"HMAS Castlemaine: The Corvette That Came Home" by Kerry Hodges explores several themes and topics that can help you connect it to other books in a library:
* **Naval History**: The book tells the story of HMAS Castlemaine, a **Bathurst-class corvette** that served during World War II. This connects to broader themes of naval history, particularly **corvette building programs** and the **role of these ships in the Pacific theater**. 【1】
* **World War II**: The book details the ship's wartime service, highlighting the experiences of the **young men who faced the dangers of war** with courage and resilience. 【2】【3】
* **Australian History**: As an Australian warship, HMAS Castlemaine's story is intertwined with **Australian naval history** and its contribution to the war effort. 【4】
* **Ship Restoration and Preservation**: A significant portion of the book focuses on the **restoration efforts** undertaken by volunteers to preserve the ship as a museum. 【3】【5】
* **Maritime Heritage**: The book emphasizes the importance of preserving maritime heritage by **commemorating the people who built, served on, and supported the corvettes**. 【6】
* **Courage, Hard Work, and Humor**: The book portrays the **young men** on the ship and how they faced danger during wartime with courage, hard work, and good humor. 【2】【3】
