Overview

Quite by chance, Colin Dyer unearthed - in the John Oxley Library, Brisbane - the diary of one Henri Gilbert. In this small, leatherbound notebook, Gilbert describes his extraordinary walk across Australia's searing Nullarbor Plain in 1897-98. Gilbert, a French journalist, was in fact) walking around the world, and crossed (Australia from Perth to Brisbane Written in Gilbert's native French, the diary also contains photographs of himself and the people he met, as well as cuttings about the journey from contemporary local newspapers. At each stop he made sure the diary was authenticated by a signed attestation from the local stationmaster, the hotel owner, the postmaster or the mayor Colin Dyer has translated the diary so that English-speaking readers may enjoy this delightful historical curiosity. Attractively packaged in a small hardback format, perfect for a gift, the book also contains facsimile pages of Gilbert's exquisite handwriting, as well as a selection of his photographs A fascinating Introduction by Colin Dyer sets the story in its broader historical context

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9780522849165

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Reviews

This book is a charming curiosity, and affords a glimpse into life on the Nullarbor at the end of the 19th century through the eyes of an observant and good-natured 'stranger '... a small, engaging book...' (Kim Mahood, The Age, 2 December 2000) This little book is a genuine delight. Enjoy. (Tim Unwin, University of Bristol, (Carnet Austral, No 14, March 2001

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