Alas For The Pelicans

In 1802 a Frenchman and an Englishman famously encountered each other off the shores of South Australia. The voyages of discovery of Nicolas Baudin and Matthew Flinders opened the way for the increasingly rapid colonisation of 'Terra Australis'.

With its distinctive, comical walk, large bill, and association with the conservation movement, the pelican has attained iconic status. But as Barbara Allen reveals, this graceful skimmer of ocean waves has a checkered history. Originally classed as “unclean” in the King James Bible, the legend of the compassionate pelican was later appropriated by Christianity to symbolize Christ’s sacrifice. This majestic bird, gifted to British royalty in 1664, has been celebrated in art and literature, from Shakespeare’s King Lear to the writing of Edward Lear, and is the holder of three Guinness World Records. The pelican’s anatomy has been copied for paper plane construction, aircraft design, and in 3D imaging, and its resilience is as remarkable as its make-up: the pelican has rallied against threats of extinction, habitat destruction, and environmental disasters such as the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. A must-read book for all bird enthusiasts, Barbara Allen’s Pelican weaves together wildlife trivia, historical tales, and the latest research to provide an engaging, many-feathered account of this emblematic bird.

In this comprehensive study, Kenneth Morgan provides an authoritative account of European exploration and discovery in Australia. The book presents a detailed chronological overview of European interests in the Australian continent, from initial speculations about the 'Great Southern Land' to the major hydrographic expeditions of the 19th century. In particular, he analyses the early crossings of the Dutch in the 17th century, the exploits of English 'buccaneer adventurer' William Dampier, the famous voyages of James Cook and Matthew Flinders, and the little-known French annexation of Australia in 1772. Introducing new findings and drawing on the latest in historiographical research, this book situates developments in navigation, nautical astronomy and cartography within the broader contexts of imperial, colonial, and maritime history.

This is a biographical work on Matthew Flinders, an eighteenth-century English navigator who charted much of the Australian coast. It gives a wonderful insight into his life and achievements. Anyone who finds delight in reading about this period of history or the history of Australia will find a medium that will appeal to their needs in this work.

Scale the world’s highest peaks, plunge to the depths of the ocean, wade through the dense jungles of the Amazon, and cross every terrain in between in Incredible Survival Stories. Featuring more than a dozen firsthand accounts from celebrated explorers and adventurers, this collection includes some of the most perilous accounts of man versus nature ever to be penned. Prepare to be amazed, as within these pages you’ll: • Join Theodore Roosevelt’s standoff with an African lion • Descend to the depths of the deepest cavern with Norbert Casteret • Battle a sandstorm in the Gobi Desert with Sven Hedin • Discover uncharted American territory with Lewis and Clark • Follow Ernest Shackleton’s perilous Antarctic voyage • Soar through the skies with Charles Lindbergh • And tag along on more than a dozen more adventures! With more than three dozen photographs and illustrations that help bring these astounding tales to life, Incredible Survival Stories is a must-have for every armchair adventurer and aspiring explorer.