"The Secret of the Australian Desert" by Ernest Favenc is an enthralling tale of mystery and exploration set in the vast and unforgiving Australian outback. The story follows a group of adventurers led by the intrepid explorer, Harold Monteagle, as they embark on a perilous journey to uncover the secrets hidden in the remote desert interior. The narrative is driven by a cryptic message found in an old diary, hinting at a lost civilization and untold treasures buried beneath the sands. As the expedition progresses, Monteagle and his companions face harsh environmental conditions, treacherous terrain, and the ever-present threat of scarcity. Their determination and courage are tested to the limit as they unravel the mysteries of the desert and confront dangers both natural and man-made. Favenc's vivid descriptions and immersive storytelling bring the harsh beauty of the Australian desert to life, capturing the spirit of adventure and the allure of the unknown. The novel explores themes of endurance, the clash between civilization and wilderness, and the relentless pursuit of knowledge. "The Secret of the Australian Desert" is a captivating adventure that transports readers to a world of intrigue and discovery, showcasing Favenc's skill in blending historical exploration with fictional narrative.

Excerpt from The Secret of the Australian Desert Although the interior of the continent of Australia is singularly deficient in the more picturesque elements of romance, it was, for nearly two-thirds of a century, a most attractive lure to men of adventurous char acter. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.

This unique book is the only fully interdisciplinary and comprehensive study of the Australian desert and its pivotal role in the cultural history of Australia. Beginning with the prehistory of the continent, it engages with geology, the Aboriginal Dreaming narratives of origin, the arrival of the first Australians, Aboriginal culture of the Dreaming, anthropology, colonial history and the cult of the inland explorer-hero, and integration of the central deserts through the responses of writers, artists, and filmmakers into the national identity. Chapters explore the unique way Indigenous artists have evolved a method of expressing their spiritual relationship to Country, while hiding from uninitiated eyes the secret-sacred meaning beneath the paint. It takes us on a journey through the politics of Land Rights for First Nations peoples, the Uluru Statement from the Heart, and an analysis of Indigenous ecological principles which may suggest a new and radical approach to navigating climate change in the Anthropocene. The Australian Desert is written for scholars of fine arts, anthropology, literature, film studies, cultural history, Indigenous studies, ecology and tourism, and for anyone interested in deserts.

Journey to the heart of Australia and find secret life in the harshest of deserts in this riveting true story captured in stunning illustrations. In the center of Australia lies a strange desert wilderness called the Dead Heart. It is difficult to imagine anything can exist in such a forbidding place. But the Dead Heart contains amazing stories of adaptation and survival. Follow in the footsteps of early explorers like Charles Sturt and learn what the indigenous people of Australia have long known: not all is quite as it seems. Narelle Oliver's intricate artwork and vivid language creates a spellbinding portrait of a mysterious desert landscape.

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1896 edition. Excerpt: ... "That thunder-storm has been along here by the look of it. It should have put some water in some of those clay-pans we passed." "Thunder-storms are mighty uncertain things to trust to. They generally fall, as a rule, just where they are no good to any one. We must travel, v, rhen we start, as though it was dry the whole way, although I think with you that we shall find water." "As it now stands," said Morton, drawing his blanket over his shoulders, "the only real evidence we have to show that the Warlattas ever existed, is this cleared road in the scrub." "And the wound in Billy's leg," murmured Charlie, drowsily. chapter xxvii. Home Again. trip next morning was a promising one. jl The creek kept a continued and wellwatered course for about fifteen miles, running through well-grassed downs country all the way. The place was burnt black with the fire, but that did not hide the value of the country. Gradually the scrub, which they had lost sight of for some time, closed in on both sides, and it was evident that the creek would soon run out, once it entered the scrub. They were back in camp in time to take a short ride up the creek, and ascertain that there was nothing worth troubling about in that direction. Brown fossicked out the remains of the brandy when they had finished their meal. "Now, then," he said, when they had all put some in their pannikins, "we must christen the new run. What's it to be? You speak first, Charlie." "Warlatta Downs." "Good!" said Morton; "we can't better that. Here's good luck to Warlatta Downs." "Now for the gold reef," said Brown. There was silence whilst each thought of a suitable name. "Suppose we call it after Stuart, who was really the first finder of it." "The Stuart Keef, then, and here's to his...