Official Website of the Author
Doug Limbrick
BOOKS
Click on each book cover to see a summary
To access more information on some of the books hover curser over "Books" in the header menu & additional pages can be selected
$15
iincluding
postage
$25
including
postage
$25
including
postage
RUNNING THE MARATHON WITH CANCER
$8
including
postage
A GUIDE TO
RUNNING YOUR FIRST
MARATHON
FAREWELL TO OLD ENGLAND FOREVER
FROM THE WARS
OF THE ROSES TO COLONIAL VICTORIA
THE STAG
DIARY
A CHURCH WITH
NO WALLS
LATEST BOOKS
$20 plus
postage
Another nomination for Death Ships
$25.00
incl postage
Good to see that my book on colonial artist S.T. Gill is receiving favourable comments and a nomination for an award.
Death Ships has been nominated for four awards
See below for reviews & click on 'Books' in the top control bar for more information about the book.
Latest Book News
If you are new to my website welcome, this is where I place brief notices of new book developments, more details are provided elsewhere on the website. I value reader feedback and suggestions about subjects that you feel I might like to write about.
Book on Colonial Artist S. T. Gill
Following the launch of my book on Samuel Thomas Gill there has been continuing interest and an award nomination. Thanks to those readers who have sent me comments about the book and the images of Gill's art work. Copies are available from me, Shawline Publishing and bookshops.
Running the Marathon With Cancer
Just received another very good review of my memoir. It clearly resonates with some readers.
The review finishes with the following:
In this memoir, Doug shares his experiences and the invaluable lessons he learned throughout his battle with cancer and his recovery.
This book is a must-read for anyone on the path to overcoming cancer. Doug’s writing is straightforward and relatable, filled with a blend of emotions that capture the friendship, resilience, and life after a cancer diagnosis. I'm glad I read this book and can't wait to explore more of Doug's work.
Full review GoodReads:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6805588144
Newsletter
My third newsletter for 2024 has just been circulated. It includes information about the role of individuals in assisting people to emigrate (including Caroline Chisholm), smallpox and other diseases of Victorian England, the Ship Shackamaxon and progress with my book on Matthew Flinders. If you would like to get a copy & be added to the distribution list send me your email address (info@douglimbrick.com).
REVIEWS
“
The Stag Diary
'Includes an important transcript of Francis Taylor's diary from his passage on the Stag in 1850 to South Australia. One of very few diaries written by steerage class passengers travelling to the Australian colonies in the nineteenth century. The book sets the scene with details of life on sailing ship, details of the vessels and conditions in SA in 1850'.
“
Farewell to Old
England Forever
It was fascinating to read about the motives that prompted people to leave their homeland and travel such a vast distance, enduring extreme hardship only to land in what must have been a totally alien environment.
By Steve,
BAWLEY POINT NSW
“
Running the Marathon
with Cancer
A great story of courage, hope and joy, which is told with brutal honesty at times but with passion and positive belief. Compulsive reading for all runners and those who love a story of how self belief can overcome just about everything.
By Richard, CANBERRA
By RETRAC,
AMAZON CUSTOMER REVIEW
Death Ships
“A work of veritable integrity and valued history that needed to be recorded concisely and honestly. A great piece of work…”
Richard
Indiebook Reviewer.
“
Death Ships
Great review in the Canberra Weekly by Jeff Popple on 21 October 2021.
See full text of review - just click on 'Books' in the menu bar at the top and then click on Death Ships.
“
Farewell to Old
England Forever
I’m giving this book 5 out of 5 stars. It was well-written, well-researched, has pristine formatting and editing, and contains beautiful illustrations/photos/painting. This book is of high quality! I highly recommend it to readers who would like to feed their knowledge of the fascinating history of the Australian emigration.
“
By Shey Saints,
Amazon & Facebook
Death Ships
More great reviews from The Canberra Times and the Bendigo Adveriser on Saturday 20 November 2021.
Farewell to Old England Forever
I think most people view 19th-century emigration to Australia as a tale of criminals sent to the end of the earth, but it’s much more interesting than that. This lushly researched book conveys the full story, from the reasons why people resettled, the means, the vessels, and finally the extraordinary 13,000-mile voyage itself. For passengers it could be a nightmare of disease, seasickness, stench, and death, and for the crew, geographic disorientation, gales, icebergs – and, on approaching Australia, reefs where hundreds of ships foundered. This is a great work. It put me right there.
Robert Delft - posted on Amazon June 9, 2022.
Colonial Artist S.T. Gill
Inspired and culturally relevant to the past and present of this country. Brilliant..
Dianna, Readalot Magazine
Running the Marathon with Cancer
Another 5 Star Review
Out of five, this incredible book merits a perfect rating for its original, simple and amazing presentation. I recommend it to cancer patients as bibliotherapy. Other readers of inspirational books will also find this book a great source of encouragement. Through reading about Doug's hope, perseverance and optimism, and eventual resolve to become a marathoner again, readers will be encouraged to always fight on despite the odds that are against them in life.
“
REIGN GODDESS
See the full review on Goodreads:
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3837726875
I always appreciate receiving comments on my books. Send an email to me:
info@douglimbrick.com
Death Ships
I recommend it to lovers of History... This excellent text merits the maximum rating of five out of five stars.
Hellen Huini, 26 December 2021.
Full review on Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4410645136
“
Death Ships Movie now on You Tube
BIO
At the wheel of the S S Great Britain in Bristol, one of the vessels featured in my book: Farewell to Old England Forever.
I am a graduate of the Australian National University, Canberra. I worked for many years in the area of social policy and have had many journal articles, monographs and reports published on various social issues. I have a deep personal interest in nineteenth century Australian history, particularly the story of those people who emigrated from the United Kingdom and the vessels they sailed in to reach the Australian colonies. In my writing I have combined my expertise in social issues with my work on exploring the circumstances of people who sought a better life in the colonies in the nineteenth century. As a consequence I spend lots of time searching for and examining the stories of those who emigrated, seeking to understand their experiences, the reasons for their decision to emigrate, the difficulties they faced, the outcome of their passage and the vessels that carried them to the Australian colonies.
As a result I have written several books exploring nineteenth-century emigration issues, processes, experiences and stories with an emphasis on the stories as told by emigrants. My book Farewell to Old England Forever is a comprehensive study of the complete story of nineteenth century emigration. A recent book Death Ships is a sad story about some 5000 emigrants who departed for the colonies in six big ships seeking a better life.
I am also a keen runner and have been involved in running activities including club administration for many years. I have completed 26 marathons and some 60 half marathons and have also competed in many cross country and mountain running events for the past 30 years. My Guide to Running Your First Marathon draws directly on my personal experience. The book Running the Marathon with Cancer is a personal story that combines my passion for running with dealing with rectal cancer. While not writing or running I am a very keen photographer and also an enthusiastic collector of vintage cameras. As a historian vintage cameras offer for me a sense of time.
At work in the study
Ship Shackamaxon, featured in Death Ships
Kodak Brownie 6 Folding c.1937
Leica IE c.1938
Kodak Six-20 Brownie Junior c. 1934
Heading 6
CONTACT
For any inquiries, to send me any comments or to purchase books please contact me at: info@douglimbrick.com
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