Bushfires make disaster book

A BOOK based on disasters that have shocked Australia would not be complete without a chapter dedicated to the Black Saturday fires that devastated so many.
That is why Pakenham author, Ian Ferguson, postponed the release of his book, Disasters That Shocked Australia, in the wake of the disastrous infernos.
The opening chapter of his book will now be devoted to the Black Saturday fires.
The book, part of his disaster series, is now due for release between May and June.
Royalties from the book sales will go towards bushfire charities. Mr Ferguson said it was essential that the Black Saturday fires be included. “They are the worst disaster we have ever experienced, both natural and non-natural.”
Ferguson said he has tried to concentrate on the more personal aspects of each of the disasters. “I have looked at the different experiences of the victims, the rescuers and the survivors,” he said. Both natural and man-made disasters will be covered in the book including, cyclone Tracy, the West Gate Bridge collapse, Bali bombings, floods in north Australia and political and economic downfalls.
Ferguson has previously released three true crime books: Gangland Crimes That Shocked Australia, Murders That Shocked Australia and Crimes That Shocked Australia.
The former Gazette cricket scribe, who is a life member of the West Gippsland Cricket Association, is now looking forward to working on a book about the Ashes Series.