A Shorter History of Australia

By: Geoffrey Blainey

Narrated by: Humphrey Bower

Length: 10 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2009 Geoffrey Blainey (P)2010 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd

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!

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.

Good overview, not perfect

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

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.

Excellent history of Australia, very entertaining, authentic

As an American with Australian heritage I wanted to learn more about my fathers homeland. This book filled in the gaps of learning and explained more about my grandparents life and times in Tumut. Narrator is easy to listen to, optimistic, clear, and very authentic. Accurate, non biased, and includes information that other authors may sweep under the carpet. Very entertaining, wish it was longer. Definitely recommend if interested in history, or Australia.

Good History

Excellent History of Australia, covered the entire past of the county. Australian history is quite similar to American Western History. It isn’t overflowing with large conflicts but has many small but interesting and meaningful conflicts. It is a story of settlement, economic growth and depression, political movements, immigration and participation in world wars.

The book is a shorter history of Australia and does gloss over many historical events in the country. However it gives enough to do them justice. Australia was clearly a very blessed country with an easier and less deadly history than most other countries. It was nice to read about such a successful nation but the story did feel like maybe it missed some dramatic struggles. That is however not the authors fault.

This book has few negative reviews that complain about a the way the author talks about the indigenous peoples of Australia. These reviews first made me hesitant to read the book and caused me to put it off. However after reading it I thought the author was quite respectful to the Aboriginals. But I will admit his tone was slightly paternalist with them in way that would have be normal when the book was written in the 90’s. Though in todays more politically correct era this could turn some people off. I however thought he covered the topic with enough grace and wasn’t offended.

If you are interested in Australia this is easily the best audiobook to get about it’s history. It is highly worth a listen.

BIG HISTORY, MEDIUM PRESENTATION

Book okay. nothing extraordinary, but essential matters covered. I have now a pretty good grasp of Australia's story. Especially appreciated is the lack of bias about Aborigines vs settlers. The narrator's accent I found often impenetrable (BALL or BOWL) but lively.

Enjoyable chronology of the history of Australia

What did you love best about A Shorter History of Australia?

Covered a wide range of key events in Australia's history. The book was easy listening and well written for those interested in a brief history lesson.

What other book might you compare A Shorter History of Australia to and why?

Hard to compare because it deals with many subjects in a short space of time. My feeling would be that if you enjoyed this book you would also enjoy books like Kakoda and even Mathew Flinder's Cat (fiction)

What about Humphrey Bower’s performance did you like?

Always a great Narrator for any Australian story - didn't disappoint.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

No.

Very good and interesting

A very good, well written and interesting account of Australia's history. Concise and very well narrated.
Analizes and explains what makes Australia distinct and special.
Highly recommended as a first book on Australia's history.