Today I thought I’d give Boolarong Press, a small Brisbane-based publisher, a spot in my blog. They recently sent me four books, which I’ve listed below with short descriptions.

Of the books, one of the most interesting is The Soldiers’ Wall by Lyris Mitchell. This is the wall discovered during the recent renovations of the Brisbane City Hall. It contains more than 150 signatures of men who passed through the Red Cross Rooms in the basement of the building during World War 2. Lyris Mitchell has done an excellent job of researching and recording the details of these men. She’s also provided a timeline of the key events of the war. The book is:

The Soldiers’ Wall
A glimpse into their world

By Lyris Mitchell
RRP $29.95 in paperback
ISBN 9781922109606

I’ve also provided a link to the Brisbane City Council website that lists the signatures identified on the wall.

OTHER RECENT TITLES FROM BOOLARONG – www.boolarongpress.com.au

Nasho
The National Service Experience 1951-1972

Edited by Ronald Parsons
RRP $ 24.95 in paperback
ISBN 9781925046519

Between 1951 and 1972 some 287,000 young Australian men were called-up in two separate schemes for compulsory military service. Of them 212 died and 1479 were wounded on active service. This book provides an insight into the Nashos training and service as told by those who were conscripted. It also explains the reasons for National Service at the time.

Winning from DownUnder

By Noel Tunny
RRP $24.95 in paperback
ISBN 9781921555572

Winning From Downunder discusses the three advantages namely Leadership, Largesse and Luck enjoyed by the U.S.A. and Australia that brought the Japanese conquest of South East Asia and much of the Pacific to an end. The book gives insights into the personalities of the senior leaders of the Allies as revealed by their own actions and by the opinions expressed by their contemporaries. Some contentious topics are analysed such as what did Churchill and Roosevelt know about the Japanese plans before Pearl Harbour, the facts behind L.B. Johnson’s visit to Australia and his receipt of a Silver Star Medal and whether or not there was a ‘Brisbane Line’ defence planned for Australia.

Queensland’s Last ANZAC
Life Story of Ted Smout

By Arthur Smout
RRP $19.95 in paperback
ISBN 9781925046434

First published as Three Centuries Spanned: Life Story of E.D. (Ted) Smout, O.A.M, A.S.M., Legion of Honour (Fr). Sgt Edward David (Ted) Smout OAM was Queensland’s Last Anzac who died on 22 June 2004. A man, who typically at the time, lied about his age to enlist, survived the ravages of war after spending some time fighting at the Somme in 1918. He was an eyewitness to the final moments of the infamous “Red Baron”, Manfred von Richtofen. He was discharged on 8 September 1919 10 months following the Armistice on 11 November 1918. Smout was awarded France’s highest honour, a Chevalier of the Legion d’Honneur in 1998 and an OAM for service to the community.