The story of Australia, told from the woolsheds. 'For much of its history Australia has been described as riding on the sheep's back . . . but if the country rode on anyone's back, it was on the aching, creaking, flexing spines of Australian shearers. 'Armed with their blades, a sense of adventure and a relentless work ethic, shearers have been a fundamental part of Australia's outback for centuries. From legendary figures such as blade shearing record - holder Jack Howe and fearless union man cum poet Julian Stuart, to today's young guns having to adapt to a rapidly changing industry, these rugged, resilient and proud characters have influenced the social landscape and folklore of the country. Shearers contributed to the formation of both the Labor and National parties, while Australia's national song, 'Waltzing Matilda', was written on a Queensland sheep station. Expert outback chronicler Evan McHugh - author of bestselling titles such as The Drovers and Outback Heroes - presents the definitive history of these men, bringing to life the toil, tumult and toughness of the shearing life, and the effect it has had on Australia's national character.

Shearers

History

McHugh, Evan

Australia & Oceania

Penguin Australia

A new collection of inspiring country characters from the bestselling author of Outback Heroes and Outback Pioneers.These people are very different, but they have much in common. They're the salt of the outback, but they're not from long ago and far away. You can rub shoulders with them here and now. They're our outback legends. Immerse yourself in these armchair travels and heart-warming life stories as Evan McHugh, bestselling author of Outback Heroes and Outback Pioneers, catches up with some of the most remarkable and inspiring characters our country has to offer. Meet icons such as boxing impresario Fred Brophy, who turned "You can't" into "I will", to Shannon Warnest, world champion shearer. Discover unsung heroes such as "mother of the Barkly" Bernadette Burke, convenor of one of the world's biggest women's networks, and nurse June Andrew, who has dedicated a lifetime to running a remote health service, often single-handedly. You may not have heard of some of these people but you'll be enriched by meeting them now. Outback Legends is a unique and colorful celebration of Aussie characters who've earned themselves a reputation for their achievements and contributions in the most far-flung and challenging corners of our country. None of the people in this book has sought fame but every one of them deserves it.

Outback Legends

Biographies & Memoirs

Community & Culture

Michael Joseph Australia

The Birdsville police posting is one of the most remote in Australia. It can be extremely lonely and incredibly busy at the same time. Nothing might happen for weeks or months, then problems come crawling out of the woodwork. There aren’t many who can handle the job for long—unless you’re Senior Constable Neale McShane, who has single-handedly taken care of this beat the size of the UK for the past 10 years. Recently retired from this "hardship posting," Neale now has a stock of stories and adventures from his life and colorful times living with his family in Birdsville. In recounting these tales to his good friend and bestselling author Evan McHugh, Neale delights us with yarns that could only come from the furthest corner of our country. Here are stories of desert dangers, dead bodies, droughts and floods, drinkers and dreamers—and, of course the infamous Birdsville Races, when the town’s population swells from 50 to 500. So if Birdsville has remained just a little too far off the beaten track for you, sit back and let Birdsville come to you.

The Outback Cop

Professionals & Academics

Pint-Sized Ireland: In Search of the Perfect Guinness

One man's tour of Ireland on tap; a rollicking travelogue in the tradition of Round Ireland with a Fridge and McCarthy's Bar. "Regret" is the word that best describes Evan McHugh's first taste of Guinness. For an Australian raised on Vegemite, Ireland's black brew is very much an acquired taste. But the travel-writer is committed to acquiring it. Determined to discover exactly what makes a pint of Guinness so legendary, he crosses the Emerald Isle in search of his answers. But in sampling pints as he goes, McHugh soon realizes that in each town, and at every pub, someone always says that the best glass of Guinness is to be found . . . . somewhere else. In his comedic and sentimental journey, McHugh and his companion, Twidkiwodm (the-woman-he-didn't-know-he-would-one-day-marry), hitch around Ireland, meeting unforgettable characters. He goes rowing with a German bagpiper on the lakes of Killarney, windsurfing with a one-armed man in Dingle, survives an encounter with poteen and even finds his own bar . . . but keeps searching for the perfect pint. As entertaining as it is informative, Pint-Sized Ireland is both a hilarious travelogue and thoughtful diary. McHugh's comedic voice swiftly moves in and out of pubs, peering into froth-rimmed pints, and leading readers to question: So does he ever find the perfect pot of black gold? Those who have rested upon the barstools of Ireland, who have sought the famed "perfect pint of Guinness," realize that perfection rests in more than just the taste. McHugh captures the visceral experience of Guinness and Ireland in a warm memoir that's perfect to savor. International Praise for Pint-Sized Ireland "McHugh's idea of traveling is one continuous pub crawl . . . an entertaining homage to the black brew." ---The Age (Australia) "McHugh's writing style is intelligent, quirky, and conversational. The result is a consummately easy to read book, amusing and engaging. It'll make you want to go in search of your own perfect pint." ---Adventure Travel "This is a lovely book, well written, full of humorous anecdotes and works both as a travelogue and as a guide to drinking in Ireland. One of the real joys of this book is the way that the author captures the nuances and syntax of the way the people speak ('"Rooit", said the pub-landlord, 'in ye coom"'). After a few pages you find yourself falling into this yourself and by the time you finish the book you will have developed a full-blown Irish accent."---www.bootsnall.com

Travel

Europe

Thomas Dunne Books

One man's tour of Ireland on tap; a rollicking travelogue in the tradition of Round Ireland with a Fridge and McCarthy's Bar. "Regret" is the word that best describes Evan McHugh's first taste of Guinness. For an Australian raised on Vegemite, Ireland's black brew is very much an acquired taste. But the travel-writer is committed to acquiring it. Determined to discover exactly what makes a pint of Guinness so legendary, he crosses the Emerald Isle in search of his answers. But in sampling pints as he goes, McHugh soon realizes that in each town, and at every pub, someone always says that the best glass of Guinness is to be found . . . . somewhere else. In his comedic and sentimental journey, McHugh and his companion, Twidkiwodm (the-woman-he-didn't-know-he-would-one-day-marry), hitch around Ireland, meeting unforgettable characters. He goes rowing with a German bagpiper on the lakes of Killarney, windsurfing with a one-armed man in Dingle, survives an encounter with poteen and even finds his own bar . . . but keeps searching for the perfect pint. As entertaining as it is informative, Pint-Sized Ireland is both a hilarious travelogue and thoughtful diary. McHugh's comedic voice swiftly moves in and out of pubs, peering into froth-rimmed pints, and leading readers to question: So does he ever find the perfect pot of black gold? Those who have rested upon the barstools of Ireland, who have sought the famed "perfect pint of Guinness," realize that perfection rests in more than just the taste. McHugh captures the visceral experience of Guinness and Ireland in a warm memoir that's perfect to savor. International Praise for Pint-Sized Ireland "McHugh's idea of traveling is one continuous pub crawl . . . an entertaining homage to the black brew." -The Age (Australia) "McHugh's writing style is intelligent, quirky, and conversational. The result is a consummately easy to read book, amusing and en

Cookbooks, Food & Wine

Beverages & Wine

St. Martin's: Griffin

Outback Heroes

Bolinda Audio

The men and women you'll meet in this fascinating book come in all shapes and sizes, from convicts and engineers to cattleduffers and anthropologists. These remarkable Australians share an extraordinary ability to survive the rigours of the bush. In Outback Heroes, Evan McHugh brings together his favourite ripping yarns from the Australian frontier. He begins with escaped convict William Buckley, who emerged from the forest after thirty-two years in the wild; re-examines the legends of the Man from Snowy River and Waltzing Matilda; recounts one of the most stunning rescues in Australian history; and relives the 2000 Olympics Opening Ceremony. These and other true stories of courage and ingenuity remind us how the Australian character was forged - through encounters with the bush, desert and outback.

Shipwrecks : Australia's Greatest Maritime Disasters

VIKING

The men and women you'll meet in this fascinating book come in all shapes and sizes, from convicts and engineers to cattleduffers and anthropologists. These remarkable Australians share an extraordinary ability to survive the rigours of the bush. In Outback Heroes, Evan McHugh brings together his favourite ripping yarns from the Australian frontier. He begins with escaped convict William Buckley, who emerged from the forest after thirty-two years in the wild; re-examines the legends of the Man from Snowy River and Waltzing Matilda; recounts one of the most stunning rescues in Australian history; and relives the 2000 Olympics Opening Ceremony. These and other true stories of courage and ingenuity remind us how the Australian character was forged - through encounters with the bush, desert and outback.

Outback Heroes - Australia's Greatest Bush Stories

Outback Pioneers

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by McHugh, Evan. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Books by McHugh, Evan

See the best price to sell, buy, or rent books by McHugh, Evan. BookScouter helps to compare book prices from 25+ online bookstores and 30+ buyback vendors with a single search.

Shearers

Outback Legends

The Outback Cop

Pint-Sized Ireland: In Search of the Perfect Guinness

Pint-Sized Ireland: In Search of the Perfect Guinness

Outback Heroes

Outback Heroes

Shipwrecks : Australia's Greatest Maritime Disasters

Outback Heroes - Australia's Greatest Bush Stories

Outback Pioneers