"The Secret River" is a historical novel that explores the life of William Thornhill, a convict from London who is deported to Australia in the early 19th century. After serving his sentence, Thornhill stakes a claim on a stretch of land along the Hawkesbury River, where he and his family attempt to establish a new life. However, their presence leads to tension and brutal conflict with the Aboriginal people who have lived on the land for generations. The novel delves into themes of colonization, survival, and the moral complexities of claiming ownership in a new world, providing a poignant look at the personal and cultural consequences of European settlement in Australia.

"The Song of the Dodo" is a compelling exploration of the science and history of island biogeography, a field that examines the rich, yet often perilously fragile ecosystems of islands. The book delves into the stories and research of early scientific explorers like Charles Darwin and Alfred Russel Wallace, who developed foundational ideas about natural selection and species distribution from their observations on islands. Through engaging narrative and detailed analysis, the book discusses how island environments have become crucibles for evolutionary processes, and how the extinction of species on islands serves as a dire warning for the ecological challenges facing the entire planet.