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Australia's Worst Disasters
Australia's history is punctuated by shocking incidents and accidents that have rocked the nation. Here, journalist Malcolm Brown and others examine some of the worst human dramas that we have witnessed in Australia looking at not only what happened, but often how tragedy could have been avoided. Cases include Cyclone Tracey, the West Gate Bridge Disaster, the Ash Wednesday bushfires, the Thredbo landslide, the demolition of the Royal Canberra Hospital, the 1998 Sydney-Hobart yacht race and most recently, the Sea King helicopter disaster. These graphic and compelling stories provide unique accounts of what happened, as well as insights into the impact of those events on survivors and the rest of the nation.
- GenresHistory
320 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2008
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 7, 2025
Australia’s Worst Disasters is a book about both man made and natural disasters that struck or involve Australia. This book looks into the who, what, when, where and why these have happened.
It is a very detailed book breaking down each disaster into categories.
Does feature limited photos of each disaster. Wish it featured more photos and maps of the areas.
A few of the disasters I had never heard of, but some of the disasters feature have now been out done by bigger disasters. Maybe a new book can be done?
Due to the level of detail attached to each story, I did become a bit lost. Very technical detail is given which is both great and not if you don’t understand.
3 stars given.
It is a very detailed book breaking down each disaster into categories.
Does feature limited photos of each disaster. Wish it featured more photos and maps of the areas.
A few of the disasters I had never heard of, but some of the disasters feature have now been out done by bigger disasters. Maybe a new book can be done?
Due to the level of detail attached to each story, I did become a bit lost. Very technical detail is given which is both great and not if you don’t understand.
3 stars given.
January 9, 2017
An interesting little book on disasters within Australia, both natural and man made.
The articles were written, for the most part, by the journalists who covered the stories in the news original.
The only quibble I have is the inclusion of the Air New Zealand crash on Mt Erebus in Antarctica. That was most emphatically NOT an Australia disaster. Not even stretching a long bow by saying an Aussie died in the crash makes it an Australian disaster.
All in all an interesting read if you have a taste for the histories of disasters.
The articles were written, for the most part, by the journalists who covered the stories in the news original.
The only quibble I have is the inclusion of the Air New Zealand crash on Mt Erebus in Antarctica. That was most emphatically NOT an Australia disaster. Not even stretching a long bow by saying an Aussie died in the crash makes it an Australian disaster.
All in all an interesting read if you have a taste for the histories of disasters.
May 17, 2018
Helen M
3.5 This is a collection of stories recounted the various tragedies that have struck Australia.
The Thredbo landslide was especially poignant for me as I had stayed in Carinya lodge the summer before.
It seemed that if I could remember the disaster then it more interesting to read about.
3.5 This is a collection of stories recounted the various tragedies that have struck Australia.
The Thredbo landslide was especially poignant for me as I had stayed in Carinya lodge the summer before.
It seemed that if I could remember the disaster then it more interesting to read about.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews