Non-fiction

Baji Rao II – The East India Company 1796-1818 – Pratul Chandra Gupta.

This is a second edition, with important amendments and additions [including a map] of respected hard to find, book by Chandra Gupta. Octavo, 239 pages, published by Allied – Bombay etc. in 1964.

This book is concerned with the fall of the Maratha power in the early years of the nineteenth century. Baji Rao II was the very last of the Peshwas who was compelled to enter into a subordinate alliance with the East India Company. He tried to address the situation but after the last Maratha War he surrendered all his power in return for the security of a pension.

Baji Roa II and the powerful East India Company

$40.00

Updating cart…

The Siege of Chitral, 1895 – Much Sounding of Bugles – John Harris

We have swapped the title and subtitle around as for us the former belittles somewhat the history of the event.

Books were written by officer attendees in the last decade of the 19thC … such as Younghusband and these works provide good primary reference for the author. However, his total body of “reference’ is much more than we anticipated and as a result here we have what is the definitive account.

Larger octavo, 248 pages, endpaper maps, period photographic images, a very good copy bar an ownership label on front paste down.

Chitral as if you had been there but without the pain.

$40.00

Updating cart…

The Splendour of Israel – Robert Payne

First Edition published by one of our favourites – The Travel Book Club – Charing Cross, London in 1963.

Octavo, 192 pages, maps at front. Some age but still a very good copy.

Well written narrative with good content and impressions and historical continent re Jerusalem, Mount Zion, Tal Aviv, Caesarea, Haifa, Lake Huleh, Hazor, Nazareth, Mount Tabor, The Sea of Galilee, Beersheba, Massada etc.

Israel read it for a better understanding

$25.00

Updating cart…

Wai-Wai [Through the Forests North of the Amazon] – Nicholas Guppy.

Important book about the little known Wai-Wai from the border of Gayana and Brazil. Nicholas Guppy was an incredible individual – he died in Bali in his 80’s having gone there to alleviate the effects of hookworm which found their way into his system during these adventures. We strongly recommend reading his obituary in the London Telegraph … too much and too interesting to paraphrase here.

Thick octavo, 374 pages, first edition published by none other than John Murray, London in 1958. Chips to dust jacket as seen in the image but still a very good copy of a must have book.

A useful map near the front provides an overview of the travels first by light aircraft, then foot and canoe over very difficult terrain and waters. Guppy a botanist was sent to secure rare specimens but foremost in his mind was finding the elusive Wai-Wai. The travels were arduous; finding sufficient food along the way was problematic – particularly as the gang of native helpers he used appeared to regard him [his body] as back-up should provisions be depleted! Eventually he meets his Wai-Wai … a most unusual group, completely unaffected by western life. He came to love and admire them – reflected in this book and from what we read his conversation throughout his life.

We wish we could say more and maybe be more precise about this work – it is more than worthy.

Adventurous Guppy meets his Wai-Wai and they get along well.

$50.00

Updating cart…

Rabaul 1942 – the Story of the 2/22nd Australian Army Infantry and others – Douglas Aplin

This is the second printing of Douglas Aplin’s definitive book on the, as he calls it, “tragic story of the 2/22^nd …. The men and women of the Lark Force, including units of the RAN, RAAF, New Guinea Volunteer Rifles, 1^st Independent Company etc and New Guinea residents who were caught up in the calamity following the January 1942 invasion of the New Guinea Islands by the Japanese”

Softcover, perfect bound, published by the Battalion, effectively self-published by the author, 1980. 294 pages, illustrated – very good condition.

And, what a calamity it was … many lost their lives amid the confusion sparked by the ineptitude of military and political hierarchy in Canberra … for weeks invasion had been inevitable and opportunities to move anyone at risk were lost … those left must have been terrified and bewildered. Without dragging too much up, as is the mood of current times, … things were not good. The Japanese brought 3,000 of their own prostitutes to Rabaul to “service” their troops, gives you some idea …

Nevertheless, there are some good stories here among the debris of war … those that made every personal effort to escape … often by risky means … but with success. This is an important book to reflect on how humans behave in the worst of circumstances … but the “escapes”… they provide some happiness and relief.

Important thorough work by Douglas Aplin based on numerous journals, diaries, records etc.

$70.00

Updating cart…

Wooden Hookers of Hobart Town & Whalers Out of Van Diemen’s Land – Harry O’May

Published by the author a fine copy of the second impression 1978.

Octavo, 137 pages plus 101 pages indices not paginated. Very clean superb dust jacket.

Harry O’May’s compilation of two books packed with historic detail about the Tasmanian early whalers – superb photographic record nowhere else seen.

One of the best Tasmanian Maritime

$30.00

Updating cart…

Baji Rao II – The East India Company 1796-1818 – Pratul Chandra Gupta.

The Siege of Chitral, 1895 – Much Sounding of Bugles – John Harris

The Splendour of Israel – Robert Payne

Wai-Wai [Through the Forests North of the Amazon] – Nicholas Guppy.

Rabaul 1942 – the Story of the 2/22nd Australian Army Infantry and others – Douglas Aplin

Wooden Hookers of Hobart Town & Whalers Out of Van Diemen’s Land – Harry O’May

Product Categories