Sep 18, 2025 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Australian, Philosophy, Social Sciences \ Politics \ Government
ISBN 978-1-923443-79-2
PAPERBACK
ISBN 978-1-923443-80-8
HARDCOVER
ISBN 978-1-923589-25-4
EBOOK
Are we on the Right Path or the Wrong One ?
Why critical thinking matters now more than ever
In any society, self-examination is not a luxury — it is a necessity.
Are we on the Right Path or the Wrong One? argues that a healthy democracy depends on citizens who are well-informed, critically engaged, and able to distinguish evidence-based knowledge from propaganda. This book invites readers to pause and reflect: are we truly moving in the right direction?
Drawing inspiration from the scientific method — which encourages exploration, critical inquiry, and the courage to question assumptions — the book challenges us to examine controversial issues such as the entrenchment of false beliefs, the state of education, the rise of authoritarianism, the misuse of science, and the politicisation of climate change. Like scientists probing multiple hypotheses, we must be willing to test our societal assumptions without dogmatism or defensiveness. Seeking truth demands intellectual humility — and a readiness to acknowledge when we may have taken a wrong turn.
Are we on the Right Path or the Wrong One? is a spirited defence of reason, free thought, and common sense. In an era of intense political polarisation, it calls for a renewed commitment to critical thinking, honest dialogue, and genuine respect for diverse viewpoints — values essential for democracy’s survival and flourishing.
“This is a work of profound learning and reflection. It is a vigorous and deeply thoughtful defence of freedom of thought and the need for integrity in science. I cannot recommend it too highly – it is a work desperately needed at times in our history, such as now.”
John Roskam – Senior Fellow, Institute of Public Affairs.
About the Authors
FINLAY MACRITCHIE is an internationally recognised scientist and Emeritus Professor of Grain Science & Industry at Kansas State University, USA. He previously worked at CSIRO in Australia for 30 years and held visiting professorships in universities across Europe and South America. He has published over 150 scientific papers and five books. He has been a member of the Editorial Boards of Advances in Colloid and Interface Science, Cereal Chemistry and Journal of Cereal Science and was Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Cereal Science (2008 – 2018). Professor MacRitchie’s awards include the F.B. Guthrie Medal of the Cereal Division of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute and the Thomas Burr Osborne Medal and George W. Scott Blair Memorial Award of the American Association of Cereal Chemists (now AACC International). In 2020, Stanford University listed him among the world’s top 2% of researchers.
SYLVIA MACRITCHIE-HOOK is a qualified marketing and communications specialist with over 25 years of professional experience. Her background includes work across various sectors, including publishing and media in London, Sydney, and San Francisco. She has also held roles at top-tier law firms, in higher education, and within the Catholic sector. Most recently, she served in a senior management role at a prominent Catholic organisation in Australia. Currently, she is a Ramsay Scholar at Australian Catholic University, pursuing a Master of Liberal Arts (Western Civilisation).
Sep 12, 2025 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Australian, Memoir, Psychology \ Mental Health, Relationships
ISBN 978-1-923443-92-1
PAPERBACK
ISBN 978-1-923589-17-9
EBOOK
Rogue, Black Sheep or Ratbag
A memoir of survival, truth, and the courage to confront family cruelty
Every family has its darkness, this one was never hidden.
In this courageous and unflinching memoir, the author recounts a lifetime shaped by the volatile presence of her sister, Eva—a woman whose behaviour pushed the boundaries of psychological abuse. With traits that elude simple definition—psychopathic manipulation, narcissism, obsessive control—Eva’s actions left deep scars on those around her, particularly their mother.
Through writing, the author finds clarity, acceptance, and the ability to finally sleep at night.
This is her story—a deeply personal account of survival, truth-telling, and the power of speaking out.
From The Author
AS I WROTE IN my preface, expressing all these incidents on paper has relieved me emotionally. When I have told others that I am writing my memoir and given them a precis of its contents, mostly they have said that they had a black sheep in the family too. It seems to be that most families suffer a rogue in silence. But I felt I had to get it off my chest.
My brothers have been an enormous support to me all through my life and now when I have discussed certain incidents with them. I appreciate their help and thank them for their continued support.
I would also like to thank Sarah for encouraging me to share my story.
I repeat that incidents are not in chronological sequence but as they came into my mind and I felt I had to deal with them. It’s such a relief to not carry the trauma any longer.
Perhaps you would like to write your memoir and clear your emotional baggage. It has helped me so much. And maybe you can send me your story and I may be able to help you.
[email protected]
Lexie Waters
2025
Sep 11, 2025 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Australian, Autobiography, Biography
ISBN 978-1-923523-00-5
PAPERBACK
A Journey of Faith and Resilience
This is the story of Peg, an ordinary woman who was “made of extraordinary stuff ”
Margaret (Peg) Rankin is remembered by all who knew and loved her as a woman of kindness with a ready smile. Her long life brought her much joy, love and happiness.
She was the devoted mother of twelve children and many grandchildren, a farmer, a chef and a confidante for many.
There were also challenges and tragedy. With her strong will she persisted and got on with the next thing. Always positive, Peg was quick to move on from trials and setbacks.
She was a true Christian. She embodied love, mercy, joy, a ready sense of humour and above all, resilience and faith.
This is her remarkable story told by a loving son.
About the Author
PETER RANKIN, born in Warragul in 1958, was the tenth of twelve children.
A devoted Salesian priest from 1989, he served in parishes across four states. He was loved for his gentle manner, kindness and faith. Aside from religion, he was a passionate Essendon supporter and storyteller.
He began writing his mother Peg’s story in 2014. Diagnosed with cancer in 2021, Peter passed away in 2022, leaving this book as his tribute.
Sep 9, 2025 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Animals \ Pets Fiction, Australian, Children's Books
ISBN 978-1-923214-80-4
PAPERBACK
Sammy The Scorpion Lives In A Quiet Valley With Many Interesting Characters.
This story tells how he interacts with one of the characters and how he negotiates his way out of a situation.
Sep 8, 2025 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Australian, Debora Souza, History, History showcase, Nostalgia
ISBN 978-1-923680-71-5
PAPERBACK
The Dawn of the Modern Age
This is the story of Australia’s most turbulent and transformative decade through the eyes of the people who lived it. From the fall of a government to the fall of a space station, this nostalgic and historic journey captures what life was really like for ordinary Australians during the 1970s.
From fish and chips wrapped in newspaper to the arrival of fast food, from red phone boxes to colour television, these are the stories of a nation finding its voice. Relive the drama of the Whitlam years and the Dismissal that divided a country, the shock of Granville and the heartbreak of the Montreal Olympics, the thrill of Countdown on a Saturday night, and the revolution Kerry Packer brought to cricket under floodlights, Meet the butchers, the tea ladies, the kids who roamed free until the streetlights came on, and the Vietnamese families who arrived with nothing and built everything.
Whether you were born in the 70s or grew up, went to school, got your first job, got married and started a family, these are your memories.
Through personal memories and researched stories, this book brings to life the decade that changed Australia forever-when we went metric, went colour, found our voice, and grew up.
ISBN 978-1-923680-16-6
PAPERBACK
Out of the Darkness: The Decade That Defined Modern Australia
This is the story of Australia’s most transformative decade through the eyes of people who lived through it. From the outbreak of war to the birth of modern Australia by decade’s end, this nostalgic and historic journey captures what life was like for ordinary Australians during the 1940s
From rationing and blackouts, victory gardens and air raid drills, these are the stories of the men and who faced some of Australia’s most difficult times. Meet the men and boys who marched off to war, the women who built bombs and made bullets, the children who collected scrap metal for the war effort, and the immigrants who arrived with cardboard suitcases and unpronounceable names. Relive the excitement of Victory in Europe and then the Pacific, the first Holden rolling off the production line, and learn just how an unusual breakfast spread became a national icon.
Through personal memories and carefully researched stories, this book brings to life the decade that shaped modern Australia – when a nation faced its darkest hours and emerged stronger, more confident, and ready to build the lucky country we know today.
ISBN 978-1-923645-33-2
PAPERBACK
What made the swingin’ sixties
The Sixties Down Under: Discover Australia’s Era of Extraordinary Change
Step back into the Australian decade they call “The Swingin’ Sixties”. From the comfortable certainties of 1960 to the moon landing that ended the decade Photos and Memories 1960s captures the extraordinary transformation of a nation in a time of great change.
As Beatlemania swept through our cities and decimal currency replaced pounds, shillings and pence, we witnessed the 1967 referendum that overwhelmingly voted for Aboriginal rights. Relive the controversy of Vietnam, the disappearance of Prime Minister Harold Holt, and the cultural revolution that saw young Australians questioning everything their parents had accepted.
Beyond the major events, discover what daily life was really like – from typing pools and record shops to marching girls and Earl’s Court adventures. Through personal memories and year-by-year chronicles, this book brings the sights, sounds, and spirit of 1960s Australia vividly to life.
Whether you were born in the swinging sixties, went to school or simply want to understand the decade that shaped modern Australia, this nostalgic journey will inform, entertain, and transport you back to one of the most exciting eras in our nation’s history.
ISBN 978-1-923589-62-9
PAPERBACK
Australia Remember the Year 1796
Step into Australia of 1976. A nation recovering from political upheaval, where flares were fashion, Countdown ruled Sunday nights on TV, and the local Chinese restaurant was exotic dining.
Discover the everyday details that shaped your world – from platform shoes to emerging environmental movements, from meat-and-three-veg to the first stirrings of multiculturalism, from the tribal passions of football codes to the revolution happening in women’s lives.
Through vivid storytelling and photos, explore the politics, culture, technology, and social changes of this pivotal year. Learn about the workplace your parents knew, the classrooms of your childhood, and the seeds of change that would define your future.
This is more than history – it’s the story of the Australia you were born into, told with warmth, insight, and a deep appreciation for the complexity and possibility of that remarkable year.
ISBN 978-1-923523-34-0
PAPERBACK
For All Those Who Can Remember
A nostalgic journey through the years that helped build a nation’s identity.
Come back with me into a most remarkable decade in Australia – the 1950s. Photos & Memories 1950s: For All Those Who Can Remember captures the stories, pictures and memories of an era that shaped a nation, from the end of wartime rationing to the arrival of television, from the dream of a quarter-acre block to the birth of teenage culture.
This isn’t just the history of our nation, it’s the story of everyday Australians rebuilding their lives after World War II. Tales of how families embraced new suburbs, welcomed European immigrants, and celebrated together during the Queen’s visit and the 1956 Melbourne Olympics.
If you were born or lived through the fifties, this book explores the milestones that defined a generation – first jobs, first cars, first homes, and the simple pleasures of backyard cricket and visits to the corner shop. For seniors, these pages will spark cherished memories; for younger readers, it’s a window into the decade that helped create a modern Australia.
About the Author
Bob Byrne is a veteran Australian media professional with a 40-year career in radio broadcasting.
Following his tenure as a radio personality, Bob transitioned to print as a columnist and feature writer for the Adelaide Advertiser.
As an author, he has published seven books, most notably the acclaimed “Remember When” series. His expertise in chronicling Australia’s social history has earned him a substantial following, with his “Australia Remember When” Facebook page attracting over 375,000 engaged followers.
Bob continues to create new stories focusing on the baby boomer years in Australia. His latest work, “Photos & Memories 1950s,” launches an ambitious new series that will document the social and cultural evolution of Australia throughout the last five decades of the twentieth century.
Sep 8, 2025 | *, *Featured books, *listed, Australian, Mystery Fiction, Thriller Fiction
ISBN 978-1-923443-99-0
PAPERBACK
ISBN 978-1-923523-98-2
EBOOK
Diamonds, Secrets, and Deadly Lies
A STORY OF POWER, SECRETS, AND DEADLY DECEPTION.
When two young environmental scientists vanish while investigating radiation contamination near a former nuclear test zone in the South Pacific, their deaths are ruled a tragic accident — until their parents’ desperate plea lands in the inbox of an investigative journalist, Robert Tait.
From Tahiti to the Congo, Robert embarks on a dangerous journey, in pursuit of the truth that is buried deep beneath layers of government cover-ups and corporate deception. As he digs deeper he uncovers claims of illegal diamond trading all part of a web of secrets that finds him the target of claims of espionage and his reputation under attack.
A gripping tale of justice, revenge and redemption, this novel unravels the mysterious disappearance that started it all.