The coast and the people who reside there are a cornerstone of Australian identity. Most of us live in suburbia, but our hearts are elsewhere.
From the winner of the ACT Book of the Year Award for his first book, The River, comes this celebration of the breath-stealing grandeur of the Australian seascape and the quirky individualism of those who live beside it. It is also the heartfelt and pertinent story of the issues facing our coast today and the resilience of communities at a turning point.
Chris Hammer travels along the length of the east coast of Australia on a journey of discovery and reflection, from the Torres Strait to Tasmania; from an island whose beach has been lost forever to the humbling optimism of the survivors of Cyclone Yasi; from the showy beaches of Sydney that often define what it is to be Australian, to a beautiful village that endures despite the disappearance of its fishing fleet.
This is a relevant, satisfying and highly readable book, imbued with a sense of optimism. As the effects of economic imperatives and the shift in our climate is becoming all too apparent, it allows us to revel in the rich heritage and character of the Australian coast and reminds us why it is important to preserve.
