By Martha Grace Duncan

An ex-convict struggles with his addictive yearning for prison. A law-abiding citizen broods over his pleasure in violent, illegal acts. A prison warden loses his job because he is so successful in rehabilitating criminals. These are but a few of the intriguing stories Martha Grace Duncan examines in her bold, interdisciplinary book Romantic Outlaws, Beloved Prisons.
Duncan writes: "This is a book about paradoxes and mingled yarns - about the bright sides of dark events, the silver linings of sable clouds." She portrays upright citizens who harbor a strange liking for criminal deeds, and criminals who conceive of prison in positive terms: as a nurturing mother, an academy, a matrix of spiritual rebirth, or a refuge from life's trivia. In developing her unique vision, Duncan draws on literature, history, psychoanalysis, and law. Her work reveals a nonutopian world in which criminals and non-criminals--while injuring each other in obvious ways--nonetheless live together in a symbiotic as well as an adversarial relationship, needing each other, serving each other, enriching each other's lives in profound and surprising fashion.

New York; London: NYU Press, 1996. 284p.

By Rolf Boldrewood

"Old Melbourne Memories" delves into the rich history of one of Australia's most iconic cities. Through a collection of vivid photographs, personal anecdotes, and historical accounts, this book offers readers a glimpse into the past of Melbourne. From its humble beginnings to its transformation into a bustling metropolis, each page is a tribute to the city's remarkable journey. Whether you are a history enthusiast or simply curious about Melbourne's past, this book is a captivating exploration of a bygone era that will resonate with readers of all backgrounds.

Robertson, 1884, 182 pages

By Rolf Boldrewood

In A Crooked Stick or Pollie's Probation, readers are taken on a compelling journey through the trials and tribulations of Pollie as she navigates a crucial period of her life. Author X delves deep into Pollie's character, exploring her flaws, her strengths, and her transformation throughout the narrative.

Set against the backdrop of a quaint English countryside, the story follows Pollie as she grapples with personal demons, societal expectations, and the complexities of relationships. With vivid descriptions and insightful prose, Author X crafts a rich tapestry of emotions and experiences that will resonate with readers of all backgrounds.

Pollie's Probation is not just a tale of redemption and self-discovery; it is a poignant reflection on the human condition and the universal quest for belonging and purpose. As Pollie embarks on her journey of growth and introspection, readers are invited to ponder their own paths and choices, making this novel a truly thought-provoking and captivating read.

Macmillan and Company, 1895, 306 pages

By Rolf Boldrewood

"A Sydney Side Saxon" is a captivating tale that delves into the complexities of identity, heritage, and belonging. Set against the backdrop of multicultural Sydney, the story follows the protagonist as she navigates the challenges of straddling two worlds—the traditional expectations of her Anglo-Saxon lineage and the vibrant diversity of her Australian upbringing. As she learns to embrace her heritage while forging her own path, readers are taken on a poignant journey of self-discovery and acceptance. With richly drawn characters and evocative storytelling, this novel is a compelling exploration of cultural fusion and the universal quest for understanding one's place in the world.

Heinemann and Balestier, 1891, 96 pages

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Minette Walters

FROM THE COVER: 'Acid Row' is the name the beleaguered inhabitants give to their housing estate. A no-man's land of single mothers and fatherless chíldren-where angry, alienated youth control the streets. Into this battlefield comes Sophíe Morrison, a young doctor visiting a patient in Acid Row. Litle does she know that she is entering the home of a known paedophile ...and with reports circulating that a tormented child called Amy has disappeared, the vigilantes are out in force. Soon Sophie is trapped at the centre of a terrifying siege, held hostage by a violent psychopath. Whipped to a frenzy by unsubstantiated rumour, the mob unleashes its hatred. Against authority.. the law...and the pervert'. Protecting.Amy' becomes the catch-all defence for the terrible events that follow. And if murder is part of it, then so be it. But is Amy really missing?

London Allen and Unwin. 2001. 353p.

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By Jack Higgins

FROM THE COVER: “……London 1993, and the day looms ever closer when Communist China will finally seize the much coveted island of Hong Kong, with billions at stake. British Intelligence have just discovered the existence of a document, known as the Chungking Covenant, that would extend the lease on Hong Kong for another century. Sean Dillon, once a feared IRA enforcer now working for the British, is tasked to track down the document before Mafia-based interests with billions invested in Hong Kong can use it for their own ends. Pitted against sly and ruthless adversaries, Dillon and his intelligence associates follow a deadly trail to a castle in the Highlands of Scotland, by Loch Dhu, the Place of Dark Waters, the home of an American billionaire and Matia boss. Dillon's usual clear-headed commitment to his mission is compromised by the alluring young socialite Asta Morgan. However, as the evidence of fifty years begins to unfold, the solution to the enigma comes tantalisingly close. But only one side can reap the spoils…”

Australia. Griffin. BCA. Michael Josephs. 1994. 286p.

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By Len Deighton

FROM THE COVER: Bernard Samson had been behind a desk in Whitehall for five years when his bosses decided that he was the right man to slip into East Berlin and talk Brahms Four out of doing something disastrous. Berlin was the city he grew up in, the place he still loved like a mistress, and some of the members of the Berlin Network were men he'd known since they were streetwise Berlin schoolboys. But Samson knew there were few people he could trust, either in Berlin or at home. Too many missions had gone wrong; too many secrets had leaked. Somewhere somewhere nearer to the heart of things than he'd like to believe - there was the stink of betrayal.

As the shadows of treachery lengthen around him….

London. Hutchinson. 1983. 313p.

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By Elizabeth George

FROM THE COVER: It is barely three months since the murder of his wife and Thomas Lynley has taken to the South-West Coast Path in Cornwall, determined to walk its length in an attempt to recover from his loss. On the forty-third day of this walk, he spies a body on the beach - a young cliff climber has suffered a fatal fall. The nearest house to the death site belongs to a woman veterinarian from Bristol, and this proximity makes her an automatic suspect, particularly as she seems to have no personal history before her thirteenth year. The case brings Barbara Havers from London and thrusts both detectives into the rugged beauty of out-of-season Cornwall, with its community of surfers and hoteliers. But the wild landscape is the scene of jealousy, betrayal and revenge, and Lynley and Havers must sift through all these human emotions in their search for the killer. Careless in Red marks the welcome return of Scotland Yard's Detective….”

London. by Hodder & Stoughton. 2008. 547p.

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By Gemma O'Connor

In "Following The Wake," author delves into the complexities of grief and loss in a heartfelt exploration of one woman's journey to find meaning and solace after a tragic accident. The novel weaves together themes of love, redemption, and the resilience of the human spirit as the protagonist navigates through her sorrow. With lyrical prose and poignant insight, "Following The Wake" is a moving tale that will resonate with readers who have experienced loss and are searching for hope in the face of adversity.

NY. Jove books. 2004. 280p.

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By Dean Koontz

FROM THE COVER: Martie Rhodes, a happily married, successful video games designer, takes an agoraphobic friend to therapy sessions twice a week. Each trip is a grim ordeal, but the experience has brought the two friends even closer together. Then, one morning, Martie experiences a brief, irrational but disquieting fear of... her shadow. When autophobia - one of the rarest and most intriguing phobias known to psychology - is diagnosed, suddenly, radically her life changes, and the future looks dark. Martie's husband, Dusty, loves her profoundly, and is desperate to understand the cause of her autophobia. But as he comes closer to the terrible truth, Dusty himsell starts showing signs of a psychological disorder even more frightening than that afflicting Martie...FALSE MEMORY is the breathtaking new thriller from the internationally bestselling author of SEIZE THE NIGHT and FEAR NOTHING.

London. Headline Book Publishing. 1999. 827p.

JANE HARPER

FROM THE PREFACE: ” It wasn’t as though the farm hadn’t seen death before, and the blowflies didn’t discriminate. To them there was little difference between a carcass and a corpse.

The drought had left the flies spoiled for choice that summer. They sought out unblinking eyes and sticky wounds as the farmers of Kiewarra levelled their rifles at skinny livestock. No rain meant no feed. And no feed made for difficult decisions, as the tiny town shimmered under day after day of burning blue sky…”

Sydney. Pan Macmillan. 2016. 347p.

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Marc Raboy and Bernard Dagenai

FROMN THE COVER: In modern states, the functioning of democratic politics is centrally tied to the role of the media in the creation and dissemination of information, images and ideas. The authors in this book explore through a number of different contexts the way in which crises highlight the problematic issues of media performance in democratic states.

SAGE Publications. London • Newbury Park. 1992. 208p.

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Ray Surette

FROM THE COVER: In this provocative volume, Ray Surette challenges readers to consider the commonly perceived paradoxical relationship of the media to crime and criminal justice: both as a major cause of crime and violence and as an untapped but powerful potential solution to crime.

Brooks/Cole Publishing Company. 1992. 315p.

DENIS McQUAIL

FROM THE PREFACE: The principal origins of this book date back to the mid-1970s, when, on secondment from the University of Southampton, I directed research into the content of British newspapers on behalf of the 1974-77 Royal Commission on the Press, which included in its terns of reference the task of inquiring into the 'editorial standards of newspapers and periodicals'. This was the first time that l had tried to grapple systematically with the concept of media performance in the sense of expectations concerning the broader public role of mass media. I discovered that there was rather little relevant social or media theory suitable for the task and few coherent attempts had been made to connect social theory with the sort of empirical enquiry called for by the terms of reference cited.

SAGE Publications. London - Newbury Park .

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Edited by Richard Collins, James Curran, Nicholas Garnham, Paddy Scannell, Philip Schlesinger and Colin Sparks

Media, Culture and Society: A Critical Reader edited by Richard Collins, James Curran, Nicholas Garnham, Paddy Scannell, Philip Schlesinger, and Colin Sparks delves deep into the intricate relationship between media, culture, and society. This comprehensive reader presents a collection of insightful essays that explore the profound influence of media on our culture and social structures. Through critical analysis and thought-provoking perspectives, this book offers readers a comprehensive overview of key theories and concepts shaping the dynamic landscape of media studies today. Featuring contributions from leading scholars in the field, this reader is an essential guide for students, academics, and anyone interested in understanding the complex interplay between media, culture, and society in our increasingly interconnected world.

SAGE Publications London • Beverly Hills. 1986. 364p.

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EDITED BY ROBERTA E. PEARSON AND WILLIAM URICCHIO

FROM THE COVER: The Many Lives of the Batman is the first serious academic exploration of this intriguing cultural phenomenon. Marketing savvy alone did not build the Batman's extraordinary success; it encompasses a variety of audiences who have embraced the hero through a collage of different media manifestations during his fifty-year history. Batman's overlapping lives are illuminated in this critical anthology, which analyzes the contexts of the character's production and reception across a wide spectrum of time and media forms.

NY. Routledge. 1991. 225p

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EDITED BY JAMES W. CAREY

Media, Myths, and Narratives: Television and the Press, edited by James W. Carey, is a compelling exploration into the intertwined worlds of media, myths, and narratives. In this insightful collection, Carey delves into the complex relationship between television and the press, shedding light on how these powerful mediums shape our understanding of the world.

Carey's nuanced approach challenges conventional wisdom and prompts readers to question the stories we are told. By dissecting the role of media in constructing myths and narratives, this book offers a fresh perspective on the influence of television and the press on society.

Through thought-provoking analyses and engaging commentary, Media, Myths, and Narratives is a must-read for anyone interested in the dynamic interplay between media, myths, and narratives in our modern world. James W. Carey's editorial expertise brings together a diverse range of voices and ideas, making this book an essential addition to the study of contemporary media culture.

NJ. SAGE PUBLICATIONS, 1988. 266p.

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By BENJAMIN BRAWLEY

"The Negro in Literature and Art in the United States" by Benjamin Brawley examines the representation and contributions of African Americans in the cultural landscape of America. Originally published in 1918, Brawley’s insightful analysis delves into the portrayal of African Americans in literature and art, highlighting their struggles, achievements, and resilience despite facing systemic racism and discrimination. Through a meticulous exploration of history and artistic expressions, Brawley sheds light on the complexities of race relations and the evolving perceptions of African American identity. A seminal work that continues to resonate today, "The Negro in Literature and Art in the United States" is a compelling read for those interested in understanding the cultural heritage and artistic legacy of African Americans in the United States.

NEW YORK. DUFFIELD & COMPANY. 1921. 147p.

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By Alex Adams

"Political Torture in Popular Culture" by Alex Adams offers an insightful exploration into the complex intersections between entertainment media and real-world political discourse surrounding torture, particularly in the aftermath of 9/11. Adams delves into the ways in which popular culture represents and shapes public perceptions of torture, shedding light on the broader implications of these representations on societal attitudes and policy debates. Through meticulous analysis and compelling examples, this book invites readers to critically examine the influence of media depictions on the wider socio-political landscape. A must-read for those interested in understanding the interconnectedness of popular culture, politics, and moral complexities in contemporary society."

NY. Routledge. 2016. 214p.

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By Arthur Asa Berger

Popular Culture Genres: Theories and Texts by Arthur Asa Berger is a comprehensive and insightful exploration of the various genres that dominate popular culture. Delving into the theories behind these genres, Berger offers a thought-provoking analysis of their impact on contemporary society. Through engaging prose and rich examples, this book sheds light on the intricate relationship between popular culture and broader cultural trends. A must-read for anyone interested in understanding the nuances of popular culture genres and their significance in today's media landscape.

Foundations of Popular Culture Vol. 2. SAGE, 1992. 192p.