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About
Academic & Inspirational Publishers
Editor in Chief: Jennifer M Gidley, PhD
Bear Books is an independent Australian publisher, founded in 2008, with a focus on non-fiction: academic, educational, inspirational and adventure books. Our publications have won critical acclaim for their contribution to the fields of youth and university futures, educational futures, and exploration and leadership. This site details all publications by both Bear Books and Dr Gidley's academic publishers.
Publications have included CoastKidsCook (2008) by Susie Surtees (for Save the Children), and Seventh Journey (2010) by Bear Books’ founder Earle de Blonville.
Bear Books Editor in Chief Jennifer Gidley has also been published by Oxford University Press (2017), Springer International (2016), Praeger (2002), and Bergin & Garvey (2000), with all publications currently available on Amazon.
Current publications include Savage Coast (2016) by Earle de Blonville, and The Secret to Growing Brilliant Children (2020) by Jennifer M Gidley. There are two other educational titles and one Arctic title under way for Bear Books, plus one commissioned by SUNY, New York.
Calling Authors:
Do you have a book idea or a manuscript you think can make a positive contribution to mankind’s knowledge? If so, we are always interested in evaluating quality original manuscripts covering subjects related to our core interests. We require high standards of writing, research and originality as we only publish industry-quality books and are not ‘vanity publishers’.
Our modern publishing model engages a range of professional experts, including manuscript assessors, structural editors and graphic designers, enabling you to get your published work to an international market, and available on the major book retail sites worldwide, in the shortest possible time. Royalties are assessed and paid quarterly. Use the email below to introduce yourself and send us a short synopsis of your book idea. If we like it, we'll invite you to send a fuller synopsis, three chapters, your writing resume and an evaluation of your intended audience.
info@bearbooks.info
University Futures
Global Perspectives on the Futures of the University
Edited by Sohail Inayatullah and Jennifer Gidley
Published by Praeger, 2000
Hardcover. 280 pages.
ISBN-13: 978-0897897181
About the Book
Taking a long-term historical and future perspective on the university is critical at this time. The university is being refashioned, often by forces out of the control of academics, students, and even administrators. However, there remain possibilities for informed action, for steering the directions that the university can take. This book maps both the historical factors and the alternative futures of the university. Whereas most books on the university remain focused on the European model, this volume explores models and issues from non-Western perspectives as well.
Inayatullah and Gidley draw together essays by leading academics from a variety of disciples and nations on the futures of the university, weaving historical factors with emerging issues and trends such as globalism, virtualization, multiculturalism, and politicization. They attempt to get beyond superficial debate on how globalism and the Internet as well as multiculturalism are changing the nature of the university, and they thoughtfully assess these changes.
Book Reviews
“The editors provide an overview of the history of the academe from both a western and eastern perspective, as well as an in-depth discussion of current trends and emerging issues. They contest current assumptions regarding the future by offering alternative possibilities. They weave these themes together to arrive at several alternative futures in the hope that their book impacts the policy debates concerning the future of the university.”
– NACADA Journal
“Important issues and valuable material for anyone with a specialist interest in the subject.”
– Long Range Planning
“Inayatullah and Gidley have edited a book that breaks the frame of more conventional approaches and poses a number of wider civilizational questions that should concern everyone. They have assembled a group of scholars who collectively span a very broad array of cultures and circumstances. In so doing, they breathe fresh air into an all-too-often stultified arena.... [I]t is certainly a book that should be read and pondered upon by all those seeking more vibrant alternatives for currently hard-pressed universities.”
–Foresight
“This book is admirably comprehensive. Its authors look at the impact on universities of all the major trends of our times. Even better, they go beyond the usual western focus and attempt a genuine world view. A very stimulating contribution to the debate.”
– Sir John Daniel, Vice-Chancellor, The Open University
“Sohail Inayatullah and Jennifer Gidley have responded to the present crises of higher education by bringing together a must-read collection of papers. Firmly grounding their work on past trends, both the Western and Non-Western authors of these papers challenge conventional thinking as they explore possible, probable, and preferable futures for the university. A first-rate piece of work that might help us avoid a potential coming educational catastrophe.”
– Professor Wendell Bell, Emeritus Professor of Sociology, Yale University
“This book is a `must' reading for all professionals in higher education and those policy makers who have influence upon the direction of higher education in the U.S. as well as other countries....While thoughtful in insight, it is also practical in ideas. Anyone who reads it will come away with the importance of higher education and its role in building a global society where humanity will ultimately prevail.”
– Professor Glenn K. Miyataki, President, The Japan-America Institute of Management Science, Honolulu, Hawaii
“...University in Transformation is highly recommended as an engaging, informative, and visionary text for those concerned with the critical role of universities in personal and national development in the 21st century.”
–Professor Robert Arnove, Professor of International and Comparative Education, Indiana University, Bloomington
“A very impressive collection... This book arrives just-in-time for universities that want a future.”
- Gordon Prestoungrange, Global President, International Management Centers (IMC)
“Editors Inayatullah and Gidley have created a solid collection of significant if tantalizing essays....The book, well organized and edited, will be especially valuable for graduate students in postsecondary education.”
– Choice
About the Editors
Sohail Inayatullah, PhD. Professor, Department of Futures Studies, Tamkang University, Taiwan.
Jennifer Gidley, PhD. Adjunct Professor, UTS University, Sydney, Australia.
Savage Coast
Savage Coast
Earle de Blonville
Bear Books, 2016.
Paperback, 416 pages.
ISBN: 978-0-9805830-3-8
To order direct: deblonville@gmail.com
About the Book
Savage Coast reaches the peak of its storytelling power in the Arctic wilderness as winter storms descend and plans are swept away. As a masterpiece of exploration by a poet of action, this modern Odyssey for the 21st century has the mythic power of an archetypal hero’s journey.
This is a true story of leadership in action. It is full of memorable and extremely hard won leadership insights that should be valuable for all those involved in enterprises.
Expeditions appear romantic, but in practice they are like all other businesses with budgets and shortfalls, staff and conflicts, good plans and unexpected failures.
On this expedition, everything that could possibly go wrong did so, meaning this story offers some exceptional insights into the critical role of leadership in times of great turbulence and complexity. Because everything in life is unexpected, and life is not lived to a script, so it is impossible to train for leadership.
Drew Hansen, writing in Forbes magazine, said: “Leadership is not learned in a classroom, but in the crucible of life.” He’s right. Leadership is not what is taught by Business School academics who have never led anything. And if you hear them talk about ‘leadership skills’, shoot them. Leaders are not carpenters needing skillsets, but beautifully complex human beings with strengths, weaknesses and great timeless qualities that can only be discovered in the heat of Hansen’s Crucible.
In the end, leadership is all about courage: it is a matter of the heart. Without heart, there is no leadership, but instead just La Mettrie’s 'L’homme machine.'
Vox Pops
“Timeless insights into the hidden dimensions of leadership”
- Sir Ranulph Fiennes, world's greatest living explorer
“Fully captures the reality of leadership.”
- Dr Iain McCormack, Polar Psychologist
“Deep insights into complexity and unpredictability.”
- Sir Gustav Nossal, Emeritus Professor
“Reveals that leadership cannot be taught, no leader is infallible and there is no single recipe for success.”
- Richard Gilmore, Executive Director
About the Author
Earle has over 40 years of practical leadership experience at many levels. In 2012 he was selected as one of Australia's top leadership thinkers. He is committed to helping develop tomorrow's leaders who face futures of great complexity and uncertainty. Leader of Australia's first Arctic expedition, he has explored more than half of Greenland's navigable coastline by yacht and sea kayak. In 1984 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and in 1988 he was Director of the Tall Ships spectacular, leading a team of 500 volunteers, where the Prime Minister officially opened Australia's Bicentenary to a global TV audience.
Earle was founding President of a regional Chamber of Commerce, focused on leading economic recovery, and CEO of a multi-million dollar business that transformed adventure recreation in the UK. He is an innovative leadership consultant and inspiring executive leadership coach. Earle's Doctoral research has developed the world's first completely natural and fully integrated approach to leadership development.
Selected Reviews:
"There is a vast contrast between the hardships of polar travel and the stories that people tell afterwards. I recall very well the stark difference between the harsh reality of a long overland traverse of Antarctica and the post-hoc heroic rationalisations of some of my expedition members. Earl de Blonville has convincingly captured the reality of expedition life. He is refreshingly honest and direct. The book also provides fascinating insights into the personality of someone who would willingly embrace danger and great hardship. Described as pig-headed and an unrelenting bastard, de Blonville is inclined to agree with much of the description. A great read and fully captures the reality of leadership and adventure."
- Dr Iain McCormack. Polar Psychologist
"In a word, this book is literally 'un-put-downable'! The author disarms us with his self-deprecatory style, the lightness of the atmosphere, the ready admission of mistakes and even a questioning of his own capacity to bring it all off! The book is a rollicking adventure, the descriptions of nature in all her beauty and ferocity are entirely compelling. The human side of the drama emerges with deep insights into the complexity and unpredictability of reactions and relationships."
- Sir Gustav Nossal AO, FRS. Emeritus Professor, University of Melbourne
Earle de Blonville
Bear Books, 2016.
Paperback, 416 pages.
ISBN: 978-0-9805830-3-8
To order direct: deblonville@gmail.com
About the Book
Savage Coast reaches the peak of its storytelling power in the Arctic wilderness as winter storms descend and plans are swept away. As a masterpiece of exploration by a poet of action, this modern Odyssey for the 21st century has the mythic power of an archetypal hero’s journey.
This is a true story of leadership in action. It is full of memorable and extremely hard won leadership insights that should be valuable for all those involved in enterprises.
Expeditions appear romantic, but in practice they are like all other businesses with budgets and shortfalls, staff and conflicts, good plans and unexpected failures.
On this expedition, everything that could possibly go wrong did so, meaning this story offers some exceptional insights into the critical role of leadership in times of great turbulence and complexity. Because everything in life is unexpected, and life is not lived to a script, so it is impossible to train for leadership.
Drew Hansen, writing in Forbes magazine, said: “Leadership is not learned in a classroom, but in the crucible of life.” He’s right. Leadership is not what is taught by Business School academics who have never led anything. And if you hear them talk about ‘leadership skills’, shoot them. Leaders are not carpenters needing skillsets, but beautifully complex human beings with strengths, weaknesses and great timeless qualities that can only be discovered in the heat of Hansen’s Crucible.
In the end, leadership is all about courage: it is a matter of the heart. Without heart, there is no leadership, but instead just La Mettrie’s 'L’homme machine.'
Vox Pops
“Timeless insights into the hidden dimensions of leadership”
- Sir Ranulph Fiennes, world's greatest living explorer
“Fully captures the reality of leadership.”
- Dr Iain McCormack, Polar Psychologist
“Deep insights into complexity and unpredictability.”
- Sir Gustav Nossal, Emeritus Professor
“Reveals that leadership cannot be taught, no leader is infallible and there is no single recipe for success.”
- Richard Gilmore, Executive Director
About the Author
Earle has over 40 years of practical leadership experience at many levels. In 2012 he was selected as one of Australia's top leadership thinkers. He is committed to helping develop tomorrow's leaders who face futures of great complexity and uncertainty. Leader of Australia's first Arctic expedition, he has explored more than half of Greenland's navigable coastline by yacht and sea kayak. In 1984 he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society and in 1988 he was Director of the Tall Ships spectacular, leading a team of 500 volunteers, where the Prime Minister officially opened Australia's Bicentenary to a global TV audience.
Earle was founding President of a regional Chamber of Commerce, focused on leading economic recovery, and CEO of a multi-million dollar business that transformed adventure recreation in the UK. He is an innovative leadership consultant and inspiring executive leadership coach. Earle's Doctoral research has developed the world's first completely natural and fully integrated approach to leadership development.
Selected Reviews:
"There is a vast contrast between the hardships of polar travel and the stories that people tell afterwards. I recall very well the stark difference between the harsh reality of a long overland traverse of Antarctica and the post-hoc heroic rationalisations of some of my expedition members. Earl de Blonville has convincingly captured the reality of expedition life. He is refreshingly honest and direct. The book also provides fascinating insights into the personality of someone who would willingly embrace danger and great hardship. Described as pig-headed and an unrelenting bastard, de Blonville is inclined to agree with much of the description. A great read and fully captures the reality of leadership and adventure."
- Dr Iain McCormack. Polar Psychologist
"In a word, this book is literally 'un-put-downable'! The author disarms us with his self-deprecatory style, the lightness of the atmosphere, the ready admission of mistakes and even a questioning of his own capacity to bring it all off! The book is a rollicking adventure, the descriptions of nature in all her beauty and ferocity are entirely compelling. The human side of the drama emerges with deep insights into the complexity and unpredictability of reactions and relationships."
- Sir Gustav Nossal AO, FRS. Emeritus Professor, University of Melbourne
Seventh Journey
Author: Earl de Blonville
Bear Books. Paperback. 416 pages.
16 pages of colour, 155 halftones throughout
Author's Private Edition of 500 signed copies SOLD OUT
ISBN: 978-0-9805830-0-7
About the Book
In the year 986AD Viking Erik the Red sailed west from Iceland to Greenland with no idea of what awaited him. Exactly one thousand years later Earl de Blonville followed him, equally unprepared, on Australia’s first expedition to the Arctic.
After an almost fatal training expedition across Bass Strait, his team sailed from England with all their equipment for Greenland. Violent North Atlantic storms, mutiny and continual gear failure cost them the short Arctic summer. But rather than give up, de Blonville decided to risk travelling the 600 nautical miles of ice strewn coast in winter, and led his sea kayak team south, into the East Greenland wilderness.
Within a month they were stranded on a sinking rock, having lost all their food and equipment. For a week they starved, soaking wet, in a 140 knot snowstorm. Although they escaped to find an Inuit hunting camp, worse was to come when, surrounded by massive icebergs, their yacht was capsized and totally disabled in another hurricane.
Financial difficulties continually threatened to scuttle the project and personal conflicts overflowed into violence. Yet despite this being, as the author quips, a journey they did not deserve to survive, he reveals great humour and warmth, with cutting insights and deep philosophical reflection.
Earl de Blonville’s rivetting account of this hugely ambitious journey is ruthlessly honest and spiced with candour. He reveals his team’s personal struggles as they face the savage reality of Arctic winter, and he analyses his own failings searching for universal truths about leadership.
About the Author
Earl de Blonville’s adventure leadership and consulting career spans almost 40 years. He began solo sea kayaking at 11 years old, from a seaside home where two great 19th century explorers had their camps. He trained as a professional mountain instructor in the UK and has worked with Outward Bound and University Outdoor Education programs. He is a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society, London, and has acted as advisor to desert and Arctic expeditions.
In Australia, he created Australia’s richest and toughest mountain horse competition, led the development of executive adventure travel and directed the Tall Ships spectacle that officially opened Australia’s Bicentenary celebrations. Earl pioneered modern sea kayaking in Australia with the first circumnavigation of Tasmania, a trip now undertaken by international sea kayakers as the acid test of competence. He led Australia’s first expedition to the Arctic, with his documentary film released internationally.
As a leadership coach and communications advisor, he has served with two of the world’s leading consultancies and worked on high value assignments in the public and corporate sectors. His principal focus has been on the development of personal leadership for highly complex and uncertain times.
Short Reviews
'A fascinating exploration of an explorer'
- Phillip Adams AO. Broadcaster, film producer and author
'A powerful story of privation, courage, obstinacy and tenacity'
- Professor Barry Jones AO. Writer, Australian Minister for Science 1983-90
'Makes valuable reading for today's business leaders'
- Jonathan Hutchings. Managing Director, World Wide Entertainment Ltd
'The action is utterly engrossing'
- Richard Gilmore. Executive Director EarthWatch Institute
'A disarmingly frank account. The writing soars'
- Andrew Hughes. Explorer, Founder Expedition-Class Online Learning
'A beautifully written and insightful story'
- Peter Hillary. Everest mountaineer & expedition leader. Author of international bestseller: 'The ghost country' 'A wonderful read and amazingly, it's all true!'
- John Bertrand AM. Winner of the 1983 America's Cup. Author of international bestseller: 'Born to Win'.
'A masterpiece of exploration by a poet of action' - Bill Green. Multi-award winning author. Screenwriter: 'Terminator 2'.
'Has the potential to become a classic in the genre'
- Rick Swinard. Corporate Affairs Manager, News Limited.
'A remarkable book and a classic of modern travel'
- Anthony Marshall. Award winning author and broadcaster.
'A truly exotic experience' - Cheryl Barassi. Book reviewer & arts patron.
'An explosive mix of physical & human drama'
- Catherine Hammond. Editor & manuscript assessor for HarperCollins, Simon & Schuster, Allen & Unwin, Pearson.
'Earle is a romantic who knows how to bring history alive'
- Colin Monteath. Polar explorer & wilderness photographer.
