ABC Books AU – serie

1973: The incredible true story of the Blythe Star disaster, which left ten men, shipwrecked and alone, on the wild Southern Ocean off Tasmania. Almost two weeks later they were found on a remote trail on a southern peninsula, and their story would stun the nation ... and leave a powerful legacy in its wake.When the coastal freighter MV Blythe Star left Hobart on a routine trip, Mick Doleman was an 18-year-old deckhand working alongside nine other crewmen, all accustomed to the dangers of the sea. But nothing could prepare them for what happened less than 24 hours later.In the early morning, the Blythe Star started listing, and swiftly sank. Miraculously, all the crewmen escaped, only to be crammed into a tiny life raft at the mercy of the ocean. The ship's sinking sparked the largest sea and air search at the time, but the crew remained lost – and soon they were given up for dead. Twelve days later, three ravaged and starving men, including Mick, found help on a remote logging trail in heavy bush on the Tasman Peninsula. Their story was shocking, and set the country alight with questions about their plight. How had they disappeared without trace? How had they survived the un-survivable? This is an extraordinary story of human endurance in one of the most challenging environments on earth, written by Piia Wirsu, the producer and narrator of 'From the Dead', the award-winning season of the ABC podcast Expanse, with Mick Doleman, now the only surviving crewmember of the Blythe Star, who became a global influence in maritime safety.

The true story of one of Australia's top cops for readers of I CATCH KILLERS and THE GOOD COPNick Kaldas is a cop's cop. From investigating war criminals to taking down global drug operations, Kaldas has seen the worst humanity can offer. But he's also seen which human qualities can lead to greatness.This is the compelling true story of an immigrant boy from Egypt who rose from beat cop to become one of the most senior police officers in Australia. During his time in the NSW police force, he was one of Australia's first Arab undercover cops, headed up both the Homicide and Gang Squad units, reformed the Counter Terrorism team and then became the Deputy Police Commissioner.He has also faced down some of the toughest, most brutal criminal organisations in the world. In the Middle East, he was hand-picked by the United Nations to investigate the assassination of former Lebanese prime minister Rafik Hariri; investigate the illegal use of chemical weapons in Syria; and was the Director of Internal Oversight Services at UNRWA, the UN agency tasked with assisting Palestine refugees.Having negotiated hostage situations, gained the trust of the Syrian secret police and chaired the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide, Kaldas has learned a thing or two about resilience, courage and fortitude. In Behind the Badge, he describes the most challenging cases that have shaped him and reveals what it takes to stand up for what's right in the face of insurmountable opposition.'The type of cop we all aspire to be.' GARY JUBELIN'A glimpse of the personal cost of pursuing what is right.' MICK KEELTY, former Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police'Kaldas's motto "I regret nothing" summarises this exciting new book.' LOUIS FREEH, former Director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation'Challenge, intrigue, high achievement, danger, pride, dogged determination and self-belief - it's all here and more.' SIR PAUL STEPHENSON QPM, former Commissioner of the London Metropolitan Police Service

Whether you want to make better decisions, improve your relationships or find more meaning in your work, harnessing your core values is the key to your future success, contentment and contribution.Have you ever heard a voice inside you whispering, 'There's got to be more than this'? Or simply felt some kind of disconnect between the life you lead and the life you want?That's a signal you're living out of alignment with your core values.In What Matters to You, psychologist Greta Bradman explains how our values impact the way we interpret, evaluate and respond to the world, whether we have insight into them or not. They're more than beacons that inspire; they're drivers that deeply affect us, even when we're out of alignment with them. Your values offer you a roadmap to making sense of what matters most to you. They can anchor and help explain your convictions and beliefs, and motivate actions with long-term benefits. Values also help make sense of the way we prioritise things differently when we feel threatened. In a nutshell, values help us understand our world and express ourselves with authenticity and courage.By helping us explore our core and threat-based values - why they're important to us, and how to use those core values in both the big and little decisions in day-to-day life - Greta Bradman teaches us to align more of our choices with our values, so we can grow into our own version of a life well lived.

The chilling true story of the heinous murder of Karlie Pearce-Stevenson and daughterKhandalyce and how the case was crackedIn August 2010, the bones of a young woman were found in Belanglo State Forest, where, years earlier, Ivan Milat had tortured and slain seven young backpackers. Dubbed Angel, her remains lay unidentified for years. Who was she, how did she die, and at whose hand?Then, in July 2015, the bones of a child were found in a suitcase by a highway in South Australia. Months later, a call to Crime Stoppers led to an identification. Two-year-old Khandalyce Pearce had left Alice Springs in 2008 with her mother and hadn't been seen since. Through DNA, Angel was quickly identified as Khandalyce's mother, Karlie Pearce-Stevenson. In the grimmest of scenarios, mother and daughter were reunited at last.The Lost Girls is the chilling true story of this heinous double murder and how police tracked down the perpetrator, who not only killed the girls but stole the young mother's identity to defraud authorities and her family. Gripping and authentic, The Lost Girls celebrates the short lives of a young woman and her daughter, and the investigators determined to bring them home.

'I adored this book - a wondrous compendium of Iceland's best sagas' - Hannah KentA new friendship. An unforgettable journey. A beautiful and bloody history.This is Iceland as you've never read it before ...Broadcaster Richard Fidler and author Kári Gíslason are good friends. They share a deep attachment to the sagas of Iceland - the true stories of the first Viking families who settled on that remote island in the Middle Ages.These are tales of blood feuds, of dangerous women, and people who are compelled to kill the ones they love the most. The sagas are among the greatest stories ever written, but the identity of their authors is largely unknown.Together, Richard and Kári travel across Iceland, to the places where the sagas unfolded a thousand years ago. They cross fields, streams and fjords to immerse themselves in the folklore of this fiercely beautiful island. And there is another mission: to resolve a longstanding family mystery - a gift from Kari's Icelandic father that might connect him to the greatest of the saga authors.

The extraordinary rise, devastating fall and enduring legacy of an Australian iconHenry Lawson captured the heart and soul of Australia and its people with greater clarity and truth than any writer before him. Born on the goldfields in 1867, he became the voice of ordinary Australians, recording the hopes, dreams and struggles of bush battlers and slum dwellers, of fierce independent women, foreign fathers and larrikin mates.Lawson wrote from the heart, documenting what he saw from his earliest days as a poor, lonely, handicapped boy with warring parents on a worthless farm, to his years as a literary lion, then as a hopeless addict cadging for drinks on the streets, and eventually as a prison inmate, locked up in a tiny cell beside murderers. A controversial figure today, he was one of the first writers to shine a light on the hardships faced by Australia's hard-toiling wives and mothers, and among the first to portray, with sympathy, the despair of Indigenous Australians at the ever-encroaching European tide. His heroic figures such as The Drover's Wife and the fearless unionists striking out for a better deal helped define Australia's character, and while still a young man, his storytelling drew comparisons on the world stage with Tolstoy, Gorky and Kipling.But Henry Lawson's own life may have been the most compelling saga of all, a heart-breaking tale of brilliance, lost love, self-destruction and madness. Grantlee Kieza, the author of critically acclaimed bestselling biographies of such important figures as Banjo Paterson, Joseph Banks, Lachlan Macquarie and John Monash, reveals the extraordinary rise, devastating fall and enduring legacy of an Australian icon.PRAISE FOR GRANTLEE KIEZA OAM'Engagingly written ... one of the most nuanced portraits to date' The Australian'Vivid, detailed and well written' Daily Telegraph'A staggering accomplishment that can't be missed by history buffs and story lovers alike' Betterreading.com.au'A free-flowing biography of a great Australian figure' John Howard'Clear and accessible ... well-crafted and extensively documented' Weekend Australian'Kieza has added hugely to the depth of knowledge about our greatest military general in a book that is timely' Tim Fischer, Courier-Mail'The author writes with the immediacy of a fine documentary ... an easy, informative read, bringing historic personalities to life' Ballarat Courier

An inclusive picture book for grandparents everywhere.A 2021 Children's Book Council Notable Book.In every country around the world are grandpas short and tall.Though they go by different names, we love them one and all.From brilliant new talents Ashleigh Barton and Martina Heiduczek, comes a charming and heart-warming book that celebrates the many different ways we say grandpa.What Do You Call Your Grandpa? is a love letter to grandfathers and families from every corner of the globe.PRAISE'A beautiful gift book and one to share with all the family, from the youngest readers to grandparents and great-grandparents.' - Kids' Book Review'Together Barton and Heiduczek have produced a delightful picture book celebrating grandfathers from every corner of the globe. What Do You Call Your Grandpa? is a fabulous choice for school or home and is one that will be sure to delight.' - Dark Matter Zine'What Do You Call Your Grandpa? celebrates cultural diversity, individuality, families, and love. The book depicts the special bond grandfathers share with their grandchildren while highlighting the fact that every grandpa and relationship is unique.' - Buzz Words'With this debut book, Ashleigh Barton provides a heartwarming depiction of child-grandfather relationships around the world ... This is a beautiful and important book for children living in our culturally diverse country.' - ReadPlus

From the critically acclaimed ABC TV musical stars, Teeny Tiny Stevies, comes a book to empower young kids.You're not the boss of many thingsbecause you're little and still learning.You're not the boss of anyone else,you've got to let them be themselves.But you ARE the boss of one thing ...A fresh and funny picture book from the two women behind everyone's favourite kids band.AWARDSShortlisted - ABIA 2022 (Children's Picture Book of the Year)Shortlisted - EPAA 2022 (Educational Picture Book)

About preventing, preparing, copingHow do I know if I have dementia, and how will I live with it if I do? Can people with dementia consent to sex? Can they choose euthanasia for their future selves? And can we prevent or push back its onset?Chances are you know someone with dementia, but how well do you really understand the condition? Dementia is a complex interplay of biological, social and psychological factors, and understanding it means understanding more about society and ourselves.Approaching the topic through 20 insightful questions, Dr Kate Gregorevic explains the physical state of dementia, how to relate the diagnosis to real life, what questions to ask your doctor, what might be done to prevent the condition, and how we can make our homes and society better for people with dementia.While this book tackles some uncomfortable questions, its purpose is to help - to prevent, to prepare, to cope and to understand - and provide you with strategies for moving forward.

Where everything is black and white and nothing is - a haunting true story of death and a search for justice in a remote outback communityJust hours after his grandfather's funeral in the remote Northern Territory community of Yuendumu, nineteen-year-old Warlpiri man Kumanjayi Walker was dead. He'd been shot three times by police constable Zachary Rolfe during an attempted arrest, after Walker had stabbed the officer in the shoulder with a pair of surgical scissors.Three days later, Rolfe was charged with murder, the first time a police officer had been charged for killing a First Nations person in the Northern Territory in 130 years. Following Rolfe's acquittal, a coronial inquest was called, where Rolfe made sensational allegations about institutional racism within the police force.In Death in Yuendumu, the ABC journalist who broke the story gives a clear-eyed account of the failed systems that led to this tragedy. Steven Schubert recounts the tragic and disturbing tale of a young Indigenous man with a difficult past and uncertain future; an ex-military policeman who became mired in allegations of misconduct; a family in mourning; and a community fighting for justice.Death in Yuendumu is powerful, haunting, riveting and unforgettable - it describes a world in which everything is black and white, and yet nothing is.

A fearless, frank and funny memoir about reinventing the rules of parentingSean had wanted to be a mum since the age of four, when he fell in love with Mrs Potts, the motherly teapot in Beauty and the Beast. But there was just one problem: he was not, in fact, a woman. When he was swept off his feet by a handsome Australian man in New York City, Sean's dreams of marriage and parenthood suddenly became a reality. The only things standing in his way: outdated marriage laws, hundreds of thousands of dollars and a healthy dose of internalised homophobia. Though he had to battle intense family drama, depression and a difficult move to the other side of the world, he succeeded in becoming a father to boy-girl twins.What happens when the traditional parenting rules, 10,000 years in the making, simply don't apply? Not Like Other Dads is a raw, rollicking memoir about gay parents raising kids without a map – or nap. Hilarious and tender, Sean's story helps all of us celebrate who we really are ... empowering straight and queer parents alike to rewrite the parenting script.PRAISE'Will have you laughing, crying and feeling deeply moved by the true power of love. A brilliant read'– Maggie Dent'Raw, honest and hilarious ... unlike any other parenting memoir you have read'– Edwina Bartholomew'A true modern-day fairy tale with love at its heart'– Jessica Rowe'Sean Szeps writes about family with healthy realism and great dollops of love. A delight'– Holly Wainwright'Through Sean's openness to share his vulnerabilities, we're reminded why it's important to welcome and accept diverse families'– Narelda Jacobs

Empower young kids with the help of the critically acclaimed Teeny Tiny SteviesYou're not the boss of what other people think,what they say and how they exist.You're not the boss of how someone else behaves --the positions they take and the decisions they make.But you ARE the boss of one thing ...From Byll and Beth Stephen, the writers behind the ABC TV musical sensation Teeny Tiny Stevies, comes a book to show young kids everywhere their minds are their own.

The remarkable story of a battle between science and the law, and a mother's fight for justiceShortlisted for the Ned Kelly Awards Best True Crime 2025Shortlisted for Book of the Year at The True Crime Awards 2026 (UK)Longlisted for the Walkley Award 2025In 2003, Kathleen Folbigg was found guilty of smothering her four young children to death, one by one. Medical experts told her trial that they had never come across a family like hers, where three or more infants had died from natural causes. Extracts from diaries she had written were judged to be virtual admissions of guilt, and Folbigg was sentenced to 40 years in jail. But did she do it?This is a gripping and meticulously researched account of one of Australia's most infamous criminal cases, written by investigative journalist Quentin McDermott, whose groundbreaking work with ABC's Australian Story helped trigger a push by scientists to uncover the genetic cause of two of the children's deaths. It is also the story of how dedicated teams of lawyers, friends and supporters fought to achieve Kathleen Folbigg's eventual pardon, release and acquittal after 20 years behind bars.Meadow's Law is a must-read for anyone interested in true crime, justice, science and the power of investigative journalism.Praise for Meadow's Law"The book ... is a major contribution to the literature of injustice. It will take its rightful place alongside John Bryson's 'Evil Angels'" Ray Watterson, Adjunct Law Professor (Retd), La Trobe University, Melbourne"Quentin's sustained commitment and insight into unravelling this case is unparalleled. Meadow's Law is an outstanding and comprehensive account of a terrible injustice and how science saved the day. It is also a reminder of the difficulties faced by attempts to convince established legal practice to embrace new scientific knowledge" Professor John Shine AC FAA FRS, Emeritus Professor Garvan Institute of Medical Research, St Vincent's Hospital Sydney"A tour de force - the definitive work on the case" Stephen Cordner AM, Emeritus Professor in Forensic Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne"We're hearing from some 'wellness' enthusiasts that: evidence don't matter, science doesn't matter, you can always find 'alternative facts'! That's dangerous and duplicitous nonsense. Meadow's Law tells us how a combination of scientific advances in the field of human genetics and persistent, sophisticated advocacy freed a vulnerable woman who had been unjustly convicted, both in the court of law and in the court of public opinion. Truth matters! Evidence matters! Science matters! Opinions and prejudices are just that." Nobel Laureate Professor Peter Doherty

Making the world a better, less annoying place one wish at a time.LONGLISTED FOR THE 2024 INDIE BOOK AWARDSLONGLISTED FOR THE 2024 BOOKPEOPLE NON-FICTION BOOK OF THE YEAR'I wish I could think, hope, laugh, dream and, indeed, write like Richard Glover. And I wish every Australian could read this book. A soaring tribute to the power of wishful thinking' Trent Dalton'Glover asks life's big questions and helps us celebrate the simple joys - bin night, tax receipts that don't fade and the secret thrill of high-pressure hosing' Lisa Millar, co-host ABC-TV's News Breakfast'Charming, funny and sincere, this is yet another winning book from the only Boomer worth listening to. A triumph!' Tom Ballard, comedian'He is right about leaf blowers, for example, but quite wrong about breakfast in bed ... Richard's view of the world will frequently have you punching the air and shouting, "Yes!"' Jean Kittson, performer, writer and comedian'If life is better when we laugh, then this book is the balm' Jacinta Parsons, broadcaster, writer and co-host of ABC Melbourne's 'Friday Revue''There is an eternal hopefulness in all this man does. I only wish more of his wishes were granted' Tommy Dean, comedian and regular on ABC 702's 'Thank God It's Friday'Do you hate noisy restaurants, pre-ripped jeans and pedestrians who walk five abreast?Do you also have a problem with plastic-wrapped fruit, climate-change deniers and take-away sandwiches priced at $14.95?And, most of all, do you think the world would be a better place if people got back their sense of humour?Here's proof you are not alone. Heartfelt and hilarious, serious but sly, Best Wishes is the encyclopedia of 'can do better'. It's a plea for a better world - one wish at a time.

The inspiring story of Mary Penfold, the mother of the Australian wine industry - a self-taught vintner and business genius who emigrated to a frontier settlement and built her family's small vineyard into one of the world's most respected winemakersShortlisted for the Lord Mayor of Brisbane's People's Choice Queensland Book of the Year Award 2026Bestselling author and biographer Grantlee Kieza turns his focus to the birth of the Australian wine industry and the mother, business leader and pioneering vintner Mary Penfold, who grew her garden vineyard into a world renowned wine empire.Closely related to one of the world's wealthiest families, Mary was a new mother when she packed up her baby daughter and left all the comforts of her seaside home in England in 1844 to follow her husband Dr Christopher Rawson Penfold as he chased his dream of starting a new life in the infant colony of South Australia.Mary and Christopher settled on a farm in the Adelaide Hills, and as Christopher made his rounds visiting patients on horseback, Mary and her maid Ellen Timbrell tended grapevines that the Penfolds had sourced from the south of France and planted in the garden beside their stone cottage, which they named The Grange.At first the wines Mary made were used as tonics for Christopher's patients, but at a time when women were often excluded from commerce and given little recognition for their business endeavours, Mary transformed her cottage industry into an empire. She expanded her vineyard, developed new styles of her product and built a flourishing company that supplied not only Australia's demand for high quality wine, but thirsty export markets as well. Wine had been part of the Australian landscape since the First Fleet delivered vines along with the convicts and free settlers to Sydney Cove in 1788, and 'The Commander in Chief', as Mary was affectionately known, helped make the Australian wine industry the envy of the world. Riding her white mare and using her spy glass among the vines to oversee her creation, her brilliance as a vintner and great business mind lives on today with Penfolds Grange being one of the most sought after wines in the world.PRAISE'An uplifting tale of dreams and resolution ... A life as rich as the wines Mary worked so hard to make' Sydney Morning Herald'An inspiring portrait .. A pioneer who proved that women could lead in industry at a time when they were rarely acknowledged' Books+Publishing

Everyone's best friend just happens to be your best therapistMove over, Socrates and Plato! In this heartwarming guide to living your best life, award-winning photographer Alex Cearns shares the sage advice of our four-legged furry gurus. Their profound insights and goofy enthusiasm will remind you to cherish friendship and love, celebrate our differences and respect the need for a good nap. So sit, stay and enjoy the wisdom of dogs!

How a mother's wisdom and grace helped one family come to terms with her dementia.Chrisoula had long been known for frying up honeyed Greek donuts anytime a guest arrived on her doorstep, offering a listening ear and sage advice, and sending her loved ones home with a plate of the golden orbs. She had cheeky blue eyes, a ready laugh and a generous heart - all of which had helped her deal with the many adversities she faced in her life.When she was diagnosed with dementia, Chrisoula drew on her trademark humour and earthy wit to ask the only questions that mattered: What would be the best photo to have on her gravestone? Did the glittering gold dress she wanted to be buried in need to be ironed? And would it hurt to enter the wormhole of death?As Chrisoula's dementia progressed, her adult children, Spiri and Dennis, grappled with guilt, sadness and fatigue as they fumbled their way from one bewildering symptom and care system to the next. But their mother had given them some very special gifts draw on at this time and which they could use long after she was gone.In this compelling tribute to her mother, Spiri shares these gifts, along with some practical no-nonsense 'golden nuggets' on dealing with the challenges of diagnosis, living with dementia and coping with grief. Twelve Golden Gifts is a must-read for those looking after a declining loved one and for anyone who is moved by a beautiful - and funny - love story.

The inspirational story of how a rehabilitation doctor overcame her devastating spinal injury with faith and determination, and changed her life and practice as a result.In September 2008, Dr Olivia Ong was struck by a car and suffered a catastrophic spinal injury. Her prognosis was devastating – she would never walk again. The future she had envisioned – practising medicine, having children and sharing life's simple joys with her husband, family and friends – seemed to slip away.What followed was an extraordinary journey of resilience, requiring years of intensive physical therapy, unwavering determination and the relentless support of her loved ones. Against the odds, Olivia regained the ability to walk and returned to medicine, specialising in rehabilitation and pain management.Olivia also discovered something profound as she transformed in heart and mind: self-compassion. This newfound empathy not only made her stronger, it also made her a better human being and doctor, one who truly understands and values the process of healing. Olivia now works in a way that offers her patients a new perspective, giving insight and motivation to anyone struggling in a situation that seems beyond their control. She believes that we can all learn to heal from the inside out, with courage, compassion and connection.Back on My Feet is for anyone facing adversity, anyone searching for meaning and anyone who loves a moving story of perseverance of the human spirit.Praise'A generous, brave and deeply human account' Dr Ginni Mansberg, author of The M Word'Olivia's personal journey, as well as the advice she offers to others about building resilience and overcoming adversity, is truly powerful' Clare Sullivan, CEO, MND Australia

From one of Australia's leading military historians and biographers, Peter Rees, comes Guts and Glory, an enthralling history of the way in which sport is ever present in the wars fought by, or involving, our Australian defence forces.The spirit of Australia can be seen so clearly in how we play and how we fight. From the famous cricket match played on the beach at Gallipoli as a decoy for the evacuation of Australian troops; to the hero of Tobruk, Changi and the Thai Burma railway, Colonel Sir Ernest Edward 'Weary' Dunlop AC, who so respected his hard-won Wallaby jersey, he insisted on being buried in it; to legendary Test cricketer Keith Miller, fighter pilot in WWII, who famously said 'Pressure is a Messerschmitt up your arse, playing cricket is not' - sport has always been part of our wars. A collection of vivid, moving, funny, powerful and poignant sporting stories from the wars fought by the Australian Defence Force ranging from WWI right through to the present day, Guts and Glory is a book about the way that sport is so often an intrinsic part of war; how sport provides a means for the diggers to cope with the pressures of the battlefield; how the lessons that we learn playing sport can be applied to the art of leadership and warfare; and how mateship and the Australian character and spirit can be seen in the way we fight and the way we play.'This is ultimately an uplifting book, which celebrates the bonding and healing power of sport, in times of war and after it. For history buffs who can't miss Friday night footy or the Boxing Day Test, this is a book they'll devour.' Readings

A powerful memoir about one young woman's survival against the odds, and how the love of her mother saved her.When the White Island volcano erupted in New Zealand in 2019, it shattered the lives of Stephanie and Marie Browitt. Stephanie, just 23 years old, suffered horrific burns to 70 per cent of her body and lost her younger sister, Krystal Eve, in the tragedy. Both Stephanie and her father, Paul, were placed in an induced coma, leaving Marie to face the unimaginable: the potential loss of her entire family. As Marie ran from one ICU room to another, Paul lost his battle to survive.Out of the Ashes is the extraordinary story of how Stephanie miraculously fought back, with her remarkable mum beside her every step of the way, and how mother and daughter were forced to find strength in each other to survive the unthinkable. This deeply moving story explores Stephanie's fight for survival, her gruelling recovery, and her rise as an advocate for body positivity and resilience. Through heartbreak, hope and their unbreakable bond, Stephanie and Marie Browitt show us the power of love, courage and the human spirit.

A riveting account of courageous resistance from the bestselling author of Balcony Over JerusalemLonglisted for the 2025 Walkley AwardOn 24 February 2022, residents of Kyiv, Ukraine, woke to the sound of explosions and gunfire as Russian forces attempted to seize Hostomel Airport. It marked the beginning of the first land war in Europe since World War II. Under the leadership of the charismatic Volodymyr Zelensky, a militarized resistance and a civilian army of volunteers combined to defy Vladimir Putin.By day, visitors to Kyiv might mistake it for any other charming European city. But when night falls, sirens wail and citizens sleep in bathrooms and bunkers to escape the persistent dangers of incoming missiles. This war is fought daily on both the front lines and the home front. Resourceful civilians - from old punk rockers and bikers to university professors and corporate brand managers - provide every bit of help they can, outwitting and outmanoeuvring the Russian army with drones, cyber tech, and sheer ingenuity.As Ukraine's long-term future captures the focus of global leaders in Russia, Europe and the US, veteran journalist and ABC Global Affairs Editor John Lyons takes readers into the heart of a nation under siege. He interviews Ukrainians who stand tall in the face of an increasingly brutal conflict and an uncertain future. These are the stories of ordinary civilians making extraordinary contributions, determined to fight back in every way possible to ensure the survival of themselves, their families, and the soul of their nation.

'A brilliant reconstruction of the saga of power, glory, invasion and decay that is the one-thousand year story of Constantinople. A truly marvellous book.' - Simon WinchesterIn 2014, Richard Fidler and his son Joe made a journey to Istanbul. Fired by Richard's passion for the rich history of the dazzling Byzantine Empire - centred around the legendary Constantinople - we are swept into some of the most extraordinary tales in history. The clash of civilisations, the fall of empires, the rise of Christianity, revenge, lust, murder. Turbulent stories from the past are brought vividly to life at the same time as a father navigates the unfolding changes in his relationship with his son.GHOST EMPIRE is a revelation: a beautifully written ode to a lost civilization, and a warmly observed father-son adventure far from home.

.'Strap yourselves in for a thrilling tale' -- Inside Sport Some of Australia's greatest sporting legends are horses -- Phar Lap, Kingston Town, Black Caviar. Now a new legend has captivated the heart of the nation -- Winx. After a patchy start, the unremarkable-looking bay filly settled into a winning streak that continues four years later and includes 22 Group 1 wins and an astonishing record-breaking four Cox Plates. Winx: Biography of a Champion, traces the rise and rise of this extraordinary racehorse and captures the colour, excitement and nail-biting moments of her assent to the top of the world. A rich and compelling story of the highs and lows, the colour and passion of the sport of kings, it's a fitting tribute to a great Australian sporting legend. The wondrous Winx deserves nothing less.

Losing your religion is harder than it looks ...From devout ten-year-old performing the part of Jesus in a primary school play to blaspheming, undergraduate atheist, Monica Dux and her attitude to the Catholic Church changed profoundly over a decade. Eventually, she calmed down and was just 'lapsed'. Then, on a family trip to Rome, her young daughter expressed a desire to be baptised. Monica found herself re-examining her own childhood and how Catholicism had shaped her. Was it really out of her system or was it in her blood for life?In Lapsed, Monica sets out to find the answer. Her investigations lead her to test a miracle cure in Lourdes and visit the grave of a headless Saint who claimed to be married to Christ (and wore a wedding ring made of his foreskin to prove it). She speaks to canon lawyers, abuse survivors and even a nun who insists that the Virgin Mary starts her car every morning.With wry humour and razor-sharp observations, Lapsed is the story of one woman's attempt to exorcise her religious upbringing, and to answer the question, is Catholicism like a blood group and, if so, is it possible to get a total transfusion?'Enlightening, forensic and laugh-out-loud funny' -- JANE CARO'A frank, funny and heartfelt exorcism of our need to believe in a man in the sky' -- SHAUN MICALLEF

Dangerous predators and ravenous herbivores: the story of Australia's feral nightmareWinner of the 2022 Whitley Award, for a book about invasive species zoology.Isolation was once the impenetrable barrier that protected Australia and its unique fauna. But a little over two hundred years ago a foreign power took possession and brought with it the foreign animals that now dominate the country's ecosystem. They are the enemy within.Since that time, around 10 per cent of Australia's endemic terrestrial mammalian species have become extinct. Today Australia is dealing with the damage caused by all hard-hoofed animals, domestic and feral.Yet the bigger feral story is the ravages of acclimatisation, caused as new settlers tried to make the colony more like their homeland and released the rabbit, the fox, the hare, feral cats, common mynas, starlings, sparrows, redfin perch, and the many other invasive species that have brought native Australia to its knees.In this book, Guy Hull details the history and toll of the numerous animal species that have contributed to the decimation of Australian species, their assault on land and agriculture, and the modern strategies that are - hopefully - reclaiming the country for our native fauna and its human population.

A common-sense guide to raising happy, healthy kids - from toddlers to tweensHow much screen time should you let your children have? How and when do you talk about sex? What can you do when your kid throws a tantrum? Why should you let your children just play?Maggie Dent, queen of common-sense parenting, has answers to your real-world parenting dilemmas.Focusing on the most engaged-with topics from her popular ABC Parental As Anything podcast, Maggie tells us what the experts have to say, relates the experiences of other parents, and offers her own reassuring guidance to provide practical solutions to the challenges parents and caregivers face today.This book will give you the means to be the parent you'd like to be, and help you in your quest to raise happy, healthy, thriving, resilient children.