Lighthouses of Australia: Beacons of Hope

This set would actually make a lovely coffee table book for lighthouse lovers, with the rather notable drawback, of course, that it's not a book. Anyone interested in lighthouses would still certainly enjoy watching this nicely filmed collection of some of Australia's most beautifully preserved treasures. Zooming in on etched wooden panels and perfectly maintained original equipment, the program allows viewers to see how these towers worked in their heyday, and explains how each of the showcased lighthouses were built for their unique land and seascapes. Interviews with different lighthouse keepers and families who used to live on these isolated sites offer engaging stories about local history and maritime tragedy, the progress of light sensor automation and the slow demise of the fully manned lighthouse. From Australia's first tower Macquarie Lighthouse built in 1816 to Split Point Lighthouse (whose keeper cut a special hole in the lantern box so he could monitor his watch from the local pub), this Australian video tour offers a slice of picturesque nostalgia unique to these remarkable little kingdoms by the sea. Recommended. (N. Plympton)