Australian History For Dummies (Paperback)

Discover the fascinating details that make Australia the country it is today

Australian History For Dummies is your rough-and-ready tour guide through Australia's whirlwind past. We'll introduce you to the people and events that have shaped this 'Land Down Under' (and why it's called that, anyway). You'll see how Indigenous Australians lived in Australia for over 65,000 years. You'll be there as British colonists explore Australia's harsh terrain. You'll appreciate the impact of the world wars. And you'll delve into the recent past, giving you insight into modern-day Australia and what's next.

Australia is a place unlike any other place, and its wild history, with more ups and downs than you'll care to count, makes for fascinating reading. Bushrangers, the gold rush, the first female prime minister―it's all inside. This new edition fills in the last ten years of history and covers issues faced in the 21st century.

• Explore the history of Indigenous Australia from the ancient past to the modern day
• Watch Australia put itself on the map―learn about the intrepid explorers and the discovery of gold
• Understand how and why the states were united and meet the major players who made it happen
• Examine the social, economic and political changes that made Australia what it is today

Students, teachers and anyone else who wants to learn more about Australia’s background will love this lively, authoritative book. Relax and be entertained as Australian History For Dummies tells you the stories of the past.

Alex McDermott is an author, historian, and creative producer. His passion is writing histories which tell the pivotal stories that help us understand how we came to be who we are today. He has contributed his expertise to Screen Australia, State Library Victoria, La Trobe University, SBS, ABC and many other organisations.