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Australia: A History: by the former Prime Minister Tony Abbott with a foreword by Geoffrey Blainey: From convict colony to great democracy
Not yet published
Expected 9 Jun 26- GenresNonfiction
448 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication June 9, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews
Review of advance copy received from Publisher
"From is beginning, modern Australia has been a place where only the very unlucky have missed out on a decent life...people prepared to 'have a fair go' have normally vern abundantly blessed with 'getting a fair go' in return. As a society, we are still less stratified than Britain and less individualistic than the United States, although perhaps no longer quite so sure we have the best life on Earth."
While not quite a Churchill in the Prime Minister's office, Tony Abbott has inadvertently become the political historian of Australia by daring to chronicle the history of the "lucky country". It was surprising to discover a complete lack of books providing a general history of Australia - even its little cousin New Zealand has Michael King to thank for its own story being put to paper.
Yes, Abbott's own worldview does influence the perspective taken on more current affairs but this book offers a remarkably balanced and common sense recounting of Australia's history from the First Fleed to the Second World War period. Indigenous Australians are treated with respect but not exaggeration, and immigration is dealt with in phases rather than lumped into simple terms. It was a refreshing read, taking a step back to acknowledge the fact Australia grew from a backwater prison colony into one of the wealthiest and most prosperous countries on Earth. Its biases honestly acknowledged and only come into play in the later more contemporary post-war commentary.
A recommended read for anybody wanting to understand what makes Australia so "lucky" if the reader gives it a "fair go". This book serves as a challenge to the "official" versions of Australian history shoved down students throats at school and university by the ideological class.
While not quite a Churchill in the Prime Minister's office, Tony Abbott has inadvertently become the political historian of Australia by daring to chronicle the history of the "lucky country". It was surprising to discover a complete lack of books providing a general history of Australia - even its little cousin New Zealand has Michael King to thank for its own story being put to paper.
Yes, Abbott's own worldview does influence the perspective taken on more current affairs but this book offers a remarkably balanced and common sense recounting of Australia's history from the First Fleed to the Second World War period. Indigenous Australians are treated with respect but not exaggeration, and immigration is dealt with in phases rather than lumped into simple terms. It was a refreshing read, taking a step back to acknowledge the fact Australia grew from a backwater prison colony into one of the wealthiest and most prosperous countries on Earth. Its biases honestly acknowledged and only come into play in the later more contemporary post-war commentary.
A recommended read for anybody wanting to understand what makes Australia so "lucky" if the reader gives it a "fair go". This book serves as a challenge to the "official" versions of Australian history shoved down students throats at school and university by the ideological class.
Review of advance copy
Eminently readable, the words paint an interesting picture of my favourite homeland. Naturally, the closer this book gets towards former Prime Minister and author Tony Abbott's lifetime, the more political it gets, but everything up to World War II was incredibly fascinating. The early tales of the first European settlers in particular. It's amazing to think of how fast and how much this continent has been transformed since.
Although Mr. Abbott himself admits his political lens on the topics, the later quarter of the book really made little attempt to appear unbiased, which called to question the earlier material too that I had so readily believed as fact over opinion. Yet this book gave me so much interest in my nations story and was pretty happy by the end with this gift!
Although Mr. Abbott himself admits his political lens on the topics, the later quarter of the book really made little attempt to appear unbiased, which called to question the earlier material too that I had so readily believed as fact over opinion. Yet this book gave me so much interest in my nations story and was pretty happy by the end with this gift!
Review of advance copy
Essentially this is a history of Australia from a political perspective. Seeing how politics changed and shaped us to be the nation that we are today, while also looking at how society and events shaped the politics of each time period.
Tony Abbot writes in an easy-to-read style, though there were a few words that sent me scrambling for a dictionary. There were so many interesting bits of information that helped me relate to my own family history, filled gaps in my historical knowledge, or are just facts to tuck away for interesting conversation at a later date.
It also serves as a reminder not to just accept what you are taught at school, but dig in to other resources, look for additional sources, and research for yourself what really happened in the past - what you find may surprise you.
Tony Abbot writes in an easy-to-read style, though there were a few words that sent me scrambling for a dictionary. There were so many interesting bits of information that helped me relate to my own family history, filled gaps in my historical knowledge, or are just facts to tuck away for interesting conversation at a later date.
It also serves as a reminder not to just accept what you are taught at school, but dig in to other resources, look for additional sources, and research for yourself what really happened in the past - what you find may surprise you.
Review of advance copy
Solid retelling of facts about Australia mixed with conservative ideology.
Easy to read, helpful to know more about the famous names we see across Australia (e.g., Wentworth), and clearly written by Tony Abbott with his views of the world reflected in each page.
I did love how Tony connected Australia’s wool production to a lower appetite for revolution in the UK, to the frustration of communism father Engels. Aussies beating the communists before it was fashionable
Easy to read, helpful to know more about the famous names we see across Australia (e.g., Wentworth), and clearly written by Tony Abbott with his views of the world reflected in each page.
I did love how Tony connected Australia’s wool production to a lower appetite for revolution in the UK, to the frustration of communism father Engels. Aussies beating the communists before it was fashionable
Review of advance copy
This book is surprisingly good, well written and interesting. Abbott has a folksy style similar to Geoffrey Blainey and is as readable and captivating. I especially like how Abbott undermines Labor sacred cows such as being first to remove the White Australia policy and fostering trade and interaction with Asia. Well worth reading, even if you don't agree with his politics
Displaying 1 - 5 of 5 reviews