Sunday, April 15, 2012

Arcade Books

For a number of years Arcade Publications have been publishing a series of  books, small in size and number of pages but large in content, on a variety of Australian topics.

Cole's Book Arcade was a famous attraction in Melbourne from the 1883 to 1929. Lisa Lang in E W Cole: chasing the rainbow looks at the life of Edward Cole and the business that he established.

MacRobertsons' chocolates included Freddo Frog, Cherry Ripe and Old Gold chocolates and all were made in Melbourne at Macpherson Robertson's factory - White City - at Fitzroy. The story of how Macpherson Robertson built his chocolate empire is told by Jill Robertson in MacRobertsonland. Jill Robertson has also written a more detailed study of Macpherson Robertson in her book, The Chocolate King.

Two books in the series look specifically at Melbourne. Jenny Lee has written Making modern Melbourne, a study of the early history of the city and its development while Seamus O'Hanlon's book, Melbourne remade, examines the rebuilding of the city during the twentieth century.

Each book is well illustrated and has a Bibliography or Notes on Sources and provides an interesting introduction to the topic discussed proving that good things can come in small packages.

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