FREE MAILMAN OF THE BIRDSVILLE TRACK: THE STORY OF TOM KRUSE PDF Kristin Weidenbach,Peter Hosking | none | 11 Mar 2013 | Bolinda Publishing | 9781743156735 | English | Australia Tom Kruse the birdsville mailman Goodreads helps you keep track of Mailman of the Birdsville Track: The Story of Tom Kruse you want to read. Want to Read saving…. Want to Read Currently Reading Read. Other editions. Enlarge cover. Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Open Preview See a Problem? Details if other :. Thanks for telling us about the problem. Return to Book Page. The Birdsville Track is one of the best-known tracks in Australia, and for 20 years Tom Kruse was the mailman, battling searing heat, floods Mailman of the Birdsville Track: The Story of Tom Kruse mechanical breakdowns. He made the run every fortnight and was a lifeline to the isolated settlements and stations along the way, delivering everything from letters to essential supplies. Get A Copy. Paperbackpages. Published by Hodder first published January More Details Original Title. Other Editions Friend Reviews. To see what your friends thought of this book, please sign up. To ask other readers questions about Mailman of the Birdsville Trackplease sign up. Be the first to ask a question about Mailman of the Birdsville Track. Lists with This Book. Community Reviews. Showing Average rating 3. Rating details. More filters. Sort order. Jan 22, Janelle marked it as dnf. I didn't get far into the first chapter. Maybe I'm too much of an impatient reader, but I was very bored. View all 3 comments. Jan 08, Dale rated it did not like it Shelves: abandoned. Not as good as the other Birdsville texts I have read. Mar 03, Garry Griffin rated it really liked it. A few years before I had gone as part of an expedition across the Simpson Desert, so I had been to Birdsville before, and knew a little of the countryside. I went with some teacher friends that I was sharing a house with at the time - Bob Easther and his wife Jo, and two others. I did not know how to ride a bike in sand when I left, but I did when I got back. The Track was an easy two-day ride for the Honda. I can recall swimming in one of the bores, and camping under the stars, and loving the vast expanse of everything. Likewise, when the bikes left Birdsville to go back home via Cordillo Downs, Innamincka and the Strzlecki, before rejoining the Adelaide road at Copley, Mailman of the Birdsville Track: The Story of Tom Kruse names and places reappeared. Tom Kruse made this part of South Australia his patch for 30 years, mainly delivering mail, but also carting water to Coober Pedy, digging dams and carting anything that needed carting to the stations and work camps throughout northern South Australia. When I was little I can recall the name of George Ding being mentioned. To me he was just someone that Mum and Dad knew who lived in a tiny town called Yunta, which had the distinction of being the coldest place in South Australia. We went there once, and I couldn't see the attraction. It just seemed to be a big service station, where lots of trucks would pull in. Mostly, though, Mailman of the Birdsville Track is about the determination and ingenuity of the second and third generation settlers of the furtherest reaches of European settlement - places like Marree, Clifton Hills, and Birdsville itself. Tom Kruse took almost everything in his stride except, eventually, the mighty Cooper to deliver the Royal Mail. His story is fascinating and inspiring. Jan 22, Brenda rated it really Mailman of the Birdsville Track: The Story of Tom Kruse it Recommends it for: Everyone. An absolutely amazing man, Tom Kruse! He typifies everything Aussie, and is certainly an icon in this country. A few quotes from the letters he received at the end of the re-enactment of the mail run from Marree to Birdsville, in Octoberafter his famous Leyland Badger truck was lovingly restored: 'a legend to inspire future generations of Aussies' 'a living part of Australian history' he epitomised the 'Aussie spirit which can get the job done, against all the odds' 'May we prove that we An absolutely amazing man, Tom Kruse! A few quotes from the letters he received at the end of the re-enactment of the mail run from Marree to Birdsville, in Octoberafter his famous Leyland Badger truck was lovingly restored: 'a legend to inspire future generations of Aussies' 'a living part of Australian history' he epitomised the 'Aussie spirit which can get the job done, against all the odds' 'May we prove that we deserve the great accomplishments of our Mailman of the Birdsville Track: The Story of Tom Kruse generation and the courage and success of such a splendid man as Tom Kruse! The hardships of the people who lived in this era, from the mid 's and beyond. I also found out my husband remembers being taken with all his school class to see the movie made in the early 's called The Back of Beyond about the history of Tom Kruse and the mail run. It won the title of best documentary at the Venice Film Festival. All in all, a wonderful book, one I would recommend to everyone, not just Aussies! Feb 10, Belinda rated it liked it Shelves: aussieread-to-the-deathhistory. A fascinating man, I'm amazed at the strength and the effort he had to deal with every day. He's truly a real Australian. View all 4 comments. Aug 07, Jo rated it it was amazing. Read this years ago now and it is one of my favourite books. I loved Tom and his life and when he passed away on June 30,I was so upset. But it was his time and he had a life fulfilled. Loving the outback myself, I connected with Toms life with such enthusiasm and after reading the book and writing to the publisher, I was invited to his birth-home in SA for an unveiling of a Bust dedicated to him. I was even given a special mention amongst all that had gathered there for the same reason o Read this years ago now and it is one of my favourite books. I was even given a special mention amongst all that had gathered there for the same reason of admiration, and given specific time for just Tom and myself to chat. Truly one of the most incredible experiences of my life to meet this beautiful man and read about his journey. This book is a treasured possession. A great read for every Australian. The story of a man, a country, and a way of life that shows why Australia is a great country. Nothing is impossible for you if you have the patience and determination to overcome and keep going. A life well lived and a story well told. Thank you. Sep 25, Growlcat Mailman of the Birdsville Track: The Story of Tom Kruse it liked it. Very interesting - good description of the tough life in the red centre during the first half of the 20th century. A bit hard going at times but worth it. Oct 01, Nicole Hodges rated it it was amazing. An important book for every Australian to read. Jan 23, Peter Langston rated it it Mailman of the Birdsville Track: The Story of Tom Kruse ok Shelves: birdsvillemail-runoutback. Interesting but very dry I found behind the scenes descriptions of the film "The Back of Beyond" intriguing. What comes across clearly is the extraordinary life this plan ordinary bloke has led. Living outside a major city for such a long time, I've met many blokes like Tom Kruise. Aug 22, Frank rated it really liked it. Loved it! An excellent documentary about an extremely resilient and ingenious Australian character that stamped his place in our history. It takes one back to the times when people worked very hard for a living and considered selling their well trained sheep herding dog for 3 pounds. I think this book is fabulous. Tom Kruse epitomizes the true Australian spirit. Sep 27, Goldenwattle rated it really liked it. An interesting read, bringing to life the Birdsville Track and surrounds. Alex rated it really liked it Aug 22, Emily rated it liked it Jun 14, Inge Davis rated it really liked it Jun 11, Mailman of the Birdsville Track: the story of Tom Kruse | Once a fortnight for twenty years, the carrier called Kruse loaded up his battered Leyland Badger and drove the km from Marree to Birdsville and back, delivering mail and supplies to the isolated residents of the famous inland stock route. Tom epitomised the hard-working men of the bush— dogged, loyal and resourceful. When celebrated film director, John Heyer, was charged with producing a documentary that would reflect the spirit of outback Australia, he chose Tom Kruse as his leading man, and together they made an internationally award-winning movie that captured the hearts and imaginations of a generation of Australians. The film, The Back of Beyondwas eventually translated into 15 languages and has been seen by 25 million people worldwide. Readers of Mailman of the Birdsville Track Mailman of the Birdsville Track: The Story of Tom Kruse learn of the early days of long-distance livestock haulage and the nature of outback mail services before aviation shouldered the load. Kristin Weidenbach is the daughter of chief Badger restorer, Neil Weidenbach. She became acquainted with Tom Kruse during Mailman of the Birdsville Track: The Story of Tom Kruse four-year restoration of his Leyland Badger mail truck and the subsequent re-enactment of the Marree- to-Birdsville mail run in Also available as a e-book, as a talking book for the vision impaired, and as an abridged audio book.