The Home Fires by Anthony Splivalo

Book Description

Secondhand. Very good condition. Minor wear to book corners and edges. Minor marks on front cover near spine, under dust jacket. A few foxing spots on foredges. Dust jacket has some light creasing to edges. Interior and binding are still very good. Hardcover.

The Home Fires is an autobiography of remarkable clarity and sensitivity, which provides valuable insight into Australian society both before and during World War One. In particular, it presents a vivid account of the experiences of non-British immigrants on the home front during those terrible war years.

Anthony Spivalo's life in Australia before the war was most unusual; he spent little time among his fellow Dalmatians but lived, worked and socialised almost exclusively with 'Britishers'. He, therefore, had a far greater opportunity than the overwhelming majority of migrants from Southern Europe to become and feel Australian.

The Home Fires is especially valuable given the paucity of material on the experience of immigrants and the internment of enemy aliens in Australia during that period. (book flap)