The Girl Who Climbed Everest: The inspirational story of Alyssa Azar, Australia's Youngest Adventurer

Author: Sue Williams
Publisher: Penguin Group Australia
ISBN: 1743484704
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 289

Book Description
‘I believe that nothing is impossible if you dare to dream, plan and take action. I’m an ordinary girl who simply refused to give up on a dream, and that’s all it takes to succeed in life.’ Alyssa Azar is unstoppable. When she was just eight years old, she walked the gruelling Kokoda Track, the youngest person in the world to do so. At twelve she climbed the ten highest peaks in Australia. Two years later she touched the top of Mount Kilimanjaro. Now, at the age of nineteen, she has reached the roof of the world: the summit of Mount Everest. The Girl Who Climbed Everest is the inspiring story of how an ordinary girl from country Queensland worked towards ascending the world’s highest peak. Through passion, determination and immense hard work, and despite being turned back twice – once by a deadly avalanche and the second time by a devastating earthquake that nearly claimed her life – Alyssa is the youngest Australian to have achieved this extraordinary feat. She shares the thrills and heartbreaking disappointments on the road to reaching her goal, and explains how she finds the courage and motivation to keep going in the face of overwhelming danger and adversity. Above all, Alyssa’s story shows us that we can achieve anything if we dare to dream big.

Not All Black and White

Author: David Penberthy
Publisher: Random House Australia
ISBN: 0143785141
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 286

Book Description
On paper Scotty Hodges had it all. In a football career almost without peer, Scott was drafted as a teenager to represent the team he loved, Port Adelaide, and would go on to win a staggering eight premierships. He would break the State’s all-time goal-kicking record, win its highest honour, the Magarey Medal, and be headhunted as the star forward in the inaugural Adelaide Crows AFL team. He had a beautiful wife, herself the daughter of football royalty, and two gorgeous young kids. Behind all this his life was falling apart. For years, Scott grappled with undiagnosed mental illness, sending him into a spiral of confusion and isolation, drug and alcohol abuse, anger and violence. He kept this secret from the world, and even began planning his own demise. This is the gritty and raw account of how an ordinary man overcame extraordinary demons, and emerged the other side with a message of hope and survival.

Mary's Last Dance

Author: Mary Li
Publisher: Random House Australia
ISBN: 1761041916
Category : Ballerinas
Languages : en
Pages : 482

Book Description
I can vividly remember the last steps of the last ballet, walking off the stage led by a mother and knowing the decision I had to make. That was my last dance. Mary Li (nee McKendry) is an international ballet star and a mother like no other. She became a household name when her husband Li Cunxin published his bestselling memoir, Mao's Last Dancer - but that book told only half the story. Growing up in a rambunctious family in Rockhampton, Mary discovered an extraordinary early passion for ballet. It saw her move to London at age sixteen, to study at the Royal Ballet School and dance at the London Festival Ballet with the likes of Nureyev, and later to Houston Ballet, where as Principal Dancer she fell in love with the acclaimed Chinese ballet dancer Li Cunxin. The couple became the darlings of the dance world, and were happier than they could have imagined at the arrival of their firstborn daughter, Sophie. Then right at the height of her international career, Mary seemingly disappeared from view, leaving the fans aghast. What could have happened to cause a woman so committed, so talented, to give it all away in a heartbeat? Now, almost twenty years on, fans finally get their answer about what happened next to this inspiring family, and learn why it is Mary's turn to tell a truly remarkable tale. This is a powerful and uplifting memoir about chasing an impossible dream, and sacrificing one's own ambition for the love of a child. It is a moving and unforgettable story of passion, dedication and devotion - and the highly anticipated sequel to one of the world's most beloved books.

Elizabeth and Elizabeth

Author: Sue Williams
Publisher: Allen & Unwin
ISBN: 1760870153
Category : Fiction
Languages : en
Pages : 316

Book Description
The story of how two women, who should have been bitter foes, combined their courage and wisdom to wield extraordinary power and influence behind the scenes of the fledgling colony. 'I've waited for this moment so long, dreamed of it, prepared for it, I can barely believe it's finally here. But it is. And it is nothing like I expected.' There was a short time in Australia's European history when two women wielded extraordinary power and influence behind the scenes of the fledgling colony. One was Elizabeth Macquarie, the wife of the new governor Lachlan Macquarie, nudging him towards social reform and magnificent buildings and town planning. The other was Elizabeth Macarthur, credited with creating Australia's wool industry and married to John Macarthur, a dangerous enemy of the establishment. These women came from strikingly different backgrounds with husbands who held sharply conflicting views. They should have been bitter foes. Elizabeth & Elizabeth is about two courageous women thrown together in impossible times. Borne out of an overriding admiration for the women of early colonial Australian history, Sue Williams has written a novel of enduring fascination. 'An extraordinary story of female leadership at a time when such a quality was frowned on, and female friendship forged against the odds. Sue Williams' Elizabeth & Elizabeth brings us a nuanced and vivid portrait of the early days of colonisation. More importantly, it delivers a fascinating look into the relationship between two remarkable women.' - Meg Keneally, bestselling author of The Wreck 'A fascinating and evocative story of an enduring friendship between two women who played such an important role in colonial Australia's history.' - Caroline Beecham, author of Finding Eadie

Kissing Kilimanjaro

Author: Daniel Dorr
Publisher: The Mountaineers Books
ISBN: 1594853711
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 242

Book Description
CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FIRST CHAPTER (Provide us with a little information and we'll send your download directly to your inbox) * Entertaining climbing narrative about a destination many dream of visiting * Perfect gift for adventure travelers and climbers alike * Dorr's story was featured on the Outdoor Life Network's "Countdown to the 25 Most Dangerous Places" Mount Kilimanjaro is sometimes called "Everyman's Everest" because it is possible for a novice climber to reach the summit. And every year, more than 30,000 adventure tourists try. But for each person who goes to the mountain, there are thousands more who chat about it at cocktail parties, making plans to go...someday. That's how Daniel Dorr got started: flirting with a beautiful brunette over hot cocoa and spouting impressive plans. Six months later, he was lying on the cold gravel trail at 18,000 feet, panting and hacking in the darkness. Dorr is a typical marketing exec by day but, amped up by his re-acquaintance with a romantic interest, he gained the determination to pursue one of his lifelong dreams -- summiting Kilimanjaro. When Dorr left behind the familiarity of his weekend-warrior lifestyle in Southern California to reach the top of the 19,340-foot peak, he didn't realize he would cross a threshold to a new way of life. As he fondles expensive hi-tech gear, gets vaccinated for the jungle, travels local-style across East Africa, and vomits on top of the African continent, readers share in the rewards, both large and small, of reaching for personal fulfillment through adventure travel.

No Summit Out of Sight

Author: Jordan Romero
Publisher: Simon and Schuster
ISBN: 1476709629
Category : Juvenile Nonfiction
Languages : en
Pages : 368

Book Description
"The story of Jordan Romero, who at the age of 13 became the youngest person ever to reach the summit of Mount Everest. At age 15, he reached the summits of the world's 7 highest mountains"--

Left for Dead: A True Story of Resilience and Courage

Author: Laurence Barlow
Publisher: Penguin Group Australia
ISBN: 174348111X
Category : Biography & Autobiography
Languages : en
Pages : 297

Book Description
'Samantha Barlow doesn't stand a chance. As she walks briskly past the start of Arthur Park on her left, she can't see a dark figure slinking out of the shadows towards her. The first she knows of his presence is when she feels a blow, hard to the back of her head, delivered with such force, it actually dents her skull.' Samantha Barlow's life changed the day she was brutally attacked on the way to work in Sydney's notorious Kings Cross. The popular, confident young woman was left for dead, dragging herself to a lonely bus stop, desperate to stay alive for her two young children. The police who attended the crime scene didn't recognise their colleague. Inspector Laurence Barlow watched helplessly as his wife's life lay in the balance. He'd spent his career stopping violent offenders, but now found himself on the other side of a crisis. Samantha was a highly respected sergeant, but she could have been any woman - her attacker was a junkie after money. Her story touched people everywhere: her resilience, her indomitable spirit and her triumphant return to work after 22 months of rehab is an inspiration to all Australians. This is a brave family's journey to recovery.

Alice Springs

Author: Robyn Davidson
Publisher:
ISBN: 9780732225391
Category : Alice Springs (N.T.)
Languages : en
Pages : 20

Book Description

Microadventures: Local Discoveries for Great Escapes

Author: Alastair Humphreys
Publisher: HarperCollins UK
ISBN: 0007548044
Category : Sports & Recreation
Languages : en
Pages : 472

Book Description
‘Enthusiastic, pleasingly madcap’ Geographical Adventure – something that’s new and exhilarating, outside your comfort zone. Adventures change you and how you see the world, and all you need is an open mind, bags of enthusiasm and boundless curiosity. Recommended for viewing on a colour tablet.

Yorkshire Transvestite Found Dead on Everest

Author: Mike Harding
Publisher: Ulverscroft
ISBN: 9780750526012
Category : Large print books
Languages : en
Pages : 331

Book Description
For a number of years now, writer, photographer, stand-up comic and folk musician Mike Harding has written a monthly column for 'The Great Outdoors', Britain's premier backpacking and trekking magazine. Witty, acidic and sometimes frothing over with barely concealed grump, these articles have plumbed the heights and soared to the depths of travel writing. Here is a selection of some of the best of those literary burblings. Meet the Yorkshire transvestite and hero Maurice Wilson, climb the Devil's Bollocks, and hear the story of Akala and the Monk's Ghost. May you read them in health.