Queensland? place of barren land and wild politics with subtropical weather, beaches, and natural wonders's the subject of this rich literary history. Chronicling a wide range of literature, from the first days of European settlement to the present day, this collection touches upon thematic topics such as travel stories, writing for children, and indigenous writings. The role of institutions such as schools, public libraries, the press, and publishers, as well as how they have contributed to the shaping of Queensland? literary development, is also included.

Cane barracks are a characteristic building of the pre-industrial cane farming landscape. Their significance lies in their social value as they have an important association with migration and settlement patterns in coastal Australia from northern NSW to Far North Queensland. The cane barracks provided temporary accommodation for cane gangs of six to twelve men and a cook, who were employed on a contracted basis during the cane cutting season. These men, and their families, came from many countries to Australia to work in the cane fields. Many of them choosing to settle in Queensland's sugar regions, providing the basis for the rich multicultural communities that exist today. Despite their significance there has been little research on cane barracks and sadly they are rapidly disappearing from our landscape. Not only does this publication document one of Queensland/the Sugar Industry's icons it also triggers awareness of the social, economic and cultural issues faced by regional Queenslanders due to the changes to the sugar industry.

In the ten years immediately following the Second World War, some 170 000 immigrants from Europe and Britain arrived in Australia. First published in 1988, this unique book recreates the experiences of those who fled a ravaged Europe to seek a new life in far-distant Australia. Their stories are told in the words of the people themselves, supplemented with photographs, documents, press reports and memorabilia. These stories of over 100 Australians, New and Old, stories sometimes humorous and often very moving, provide a fascinating insight into a significant moment in Australian history. As the first definitive examination of life in the migrant camps, it documents a part of Australian history in danger of vanishing without trace. Never before has there been such a collection of intensely personal accounts of what it was like to pass through the immigration centres and workers’ hostels on the way to building new lives – and to shaping present-day Australia.

• The book is strongly aligned with a number of scholarly associations. These include those dedicated to histories of the British Empire, Latino/a Studies, Spain, labour histories, migration histories and Australian history. • The book has been written to appeal to multiple subject areas of international appeal that cover core areas of history syllabi throughout English-speaking universities; labour histories, histories of the British world and Hispanic histories. • Although this book is firmly located in Australian history, it has application beyond this area.