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 Eleven African Americans, including a musician, were among the First Fleet of colonial settlers to Australia. In the 150-plus following years, African Americans visiting the region included jubilee singers, vaudevillians, sports stars and general entertainers. This book provides the only comprehensive history of more than 350 African American entertainers in Australia and New Zealand between European settlement in Australia in 1788 and the entry of the United States into World War II in 1941. Famous names covered include boxer Jack Johnson, film star Nina Mae McKinney and jazz singer Eva Taylor. Background stories provide a multidimensional view of the entertainers'time in a place very far from home.

Dynamic Chess Down Under! The Doeberl Cup has been Australia’s premier weekend chess tournament since its inception in 1963. It has attracted more international masters and grandmasters than any other Australian tournament. The Doeberl Cup – Fifty Years of Australian Chess History tells the stories behind the first 49 Doeberl Cups without neglecting the many tense and spectacular games which decided the top placings. In addition to over 200 annotated games and game fragments, the author presents player biographies of not only Australia’s best players and visiting stars, but also many wonderful – and weird – characters who helped create the character of the Doeberl Cup. Dozens of photographs nicely complement the showcasing of Australia’s best talent over more than a generation. The result is a splendid account of Australian chess history since the early 1960s. From the legendary Cecil Purdy through Australia’s brightest star Ian Rogers, join author Bill Egan as he takes you through the thrills and spills of dynamic chess down under. “Personally I had a great time reading this book (a true labor of love from author Bill Egan), and I’ll make sure it has an honorable home on my bookshelf, ready to be grabbed and enjoyed many more times in the future.” – Jeremy Silman, jeremysilman.com “The Doeberl Cup: Fifty Years of Australian Chess History is a first-rate account of this event which has come to mean so much for Australian chess.” – John Donaldson, Chess Today