCK Has your dad ever meant to read this classic of scientific literature and not quite gotten around to it? In this stunning edition Darwin's original text is brought to life with original sketches of the Beagle and instruments used, botanical photographs, and information about Darwin's family and background. Contemporary cartoons and letters are also included to give an understanding of how Darwin's theories were received at the time. This one is so divine my copy may not ever make it to dad. Click here to buy this book. |
 FICTION I guarantee this 'best of the rest' is definitely worth a gander! Click on the title to order. |
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| THE LAST EMBER Daniel Levin IN STOCK |
| SANDSTEALERS Ben Brown IN STOCK |
| RAVENS George Dawes Green IN STOCK |
| THE INTERROGATOR J. J. Cooper IN STOCK |
| BREATH Tim Winton IN STOCK |
| THE SLAP Christos Tsiolkas IN STOCK |
| 6 BOOKS IN 1 PACK: REMEMBER WITH FEAR, JAMES HERBERT COLLECTION James Patterson IN STOCK |
Click here to browse all of our Father's Day fiction titles. |
GIFTS Didn't see anything quite right for your dad yet? You might like one of these... Click on the title to order, or click here to browse all of our Father's day gift books. |
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| THE CLOUD COLLECTOR'S HANDBOOK Gavin Pretor-Pinney |
| FULL CONTACT SUDOKU Mick Colliss IN STOCK |
| HUMBLE PIE Gordon Ramsay IN STOCK |
| THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO COLLECTIBLES Alistair McAlpine, Cathy Giangrande IN STOCK |
| THE LONG TAIL: HOW ENDLESS CHOICE IS CREATING UNLIMITED DEMAND Chris Anderson IN STOCK |
| THE GREAT AUSSIE BLOKE'S COOKBOOK Kim Terakes IN STOCK |
