Thread: Australian History Books - who's read what ?

Originally Posted by Lotz-A-Landies

Jeremy

There are a lot of great books around particularly on the early explorers, the bushrangers etc and even novels set in the contemporary outback like "We of the never never" set in the Northern Territory.

However I hardly think that Tom Cruise would be able to tell us anything much about Australia or it's history other than Nicole Kidman and I don't think they ever went to Birdsville. Tom Kruse the Birdsville to Maree mailman is a completely other story.

Diana

I knew as soon as I read it I got that wrong .............. hmmmm you think after reading the book I might get it right !!

Thanks everyone for such a great response, I'm looking forward to tracking down some of the books mentioned !

Cheers
Jeremy

Watkin Tench's journals with great introduction by Tim Flannery. Tench was a First Fleet officer, and had boundless enthusiasm for just about everything. He writes like an 18th century backpacker.

The Fatal Shore by Robert Hughes. History of Convict settlement.

Dances With Strangers by Inga Clendinnen. A history of the early settlement.

Simon

Originally Posted by Panda

Was it "An Australian Women Biography by Pat Rappolt (1905-1978)?

She wrote a book on her experiences living in Cooktown.

If you're interested, I'll see if I can find a copy for you.

Finally getting around to replying. Thanks for looking into this. I'm not sure if it is the right one. The photo on the cover looks like it was taken in the 80's due to the bathers she is wearing, and the hairdoo. She was also considerably younger than 73 years old.
The biography you list, does sound interesting though. Maybe I'll get a late chrissie present for myself.

Cheers,
Ken

Search Main Page - Gutenberg They have daily logs of some of the explorers.
John Forests log is really good reading.

Originally Posted by Tank

I think the most interesting person to read about is Governor Lachlan Macquarie, he more than any other made Australia what it is today.
Macquarie abolished the Rum Corps, replaced Rum as the currency with money (coins), started the first bank, built infrastructure, trial by Jury, appointed the first ex-convict Magistrate, encouraged Convicts to marry and build up farms with monetary and goods assistance, opened the way across the Blue mountains with a road to Bathurst.
Too many to list here, there is a book I read many years ago titled "Lachlan Macquarie", it follows his life from early days in Scotland, through his distinguished Army career in India to his battles with the upper-crust in Australia, being Macarthur (who fled to England when he heard Macquarie was coming) and Marsden and their Cronies, Marsden was trading weapons (guns etc.) with the Maories. Macarthur headed a group that wanted Australia to be kept Solely as a Penal Colony with the only Free Settlers allowed to be the Landed Gentry from England and Ireland, making Australia a Slave driven Bread Basket for the world, sounds a lot like the start of the Liberal Party LOL.
Macquarie financed most of the great explorations in his 11 years as Governor, he was also the first head of State to insist that all correspondence with the English Government that this country be called Australia.
A very interesting read esp. on his battles with the Despot Marsden (the flogging Parson) when he was arrested for refusing to pay the Toll on Parramatta Rd at Taverners Hill, should be able to get the book at any Library, Regards Frank.

Just finished this book, I assume it is the Ellis book? . A bit of a hard read at times with the text and language of the day but a real insight into what Australia would have been like if marsden and Macaurthur had had their way.

Just started 1788 by David Hill about the first fleet. Also an excellent read.

You wont get much better reading about early Australian history than reading some of Ion Idriess books. They cover from early 1900 to about 1950 when he roamed around Australia and experienced some of our pioneering past including a stint in Palestine during WW1 in the Australian Light Horse. You will find that you cant put it down once you start reading it. They are nearly always advertised on Ebay - have a look. Great reading!

Two most recently, Both by Les carolyn,

The great war and Gallipoli.

However my favourite of all time, first read this one 30 years ago as a kid,

"Journeys with Gelignite Jack" Covers the story of a cross country figure eight crossing of Australia in (Wait for it) an Austin 1800 and a Mini back in the sixties.

For me the history of Australia has to include Rev john Flynn,to me one of the greats of Australia,he did more for the Australian people that any other Australian
His story started in the outback of south australia,helping the people of the outback,starting the inland missions,school of the air ,the royal flying doctor service etc,what a great man he was,lets not forget him,when we talk of the history of our country........he traveled the outback in a old REO car........not a 4x4,traveling down dry river beds,to meet people in far flung station.....the best book,to read of his life is called Flynn of the inland