A Shorter History of Australia

By: Geoffrey Blainey

Narrated by: Humphrey Bower

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

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)

Good overview, not perfect

Felt very clear when the author was born as the keen observation became personal quibbles

Good!

As expected the book is not detailed, but it covers the history of Australia in a amazing way. I deeply recommend it for everyone interested in Australia.

We’ve forgotten where we are from

This is well written, well narrated, and entertaining. This information used to be a art of daily life. Now nobody knows any of it. This is a great overview of many parts of our history we either gloss over or have never known.

Informative

This book helps you to understand today's Australia by describing where we have come from. I found it fascinating. Well worth a listen.

GoodBook for someone planning a trip to Australia

The book starts at the ice age and continues through 2009. It does a nice job of concise presentation of climactic, cultural, environmental, political, International, etc. information about the country, its people, and its history. Having read it will make my trip there much more interesting because I have a flavor of what has gone before, Who the people in the country are. I was relieved the book did not go into exhaustive detail about anything.