Critical Acclaim...
In the Middle of Nowhere
Dr Colleen McCullough
Sunday Times
Morris West
Darryl Somers
Caroline Jones
Canberra Times
Derek Hanson
Peter Forrest
Nikki Voss
John Stephen Ayliffe
Janise Beaumont
The Age

This autobiography is a “must read”. The remarkable journey of a young city convert following her man and his dream to the back of beyond involves the reader with rare intimacy. In one of the most remote locations in the world, you share their hopes and heartaches, joys and laughter, with emotions as deep as the love of Terry and John Underwood.

A recommended read for 2002 – The Year of the Outback, this book transports you to the real Outback of Australia, to experience and understand the wondrous beauty and challenges of that timeless land, its people and animals. An unforgettable literary treasure.

"As we focus our attention on Australia's Outback during 2002, on the importance of Outback Australia to our nation's past, present and future, we must recognise the spirit of the people who have chosen to follow their destiny in that untamed land.
In The Middle of Nowhere revolves around the story of two people who fell in love, followed their hearts and committed to building their lives together: a home, a family, a business.
Terry and John Underwood will say that they started with "little", but what they neglect to acknowledge is that they started with an immense depth of pioneering spirit; a strong commitment to hard work, of "getting the job done", and after thirty five years remark that "although Riveren is well developed and boasts a well-managed herd of Brahman cattle, there is much hard work yet to be done."

Australia's Year of the Outback salutes the women of the Outback. They are of the Land, Our Land.

Terry Underwood has shared her journey in her first book, In The Middle Of Nowhere. 2002 Year of the Outback salutes both Terry and her story."

Ruth E. Wilson – CEO, Year of the Outback

Reader's Letters...

“Thank you for recording our family’s relationship with the Northern Territory. Your story is a recording of a family’s daily life, motivated by love, faith and hope. Determination, perseverance, resourcefulness and courage of you both and your children are the keynotes of your survival, and stepping stones to your creation of Riveren. Your readers will weep and laugh as they share your sorrows, your crises and your joys. The tales about your Animal Kingdom will enthral them. Congratulations Terry!”

Marie Hickey, Albury, NSW

“A big ‘thank you’ for your fascinating insight into a life my son has chosen and for which he feels an incredible passion …city born and bred – James feels comfortably at home in the middle of nowhere as a jackeroo. From this ‘city kid’ thanks for helping me to understand a little more of life in the outback!”

Katrina Weeden, Wahroonga, NSW

The life of your family brought into sharp focus our unique country and its people. The way you wrote was so full it was like being in the room at the end of the day with a friend sharing experiences. Every page seemed to draw out my deepest emotions. Thank you for bringing the heart of Australia to me.”

Annie Cvetkovic, Gisborne, Victoria

“I’ve just put down your story - for the first time. It was like sunshine through storm clouds. Thank you for telling the story of your family and through that story, the story of my family and countless other bush families. The tears I shed were real tears, for in the recognition of your pain was the echo of my own, and so the laughter. God bless you for telling it straight.”

Helen Murphy, Alice Springs, Northern Territory

“Now I feel quite lonely because for one whole week you transported me to Riveren and I was part of your family and community. I tried to limit my reading time each day to extend the experience, but I just kept turning the pages. You and John sat on my bedside table like a family photo.”

Robyn Amair, Merimbula, NSW

“I am 87 years old and have just enjoyed your book In The Middle Of Nowhere on three occasions and am now on page 243 and once again derive unbounded pleasure from the efforts employed by the Underwoods to accomplish what they deem to be a quality life style. May your book be an inspiration to all who have been fortunate to absorb the wonderful teachings which the book offers.”

Bill Cocks, Lindfield, NSW

“I can’t tell you how much I enjoyed reading the book. Wonderful. Fantastic. Fascinating. Joyous. Sincere congratulations to you Terry for writing it and to the two of you for being the combined inspiration.”

Nerys Evans, Alice Springs, Northern Territory

“I found the book a compelling read, to the point where I could not put it down. The style was such that you permitted your reader to feel your highs and your lows, yet feel strengthened by your tenacity and endurance to keep going. Having walked life’s path as you have, and continue to do so, how can anyone not be inspired by your achievements?”

Leeanne Gyomorei, West Australia

“I can now appreciate the harsh conditions you have to live with on the stations. It has been such an achievement by you to conquer such a wild and harsh paradise. My family, friends and I who have read your novel have learnt that with true love anything is possible.”

Mark Rolfe, South Africa

“The tears flowed so many times as you wrote from a mother perspective. This morning may not have been the best time for me to read of your search for Becky and the possibility that she may have drowned. I know those feelings well. We searched for our 18 year old son Scott too, but we were not as lucky as you.”

Dianne Chapman, Queensland, Australia

“You don’t know me, but I have read In The Middle Of Nowhere and enjoyed every page. When I finished your book I turned back to page 1 and read it all again!”

Mary O’Connor, NSW, Australia

“I can’t go on reading In The Middle Of Nowhere till I write and tell the author how much I’m loving it. I am so moved by your stories and drawn in by your life like descriptions. For a reader who spent a comparatively brief time in the NT - your book takes me back there….and makes me want more. And I now have even more admiration for your strength and PASSION!”

Jacinta Tynan, ABC TV, NSW, Australia

“Your life has certainly been wondrous. I think your references to our ‘Creator’ and your deep beliefs, inspired me to question and be thankful for my own life.”

Sally-Anne Files,Victoria, Australia

“I have just finished reading your book and must congratulate you on a superb effort. In my line of work I read many books and my ultimate judgement of a book is if I can read more than two pages in bed without falling asleep. In The Middle Of Nowhere was read into the wee hours of the morning and I had to force myself to put it down.”

Bill Hamill (Jnr), South Australia.

“I just had to write to congratulate you on a beautiful book. My children kept asking if I was all right because I didn’t actually put the book down for three days. They’d never seen me so engrossed in anything before.”

June Hagar, Carseldine, Queensland

“Have just finished reading your wonderful, inspiring book which compels me to say it is a great Australian classic. Your book encompasses every human emotion and is an example to all Australian families. Everyone should read it.”

Mary Hodgson, Mooloolah, Qld

“I am writing to thank you for sharing not simply an entertaining book but such a beautiful and moving love story. It is without doubt the best book I have ever read. Needless to say I went through a box of tissues in the process.”

Julie Sharp, Como, Western Australia

“How do I start to tell you of the joy we’ve had reading your book. We’ve read it. We’ve lived it. We’ve loved it. If you hadn’t made time to write we’d have been left without this Australian BOOK of BOOKS. Congratulations.”

Helen Gair, Camberwell, Victoria

“From another in the middle of nowhere thank you for your fantastic book”

Karin Tan, Saudi Arabia

"I was entranced with your program with Margaret Throsby (the music as well as the story) and went out and bought your book for my wife. Thank you for the book which was not only enjoyable but which reinforced our convictions of the blessings we have enjoyed over the decades."

Michael O'Connor, Doncaster East, Victoria

Critical Acclaim...
Riveren. My Home, Our Country
NZ Herald

In this beautiful sequel to "In the Middle of Nowhere" Terry's photographs and stories bring alive the experience of Riveren: the people, the animals, the mighty landscape; the dust, the heat and the life-giving Wet.

Reader's Letters...

“Your book is beautiful; it spells the warmth of the North and your soul. You are a remarkable photographer. As a photographer and artist of many years this encounter with perfection most impressed me.”

Mark Strizic - Award-winning photographer, Victoria, Australia

“The photos are so clear and natural, one can feel the warmth coming through them – both climatically and through the bond of your family with each other and the land. Your Brahmans are a delight!”

Gwen McDonald, Bendigo, Victoria

"A truly magnificent book, with a deep human touch from a surrounding that so few of us know so little. The text and the pictures form a unit that is absorbing."

B. Lindstrom, Stockholm, Sweden