Great Southern Land: A New History of Australia - Hardcover

Welsh, Frank

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0713994509 ISBN 13: 9780713994506

Publisher: Penguin, 2004

Synopsis

Frank Welsh's new history of Australia is the first to be written by a non-Australian, and the first to be based on archival research not only in Australia, but in Britain, the USA, Canada and South Africa. Australian history is clearly placed in a world context, and many previous misconceptions exposed, to form a compelling and enjoyable narrative. Welsh traces the history of the continent from before the arrival of the First Fleet, through the hesitant and haphazard unifying of the continent, and the conflict between the original colonies, through the steady emergence of Australian nationalism at the end of the nineteenth century, the establishment of the White Australia' policy which persisted for so long and which was a key element in, for example, the support which Australia gave to the USA during the Vietnam War, right up to John Howard's controversial premiership. Original, provocative and witty, The Great Southern Land will take its place along with his previous much-praised books on Hong Kong and South Africa as a standard history.

About this title

From the Publisher

Australia: A New History of the Great Southern Land is a major new account that places Australia's History fully in a global context, drawing on sources from the United States, Britain, Africa, and Canada, as well as within Australia itself. In a compelling narrative, acclaimed historian Frank Welsh traces the history of the land from scattered convict settlements to the formation of the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901 and on to today's thriving independent nation, exposing many myths in the process. This book also explores the dark side of Australia's history: the long-continued "White Australia" policy, which bedeviled foreign policy for more than a century; the still-tortured official relationship with the Aboriginal peoples; the subordination of women; the flaws in the constitution. Also examined is Australia's uneasy relationship with its Asian neighbors and isolation from Britain and the United States, it traditional allies. Original, provocative, and witty, Australia is the most comprehensive single-volume history of Australia yet published. It makes a strong claim to becoming the standard work on this fascinating and often misunderstood country.

About the Author

Frank Welsh was born in Washington, County Durham, and educated at Magdalene College, Cambridge. He has had a varied career in international business and banking, including service on the boards of nationalised industries and as a member of the Royal Commission on the National Health Service. His books include The Profit of the State, Uneasy City, Building the Trireme, A History of Hong Kong and A History of South Africa

About this edition

• Publisher: Penguin
• Publication date: 2004
• ISBN 10: 0713994509
• ISBN 13: 9780713994506
• Binding: Hardcover
• Edition number: 1