The world of the Australian drover is almost forgotten. In this book we hear of the men (and women) who travelled vast distances along Australias stock routes. Bill Swampy Marsh travelled around Australia gathering their stories. Before utes, planes and helicopters, mustering and droving were done by a group of men who, on horseback, would move thousands of head of cattle and sheep vast distances in the search for better grazing. It was an isolated and often difficult life, but one frequently filled with adventure and great humour. Bill Swampy Marsh has travelled throughout Australia to make sure the voices and stories of these wry, tough men are not lost forever. In this collection of 60 adventures you will find out about the extraordinary lives on the road of the great Australian drover.

Great Australian Railway Stories       Bill Marsh

In these frustrating days of semi-automated electric trains, it is hard to remember the smell of coal smoke, the hiss of steam, and sting of cinders flying into your eyes as you hung out a window. There was romance then, in working and travelling on the Australian railways, and hardship. With his passion for the olden days worn on his sleeve and his famous ear for a good yarn well pricked, Bill ′Swampy′ Marsh has found stories from drivers and gangers, stokers and crossing guards, their families and everyone in between, to create a collection of adventures that tell in their authentic voices of the funny, dramatic and hilarious times of a world long past.

This is not a book I had thought about reviewing as we turnover very large quantities of this book. (If it sells well let’s leave it alone!) I also thought that because it is written by John Maddock, past editor of Truck and Bus magazine it would be too technical for me. It wasn’t. It was very easy to read and not just about the Birdsville Track mail run but about all the mail runs in the corner country and about Harry Ding’s trucking empire and his contribution to those living in isolated areas. A very well researched book with black and white photos giving a graphic look at the trials and tribulations of getting the mail to outback stations and the life line it provided. S/C 160 pages.

14.95

The Murranji Track - Ghost Road of the Drovers

The Murranji: a waterhole, a region, a track, and a legend. Although only 240 kilometres long, of all the difficult stock routes in Australia the Murranji Track gained one of the fiercest reputations. Inpart, this was because much of the track passed through great jungles of dense, dark and extremely hard lancewood scrub, the 'dismal dreary forest' that explorer John McDouall Stuart tried unsucessfully to penetrate in the early 1860's. Later when a way through was found, it was a shortcut for drovers and others travelling to and from the Kimberley and Victoria River, but there were many dangers along the way. If you want to know the true history of this fascinating track, this book is a must.

32.95