A Concise History of Western Australia

by Russell Earls Davis

This second edition has been brought up to date following the latest developments in the state. The human history of Western Australia, as of all Australia, stretches back some 60,000 years. It is often assumed that European colonisation was very recent relative to the rest of Australia, but in fact it was contemporary with the first penal colony in Queensland, and while a South Australian settlement was still a gleam in Londons eye. Albany was first settled in 1826 and the Swan River settlement (later to become Perth) in 1829. It was also the first part of Australia to be even seen by the Portuguese back in the early 1600s. The first 60 or 70 years of European settlement were very difficult, but when the gold rushes came in the late 1800s, WA was set on the path of mineral wealth that still drives its economy today.

Genres: Nonfiction

246 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2012

Reviews

[Bill Perrin · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book wasn’t written by a historian. He has rather conservative views and this comes through in his analysis of events. He is a conservative - read his analysis of the WA response to federation, some of his comments in relation to the treatment of aborigines and soft handed approach to mining in WA.
Also irritating is the way he throws in eastern states examples of trends when he can’t find examples in WA. (He didn’t look hard enough.
Still, it is easy to read - no big words and no big ideas.

[Sammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

A bit of a dry ol' bird, although not without its usefulness.

Russell Earls Davis was a solicitor, school chaplain, and former President of WA Rugby Union, who turned to writing very late in life when he published two books on Australian history (including this one). Produced by a small publisher, this History is a simple volume of short chapters and an overview of the state's growth since the 1820s. Davis was born in 1928, I believe, and he perhaps espouses that older view of history, with a strong focus on economics and resources and "great men" rather than gazing into the social or cultural elements too much. In that sense the book can come across as dry at times, as well as perhaps slightly simplistic in its coverage of any individual matter. It certainly doesn't hold up with some of the greater history volumes, from Geoffrey Bolton's short history to the works of Jenny Gregory, Frank Crowley, or the more textbook-like volume edited by CT Stannage. (The social historians of Davis' generation - the progressive to his clearly conservative camp - engage with the broader questions about the place of individuals, especially those of underclasses and minorities, whereas this author tends to avoid delving into anything that can't be easily summarised with statistics.)

While the first third of the book gives a chronological overview of the 19th century, Davis then moves into a series of chapters that jump time and place to provide a precis of a given topic, e.g. what natural resources the state has. This chapters are even drier than before but they are the most useful elements of the book, as they at least provide a handy guide at one's fingertips when looking for this more factual, less subjective information. A book to have on the shelf if WA history is your thing, but otherwise a work that will not linger long in the collective memory.

[Asiuol K · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed parts of the book and feel like it is a good introduction to WA. For example, I finally know why we have a Yagan Square and Forrest Chase. However, there was a focus on the economic aspect of WA history, and that bores me so much.

The creation and expansion of Perth is not really discussed. This does remind me that there is more to our state than just the city, but there should have been one chapter that included the basics.

My favourite aspect of the book is that it doesn't exactly promote Western Australia. In fact, it sometimes portrays it in a negative light, such as with the wrongful convictions and land rights. The honesty is just so Aussie, I can't help but laugh.

[Gary Newman · Rating 4 out of 5]

Loved the information in this book, but.... The way Davis has structured the book means you have to read the history of each thing... ie the gold, the copper, the people, the governments etc. This is not too bad, but some chapters seem to try and get to recent history and today somewhat quickly.

[James Wood · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting book, great way to learn about WA’s history!

[Lori · Rating 1 out of 5]

Glossed over the 1905 Aboriginal Act and the impact on the community; did not discuss anything about the City of Perth development of the 1930s onward including the Coolbaroo club. Completely incorrect references to the location of Clarence Town south of Perth. The new location was known and published about in 2007 and 2009.

Only 22 references in the bibliography. To test some of the statements made in the book as fact, additional research is needed.

[David Hunt · Rating 3 out of 5]

A handy high-level ready reckoner.