WELCOME TO AUSTRALIAN USED HOMESCHOOL BOOKS!
AUSTRALIANA NON-FICTION - THE GOLD RUSHES
The Gold Rushes : Striving for Wealth (Barrie Sheppard) $5 HB EC (Ex lib) In the 1850s, Australia changed almost overnight with the discovery of gold. Australian settlers left their jobs in droves to head for the diggings in the hope of striking it rich. People came by ship from all around the world to try their luck on the goldfields. Some struck gold, others struggled in the difficult conditions, and some set up businesses selling goods to the miners. With contemporary photographs and illustrations, maps and primary source material, this provides an insight into the people and events that shaped the Australia we live in today. 8-12 YO http://www.booksdirect.com.au/books/?isbn=9781740708203
Australians In History Series “The Golden Dream” (Nancy Keesing) $6 HB GC (Has minor water damage to base of book) George Ogilvie Preshaw, a 12 year old boy, whose family went to the Victorian gold fields in the 1850s, has compiled a diary of his experiences. He becomes a staff member of the Bank of New South Wales and works on the Kiandra and Lambing Flat goldfields. 7-11 YO http://www.leurabooks.com.au/shop_image/product/045281.jpg
Gold! The Fascinating Story Of Gold In Australia (John Nicholson) $6 HB VGC (Ex lib), $6 PB EC This is a well-illustrated account of the people, places, methods, legends and effects of gold mining in Australia. John Nicholson has won a number of the Australian Children's Book of the year Awards for non-fiction and all his books are very highly regarded for their accessibility, excellent illustrations and informative text which is always interesting and inviting. THE CHILDREN’S BOOK COUNCIL OF AUSTRALIA SHORT-LISTED BOOK 8+
Australian Knowledge “Gold Rushes” (Jordan Thomas) $3 PB VGC (Ex lib) Tells the story of this most exciting period in Australian history and the wealth that was created. It also shows how gold and racism caused clashes which ultimately led to the White Australia policy. Clear text, lots of original and modern illustrations, lively text. 9+
Gold In Australia (Tony Crago) $6 PB EC The gold rushes in 19th century Australia were an important and exciting part of this country's history and growth to nationhood. In the mid 1800's the colonial economies were struggling. The discovery of gold at Bathurst by Edward Hargraves and others in 1851 galvanised the entire country. The word gold was on everyone's lips. Gold! Gold! Gold! During the next 40 years or so people from all over the world were to flock to the Australian goldfields. The beginnings of the great Australian tradition of 'mateship' independence and 'fighting against the odds' began on those goldfields. As a result the nation was changed forever. Talented author and artist Tony Crago tells the story of those dramatic times in words and pictures. 9+ http://www.bookgroupaustralia.com.au/book-details/Gold-Australia/1/5/484.html (Cover different)
How Gold Shaped Australia (Melanie Guile) $5 HB EC (Ex lib) This four-book series explores the events surrounding the gold rushes during the 1800s and early 1900s, and looks at how Australia changed and developed because of the desire for wealth and power. The series covers topics such as the key historical events in the discovery and mining of gold, every-day life on the diggings, famous personalities and achievers from the gold rush era, and a detailed exploration of the impact of gold on Australia’s growth up to the present day. Features include extracts from letters and diaries, newspaper articles, eyewitness accounts, maps and contemporary illustrations. 9-12 YO http://www.boomerangbooks.com.au/How-Gold-Shaped-Australia/Melanie-Guile/book_9781740703062.htm
Hodder Australia “Everyday Life In Australia: The Gold Rushes” (John Goode) $3 PB VGC Both the excitement of Australia’s frantic gold rush era and the important contribution of that period to the development of Australia as a nation are conveyed in this book. Great full page illustrations. 7-11 YO
A History Of Australia “Land, Gold And Government” (Stephen Gard) $5 HB VGC (Ex lib) This wonderful series tells the story of our country in ten volumes that provide a timeline of Australian history from thousands of years before European settlement to the present day. This volume looks at gold mines and mining methods, the trouble on the diggings resulting in the Eureka Stockade, the Chinese on the goldfields, transport and communication within the colony at this time and efforts of the explorers Edmund Kennedy and Ludwig Leichhardt in opening up the interior and new gold mining areas. With appealing and exciting book design and layout, it will attract even the most reluctant reader. Recommended! 10+ http://www.wheelers.co.nz/books/9780732954239-history-of-australia-a-10-vol-boxed-set/?view=list#desc
Australian Library “Lure Of Gold” (Anthony Sedunary) $5 HB BRAND NEW, $4 HB VGC (Ex lib) What is it about gold that makes it such a sought after metal? Why has gold played such a significant role in the history of Australia? A great book explaining travelling to the goldfields; life whilst there; mining methods; wealth, extravagance and leisure at the diggings; and the sources of trouble there. Wonderful illustrations with many original historical materials; glossary and index. 9+ http://berkelouw.com.au/catalogue/books/9781863919722/lure-of-gold-australian-library
Milestones In Australian History “The Gold Rushes” (John & Jennifer Barwick) $5 HB VGC (Ex lib) Discusses the discovery of gold in Australia during the 1850s, gold rushes in Victoria and NSW and the Eureka Stockade. Includes letters, diary entries, etc., and discusses the impact of discovery of gold in Australia. Great, engaging format and lots of illustrations. 10 yrs+ http://www.redpepperbooks.co.za/ProductInfo.aspx?productid=9781863919906
The Australian Gold Rushes “Daily Life On The Goldfields” (Kimberley Webber – Powerhouse Museum) $5 HB VGC (Ex lib) Contains information on the historical aspects of the Australian gold rushes - life on the goldfields, including family life, social life, law and order, and the everyday life of the digger. Great book with a lively format and heaps of illustrations. Recommended! 9 yrs+
The Australian Gold Rushes “Growing Up On The Goldfields” (Kimberley Webber – Powerhouse Museum) $5 HB VGC (Ex lib) Contains information a child’s life on the goldfields. Great book with a lively format and heaps of illustrations. Recommended! 9 yrs+
Australian History In Song 2 “The Gold And Glory Boys” Book (Pat Edwards) $5 PB GC Tired of history books full of dates about kings and queens, governors and prime ministers? Folk songs tell you about the ordinary people and the things that happened to them. Contains the score, words and explanatory info behind 15 popular gold and bushranger songs. Includes Bold Jack Donahue, Where’s Your Licence?, Look Out Below!, The Jolly Puddlers, The Old Palmer Song, Poor Ned Kelly, the Ballad of Ben Hall’s Gang and many more. Includes music scores and lots of background information on the rushes and rangers as well as extension activity ideas. Has a back section with more information and maps about the gold rushes and bushranging era. Great illustrations throughout. Recommended! Any age.
Focus On Australia “Gold” (Brian Carroll) $4 HB EC (Ex lib) Examines the history of gold mining in each state, the impact of the gold rushes on the development of Australia, early and modern mining methods, processing methods and the effect of gold mining on the environment. Great interactive layout with lots of original illustrations, photographs, maps, glossary and index. A great book! 7+
The Making Of Australia “Gold” (Valmai Phillips) $2 HB EC A comprehensive examination of the history of gold in Australia from the first discoveries and Edward Hargreave; to the large fields such as Ballarat and Bendigo as well as the Kimberley, Gympie, Palmer River and Hill End rushes; to Peter Lalor, the Eureka Stockade and the riots at Lambing Flat. Lots of original source documents, photographs and engravings. 12+
The Australian Gold Rushes “Growth After Gold” (Kimberley Webber, Powerhouse Museum) $5 HB EC (Ex lib) This book focuses on the results of the gold rushes in Australia, in particular on the population explosion, increased export income, spread of settlement, improvements in transport - railways, buses and trams, advances in agriculture and industry, and an impetus towards Federation. Contains contemporary photographs, sketches and paintings, with photographs of artefacts from the Powerhouse Museum a prominent feature. 'Golden stories' present interesting pieces of trivia, and a glossary explains difficult words. 8-12 YO
Gold and Ghost Towns (Daniel Edwards) $3 PB VGC (Ex lib) When gold is discovered somewhere, people flock from all over the world to the new gold field, and the town becomes a boom town. Sometimes, after the gold rush is over, people leave as quickly as they came, and the boom town can become a ghost town. 7-11 YO http://www.boomerangbooks.com.au/Gold-and-Ghost-Towns/Lucy-Armour/book_9780732982720.htm
Australia In History “The Eureka Stockade: Big Trouble on the Diggings” (Geoff Hocking) $6 PB VGC (Ex lib) The surprisingly short but bloody battle at the gravel pits on the Eureka diggings, which began in the pre-dawn on the Sunday morning of 3 December 1854, was a dramatic conclusion to months of heated agitation on the Ballarat diggings. This extensively illustrated book charts the progress of the agitation on the Victorian goldfields from the Great Meeting of Diggers at Forest Creek in December 1851, through the Red Ribbon Rebellion in Bendigo in August 1853 to the end-game at the Eureka Stockade. Although short-lived, the rebellion gave birth to the desire for true democracy in the nascent Australian nation. Lavishly illustrated throughout with hundreds of engravings, paintings, posters, photographs and items of ephemera, this book makes history a joy to read. 11+ http://www.geoffhocking.com/images/eurekasmallbook.jpg
Livewire Real Lives “Peter Lalor” (Lynn Booth) $4 PB VGC (Ex lib) This book tells the story of Peter Lalor, the man who led the miners at the Eureka Stockade. It has drawings of the battle and of the gold-fields. Livewires is a series of exciting reading materials for students with reading ages of below 11. 8-11 YO
Eureka Stockade (Alan Boardman & Roland Harvey) $6 PB GC Wonderful cartoons illustrate the life of a gold digger and this famous revolt against the authorities in the Ballarat gold fields. Picture book. 6-11
Eureka! You Made It, Peter Lalor! (Brian Mackness) $4 PB VGC An activity book filled with Gold Fever and Find The Nugget games; hints for locating and panning for gold as well as famous nuggets; instructions for building a sluice, making gold scales and making a model stockade; recipes from the goldfields; pages for building a gold town model and making a Eureka flag, plus much more. Includes information and illustrations about the Eureka Stockade and Pater Lalor. Any age.
Australian Library “Eureka Rebellion” (Barrie Sheppard) $6 HB BRAND NEW, $5 HB VGC (Ex lib) What was the Eureka rebellion? What is its significance today? A great look at gold fever and the city of Ballarat. Discusses the licence system and the reasons why the diggers had had enough to make them take up arms against the authorities. Learn the history of the Eureka flag, the significant figures of the battle and how the Rebellion has changed the way we now live. Excellent design and layout. Wonderful layout with many original and new illustrations, maps, timeline, glossary and index. 9-12 YO Highly recommended!
(Last update December, 2010)
