AustLit

'Australia’s ancient history (“prehistory” for some) represents a significant component of the Australian human past, and yet it is seldom considered as a core part of the nation’s history. There are many reasons for this: as “prehistory” it is not considered history by many, and moreover much of the knowledge of this ancient past is largely inaccessible. Held captive in technical monographs and journal articles, it often incorporates scientific jargon that can be tedious and difficult to interpret. Unlike the remarkable prehistory of international places like the Dordogne valley and the famous rock art at Lascaux, that has been so enthusiastically embraced as a central part of France’s past, the ~60,000 years of the Aboriginal past has seldom had any significant impact on the broader Australian public.'  (Introduction)

'Which politician of pre‐1914 New South Wales most merits a Life? Not, to the author under review, any of its looming figures which remain without a biography; not the five‐time Premier, John Robertson; nor the brilliant poseur B.R. Wise; nor the menacing silhouette of William Crick. Instead, Gorman’s subject is Joseph Carruthers (1856‐1932); cricketer, sometime author on Captain Cook, premier from 1904 to 1907, and effective founder of Australia’s twentieth century Liberal Party.'  (Introduction)

'I have often wondered what would have happened if the British had settled Australia from the north, rather than taking the advice of Cook and Banks and settling first at Botany Bay? While modern Australia was established on the backs of sheep herds, suited to the south, and the southern climate was closer to that of a European summer, the real exploitable wealth for the future was in minerals and agricultural potential, both greatest in the tropical north. Lyndon Megarrity’s book examines the politics of attempts to develop the north, the many failures, and the short‐sighted lack of political will on all sides.' (Introduction)

'Australia never proved fertile territory for the notorious “underground” newspapers of the United States and Europe in the “long” 1960s: from Texas’ Rag to the Berkley Barb, London’s Black Dwarf and Paris’ Tout. Instead, Australia’s young radicals appropriated often quite staid campus newspapers and transformed them into means of political and cultural agitation. Sally Percival Wood’s Dissent does a splendid job in bringing these publications to light, demonstrating their roles in pushing envelopes in areas like censorship, sex, the Vietnam war, women’s and Indigenous rights as the nation grappled with a crisis of post‐colonial identity.' (Introduction)

'Run For Your Life is not an orthodox autobiography. It is, rather, a stir‐fry of memoir, apologia pro vita sua, personal observations and political insights. If the result is at times indigestible, there are some tasty morsels. Carr’s description of his childhood, for example, effectively evokes a vanished post‐war suburban Australia. There is an excellent account of his difficult years in Opposition. With the frankness and honesty that is a feature of the book, Carr gives an amusing description of a Chinese restaurant lunch in 1990 where ALP elders brutally attacked his performance: “The criticism flowed like the wine, the Leader’s standing was demolished with the shredded lamb and fried rice” (p.66).'  (Introduction)