{"title":"Philip Bentley","description":"\u003cp\u003eWelcome to our Philip Bentley category, where you can delve into the intriguing works of a distinguished author renowned for his captivating biographies and memoirs. Philip Bentley crafts narratives that not only inform but also engage and inspire, shedding light on fascinating historical figures and events.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAmong his notable works is \u003cem\u003eMadame Brussels\u003c\/em\u003e, a compelling biography that unveils the life and times of an infamous yet enigmatic figure from Melbourne's past. Bentley's meticulous research and vivid storytelling bring history to life, offering readers an immersive experience into the world of his subjects.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you are a history enthusiast or simply love a good story based on real events and people, Philip Bentley’s books are sure to captivate and educate. Explore his collection today and discover the stories that have shaped our world, one page at a time.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"madame-brussels-by-barbara-minchinton-9781760644932","title":"Madame Brussels","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA must-read biography of an enigmatic personality who helped shape early Melbourne.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eMadame Brussels\u003c\/em\u003e, the most legendary brothel keeper in nineteenth-century Melbourne, is still remembered and celebrated today. But until now, little has been known about Caroline Hodgson, the woman behind the alter ego.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBorn in Prussia to a working-class family, Caroline arrived in Melbourne in 1871. Left alone when her police-officer husband was sent to work in remote Victoria, she turned her hand to running brothels. Before long, she had proved herself brilliantly entrepreneurial—her principal establishment was a stone's throw from Parliament House, lavishly furnished and catered to Melbourne's ruling classes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCaroline rode Melbourne's boom in the 1880s, weathered the storm of the depression years in the 1890s, and suffered in the moral panic of the 1900s. Her death in 1908 signified the end of one kind of Melbourne and the beginning of another—in terms of prostitution, the city went from tolerance to complete prohibition in her lifetime.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDrawing on extensive research, author and historian Barbara Minchinton deftly pieces together Madame Brussels' story and recreates a fascinating, colourful period in Melbourne's history. This is a major biography of an Australian icon.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46373923946732,"sku":"9781760644932","price":41.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/23836263482814.jpg?v=1744823471"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/philip-bentley.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}