Product Description

A seasoned traveller, travel writer Andrew Stevenson is unafraid of the unconventional. Whilst most people visiting Australia tread the well worn path from the Sydeny Opera House to Cairns up the East Coast, Andrew disappeared into the Australian Outback in search of the original Australians - the Aboriginal People. "If you want to meet them nowadays, you've got to go beyond the black stump!" He was told. Going where few have gone before, Andrew delves into the Outback without fear. Drinking in bars with people even the locals avoid, asking questions that we all want to hear the answers to. Written with humour and compassion his powers of observation and enquiring mind draw out a frankness that is sometimes shocking but something from which we all can learn. Travels in Outback Australia: Beyond the Black Stump is no ordinary tale of an intrepid traveller it is an extraordinary account of an Australia that we have not seen before.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #78049 in Books
• Published on: 2003-01-05
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Paperback
• 230 pages

Review
'Stevenson writes vividly and with empathy. A book to satisfy your wanderlust from the comfort of your own home.' The Travel and Leisure Magazine 'His hunger for knowledge about the Aborigines results in a steadily accumulated, thought-provoking collection of perspectives.' Wanderlust --Quoted on the book

About the Author
Canadian born, Andrew Stephenson spent his childhood in Hong Kong, India, Kenya, Scotland, Malaysia and Singapore. He studied postgraduate International Economics in France, Canada and Norway and worked as an international economist for two Canadian banks before joining the United Nations Development Programme in Tanzania where he got his pilot's licence and started a safari company. After five years in East Africa he returned to North America to become a financial adviser. He has subsequently worked as a consultant in international development for the Canadian, Norwegian and Swedish governments travelling over most of Africa and Asia. He was owner of two adventure companies in Norway. He currently lives in Bermuda where he writes full-time. This is his fifth book.

Customer Reviews

Stevenson's Life Story Goes On
For anyone familiar with Stevenson's writing this is a treat, and even if you aren't then you will probably still enjoy it. As usual the book is littered with poignant, insighful comments about the subject matter - this time Outback Australia - and, again as usual, references to previous travels and his long-lost Norwegian love. Sometimes reading Stevenson is like looking at the autobiographical works of someone who isn't famous, but whose life story is fascinating - each book makes references to the ones before and for that reason recommend you read Kiwi Tracks first. Having said that, Beyond The Black Stump is still a fascinating read.

better than bryson
This was better than Bryson's book on Australia. At least Andrew really does travel the country and come to grips with Ozzies and who they are and he is funny as well as insightful, especially about the lot of the aborigines. An easy read, you feel nevertheless that you've learned about Australia. Definitely to be recommended.

An Excellent Read for Aussies and Non-Aussies Alike
Having lived abroad for 4 years, there are some aspects of living in Australia which I've either forgotten, or have become distanced from, such as the country's attitude to the aborigines.

While Stevenson's account of his travels through Oz does cover the beauty of the country's outback, it mainly focusses on the attitudes of its white inhabitants towards the indigenous people, and the aboriginal people's struggles to maintain their own place within a modern society - the writing is captivating. He shows the different opinions held by a wide range of people, and looks closely at the why's and where's. He also readily admits his own ignorance towards certain points.

Certainly worth reading for anyone interested in the Australia beyond the coastal cities.