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A Shorter History of Australia

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A Shorter History of Australia

By: Geoffrey Blainey
Narrated by: Humphrey Bower
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About this listen

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.

©1994 Geoffrey Blainey , 2009. (P)2010 Bolinda Publishing Australia, New Zealand & Oceania Oceania World War Imperialism Imperial Japan United Kingdom Middle Ages Africa

Critic reviews

"Part of Blainey's magic is that his words float off the page. Here, too, are the puzzles, oddities and off-beat comparisons of his restless, quirky intelligence, constantly astonished and endlessly engaging." (The Age)
"The present shape and direction of Australian history writing will now be altered for a long while to come." (Quadrant)
"Geoffrey Blainey offers an enjoyable overview of Australian history. Humphrey Bower's Australian accent is endearing for those who love all things Aussie. His presentation is measured and clear, with longish pauses between words. Blainey occasionally uses vocabulary that may not be familiar to Americans (for example, a "sultana" is a kind of raisin), but that doesn’t present an impediment. Unlike other well-known histories of Australia—including Manning Clark's A SHORT HISTORY OF AUSTRALIA and Robert Hughes's THE FATAL SHORE—Blainey's focuses on recent events. He also spends considerable time on events that followed WWII. As is always the case with the analysis of recent history, bias shows. Blainey seems well to the right of center on many Australian political issues." (AudioFile Magazine)
All stars
Most relevant
Interesting overview of Australia's development starting with Aboriginal settlement and adaptation to the land over 40,000 years ago and ending with Kevin Rudd's first stint as Prime Minister of Australia. Despite numerous developments since then, the bulk of this history - surveying such issues as colonisation, (somewhat limited) discussion of dispossession and violence against the Aboriginal peoples, participation in the first and second world wars, immigration, agricultural and natural resource exploitation and development, infrastructure development, urbanisation, sport as core to Australia's identity.

Blainey does a good job of surveying the big picture issues, illustrated at times with more detailed and personal stories, and general insights regarding politics, economics and history. As somebody who grew up overseas (and didn't learn much about Australian history at any earlier stage of my education) I found this informative, well written, engaging, and a good overview.

Blainey's work has been critiqued within the so-called "history wars" - reflecting the debates and contests about the degree of violence and dispossession suffered by Australia's first peoples. Blainey seeks to present a "balanced account" - but this just touches on the degree of contestation and dispossession that occurred and the current challenges within Australia. I would have been interested to hear still more on the important land rights decisions of Australian courts, the ongoing challenges to Australia's economy, the problems inherent in climate change denial, the harms of alcohol despite it being so throughly intertwined with day to day life and its narrative in Australia.

Well worth a listen!

Readable overview of Australia's development

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Geoffrey Blainey has the ability to write history in such a manner that entices the reader to be be completely absorbed and interested in his knowledge. He gives a comprehensive overview of Australian history from the First Fleet, Aborigines through until 2009.
The book revived school lessons learned of long ago and I learnt new facts and gained answers of unanswered questions.
It also will help me with researching my family history.
For anyone wanting an overview of Australian history, I would strongly recommend this book.
The narrator, Humphrey Bower immediately envelops the reader into the story with his very pleasant voice.

Australian History

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Logically structured but not without interesting unpredicatable facts, appropriately personal, balanced and comprehensive cover and you get the feeling the author is Australian but at the same time fair and impartial. The reading performance was imaculate, well-paced and clear as a bell.

Perfect short history

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Very interesting book. Puts into perspective how much the isolation and climate of Australia played in determining its history. Good use of anecdotes to keep it light in parts. Disappointed that the Stolen Generation was not mentioned

Enlighenting and entertaining

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This is the perfect book not only for Australians wanting to know more about their country, but for tourists who like to have some history on the areas they are are visiting. Tells you plenty without getting bogged down in details Good on yer!

Oz as it happened

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