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Boom: The Underground History of Australia, from Gold Rush to GFC
One of Australia's finest writers on one of our most dramatic stories
Mining divides the country – development against conservation, north-and-west against south-and-east, pro-tax against anti-tax. But what does it really mean to us? And how much do we understand about our underground history?
Boom is the story of the people behind the facts and figures, from the eccentric loners who staked the first claims to the emergence of the modern mega-magnates.
Insightful, compellingly readable and full of extraordinary characters, it shows how mining and miners have shaped Australia’s history and gripped our imagination through boom and bust.
Mining divides the country – development against conservation, north-and-west against south-and-east, pro-tax against anti-tax. But what does it really mean to us? And how much do we understand about our underground history?
Boom is the story of the people behind the facts and figures, from the eccentric loners who staked the first claims to the emergence of the modern mega-magnates.
Insightful, compellingly readable and full of extraordinary characters, it shows how mining and miners have shaped Australia’s history and gripped our imagination through boom and bust.
349 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 21, 2013
4 people are currently reading
40 people want to read
About the author
Malcolm Knox
36 books48 followersMalcolm Knox was born in 1966. He grew up in Sydney and studied in Sydney and Scotland, where his one-act play, POLEMARCHUS, was performed in St Andrews and Edinburgh. He has worked for the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD since 1994 and his journalism has been published in Australia, Britain, India and the West Indies.
His first novel Summerland was published to great acclaim in the UK, US, Australia and Europe in 2000. In 2001 Malcolm was named one of the Sydney Morning Herald's Best Young Australian novelists. He lives in Sydney with his wife Wenona, son Callum and daughter Lilian. His most recent novel, A Private Man, was critically acclaimed and was shortlisted for the Commomwealth Prize and the Tasmanian Premier’s Award.
His first novel Summerland was published to great acclaim in the UK, US, Australia and Europe in 2000. In 2001 Malcolm was named one of the Sydney Morning Herald's Best Young Australian novelists. He lives in Sydney with his wife Wenona, son Callum and daughter Lilian. His most recent novel, A Private Man, was critically acclaimed and was shortlisted for the Commomwealth Prize and the Tasmanian Premier’s Award.
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
October 26, 2013
'Boom' by Malcolm Knox is a thorough and thought provoking look at the mining industry in Australia. Knox takes the reader back to the gold rushes in the early days of European settlement in Australia and on to the present day technology-driven mining boom.
Even though I'm a West Australian I have no particular affection for the mining industry, believing it leaves a legacy of ruined environment, disaffected indigenous communities and a skewed economy. All somewhat borne out by this book. However, historically, the mining industry is much more economically important to Australia than I had previously assumed. Which perhaps explains our politicians reluctance to antagonise mining companies!
The book is packed with facts and figures, characters and locations and sometimes this abundance of information seems overwhelming, yet it all works surprisingly well to bring the story to life.
Overall this is an enlightening look at mining in Australia. Recommended.
Even though I'm a West Australian I have no particular affection for the mining industry, believing it leaves a legacy of ruined environment, disaffected indigenous communities and a skewed economy. All somewhat borne out by this book. However, historically, the mining industry is much more economically important to Australia than I had previously assumed. Which perhaps explains our politicians reluctance to antagonise mining companies!
The book is packed with facts and figures, characters and locations and sometimes this abundance of information seems overwhelming, yet it all works surprisingly well to bring the story to life.
Overall this is an enlightening look at mining in Australia. Recommended.
December 11, 2014
A fascinating look at the history of mining in Australia, its role in the rapid population growth of the mid to late 19th century, its abysmal safety record until recently, and, of course, the economic and social benefits - and detriments - that the industry has brought us. If you feel ambivalent about the mining industry in this country, this is a not a book that will give you answers. But it's a great one for making your questions better informed.
September 22, 2018
Boom is a must read for anyone interested in the way mining has affected Australia. There is the huge influence gold had, but much much more.
Malcolm Knox describes the many aspects of mining that have shaped Australias economy, history and character. The name "Diggers" for Aussies on the battlefields of WW1 was a good joke that stuck.
Mining made Australia change from a struggling farming economy to an diverse mining, manufacturing, farming and industrial economy. (The failure of Australias manufacturing sector is subject for a different book.) Australias achievements in Science have often been linked to mining and its development.
The lone prospector and dreams of striking it rich are embedded in Australia folklore. The huge numbers of people from all corners of the Earth seeking gold transformed the former population of squatters, ex-convicts and the few exiles from British aristocracy. One can see why the Eureka Stockade and mateship are central to the Australian way of life. These characteristics are now changing with our more urbanised coastal culture and lifestyles.
If you ever wonder why Australians have a risk taking character, and are typically rough but happy larrikins, look at the way the boom of gold mining affected the entire country. We are the inheritors of a massive influx of daring, risk taking gamblers. Populating Australia with these enterprising genes overwhelmed the initial small numbers of convicts. We are a strong hybrid with resilience, strength and humility. We don't take ourselves too seriously.
Like many countries Australia often fails to see the problems created by mining. Many abandoned mines scar the landscape. Toxic waste and environmental degradation is ignored. The owners and shareholders take their profits and disappear.
Federal govts both Labor and Liberal National Coalition have allowed this pattern to continue- short term gains and no long term strategies.
Hopefully this book will help the discussions on one of Australias most important and profitable industries.
Malcolm Knox describes the many aspects of mining that have shaped Australias economy, history and character. The name "Diggers" for Aussies on the battlefields of WW1 was a good joke that stuck.
Mining made Australia change from a struggling farming economy to an diverse mining, manufacturing, farming and industrial economy. (The failure of Australias manufacturing sector is subject for a different book.) Australias achievements in Science have often been linked to mining and its development.
The lone prospector and dreams of striking it rich are embedded in Australia folklore. The huge numbers of people from all corners of the Earth seeking gold transformed the former population of squatters, ex-convicts and the few exiles from British aristocracy. One can see why the Eureka Stockade and mateship are central to the Australian way of life. These characteristics are now changing with our more urbanised coastal culture and lifestyles.
If you ever wonder why Australians have a risk taking character, and are typically rough but happy larrikins, look at the way the boom of gold mining affected the entire country. We are the inheritors of a massive influx of daring, risk taking gamblers. Populating Australia with these enterprising genes overwhelmed the initial small numbers of convicts. We are a strong hybrid with resilience, strength and humility. We don't take ourselves too seriously.
Like many countries Australia often fails to see the problems created by mining. Many abandoned mines scar the landscape. Toxic waste and environmental degradation is ignored. The owners and shareholders take their profits and disappear.
Federal govts both Labor and Liberal National Coalition have allowed this pattern to continue- short term gains and no long term strategies.
Hopefully this book will help the discussions on one of Australias most important and profitable industries.
April 20, 2015
Was only okay. The chronology jumped around too much so it was hard to keep track of what happened where in the overall timeline. It did have some good stories of early fossicking but by the time I got to the end of the book I had forgotten them. Ended with Lang Hancock and the whole iron ore story which was good.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews