THIS book sets a new standard in recording the ADF’s operational history.

Beautifully presented, Aceh contains a moving assortment of images taken by RAN photographers during the ADF’s Tsunami and Nias Island relief missions.

While the photographers were Navy, and the book itself is a Navy initiative, it also gives ample coverage of the contributions of Army and Air Force.

Many photos are of individuals, and capture the human face of the operation.

Other photos relive the horror of Banda Aceh and Nias, as well as the mournful repatriation of those who died in the Sea King tragedy.

As someone who saw first-hand the work of some of these photographers, I feel the book is a fitting tribute to their craft and dedication in an environment that pushed everyone to their physical and mental limits.

Aceh is also a supreme example of how we can simply yet superbly commemorate those who serve their nation on operations. Personally, I think everybody who deployed on Operation Sumatra Assist will want a copy of this book.

For some it will help explain their experiences to their families, while for others it may help them to come to terms with what they saw in the hell that was the aftermath of the Indian Ocean disaster.

– Corporal Cameron Jamieson

Another entrant in the current crop of terrorist-inspired novels, The Ultimate Game comes with a unique twist.

A mastermind is playing Islamic terrorists off against Western intelligence services in a race to find components from an ex-Soviet missile, in order to make a nuclear bomb.

In most non-fiction, some credibility is an advantage and aspects of this plot are a bit too far-fetched.

Also, the author got some of his facts wrong, describing a Hercules as a jet!

However, the storyline development is very good with
plenty of non-stop action, a real cliff-hanger finish and an unexpected twist at the end to keep the reader involved.

– Lieutenant Commander Rory McCartney

ALTERNATE history can be a tricky genre for writers of fiction. The trick is to write a plausible other version of history which could have occurred, while populating it with enough depth and interest to engage the reader.

Imagine if Napoleon had won the Battle of Waterloo, the British had defeated the American rebels and there was no United States of America, or, as in this book, imagine if the Roman Empire had spread across the world and was still the dominant global force.

This is the world young British author Sophia McDougall has created – where an Imperial family rules the Empire, where crucifixion still occurs and slavery is still the norm.

Unlike other writers of alternate history, McDougall has created a world that is rich in both exterior and interior detail.

In this story of how a young prince of the Imperial family goes on the run after he discovers his father, a popular general, and his mother were murdered, the action is as much inside the head as it is in this other world.

Fortunately, a map of the empire and a timeline is provided to provide some necessary background. This is a fine first-time novel that expands the alternate history genre.

– David Sibley

FINDING a new novelist whose fresh approach to writing, character and plot makes his or her work hard to put down is like finding a new love, or a rare opal – something to be treasured.

And so it is for this jaded historical fiction aficionado upon chancing on Captain Alatriste by Spanish journalist and author Arturo Perez-Reverte.

Captain Diego Alatriste is a sword for hire in 17th-century Madrid. Formerly a soldier in the Spanish Army, he is available should someone need a skilled blade and nerves of steel to accomplish nasty tasks.

He becomes unwittingly embroiled in a power struggle within the Spanish Court when the Prince of Wales and the Duke of Buckingham arrive from England to woo the Spanish King’s sister.

The story is told by the Captain’s teenage ward, Inigo Balboa, who is one of the ensemble of lively characters who are the friends and enemies of Captain Alatriste.

Inigo goes on to save the Captain’s life from the deadly Italian assassin Gualaterio Malatesta.

The lively writing has not suffered in translation from Spanish, mixing action with acute characterisation and insight into the fictional and historical figures.

– David Sibley

IF this book had been published before 1941, would Adolf Hitler have paid any attention to the folly of invading Russia?

Adam Zamoyski’s account of the campaign is masterly, drawing together eye-witness accounts, records and a vast bibliography to produce a hard-to-put-down narrative history.

He goes through the reasons why Napoleon ultimately gambled his empire, explaining the flawed strategic thinking which led him across the Russian plains to faraway Moscow, destroying an entire army in the process.

But 1812 isn’t just about Napoleon – it’s also about Tsar Alexander I, the unstable, vain and weak ruler of Russia.

At first seduced by Napoleon’s presence and salesmanship, the Tsar then stumbled into resistance to the French dictator which tempted Napoleon into attacking across the Niemen River.

The Russian experience was equally as terrible, losing thousands in battle and to disease.

The French pillaged and lived off the land, destroying the lives of the serfs and engendering a patriotic response, very similar to that which the Germans evoked in the Russians during World War II.

This book is a must-read for any military history buff.

– David Sibley

But for the bravery and stoicism of the British troops who suffered appalling weather, incredible incompetence at the hands of their commanders and the strong likelihood of death from disease or wounds in the Crimean War, the Victoria Cross would not exist.

Queen Victoria and her husband, Prince Albert, were so impressed by their loyal subjects who fought in the war that they created the cross, now regarded as the highest military decoration for valour above and beyond the call of duty in the Commonwealth, to acknowledge their heroism.

In this lively retelling of some of the battles and actions in which VCs were won, Bryan Perrett has had to focus on only a few of the 1354 awarded, otherwise it would be a very large collection of volumes.

He has also included some chapters on the Congressional Medal of Honour, the US equivalent of the VC.

In tracing the history and evolution of how VCs were awarded, Perrett also looks at the controversy of the posthumous VCs awarded, many years after the Battle of Isandlhwana, to Lieutenants Coghill and Melville, killed trying to save the Queen’s Colour from the victorious Zulus.

– David Sibley

WILD Vespa rides through the streets of Rome, guzzling Tuscan wines, perfecting the cappuccino and struggling with the language – When in Rome is the delightful tale of Penelope Green’s transition from Sydney to Italy.

Green, who left her career and family behind to chase “la dolce vita”, lands in Italy with nowhere to live, no friends, no job and no language skills.

She soon learns that life can be lonely in a foreign country as she makes barely enough to survive on as a waitress and becomes the butt of many a joke with her lack of Italian.

This is not your average “let’s move to Tuscany and live the life” book, but rather a frank tale of life as an average Australian struggling to make a living while chasing a dream.

It tells of Green’s lonely and down times and her frustrations at not being able to express herself, as well as her adventures and new friends, and makes for good balanced reading.

That said, I am still ready to pack up and go at the drop of a hat.

– Rachel Irving

THERE’S 10 seconds left in the game and you’re one point behind. Suddenly a quote from William Shakespeare pops into your mind.

You make the play, the winning points are scored – the game, the trophy, the glory are yours.

In this quirky motivational book, former Australian national women’s hockey coach Ric Charlesworth analyses and uses the words of Shakespeare to produce a handy reference guide for managers, commanders, coaches and leaders.

At first glance, what does the Bard have to offer in terms of motivation?

Heaps, as Charlesworth, who also played first-class cricket and was a member of Federal Parliament, shows.

For Shakespeare, in his plays and poetry, wrote about the stuff of life – love, lust, war, treachery, passion, tragedy, corruption, ambition, failure, cowardice, heroism, laughter and tears.

There are many in Defence who could well profit from reading it and applying its lessons.

– David Sibley

Give Away

Defence newspapers have five copies of Tony Park’s book (reviewed last edition) Zambezi, to give away.

E-mail your name, address and the name of Tony Park’s first book to simone.heyer@defencenews.gov.au.

Entries to simone.heyer@defence.gov.au will not be accepted.