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Absolutely Revolting

February–March 1984, no. 58

Welcome to the February–March 1984 issue of Australian Book Review!

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Contents Category: Essay
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Article Title: Book Distribution in Australia
Article Subtitle: The problem and its solution
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One of the biggest problems facing the book trade in Australia is the distribution of Australian books both within Australia and overseas. The situation is not improving, because of both the economic depression and the increasing stranglehold overseas publishing firms have on the Australian market. Last year two important bookshops in Sydney, Exiles and Abbeys, ceased to be effective outlets for small press books, in the former because of bankruptcy, in the latter because of a decision to rationalise their holdings. The provision of alternative views and new ideas in Australia is such a fragile matter that we simply cannot afford to have the few current outlets closed to us.
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One of the biggest problems facing the book trade in Australia is the distribution of Australian books both within Australia and overseas. The situation is not improving, because of both the economic depression and the increasing stranglehold overseas publishing firms have on the Australian market. Last year two important bookshops in Sydney, Exiles and Abbeys, ceased to be effective outlets for small press books, in the former because of bankruptcy, in the latter because of a decision to rationalise their holdings. The provision of alternative views and new ideas in Australia is such a fragile matter that we simply cannot afford to have the few current outlets closed to us.

Read more: ‘Book Distribution in Australia - The problem and its solution’ by Michael Denholm

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Contents Category: Essay
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Article Title: The Public Mode
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I feel a bit embarrassed writing about myself. It suggests the individual is at the centre, whereas I believe the group or community is. It also directs attention to the person instead of what is written, the thing itself. Also, it extols the artist instead of the tradition which he represents.

What I've written is more important than what I am. ‘I could bear anything in my life,’ a New York friend said once, ‘except being misunderstood’. Perhaps writing it all down is one way of making sure you aren’t misunderstood ... except often it’s hard to write with the passion you feel.

Read more: ‘The Public Mode’ by Craig McGregor

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Hilary McPhee reviews ‘How To Publish Your Own Book’ by Bill Hornadge
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Contents Category: Publishing
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Article Title: A Practical Guide
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Self-publishing has always happened. Once the province of the very rich who like to press their thoughts in slim monogrammed volumes on friends and governments, or the last desperate resort of the very nutty, books published by their authors were usually given away and probably rarely read.
Book 1 Title: How to Publish Your Own Book
Book Author: Bill Hornadge
Book 1 Biblio: Review Publications, $14.95 pb, 88 pp
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Self-publishing has always happened. Once the province of the very rich who like to press their thoughts in slim monogrammed volumes on friends and governments, or the last desperate resort of the very nutty, books published by their authors were usually given away and probably rarely read.

Read more: Hilary McPhee reviews ‘How To Publish Your Own Book’ by Bill Hornadge

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Contents Category: Essay
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Article Title: Trading Posts
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In a recent issue of the British ‘Bookseller’, a columnist wishing to explain the apparent lack of success in UK of Anthony Grey’s attempt to convince people that the late Harold Holt was a spy for the Chinese said ‘the fact is that the British public does not give a damn for Australian Prime Ministers’. Perhaps the reason for the comparative failure of the same book in Australia is that the Australian public does not give a damn for the views of pommy journalists.
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In a recent issue of the British ‘Bookseller’, a columnist wishing to explain the apparent lack of success in UK of Anthony Grey’s attempt to convince people that the late Harold Holt was a spy for the Chinese said ‘the fact is that the British public does not give a damn for Australian Prime Ministers’. Perhaps the reason for the comparative failure of the same book in Australia is that the Australian public does not give a damn for the views of pommy journalists.

Monash University bookshop, which has had nearly as many managers in its short history as Melbourne University in its much longer period of glory, may well have found the best in Jim McGrath, who recently took up the appointment. Jim, who was successful in educational books for Nelsons and Prentice Hall, is reputedly very happy to have made the change from poacher to game-keeper.

Read more: ‘Trading Posts’ by Alex Sheppard

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Susan Chamberlain reviews ‘A History of Tasmania’ by Lloyd Robson
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Contents Category: History
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Article Title: Genocidal Islanders
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Lloyd Robson has produced a finely researched and lucid book which will become a standard reference on the early political history of the island of Tasmania. Volume One deals with the intrigues, conflicts and self-indulgences that were endemic in the emerging society and boldly illustrates the path to ‘self rather than ‘responsible’ government, together with the feelings of animosity that were generated towards particular colonial governorships.
Book 1 Title: A History of Tasmania, Volume 1
Book 1 Subtitle: Van Diemen’s Land from the earliest times to 1855
Book Author: Lloyd Robson
Book 1 Biblio: Oxford University Press, $50.00 hb, 632 pp
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Lloyd Robson has produced a finely researched and lucid book which will become a standard reference on the early political history of the island of Tasmania. Volume One deals with the intrigues, conflicts and self-indulgences that were endemic in the emerging society and boldly illustrates the path to ‘self rather than ‘responsible’ government, together with the feelings of animosity that were generated towards particular colonial governorships.

Read more: Susan Chamberlain reviews ‘A History of Tasmania’ by Lloyd Robson

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