[Ian]

Has anyone read any of Ion Idriess' military manual type books? He wrote a series of 6 when it looked like Japan might invade Australia (WWII). I've been thinking about picking up a copy of "The Scout," but I'd like to know if it's worthwhile before I plunk down money (and I can't find a copy to skim through anywhere).

Thanks!

[daniel (australia)]

Yeah, I've read all of them. They were written for the Australian people, then facing imminent threat of invasion by the Japanese, as a guide to armed resistance/guerrilla warfare.

Idriess was a sniper in the first World War, and spotter for Billy Sing on Gallipoli. He was also a writer of some renown. The books reflect both, being very readable but also practical in their focus. Of course, they will have dated now in some respects, but the principles are certainly there.

I'd appreciate knowing where you have seen "The Scout" for sale - this set of books is not that easy to get (I read mine in the State Library in Sydney)

[280PLUS]

ive read about half of his 50 or so books and own about 30

his original stuff is highly collectible

he was a bushman and prospector before ww1 and went on after that to study and write about many of the numerous native tribes both in australia and the surrounding islands of the south pacific.

as well as his adventures as a prospector, sailor, minerology and a whole mess of other stuff, he did almost everything you can think of at one point or another

anyhow the series you mention is "the guerilla series" and can be found as a facsimile at www.ozbook.com i bought one and they are VERY nice sets.

it was written under contract with the aussie govt as a guide for the masses should they need to stage a guerilla war to remove the japanese army from their homeland, which was a very real possibility at the time

dated yes, outdated? not at all...

the little tricks he teaches are still quite valuable even today.

"the scout" is one volume of the series ( i think there are 6) and was reprinted several times.

i found a copy in an old book store in connecticut here, so they are not too rare

you can find a lot of his stuff on ebay, just search "ion l idriess"

an original complete issue of "the guerilla series" in good condition can bring upwards of $5000 US

other books that seem to be more highly sought after:

cyaniding for gold - highly sought after original copies can run into the thousands of US dollars also

the desert column - a condensation of the diary he kept during the 4 years he spent in the middle east fighting the turks - the original diary was over 20,000 pages that he lugged around accumulating in his backpack for the 4 years he was there.

he makes mention of how unhappy the "S'arn Major" would be if he knew he had it occupying his backpack as opposed to the equipment he had tossed to make room for it.

it is the only known eyewitness account of that campaign compiled by an enlisted man

the entire diary is now in the australian war museum, in sydney i believe

very worthwhile read

"drums of mer" and " the red chief of badu" both about inter-island warfare and trade in the 18th/19th century south pacific

anyhow, he stands out as a writer because he had a tremendous eye for detail and was a keen observer, attributed to his days and training as a sniper.

"drums of mer" has probably the most frightening scene depicted in it that i personally have ever read. and that with in the first few pages

the first chapter is titled "the dance of death" and if you don't get a good spooking outta that one, you just ain't right...

it was the first time i had ever truly wondered if i wanted to turn the page and continue reading the book...

any book by him is a worthwhile read

:D

[JDSlack]

FYI-I did an author search on Amazon.com and found several used editions of his stuff for sale. Prices varied from $8.95 to $140.

[280PLUS]

will all come up with something on him

ebay will probably have the best selection and at reasonable prices...

a friend of mine put it best when he said,

"idriess (or "uncle jack" as he is also known) wrote about the type of man who could survive in circumstances where the average man would perish"

m

[Ian]

Thanks for the info, guys. Anyone know of other quality books along the same lines (besides US army manuals)? I'm looking for general riflery/fieldcraft - not sniping or CQB, but general-purpose weapons use coupled with outdoorsmanship (yes, I've already read Cooper's 'Art of the Rifle'). Any suggestions?

[280PLUS]

ive brought him up around here a few times now.

i couldnt believe someone else did :D

anyhow, i see a reprint of "the scout" up on ebay with no bids and starting at $35 AU,

there are no bids because i believe thats a little high, you might watch it and if it doesnt sell contact the seller and offer maybe $20 Au, i'm not sure of the conversion rate lately but i sure wouldnt pay much more than $20 US, including shipping.

if it starts to get bids it might be at its upper threshold already

just keep an eye on it but don't go overboard!

look around, it can be found, but thats about the only one that can unless its your lucky day.

if you search old bookstores always keep an eye out for his name, any harcover in good shape is usually worth at least $20 $25 US, especially first editions, and even more so with dust covers

i also see a paperback edition of "drums of mer" with no bids for $8.50 but i dont remember US or AU

honestly, you'll never read another book like that one.

you might try posting your follow up as a new thread to get more attention, this one may fall away off the board

regards

m

[El Tejon]

Paid a dollar for mine at the city library "Friends of the Library" used book sale. Obviously someone did not know what they were donating!:)

How about used book stores? The ones around here will put you on a list and get you what you want, sometimes in a very short period of time. Bet it's the same in Red.

No websites for this kind of stuff? Just throwing out ideas.

[280PLUS]

how are you?

which one are you talking about?

i got scout in an old bookstore too, but i may have paid about three times as much as you did... :D

what a read, eh?

are you not there with him as you cross over the trench into enemy territory?

:uhoh:

;)

you know, there actually is an idriess website, search him on the net, use his middle initial "L" too

m