Conflict and courage are the themes of two books that will be launched by Charles Darwin University Press next week.
The Crisis in Timor-Leste: Understanding the past, imagining the future is a collection of papers originating from a CDU symposium held in November 2006. Edited by Associate Professor Dennis Shoesmith, the volume addresses the historical, social and political causes of unrest in Timor-Leste.
As well as explaining the violent rebellion of 2006 in a larger context, the book also presents a vision of the future, and identifies strategies the East Timorese can pursue in order to negotiate the transition to a stable, democratic and viable state.
The second volume, The Shadow’s Edge: Australia’s Northern War, is a new and revised edition published by CDU Press on the 20th anniversary of its first publication, and recounts the history of civilian and Servicemen’s experiences of war in defence of Australia’s northern borders during World War II.
Its author, Emeritus Professor Alan Powell, the Northern Territory's most distinguished historian, highlights experiences of people who lived, worked and, in some cases, died during the conflict. It also discusses the political, strategic and tactical decisions made during the northern campaign.
The books will be launched by the Administrator of the Northern Territory, His Honour Mr Tom Pauling QC, at 5pm Wednesday 13 February at the Mal Nairn Auditorium Foyer on the Casuarina campus.
More information can be found at www.cdu.edu.au/cdupress.