Tag Archives: WWII

An intriguing novel about WWII intrigue

Posted on 26 April 2022 by Debbie Terranova

The Imitator by Rebecca Starford My rating: 4 of 5 stars An enjoyable novel about the role of women in WWII espionage. By the author’s own admission, the characters are in the main invented and the story is loosely true, … Continue reading →

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Review of ‘Still Life’ by Sarah Winman

Posted on 7 April 2022 by Debbie Terranova

Still Life by Sarah Winman My rating: 4 of 5 stars I fell in love, and then out of love, with this novel. The writing – which utilizes an expansive vocabulary that had me reaching for the dictionary – is … Continue reading →

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What was it like in a WWII internment camp?

Posted on 1 March 2022 by Debbie Terranova

A rare first-hand chronicle of internment that sheds new light on Australia’s wartime history. Mr Koike’s diary, which survived despite all odds, is beautifully translated and edited. Continue reading →

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WWII in pictures: the voyage of the notorious ‘Dunera’

Posted on 6 March 2021 by Debbie Terranova

Dunera Lives: A Visual History by Jay Winter My rating: 5 of 5 stars Beautifully put together, this visual history shows through paintings, cartoons, photographs what happened to a shipload of German, Italian, and Jewish men – most of whom … Continue reading →

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An unusual take on WWII espionage

Posted on 25 May 2020 by Debbie Terranova

Warlight by Michael Ondaatje My rating: 5 of 5 stars A beautifully-written historical novel, from start to finish. For someone who likes to write, such as me, the use of language is inspirational. Delightful and succinct descriptions abound, e.g. ‘we … Continue reading →

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My year as a research fellow …

Posted on 23 August 2019 by Debbie Terranova

My 12-month research fellowship with the State Library of Queensland (SLQ) has come to an end. What a wonderful experience! While I learnt a lot about my topic, I learnt even more about myself. Here’s my SLQ video interview about … Continue reading →

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What happened on the homefront during WWII? Townsville Festival of Stories.

Posted on 21 June 2019 by Debbie Terranova

 

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An invitation: hear about my “Women and War” project for SLQ

Posted on 26 March 2019 by Debbie Terranova

Are you curious about what happened during wartime in Australia?  Follow the progress of the 2018 Q ANZAC 100: Memories for a New Generation Fellows Elaine Acworth, Dr Anastasia Dukova, Dr Martin Kerby and Deborah Terranova as they bring to life memories and … Continue reading →

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From Brisbane trainee nurse to U.S. war bride.

Posted on 10 March 2019 by Debbie Terranova

How different was the life of a young woman in Australia during World War II? Personal diaries are a wonderful way to rediscover the day-to-day activities of our past. In this 1941 diary, twenty-year-old Elvie Geissmann records her first year as … Continue reading →

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The War Diaries of Nurse Taylor

Posted on 10 December 2018 by Debbie Terranova

In 1941 a young Brisbane nurse began recording the events of the war in these dainty little cloth-covered notebooks. For four long years, while working and studying, she never failed to note what happened. Like to read more? Go to … Continue reading →

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