Australians: A Short History

AUTHOR: Thomas Keneally PUBLISHER: Allen and Unwin RRP: $39.99

REVIEWER: Mary Ann Elliott

KENEALLY’S “short history” in 950 pages brings his widely acclaimed three-volume treatise together. Reintroducing a panoply of figures from the first convicts, explorers, pastoralists, bushrangers and pioneers to the nation-changing period of post-war migration and our engagement with Asia, his vivid characters come to life with a broad and colourful sweep of his pen.

The separation of Australia from the rest of Gondwana began 45 million years ago.

Recent research shows that stone tools are 130,000 years old, which means the original Australians are the oldest race on the planet.

Ecologists are nothing new; the native people have practised maintenance of the earth, water and animal and plant life from time immemorial.

Charting Australia’s origins and earliest encounters by Dutch and Spanish explorers (New Holland and Van Diemen’s Land bears testimony to their endeavours), Keneally weaves an enthralling narrative.

Other “visitors” include Captain James Cook, the First Fleet and transportation of convicts. The first inland explorations, the gold rush, Federation, the designing of Canberra, and both Worlds Wars with the Depression years in between, are colourfully narrated.

Against a shifting political, economic and cultural background, from the White Australia policy to today’s multi-cultural community, Keneally’s monumental, all-encompassing account is eminently readable and engaging.