1932 : A hell of a Year

by Gerald Stone

Scandals, disasters, shocks and crises: 1932 could truly be described as one of the most electrifying years in Australian history, alive with unforgettable characters and momentous events.

Looking back, it's hard to believe how much happened in that fateful year to become the stuff of enduring national legend: the Sydney Harbour Bridge opened by surprise with the slashing sword of Captain Francis de Groot; the birth of the Australian Broadcasting Commission; the mysterious death of the beloved race horse Phar Lap; the controversial dismissal of NSW Premier Jack Lang; and the start of cricket's infamous Bodyline series.

Those were among the best remembered incidents but there were others - from an epic outback rescue of two lost aviators to the most expensive divorce case ever heard - that reflected the distinctive flavour of the times.

Overshadowing all else, the Great Depression seemed to single Australians out for special punishment, pushing a fragile young society to the brink of disintegration. By 1932 - the worst of it - a third of the population had been reduced to living like refugees in their own land while a lucky few emerged rich as third world rajahs.

Acclaimed journalist and author Gerald Stone takes us on an exhilarating and fascinating journey through a year that quite literally changed a nation.

Evocative and brilliantly researched, this is a book that turns history into compelling reading at its very best.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Australia, Historical

432 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2005

Reviews

[Sharon Robards · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are interested in finding out more about this period, this book is brilliant and written really well. As fact is often stranger than fiction, the truth in this is sometimes hard to believe. It captures so much of that year from the gangsters, politics, the social climate and a great deal of sadness for hundreds of thousands of Australians via various writings from Gerald Stone....one being hundreds of thousands of men tramping in the wake of the first world war,- many were vetrans who fought for our country, survived, began building new lives, then lost everything in the great depression and were forced to take a degrading tramp thousands of miles around the country to get a meal.

[Andre · Rating 3 out of 5]

A snapshot of a very interesting year, featuring the Lang Dismissal, the birth of the ABC, the Great Depression, and dramas galore

[Alexandra Needham · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating. History really is far more complicated and intriguing than you ever find in fiction

[Kirstin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This historical account of Australia (mainly NSW) during the depression years surrounding 1932 is an amazing read - it covers political, social, and business - we read about Bradman, Phar Lap, the bars, the gansters, divorce cases, but most of all about NSW Premier Lang's fight against the national political leaders, and the UK for funds to be diverted to feeding the thousands instead of paying exorbidant interest rates - for costs mostly accrued in the sending of Australian troops to fight with England in WW1. That Australia had the greatsest unemployent and greatest international debt, both second only to Germany, and yet never turned towards fascism is a testament of how great Australians used to be.

I wish every Australian would read this, and consider what our forefathers would think of where this nation is headed now.

This book is meticulously researched, and written in a lively and engaging manner. It was a pleasure to read.

[Andrew Fielding · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting examination of a big year in NSW history. Jack Lang takes centre stage in a fight over how to manage the depression era economy.
Some interesting sidne stories flesh out how young the settler colony was at this time and the sense of isolation from the rest of the world.

[Vicki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting look into that particular year of the Great Depression.

[ljoss · Rating 4 out of 5]

A great insight into what was one of the most tumultuous and long years in Australian post-occupation history. This book mainly focuses on the debacle that was Jack Lang's dominion over NSW, and his almost dominion over the Commonwealth and its interests.

A very thorough account, made readable and interesting by the interweaving of many great politically unrelated Aussie stories amongst the aforementioned Lang saga.

I particularly enjoyed the stories of The Atlantis' crash landing and its pilot, Hans Bertram and co-pilot Adolf Klausmann's 40 day survival in what can only be described as unfortunate conditions, with many thanks owed to the native people who rescued their sorry arses.

A brief outline of the establishing of the ABC is also included, as well as the sad story of the demise of Australia's most beloved, champion horse, Phar Lap.

A really great book for those interested in knowing a bit more about The Great Depression, The labour movement in Australia, and even our somewhat tense ties with the Mother country.

[Cameron · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not hugely compelling

[Jo Brand · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very interesting and sometimes hard to believe.

[Gaby]

well, I couldn't face it for book club, so I'm not sure I WANT to read it.
Didn't go to Renata's.

[Miss M · Rating 2 out of 5]

Far too much conjecture/'what may have been'...

[Benjamin Farr · Rating 4 out of 5]

An interesting insight into Depression-era Australia, and the characters who played important roles during this time.