Black Summer: Stories of loss, courage and community from the 2019-2020 bushfires

Paperback / softback

Main Details

Title Black Summer: Stories of loss, courage and community from the 2019-2020 bushfires
Authors and Contributors      Edited by Michael Rowland
Physical Properties
Format:Paperback / softback
Pages:336
Dimensions(mm): Height 236,Width 155
Category/GenreReportage and collected journalism
Pollution and threats to the environment
Global warming
Natural disasters
ISBN/Barcode 9780733341328
Audience
General

Publishing Details

Publisher ABC Books
Imprint ABC Books
Publication Date 6 January 2021
Publication Country Australia

Description

Told by ABC journalists who were on the ground and broadcasting during our worst ever fire season, spearheaded by Michael Rowland The bushfires that burnt across Australia from June 2019 to February 2020 were unprecedented. By the time the rains came, they had devoured more than 18 million hectares of bush and farm land, destroyed nearly 3000 homes, claimed the lives of 33 people, killed about a billion animals and driven more to the brink of extinction. The heartbreak, pain, loss and uncertainty were felt far and wide. These were fires that burnt in every state and affected all Australians, directly or indirectly. But out of the tragedies, the fear, the lost homes, the burnt forests, the bleak holidays, the unrelenting smoke have come stories of courage and community. ABC journalists on the ground during the crises brought many of these stories into homes across the nation. This book contains updates, new stories and overviews by them, as well as reflections on how such a catastrophe occurred and what we have learnt from it. It is both a record of the events and a tribute to those who endured, escaped, fought and in some cases paid the ultimate price. With forewords by Ita Buttrose and Andrew Constance, and contributions from Casey Briggs, Jessie Davies, Daniel Doody, Matthew Doran, Brittany Evins, Richard Glover, Nick Hose, Melinda James, Tom Joyner, Jonathon Kendall, Stacey Lee, Hamish Macdonald, Jade Macmillan, Jennifer McCutcheon, Philippa McDonald, Karen Michelmore, Greg Nelson, Adriane Reardon, Michael Rowland, Baz Ruddick, Erin Semmler, Josh Szeps, Claire Wheaton and Philip Williams. All publisher profits from this book will be donated to the Red Cross Disaster Relief and Recovery Fund.

Author Biography

Michael Rowland is the co-presenter of ABC News Breakfast on ABC-TV. He has spent more than 25 years reporting stories in Australia and around the world. During the bushfire crisis in January 2020, he presented the ABC flagship program 7.30, which covered the stories and events extensively.