Have you ever wondered if the human toll of the Titanic’s sinking could have been less? Ever thought about the life of an astronaut? Do you question why people still get married in churches? These questions, among many more, are both asked and answered in the latest titles to hit the shelves. All are available in most leading book stores.
The Last Man on the Moon
Eugene Cernan and Don Davis
A unique American who came of age as an astronaut during the most exciting decade of space flight, Eugene Cernan’s career spanned the entire Gemini and Apollo programs. In fact, he is one of only three men to have been to the moon twice. Written by New York Times bestselling author Don Davis, The Last Man on the Moon has been described as an approachable, readable and entertaining addition to the non-fiction space collection. For those thrilled by the idea of man’s pioneering spirit and beyond-earth travel, this is a must-read. The book has since been developed into a featurelength documentary.
Pan Macmillan,
RRP $24.99
The Truffle Cookbook
Rodney Dunn
Who says food isn’t intellectually stimulating? Releasing in June, The Truffle Cookbook isn’t for the mundane palate. Harvested in winter, truffles are incredibly rich with taste, working well with other heavy and salty ingredients such as butter, cheese, and cream, and author Rodney Dunn makes the most of this, sharing more than 60 recipes with readers. Dunn also provides an intriguing insight into Australia’s truffle industry, offering practical advice on buying and storing the valuable and delectable subterranean fungi.
Penguin Books Australia,
RRP $59.99
Beyond Belief
Hugh Mackay
If there’s one thing among humans that hasn’t faded with time, it’s our desire for a life of meaning. In the philosophical Beyond Belief, Hugh Mackay interviews dozens of Australians across the faith spectrum to gain some idea of where we’re at in this secular age. He exposes the deep vein of ambivalence in our society: that we may not actively worship, but we still prefer to see local churches in operation, we use ‘our’ church to marry, and we still christen our children. Mackay, a social researcher, psychologist and self-described “Christian agnostic”, points out uncomfortable truths, unpacking our human desire for ‘answers’ even when science can’t find them.
Pan Macmillan,
RRP $14.99
The Gene: An Intimate History
Siddhartha Mukherjee
From Pulitzer Prize-winning author of The Emperor of All Maladies, Siddhartha Mukherjee has written The Gene, a story of the conquest to decipher the master-code that creates and defines every individual person. Beginning in 1856 in an Augustinian abbey in Moravia where a monk crosses the idea of a ‘unit of heredity’, the title intersects Darwin’s evolutionary theories with the horror of Nazi eugenics during World War II. With thousands of scientists still working to understand the ultimate code, this is a story relevant to all of us.
Random House,
RRP $35.00
The Midnight Watch
David Dyer
Dubbed a “gripping” and “expertly written” tale by the Canberra Times, David Dyer’s The Midnight Watch is based on the true story of the SS Californian, the ship that witnessed the Titanic’s distress rockets and yet, somehow, did nothing. A psychological thriller, the story follows Boston American reporter John Steadman, who strongly suspects there is more to what happened than the ship’s captain and second officer have let on. As he begins his journey towards the truth, he is haunted by the 1500 who met their death in the icy North Atlantic. Matthew Pearl, author of The Dante Club, said “Dyer proves why sometimes it takes fiction to answer history’s question of ‘How could this happen?’ A compelling read”.
Penguin Books Australia,
RRP $32.99
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