Ned Kelly Australian Ironoutlaw

This book signifies the start of Black Dogs Books series of "True Tales". While squarely aimed at the adolescent market this book easily appeals to the Kelly community at large. I love the illustrations by Dean Jones (and I thought he was just a cricketer) as they compliment the writing in a way not seen in Kelly literature before. In fact I want to see this bloke produce his own book on Ned, and in full colour too. While the Jerilderie Letter itself offers nothing new, Carole has repackaged the script into easily digestible portions. If it catches the interest of just one child then she's done her job!
[press release.pdf]

The Ned Kelly Encyclopaedia
Justin Corfield
First published 2003 by Lothian Books

With this new addition to their titles, Lothian Books is fast becoming the number one publisher on all things Kelly. The length and breadth of this publication is amazing. While some entries draw a long bow, you cannot fault the author’s ability for research. It seems anything remotely connected to the Kelly legend can be found among the 525 pages — even an entry for the ironoutlaw.com web site! “Assembled for the first time in one book are the judges and lawyers, police officers and informers, politicians and showmen, friends and sympathisers, victims and admirers, as well as the authors, painters, and film-makers who have, one way or another, been part of the Kelly story”. Justin Corfield knows his stuff. My only criticism would be leveled at the publisher if they fail to publish a second edition to allow for amendments and corrections. If not, then the rating may need to be reviewed...

Ned Kelly as painted by Sidney Nolan
Robert Melville
First published 1964 by Thames and Hudson

With an introduction by Alan Moorehead, the sixty page hardcover is illustrated with 27 paintings from the Ned Kelly series. While not every image is printed in colour (this was printed in 1964, after all) the publication is regarded as a standard reference for Sidney Nolan works, making this tome well worth keeping an eye out for. I still think the role of Nolan, in the making of the Kelly legend, has been underrated. Where would we be today without the iconic image of Kelly in armour as depicted by Sidney? In a time when Australia was searching for a cultural and historical heritage, Nolan's works were both timely and immense.

50 NEDS: Ned Kelly Icon of Australian Art
Maree Coote
First published 2006 by Gingerbread Books
ISBN 0-9757047-3-7

This collectible little book makes a stunnng gift memento of Melbourne. Includes an overview of the imaging of Ned Kelly during the past 120 years, and features 50 original artworks, each reinventing yet again Australia's most famous bushranger. Beautifully bound in black saifu cloth with silver embossing detail and dust jacket. Ian Jones launched the new book "50 NEDS. Ned Kelly: Icon of Australian Art" by Maree Coote at melbournestyle. Jones had just returned from Ireland in the nick of time to share a glass of red and impart some wisdom on the cult of the bushranger. Jones said of the new book that Maree has 'had fun with the legend, as Ned himself had fun', and welcomed the playful spirit of the book.

Further reading: Maree Coote's 50 Neds Series

What They Said About Ned
Brian McDonald
First published 2004 by Brian McDonald

While I can lay some claim to stimulating the creative juices of Mr McDonald into his latest venture, the credit for this exhaustive research and presentation lies entirely with him. The first part of this work discusses the variety of books published on the Kelly Gang (including the five published before Ned was hanged). The Bibliography has 797 entries in alphabetical order and includes; the author, title, publisher, date of publication, number of pages, and ISBN or Ferguson No. It lists Kelly books and magazines from the first publication Outlaws of the Wombat Ranges published in 1879 to recent publications such as Blood in the Dust. This work has taken over four years to compile and 29 years of collecting and reading! The 102 pages contain 129 illustrations of which 101 are in colour. As per his previous efforts, What They Said About Ned is mandatory reading for every serious Kelly buff. The booklet is available to buy on eBay under the buy search topic Ned Kelly or you can email him direct here.

The Last Stand
Edited and Foreword Ian Jones
First published 2003 by Lothian Books

In the book’s introduction, Ian Jones writes, “Thomas Carrrington’s drawing Ned Kelly at Bay, is one of Australia’s best known historical images. Masked behind his helmet, with a long oilskin coat covering his body armour, the bushranger poses monumentally, a wounded arm folded against his chest and one knee raised to rest a spurred boot on a log, as he calmly fires his revolver at plain clothed police in surrounding bush”. This is Carrrington’s account of what happened at the siege of Glenrowan. His eye witness account and vivid illustrations are important documents which go a long way in creating the scene for historians and researchers on those fateful days in late June 1880. Well worth the cover price.

The Jerilderie Letter
Edward Kelly and Joe Byrne
First published 1950s Jerilderie and District Historical Society

Dictated by Ned Kelly, written by Joe Byrne. Available from the Ned Kelly Post Office at The Willows in Jerilderie, New South Wales. A must own!

The Book Of Keli
The Chronicles of the Kelly Pursuers
G W Hall
First published 1879

George Wilson Hall was the first Kelly expert, writing this tale at the time of the Kelly outbreak. It was written in code to puzzle and entertain a reading public fascinated by the Kelly hunt. While the police were pursuing the Kelly's with the sword, G.W.Hall was pursuing both with his pen.

Kellyana
A Bibliographical Look at the Ned Kelly Legend
Brian McDonald
First published 2001 by Brian McDonald

Continuing on from his impressive report in our Writings section, McDonald has complied an exhaustive Kellyana resource, which includes a massive book and comic listing and even the mention of a Kelly based computer game. This is mandatory reading for every serious Kelly buff. The booklet is available to buy over the counter at the Old Melbourne Gaol.

Stand And Deliver!
100 Australian Bushrangers
Allan M Nixon
First published 1991 by Lothian Books

Stand and Deliver! documents the wild, mad and bad exploits of 100 bushrangers, producing fresh evidence about the most notorious including the Kelly's, and previously unpublished facts about less well-known but equally colourful characters like the cannibal Thomas Jeffries. It records over a century of bushranging exploits, the last entries include Isaiah “Wild” Wright who was still in trouble with the law in 1900, twenty years after Ned was hanged.

Bound For Judgement
An outlaw's story in verse
A.D. Crichton
First published 2006 by Boolarong Press

While I'm not a big fan of poetry (not many Star Wars books are written in verse), the author of this particular subject, Alan Crichton, has done an impressive job. There are thousands of words here written with passion and vigour. The book also features a number of illustrations by Bruce Mercer. So for anyone looking for the life of Ned Kelly presented in verse then this is a must own book.

Bail Up!
A Pictorial History of Australia's Most Notorious Bushrangers featuring The Ned Kelly Story
Geoff Hocking
First published 2002 by Five Mile Press

No, this book wasn’t written by Nicky Cowie of bailup.com (although I'm sure she could have quite easily) but by a Mr Geoff Hocking who also did a splendid job with the design and layout — reminiscent of McMenomy’s latest offering. Even though it leans heavily on the Ned Kelly story (well, he does sell books) the pages are still full of bushrangers, robbers and villains of every elk. Hocking has further added to a genre best represented by previous authors like Alan Nixon’s Stand and Deliver!: 100 Australian Bushrangers and Nunn, Wannan and Prior’s A Pictorial History of Bushrangers. Buy it, read it, just not too closely...

The Kelly Gang
The Last of the Bushrangers
Geoff Hocking
First published 2004 by Five Mile Press

Author Geoff Hocking has extracted the large Ned Kelly section from his previous book Bail Up! (see above) and re-presented it in this student orientated format, which does a good job in introducing the Kelly story — although minor errors prevent it from being a must read.

A Pictorial History Of Bushrangers
Nunn, Wannan and Prior
First published 1966 by Lansdowne Press

This book is a fascinating insight into the main players of Australian bushranging history. It is both well written and researched, not only covering the Kelly era but also that of Ben Hall, Matt Brady, and Daniel “Mad Dog” Morgan to name a few. Keep an eye out for a copy at second hand book stores.

Framing Ned Kelly
Paintings by Sidney Nolan 1945 - 47
Sidney Nolan and Louise Martin-Chew
First published 1992 by Harcourt Brace Jovanovich

The paintings are a magnificent, 5 out of 5 but the narration that goes with it is incredibly ordinary. I hope this was written for children as an introduction to the works of Sidney Nolan, otherwise Ms Martin-Chew must think we are all artistic morons.

Ellen Kelly
An Historical Novel as told by Ellen Kelly
Dagmar Balcarek
First published 1984 by Glen Rowen Cobb & Co

Full marks for the subject matter but only a few Neddies for the content. Written in a style closely resembling Ned and Joe’s Jerilderie Letter (either by design or accident), the idea to retell Ellen’s story could have been quite fascinating. I guess it still leaves the door wide open for another attempt. And if you are serious about selling a book get a professional to design the front cover!

Australian Bushrangers
The Romance of Robbery
Sacha Molitorisz
First published 1998 by Murray David Publishing

What a rubbish title. Exactly what “romance” can be found in being robbed? I found this in a $5 or less bin at a local bookstore. It probably should have been in the recycle bin instead because all the information contained within it's pages have been said before. I wonder if Ms Molitorisz's really believed she was furthering the debate on nineteenth century Australian bushranging, or was she just after a quick buck? Either way, this book should have stayed in China where it was printed.

Australia's Greatest Folk Hero
King Crawford
First published 1993 by Crawford & Crawford

"Exactly what is the purpose of this book?" That is exactly what I thought, after a friend handed me a copy they had found in a discount bin. It is a collection of poems and songs arranged to highlight the plight of the Kelly Gang. If you must read any of it check out the foreword “...the Kelly Gang was very much alive in the minds of the people, so much so that the variance of emotional reaction over 113 years since these events, remain huge. We were even threatened in the Street to leave it alone...” It’s a pity they didn't heed the warning!

Bushrangers Heroes Or Villains
Edgar Penzig F.A.I.H.A.
First published 1998 by Tranter Enterprises

God this is awful. As a rule, self-publishers are a vain lot and Mr Penzig is no exception, even going as far as having his picture adorn the cover. Penzig is an outright apologist for the police. From Ben Hall to Ned Kelly, he neatly labels all bushrangers as villains. A simple approach from a simple man. Penzig’s writing is naive and child like. As an example, take the following passage pulled from page 182:

“In Australia, where Democracy reigns, the laws are made by the people for the people. With this in mind the reader will realize that the roll of the police force in any state is to see that these laws are kept and not broken. They are duty bound to enforce these existing laws until they are changed by parliament because of public or party petition. Therefore it is completely useless for members of the populace to attack the police because they disagree with some current law”.

Ignoring the poor grammar, and bad spelling, that insightful paragraph is simply pathetic. I'm sure the SS were only following orders! Penzig is either an historical midget, unaware of events such as Myall Creek, or he is a man whose ego truly outstrips his supposed abilities. By condoning the ruthless tactics of the police forces of 19th century Australia he also condones the mass slaughter of hundreds of Aborigines at the hands of these men in uniform. Not surprisingly, Penzig makes no mention of the civilian deaths at Glenrowan caused by the reckless shooting by police. And what is it with the initials F.A.I.H.A. after his name? Well he wouldn’t have the brain to finish a History degree — nothing like giving yourself an honorary title.

0 out of 5