The Shipwreck of the Batavia combines in just the one tale the birth of the world's first corporation, the brutality of colonisation, the battle of good vs evil, the derring-do of sea-faring adventure, mutiny, ship-wreck, love, lust, blood-lust, petty fascist dictatorship, criminality, a reign of terror, murders most foul, sexual slavery, natural nobility, survival, retribution, rescue, first contact with native peoples and so much more. Described by author Peter FitzSimons as a true Adults Only version of Lord of the Flies, meeting Nightmare on Elm Street, the story is set in 1629, when the pride of the Dutch East India Company, the Batavia, is on its maiden voyage en route from Amsterdam to the Dutch East Indies, laden down with the greatest treasure to leave Holland. The magnificent ship is already boiling over with a mutinous plot that is just about to break into the open when, just off the coast of Western Australia, it strikes an unseen reef in the middle of the night. While Commandeur Francisco Pelsaert decides to take the long-boat across 2000 miles of open sea for help, his second-in-command Jeronimus Cornelisz takes over, quickly deciding that 250 people on a small island is unwieldy for the small number of supplies they have. Quietly, he puts forward a plan to 40 odd mutineers how they could save themselves, kill most of the rest and spare only a half-dozen or so women, including his personal fancy, Lucretia Jansz - one of the noted beauties of Holland - to service their sexual needs. A reign of terror begins, countered only by a previously anonymous soldier Wiebbe Hayes, who begins to gather to him those are prepared to do what it takes to survive . . . hoping against hope that the Commandeur will soon be coming back to them with the rescue yacht. It all happened, long ago, and it is for a very good reason that Peter FitzSimons has long maintained that this is far and away the greatest story in Australia's history, if not the world's. FitzSimons unique writing style has made him the country's best-selling non-fiction writer over the last ten years, and he is perfect man to make this bloody, chilling, stunning tale come alive.

Does the following person sound familiar? At the workplace, he/she intimidates fellow workers; exhibits impulsive behavior; demonstrates a lack of remorse; and is glib and superficially charming. Workplace psychopaths exist in a variety of institutions. They are individuals who manipulate their way through life and leave an indelible mark on both their victims and society. They are destructive men and women--cunning, self-centered, ruthless, and terrifying. What motivates these individuals? How can coworkers protect themselves from these monsters who hide behind a veneer of respectability? This guide provides a fascinating insight into the mind of the workplace psychopath. Drawing on studies and research in forensic psychology, it shows how to recognize and manage a workplace psychopath.

The former professional surfer tells his own story

On the surface he was Tom Carroll, dreamer, brilliant surfer, Australian sports hero, fitness fanatic, businessman, family man, and big wave charger. But inside turned the terrible wheel of drug addiction--part family curse, part legacy of the footloose surf culture he'd done so much to legitimize. Tom's family and friends struggled with him, kept his secrets, and looked on in anger and fear as the wheel began to grind him down. Then a window opened, but getting through it made charging Pipeline look like a piece of cake. This is the story of an unlikely moral education: of humility, family, damage, brotherhood, youth, stupidity, glory, single-mindedness, and surrender, and about the feeling of water moving under a surfboard, how it can bind past to present and make sense of lives.

Samantha X is not your typical hooker. She's the wrong side of 35, has two kids, and counts dining at her local pizzeria as a wild night out. Career-wise, Samantha had it all: writing for Australia's top-selling women's magazines, appearing as a media expert on television, and traveling the world for the sake of a good story. But after a marriage breakdown, and with two kids, she turned her back on the media. Samantha decided to dust off her stilettos and work at Sydney's most infamous brothel, where she soon became one of their most in-demand girls. Not only was she making great cash, but she was also privy to the real-life stories of her clients--irresistible to the journalist in her. How could she not keep a record of their salacious stories? She heard everything: from tearful married men confessing their secrets, to lesbian threesomes, to servicing the odd married couple trying to reignite their relationship. But while whoring can be lucrative and fun, it also comes with a hefty price, as Samantha soon finds out. The only problem is, can she kick her addiction to what she believes to be the best job in the world?

Justice served with extra chocolate sauce

Nanny Piggins gets in trouble with the law after some illicit tight rope walking, and is sentenced to 5000 hours community service. But she isn't the type of pig to take her punishment lying down, not when there are old people to rescue, pirates to impersonate, and a great big bus to borrow.

The most dangerous pig ever to put on a leotard

In book five of her enthralling adventures, Nanny Piggins discovers some startling truths about the ruthless Ringmaster, provides counseling to a Molavadinian princess with pre-wedding jitters, inadvertently wins a Nobel Prize while impersonating her sister, and catches up with her favorite four-ton friend, Esmeralda the forgetful elephant.

We all remember images from WWI of massive artillery barrages and soldiers crossing shattered landscapes towards certain slaughter. Beneath these killing fields of the Western Front, another war was taking place, a deadly game 30 metres down, played between thousands of troops. These were not infantrymen- these were miners. Their mutual goal was to tunnel beneath 'no man's land', under the opposing lines and destroy the German enemy from below. Unfortunately, the Germans had the same idea and were digging in from the other side. Over 4585 Australian miners took part in this secret subterranean war, fighting under stress and conditions that terrified even the most hardened infantryman on the surface. Through exhaustive research, Will Davies has uncovered first-hand accounts of life for the tunnellers and soldiers at the front. In sharing their hopes, dreams, victories and disappointments he tells the broad story of day after day in the mud at the front line and uncovers the glorious spirit of these men who fought and died for their countries.

Four purrfect stories for animal-loving, newly independent readers

Florence the dog goes on vacation with her family in Florence Takes the Lead, and Ben finds that a vacation can involve a little bit of work, especially when the work involves giving animals a better life! Lost in Translation finds Cassie and Ben organizing a dog-washing fundraiser for the RSPCA, at which a student vet helps with an emergency four-legged patient. Cassie and Ben are looking after a cat whose owners are away when the cat falls ill. For Cassie, Ben, and Dr. Joe, the hunt is on to find what has caused her illness in Ruby's Misadaventure. In A New Home for Cocoa, the friends lend a hand to a classmate who is getting a new kitten and must choose where to get the kitten, what to look for, and more.

The extraordinary life of Australia's first international racehorse, from creating new records in Australia to his life in California, where he won the Hollywood Gold Cup

In wartime Sydney, a small and weedy racehorse kicked his way through the top tier of Australian racing. He was Shannon, one of the fastest horses the nation had ever seen. Between 1943 and 1947, Shannon broke record after record with his garrulous jockey Darby Munro. When they sensationally lost the Epsom Handicap by six inches, they forever were stamped by the race they didn't win. Sold in August 1947 for the highest price ever paid at auction for an Australian thoroughbred, Shannon ended up in America. Through headline-snatching pedigree flaws, acclimatization, and countless hardships, he blitzed across the ritzy, glitzy racetracks of 1948 California. Smashing track records, world records, and records set by Seabiscuit, the Australian bolted into world fame with speed and courage that defied all odds. Long before Black Caviar, So You Think, and Takeover Target, Shannon was Australia's first international racehorse. Starring Hall of Fame trainers and jockeys, Hollywood lawyers, and legends Bernborough and Citation, this is his tremendous story.

Meet Lulu Bell. Where there's Lulu, there's family, friends, animals, and adventures galore

It's almost time for Lulu's little sister's birthday party, but there's a problem A pony is running loose and Lulu and her dad, the local vet, have to rescue it. Can they find the pony? And what will happen if the naughty pony gets into more mischief at the party? It's lucky that Lulu has a plan

This is the incredible story of Dick Johnson--the Aussie battler who became an all-time V8 great. Ford legend Johnson did not get his break in motorsport until he was famously smashed out by a rock in the 1980 Bathurst 1000. But true to his never-say-die attitude, he went on to establish one of Australia's most successful V8 Supercar teams, amidst a dramatic career that, on many occasions, almost saw him lose his home, his team, and even his life. Through intimate revelations and blistering accounts of the motor racing industry, Johnson reveals the incredible strength and commitment it took to win three Bathurst titles and a record five Australian Touring Car Championships in a remarkable career spanning almost 50 years.

Containing 100 more of Julie's wonderful recipes, Heart of the Home compliments the hugely successful Our Family Table. From a BBQ rack of lamb to chicken satay to a perfect sticky date pudding, Julie has all your cooking needs covered. Included are special chapters which include all the recipes you need for those big occasions like birthdays, Christmas, and Easter. Back by popular demand is the blank chapter in the back where you can keep all your family recipes and those you collect.

Perfectly capturing the everyday life of children, this heartwarming tale explores themes of new siblings, pregnancy, family life, and friendship Ruby's mom is having a baby, but why does she need one of those when she's already got a Ruby? To make matters worse, her best friend Sarah has just found another, better friend. It seems like everyone is abandoning her. But when Ruby meets the mysterious Magda, who gives her a very special gift that might, just might, even be a bit magical, everything begins to change. This delightful story will fill the young reader with wonder, hope, and amazing possibilities.