C.T. Madigan - Crossing the Dead Heart
Submitted: Tuesday, Jan 18, 2011 at 21:56
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Member - Fred B (NT)
Have just read C.T. Madigan's book.... "Crossing the Dead Heart", his story of the 1939 crossing (using camels) the
Simpson Desert west to east to
Birdsville, then south along the eastern edge of Lake Eyre to Maree. What an amazing narrative. The guy writes like it's a walk in the park.... with amazing detail.
If you haven't read it, it really is worthwile the effort to find a copy. There are many copies (mostly reprints done in the 70's) in book shops all around Australia. It just takes a bit of research to find them. If you end up with a copy of the book that does not have a copy of his map, let me know and I can get a pdf version to you. It's really handy to have the map as you read the book as it put things into perspective.
Hope you enjoy it as much as I did (and will again as I read it again).
regards
Reply By: bluefly - Tuesday, Jan 18, 2011 at 22:31
Tuesday, Jan 18, 2011 at 22:31
Fred
The history of the bloke is also fascinating. If it’s not in the book, Google his background which is on the internet.
Cheers
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Reply By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Tuesday, Jan 18, 2011 at 23:16
Tuesday, Jan 18, 2011 at 23:16
Thanks for that Fred. I had been thinking of getting that book, now it's a must.
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Follow Up By: Allan B (Sunshine Coast) - Tuesday, Jan 18, 2011 at 23:48
Tuesday, Jan 18, 2011 at 23:48
And it's ordered. If it doesn't have the map I'll give you a hoy Fred.
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Reply By: Mel59 - Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 at 07:16
Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 at 07:16
Yes Fred a very good read. I bought a few copies from Westprint before our group crossing 2 years ago. One of our party was a very good narrator and each night around the
camp-fire he would read the corresponding chapter for the next day, really gave a great insight into what in my opinion is the most remote trip in OZ.
Mel
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Reply By: Ozhumvee - Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 at 07:58
Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 at 07:58
When we travelled his route a few years ago it was great to read the relevant section as we travelled. It was also good to look at the photo's and compare them with now, to see the exact same trees from the same perspective and realise that 70 years on they look pretty much the same. Great illustration of how slowly things grow in arid climates.
Fred you should try end get a copy of his other book on earlier exploration in central Australia. The title escapes me and it is still packed away in a box somewhere so can't have a look.
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Follow Up By: Member - Fred B (NT) - Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 at 10:05
Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 at 10:05
Hi Peter,
have tried searching for other books by Madigan, but no success so far. If you could rember the title or other details, that would help.
regards
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Follow Up By: Ozhumvee - Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 at 11:42
Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 at 11:42
Fred
Surprise surprise I actually found the box containing his books, truly amazing!!
It is called "Central Australia" by CT Madigan.The following is taken from the preface to the second edition by Madigan himself.
First published in 1936, includes accounts of his journeys up until 1932.
The second edition printed in 1944,(which is the one I have) brings the story up until the outbreak of war with the addition of four more chapters. The whole has been totally revised and rewritten.
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Follow Up By: Member - Fred B (NT) - Saturday, Jan 22, 2011 at 17:07
Saturday, Jan 22, 2011 at 17:07
Gooday Peter,
have located a copy and it should be here by Tuesday next week. Thanks for the heads up.
regards
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Reply By: Ruffy-Dan - Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 at 08:17
Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 at 08:17
I have just started reading the book i got recently through Pioneer books in
Adelaide. Still had some 70's re-prints when i got my '48 copy.
Like wise with the map.
Mine has the fold out map which is almost a necessary aid in the comprehension. Good read so far, and that's from a person who has never actually completed an entire book, haven't started that many either!.. See how i go with this one.
DAN
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Reply By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 at 09:28
Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 at 09:28
Like Mel and Peter, if you ever do the
Madigan line trip, then read the book as you go. If you occupy your mind with the book, you forget about the 2 million spinifex moguls!
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Follow Up By: Member - Phil G (SA) - Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 at 09:30
Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 at 09:30
And forgot to add that Cecil Madigan was one of a great line of peiople from the Geology department at
Adelaide University - it also included Douglas Mawson and Reg Sprigg.
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Reply By: Fab72 - Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 at 12:33
Wednesday, Jan 19, 2011 at 12:33
After the recent post on here about the book, I went out and bought a copy.
I'll be reading it as soon as I finish my 700 page book on Charles Kingsford Smith.
Good to hear it is a good read.
Fab.
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Reply By: Michael46 - Saturday, Jan 22, 2011 at 16:44
Saturday, Jan 22, 2011 at 16:44
Hi Fred
Found a copy in WA. Would like to take up your offer of a PDF copy of the map if available. I notice that some members here do the
Madigan Line trek, I am keen to join one of them when I am able.
msheehan@bigpond.net.au
Thanks in advance
PS Most of my reading over the past 6 or 7 years has been the result of recomendations from this site, have never had a dud lead
Michael
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Reply By: Member - Fred B (NT) - Saturday, Jan 22, 2011 at 17:10
Saturday, Jan 22, 2011 at 17:10
Hi All,
I am now reading it for the second time, and I am getting just as much out of it as I did the first time. Looking forward to reading his other book "Central Australia" when it arrives this coming week.
Regards.
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