"A Source Book of Australian History" is a concise full history of Australia from the discovery of Tasmania to the National Australian Convention and the establishment of the Commonwealth of Australia. The book was aimed at students interested in learning the subject. Each chapter has a short synopsis at the beginning to better comprehend the subject.

Australian history has been revised and reinterpreted by successive generations of historians, writers, governments and public commentators, yet there has been no account of the ways it has changed, who makes history, and how. Making Australian History responds to this critical gap in Australian historical research.A few years ago Anna Clark saw a series of paintings on a sandstone cliff face in the Northern Territory. There were characteristic crosshatched images of fat barramundi and turtles, as well as sprayed handprints and several human figures with spears. Next to them was a long gun, painted with white ochre, an unmistakable image of the colonisers. Was this an Indigenous rendering of contact? A work of history?Each piece of history has a message and context that depends on who wrote it and when. Australian history has swirled and contorted over the years: the history wars have embroiled historians, politicians and public commentators alike, while debates over historical fiction have been as divisive. History isn't just about understanding what happened and why. It also reflects the persuasions, politics and prejudices of its authors. Each iteration of Australia's national story reveals not only the past in question, but also the guiding concerns and perceptions of each generation of history makers.Making Australian History is bold and inclusive: it catalogues and contextualises changing readings of the past, it examines the increasingly problematic role of historians as national storytellers, and it incorporates the stories of people.

Australia is one of the most ethnically diverse societies in the world today. From its ancient indigenous origins to British colonisation followed by waves of European then international migration in the twentieth century, the island continent is home to people from all over the globe. Each new wave of settlers has had a profound impact on Australian society and culture. The Australian People documents the dramatic history of Australian settlement and describes the rich ethnic and cultural inheritance of the nation through the contributions of its people. It is one of the largest reference works of its kind, with approximately 250 expert contributors and almost one million words. Illustrated in colour and black and white, the book is both a comprehensive encyclopedia and a survey of the controversial debates about citizenship and multiculturalism now that Australia has attained the centenary of its federation.

Draws on scholarship from leading figures in the field and spans Australian literary history from colonial origins, indigenous and migrant literatures, as well as representations of Asia and the Pacific and the role of literary culture in modern Australian society.

SAS: Phantoms of War is the history of the Australian Special Air Service. Originally published as SAS: Phantoms of the Jungle in 1989, and a bestseller since then, this edition has been updated to include details of the SAS's activities in the 1990s and into the 21st century. Based on patrol reports and interviews with participants, this Australian military classic tells the fascinating story of the formation of the SAS, its secret role in Borneo during confrontation with Indonesia and its operations in Vietnam. The SAS operated deep behind enemy lines, conducting surveillance at close range, poised to spring into violent action at need. It was with good reason the Viet Cong came to call them Ma Rung-'phantoms of the jungle'. After Vietnam, the SAS formed a crack counter-terrorist force, ready to defend Australia. It became involved in action in Somalia, Kuwait and East Timor in the 1990s and, in 2000, the security of the Sydney Olympic Games. SAS: Phantoms of War tells the story of a highly disciplined force operating secretly at the cutting edge of Australia's defence in war and peace.

A Source Book of Australian History, under the careful editorship of Gwendolen H. Swinburne, presents a meticulously curated anthology that traverses the expansive terrains of Australia's past through a diverse array of literary styles and historical accounts. This collection illuminates the multifaceted narratives of Australia, from its indigenous heritage and colonial ventures to its evolution into a modern nation-state, offering readers an unparalleled exploration of its cultural, social, and political legacies. The anthology stands out for its inclusion of indigenous voices alongside those of European settlers, providing a rich tapestry of perspectives that enhance the complexity and depth of the Australian experience. The contributors, both renowned and emerging historians alongside notable literary figures, bring a wealth of knowledge and distinctive insights into Australia's historical landscape. Their collective works align with several key historical and cultural movements, weaving a narrative that is both comprehensive and nuanced. This collaboration enriches the anthology, allowing for a deeper understanding of the intricacies and contradictions inherent in Australia's past, and showcasing the editors' commitment to a balanced and reflective historical discourse. A Source Book of Australian History is an essential read for anyone seeking to delve into the heart of Australia's heritage. This collection offers readers a unique opportunity to engage with the myriad voices and narratives that have shaped the country, making it an invaluable resource for students, scholars, and general readers alike. Its educational value, coupled with the breadth of insights and engaging dialogue between different authors' works, makes it a compelling exploration of the diversity and richness of Australian history.

Duty First is the complete history of the Royal Australian Regiment, which has been the mainstay of the Australian Regular Army for over sixty years. With the formation of the regular army, including the Royal Australian Regiment, for the first time Australia had a permanent professional army, available in peacetime and in war for any task the government might direct. The Royal Australian Regiment is the key fighting force of the army and has carried the main burden of active service since the Second World War. Its history throws important light on the development of Australia's defence. In late 1945, three battalions were formed to serve with the British Commonwealth Occupation Force in Japan. Active service began with a 'baptism of fire' fierce combat in the Korean War. This was followed by counter-guerrilla service in Malaya during the Emergency, action in Borneo during Confrontation, including the top secret 'Claret' operations into Indonesian territory, and active service in Vietnam. The book examines how the regiment adapted after the Vietnam War to the demands of peacetime soldiering, including the pressures of peacekeeping. Finally, it reveals how the regiment's traditions of flexibility and readiness have stood it in good stead in recent operations in East Timor, the Solomon Islands, Iraq and Afghanistan. Duty First concludes with a series of short pieces in which former members of the regiment, from general to soldier, present fascinating accounts of their personal experiences in a range of different operational and peacetime circumstances. This is a story of humour and courage, of professionalism, and above all dedication to duty. The Royal Australian Regiment's motto, 'Duty First', continues to reflect its ethos and spirit today, over sixty years since its foundation.

Dark Emu puts forward an argument for a reconsideration of the hunter-gatherer tag for pre-colonial Aboriginal Australians. The evidence insists that Aboriginal people right across the continent were using domesticated plants, sowing, harvesting, irrigating and storing - behaviors inconsistent with the hunter-gatherer tag. Gerritsen and Gammage in their latest books support this premise but Pascoe takes this further and challenges the hunter-gatherer tag as a convenient lie. Almost all the evidence comes from the records and diaries of the Australian explorers, impeccable sources.

No matter how practised we are at history, it always humbles us. No matter how often we visit the past, it always surprises us. Winner of the Ernest Scott Prize and Shortlisted for the NSW Premier's Literary Award for Non-fiction 'A rare feat of imagination and generosity.' – Mark McKenna With every sentence they write, historians must walk the tightrope between discipline and imagination, empathy and evidence. In this landmark work, eminent historian and award-winning author Tom Griffiths shares his passion for the fascinating, complex craft of history – or, as he calls it, the art of time travel. In fourteen portraits, Griffiths illuminates how historians such as Inga Clendinnen, Judith Wright, Geoffrey Blainey and Henry Reynolds have approached their craft. In prose both earthy and elegant, he shows the new insights they have brought to Australian history, and in so doing reshapes our shared knowledge of this continent. The Art of Time Travel is an exhilarating book that will forever change the way you think of Australia's past. 'If the past is a foreign country, Tom Griffiths makes the perfect travelling companion. Let him be your eyes and ears on our shared history. Most of all, follow his heart.' – Clare Wright