Our Price: AUD$31.95 (USD$)* ISBN: 978-1-921456-06-0 Subject: Non-Fiction/Biography Publication Date: December 2008

Synopsis
A Survival Guide: Kokoda is not only the revealing story of one man's personal odyssey, but it also contains a wealth of first-hand information for those preparing to travel to Papua New Guinea to walk the Kokoda trail.

Divided into ten, compelling and informative chapters, this remarkable book also contains numerous photographs documenting the author's own experiences, including a special colour section, as well as a comprehensive checklist of the equipment needed for a successful Kokoda trek.

Balancing a mix of humour and raw emotion, Stephen McCormack has combined his own experiences in overcoming adversity with many invaluable tips and suggestions to create an easy-to-read reference guide that is a must for anyone planning their own journey to this very important part of Australia's history.

About The Author
Stephen McCormack has made two attempts to walk the Kokoda trail. The first time, he was not prepared for the ordeal and was eventually rescued and flown out. Returning for a second attempt, he knew better. He had prepared himself, both mentally and physically, and he succeeded.

He is not a Digger, nor has he fought in any wars, but like the Diggers of World War II, his life has been changed by the Track, necessitated by the lack of advice he received on his first, failed attempt. By overcoming tremendous adversity, as detailed in his book, A Survival Guide: Kokoda, he implemented the necessary changes that led to his eventual success.

Although only in his mid-twenties, Stephen McCormack has seen more of the world than many will see in a lifetime. Having travelled to Antarctica, Europe, Asia, North and South America and, of course, Papua New Guinea, he has gained the hands-on experience that only regular travel can provide.

Visit the author's official Web Site.

From The Book
This was my second attempt at Kokoda, and I was scared. I knew it was going to be tough. I had been there before. And I had failed before. The truth be told, heading for the Kokoda trail the second time over made it that much harder for me. It was a lot scarier too, since I knew exactly what I was getting myself in to.

I first attempted to walk the Kokoda trail in January 2005 but I only lasted 3 days. I got up to a little village called Menari. Now I was back at it again to finish what I had started. Yes, this time I was scared, but I was also determined - more determined than I had ever been before.

I wanted to complete this trek more than I had wanted anything else in my relatively short life. I knew that this time I would be okay. I knew I would survive it, just as so many others had survived it before me, because this time I had the Mind of Kokoda.