Rosemary Hemphill

The author's story of growing up in Broome (and England) in the 1920s and 30s. While there is no pretence at great prose, I found the book very readable. I particularly enjoyed the record of Broome and Perth from the 1930s and the contrast to both in the 1970s when I first experienced them. Hemphill is good at recording the telling detail, and I was fascinated by the similarities and contrasts to life today. Read March 2014.

The book deals with scented and culinary herbs, not medicinal. The book is organized by herb name and gives propagation and cultivation advice as well as use and sometimes a recipe or two.