After a lifetime of research and debate on Australian and international history, Geoffrey Blainey is well-placed to introduce us to the people who have played a part and to guide us through the events which have created the Australian identity: the mania for spectator sport, the suspicion of the tall poppy, the rivalries of Catholic and Protestant, Sydney and Melbourne, new and old homelands, the conflicts of war abroad and race at home, the importance of technology, the recognition of our Aboriginal past and Native Title, the successes and failures of the nation.
For this enlarged edition, Blainey has rewritten or expanded on various episodes and themes, making changes to almost every page. He has described significant events and trends of the early-20th century. A final chapter summarises key factors that shaped and still shape this country's history.
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"This interesting and concise book has improved my knowledge of Australian history. Blainey points to two factors as having the greatest impact on Australia over history: climate and distance. I look forward to reading more of this author's books." — Petersong (4 out of 5 stars)
"This interesting and concise book has improved my knowledge of Australian history. Blainey points to two factors as having the greatest impact on Australia over history: climate and distance. I look forward to reading more of this author's books."
" A really accessible brief history of Australia. Ideal for an expat! "
" This was an interesting, simple, straightforward overview of Australian history. I learned a lot, but I wish that I would have picked a book that explored a more specific event or time period more deeply. "
" Light and fluffy. Tom Keneally"s volumes await. Hopefully with a differing narrative. Need more depth. "
" Great book to get a good idea of Australia's history. Well written and easy to follow, without any political bias. "
" This is an overview of Australian history. It mostly focuses on the social history, but does include other facets. It gives a good idea of how the country has developed. It is easy to read and still interesting. "
" The first history of Australia I've tackled, so I learned lots of interesting new things. One thing that struck home was the sheer unstoppable momentum of the wave of colonial immigration (and thus colonisation). "
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