Australia: A Very Short Introduction

Very Short Introductions #319

by Kenneth Morgan

In this Very Short Introduction , Kenneth Morgan provides a wide-ranging thematic introduction to modern Australia, examining the main features of its history, geography and culture since the beginning of European settlement in New South Wales in 1788. It highlights the distinctive features of Australian life by placing contemporary developments in historical perspective, by paying attention to Australia's indigenous culture, and by making connections between Australia and the wider world. Morgan also balances his discussion of the successful growth of Australian institutions and democratic traditions with the struggles that occurred in the making of modern Australia--in other words, between the optimistic approach to life in the Antipodes and the more negative view of the "black armband tradition."

Genres: History, Australia, Nonfiction, Geography, Politics, Travel

150 pages, Paperback

First published May 31, 2012

About the author

Kenneth Morhan is primarily an economic and social historian of the British Atlantic world in the ‘long’ eighteenth century (1688 - 1840). His particular academic specialism is the history of merchants, ships, foreign trade and ports. He also has subsidiary academic interests in Australian history and in music history. He currently teaches at Brunel University, London. He is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society.

Reviews

[Jordan Ross · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am no longer shamefully under educated in the histories of 'The Commonwealth of Australia'.

Very short.. Perhaps, but I found it quite dense with new information. Sometimes I found the author jumping all over the place (Chronologically) and sometimes I found little anecdotes that helped me to piece together the story, culture and spirit of Australia.

The political background interested me more than I thought it would with our mismatched government and unique parliamentary system. Over all I enjoyed learning about our history even when the history is shameful. Why else do we seek to educate ourselves if not to avoid repetition of past mistakes.

One thing that bothered me a little was the IMPERIAL SYSTEM !!
perhaps I'll read a Short Introduction into USA and find out why It's still a thing..
Overall, Good :)

[Curtis Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've always been an australophile when it comes to the country's culture, fauna, geography, etc. I had never really known all to much about the country's history (besides the penal aspect of early European settlement) so I got this book. Though the book is extremely short (by design) it gave me an excellent overview of all aspects of Aussie history. A few topics were tangential, but with such a succinct work, that can be expected. The book definitely got me even more interested in this country, and I look forward to learning more!

[Daniel Wright · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some things that strike me about Australia.

(1) It's flipping huge. The distance from Perth to Sydney is about the distance from London to Istanbul. It is a continent pretending to be a country.

(2) It's flipping tiny. I mean, basically no-one lives there. You can go for thousands of miles and not see anyone. It's a country pretending to be a continent.

I'm not sure quite what to make of it.

Although every Australian I've ever met has been cheerful and friendly, its history does reveal a dubious side. Its relations with the indigenous peoples are, frankly, awful to read. Nor are they perfect now. This is always worth bearing in mind.

Chapter 1: The making of Australia
Chapter 2: Shaping the continent
Chapter 3: Governing Australia
Chapter 4: Australia and the world
Chatper 5: Body and soul

[Stewart Monckton · Rating 2 out of 5]

To be honest, I don't think this is a great book.
It starts off poorly, recovers a little, and does not end well.
At the start of the book it refers to two iconic Australian animals as the 'koala bear' and the 'duck-billed platypus' - both of these names are not really used in Australia, and may only have common usage in the UK or USA. In the initial section of the book there is a sentence that refers to the First Nation people as being 'abundant' prior to settlement / colonisation. I have never seen this turn of phrase applied to people. Kangaroos? yes. Objects? yes. But not people.
The book recovers somewhat in the middle sections - but I had a rather bad taste in my mouth by then, which was reinforced by the statement the Aboriginal art occurs in the Northern Territory - while this is true, it is found over the entirety of the continent.
Finally there is a 'Timeline' at the back of the book which starts in 1606 as if nothing of significance had happened prior to that date. No arrival of first people. No separation from New Guinea. No separation of Tasmania. In the end, First Nations people are first mentioned in 1966 and then again in the 1992 and 1996.

All in all this is not very impressive. SM

[Aurélie · Rating 4 out of 5]

an interesting overview of Australian history and society.

[Sam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good introductory coverage, and very readable.

[Lily N · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable and succinct intro to the history politics and culture of Australia.

[Ishbel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Read for Summer 2022 Study Abroad Prep Class

[Erika · Rating 3 out of 5]

I went to Australia for the first time in my life last month.
I really wanted to know more about the country before I got there, but the sentences were so much like a text book that I kept on putting down the book; it was boring...
But since this is the "introduction", I guess you can't avoid being slightly bland...

[Dar · Rating 2 out of 5]

In 128 pages, I expected this to be a succinct overview of Australian geography, history, politics, resources, trade, animals and plants, people and culture. Well, I guess that is why we have Wikipedia. The first half of the book introduced a lot of topics and jumped all over the place. I did like the attention paid to history, governance, Aboriginal peoples and immigration. The second half was more focused, but dealt with lesser topics. I now know nothing about Australian education, health care, transit, language and slang, holidays or places of interest. I wasn't expecting a tourist guidebook, but a few more nods to modern life would have been welcome. Unfortunately, the series doesn't have a volume on Canada. I would have liked to read it for comparison purposes. I just noticed in the Goodreads author notes that "his particular academic specialism is the history of merchants, ships, foreign trade and ports." That explains a lot about what was included and not included in the book.

[Tanya · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not always the most objective narration, but a good overview.

[Eloise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another competent addition to the series. Morgan approaches this precis of the nation-continent with rigour, breadth and empathy. Succinct and readable.