AustLit

'"Uncle Rupert", the story begins, "was our Cargo Cult." Enchanting, intriguing and elusive, the man who throws money over back fences starts work in a bank under the egregious Mr Harfglass. Propelled by fear of marriage to the predatory Iro, he flees the bank and goes on the track. But he always cares for those he loves. He meets Godfrey Bronze, a battler for the battlers all his life, and wins political office. He becomes Foreign Minister and "President of the World", but, again, he opts for freedom to seek better ways of "throwing money over back fences". He uses the strengths of the capitalist order to benefit the poor and weak and bring more colour, brightness and purpose to the lives both of those who give and those who receive. Unique even in the realm of heroes, Rupert has the capacity to change the world but retains an endearing innocence, amiability and selflessness. He sees even those, like Mr Harfglass and fellow banker Mr. Collopy, whose lifestyle he abhors, as victims of the system.'

Source: Authors' Den website, http://www.authorsden.com/
Sighted: 02/07/2007

"Marine engineer Kristin Baker advises the Pacific Island nation of Vanuatu on environmentally sustainable development projects. After meeting US Navy Commander Nicholas Page, she discovers her unwitting role in the Exodus Project, a scheme to protect the West’s interests in the face of climate change. But what neither know is that a stealth virus has quietly become a global pandemic; one that health authorities cannot stop. For this virus hasn’t emerged from an African jungle or a remote Chinese province, it’s come from within our own DNA." (Source: jacket)