{"title":"Charlotte Smith","description":"\u003cp\u003eCharlotte Smith's works delve into the intricate tapestry of history and culture, exploring themes of colonial ambition and societal evolution. Readers will encounter richly detailed narratives that illuminate the complexities of empire and identity through vivid settings such as Melbourne and the Commonwealth Block.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHer writing thoughtfully bridges the spheres of \u003cem\u003eHistory \u0026amp; Military\u003c\/em\u003e and \u003cem\u003eArts \u0026amp; Culture\u003c\/em\u003e, offering insightful perspectives on colonial grandeur and the forces shaping historical landscapes. These books invite reflection on both the grandeur and the shadows of the past.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"the-commonwealth-block-melbourne-by-jeremy-smith-9781743323694","title":"The Commonwealth Block, Melbourne","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor much of the 19th and 20th centuries, Melbourne's Little Lonsdale—locally known as 'Little Lon'—was notorious as a foul slum and brothel district, occupied by the itinerant and the criminal. The stereotype of 'slumdom' defined 'Little Lon' in the minds of Melbournians and became entrenched in Australian literature and popular culture.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ci\u003eThe Commonwealth Block, Melbourne\u003c\/i\u003e tells a different story. This ground-breaking book reports on almost three decades of excavations conducted on the Commonwealth Block—the area of central Melbourne bordered by Little Lonsdale, Lonsdale, Exhibition, and Spring streets. Since the 1980s, archaeologists and historians have pieced together the rich and complex history of this area, revealing a working-class and immigrant community that was much more than just a slum. \u003ci\u003eThe Commonwealth Block, Melbourne\u003c\/i\u003e delves into the complex social, cultural, and economic history of this forgotten community.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46850013298924,"sku":"9781743323694","price":70.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/19138623482808.jpg?v=1759075042"},{"product_id":"visions-of-colonial-grandeur-by-benjamin-thomas-9781921833236","title":"Visions of Colonial Grandeur","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eVisions of Colonial Grandeur\u003c\/em\u003e explores Melbourne's international exhibitions through the art collection of 19th-century businessman John Twycross. John Twycross, also known as Top Hat, was a merchant and art collector who lived and worked in 'Marvellous Melbourne'.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn this boom period of the 1880s, a confident Melbourne hosted two international exhibitions, and the best and latest in trade and culture was seen by millions in the newly-built (Royal) Exhibition Building. Twycross was an enthusiastic participant in the growing Melbourne art market and, during his frequent visits to the international exhibitions, purchased hundreds of exquisite fine art objects and paintings, building a collection that was treasured by four generations of the Twycross family and is now part of the Museum Victoria collection.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis unique book features both archival photographs and colour images of some of the beautiful and significant artworks in the Twycross collection. It is also an insightful study of the development of a collection, exploring the world of the international exhibitions and the thriving art trade in 19th-century Melbourne.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47471878177004,"sku":"9781921833236","price":34.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/55e83a03a6f441ae6c9c71e741ee27b2.jpg?v=1775692905"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.pro\/collections\/charlotte-smith.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}