What do you think?
Rate this book
Tony Robinson's History of Australia: From New Holland to Neighbours
No one brings history so enjoyably to life as the insatiably curious Tony Robinson. Now he turns his attention to a subject dear to our hearts – us.
In Tony Robinson's History of Australia, the always-entertaining storyteller explores the modern history of our nation, from colonial beginnings to the Stolen Generations apology, with trademark gusto. He delights in unfurling lesser-known tales such as the First Fleet's Founding Orgy or how shots fired in Port Phillip Bay raised the curtains of both World Wars. But it's people that most interest Robinson, and from William Dampier to Anh Do he profiles a multicultural cast of characters who have contributed to the remarkable Australian story.
For this book, as well as Tony Robinson Explores Australia, The History Channel's highest-ever-rating TV series, he travelled the country, taste-testing colonial rations and spending time in dark solitary at Port Arthur – even learning of a possible convict ancestor. He dove into archives and libraries, chatted to experts and relatives of historic figures, and was guided by some of our most respected historians, such as Thomas Keneally, Tim Flannery and Eric Willmont.
Lavishly illustrated with historical images as well as beautiful photographs taken on location, Tony Robinson's History of Australia will spark the memory, fill the gaps and invite fresh consideration of who we are and how we've come to be this way.
In Tony Robinson's History of Australia, the always-entertaining storyteller explores the modern history of our nation, from colonial beginnings to the Stolen Generations apology, with trademark gusto. He delights in unfurling lesser-known tales such as the First Fleet's Founding Orgy or how shots fired in Port Phillip Bay raised the curtains of both World Wars. But it's people that most interest Robinson, and from William Dampier to Anh Do he profiles a multicultural cast of characters who have contributed to the remarkable Australian story.
For this book, as well as Tony Robinson Explores Australia, The History Channel's highest-ever-rating TV series, he travelled the country, taste-testing colonial rations and spending time in dark solitary at Port Arthur – even learning of a possible convict ancestor. He dove into archives and libraries, chatted to experts and relatives of historic figures, and was guided by some of our most respected historians, such as Thomas Keneally, Tim Flannery and Eric Willmont.
Lavishly illustrated with historical images as well as beautiful photographs taken on location, Tony Robinson's History of Australia will spark the memory, fill the gaps and invite fresh consideration of who we are and how we've come to be this way.
- GenresHistory
256 pages, Hardcover
Published November 30, 2011
22 people want to read
About the author
Tony Robinson
225 books81 followersSir Tony Robinson is an English actor, comedian, amateur historian, TV presenter, author and political activist. He is known for playing "Baldrick" in the BBC television series Blackadder and for hosting Channel 4 programmes such as Time Team and The Worst Jobs in History.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 12, 2017
Pretty informative book to get a first introduction to Australian history for non-experts like me. Format is also good with pictures and insights scattered throughout. Definitely inspires me to explore the history in a bit more detail now.
November 8, 2011
Well, you saw the series I suppose you might want to read the book.Well, this could be a bit difficult as the amount of words in this book do not compare to the number of photos.In fact,I suspect Tony Robinson wrote his part of the book in one short evening of typing. Which doesn't mean it is not a bad book. In fact I would say it aint a bad book at all. It does what it says it does - follows the TV series with comments by Tony Robinson. If you know nothing about Oz history you are not going to learn much here, but still, the pictures are nice ....
October 13, 2012
I loved how Tony put in more detail about the personalities and physical appearance and personal histories of historical people, like Cook and the great man Arthur. I loved how Tony also reenacted history too. Really makes this book different from other history books. I didn't hear his voice in my head like I did with his other book "Worst job in history", but that may be because I watched the documentary of Worst Jobs and didn't catch this one on tv.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews