Turning Points In The Making Of Australia

This exciting and stimulating book looks back at turning points and crucial moments in Australian history. Rather than arguing that there have been forks on a pre-determined road, the book challenges us to think about other paths or better paths that might have led to different outcomes.

South Australia has often been represented as different: convict free, more enlightened in its attitudes toward Aboriginal people, established on rational economic principles, progressive in its social/political development. Some of this is true, some not, but mostly the story is more complex. In this book, eminent historians explore these themes.

South Australia has often been represented as different: convict free, more enlightened in its attitudes toward Aboriginal people, established on rational economic principles, progressive in its social/political development. Some of this is true, some not, but mostly the story is more complex. In this book, eminent historians explore these themes.

This analysis of contemporary Australian society examines issues such as egalitarianism, job security, the impact of new technology, leadership, marriage and the family, nostalgia, race relations, xenophobia, sexual relations and spirituality. Includes references and index. Author is a social researcher who writes for 'The Age', 'The Sydney Morning Herald' and 'The West Australian'. His other publications include 'Reinventing Australia', 'The Spin', 'The Good Listener' and 'Generations'.

This book features full-colour and historical black and white photographs, maps, documents, and illustrations, all brought to life by well-researched and accessible narratives. The events featured in this book changed Australia and have the nation what it is today. Events that Shaped Australia sets out the detail, the people, the images and the after effects of the most important turning points in our nation's history. Starting with the formation of Gondwanaland and the arrival of indigenous Australians, this book features events in such eras as European colonisation, the Gold Rush, Federation, two World Wars and the later part of the 20th Century. Moving into the new millennium, the Bali Bombings, the Tampa controversy and the Rudd-Gillard-Abbott government crises are all featured. Events that Shaped Australia features rare colour and black and white photographs, as well as maps, documents and illustrations brought to life by well-researched and accessible narratives.