47 Degrees

by Justin D’Ath

ISBN: 978-0-14-378907-9

First published 2019

246 pages

Publisher: Penguin.com.au

Cover design by Branco Herfst

4/5 Stars

A semi-autobiographical account of the devastating bushfires of the 2009 Victoria Black Saturday bushfires.

Justin even includes photos of his own burnt down home and possessions.

The descriptions of the heat of the fire, how it makes you think, how the atmosphere changes are awesome.. for example, how the heat affects everything you do and how it suddenly dawns on you, slowly, imperceptibly, that this could be very dangerous, that indeed there could be nowhere left to run…..

The direction of the fire can change from one moment to another. The wind can die down or pick-up.

A recommended read for anyone who wants to understand the trauma Australia faces each bushfire season.