Gold-Dust and Ashes

His latest book is really the romance of the Edie Creek and Bulolo diggings, situated inland from Salamau; and with the

discovery of the field are associated the names of diggers as "Shark Eye Bill" (William Park), Matt Crowe, Jim Preston,

Arthur Dowling, Frank and Jim Pryke... men who in pre-war years, crept across the frontier, defying the Germans and

dodging the headhunters... These men endured terrible hardships, and frequently faced grim tragedy. Mr Idriess writes of

it all, and writes of it as if he had been with them.. What a romance! What a story! It is packed with adventure, studded

with splendid pen-pictures of pioneer prospectors, airmen, and patrol officers, and told with a fascinating simplicity that is

borne from something very close to genius.

Brisbane Courier, 1933.