Sense and Nonsense in Australian History

by John Hirst

Sense and Nonsense in Australian History represents a lifetime's original reflection by Australia's most innovative and penetrating historian. Included here are classic essays on the pioneer legend, Australian egalitarianism and colonial culture. There are celebrated critiques of The Tyranny of Distance, multiculturalism and nationalistic history, as well as a substantial essay on Aboriginal dispossession and the history wars.



In Sense and Nonsense in Australian History, John Hirst overturns familiar conceptions and deepens our sense of Australia's development from convict society to distinctive democracy.



"one of the nation's most independent and original historians" - Geoffrey Blainey



"John Hirst is the gadfly of Australian history, stinging and provocative" - Stuart Macintyre



"essential reading for those who want to ponder, let alone write and teach about, Australian history" - Robert Murray, The Weekend Australian



John Hirst is a widely respected historian and social commentator.

Genres: History, Australia, Nonfiction, Politics

518 pages, Kindle Edition

First published March 1, 2005

About the author

John Bradley Hirst, FASSA (9 July 1942 – 3 February 2016) was an Australian historian and social commentator. He taught at La Trobe University from 1968 until his retirement in 2006, edited Historical Studies—Australia's leading historical journal—from 1977 to 1980, and also served on the boards of Film Australia and the National Museum of Australia. He has been described as an "historian, public intellectual, and active citizen". He wrote widely on Australian history and society, publishing two well-received books about colonial New South Wales. Hirst also frequently published opinion pieces in the media.

Reviews

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really rereading it.
So I know John. He was in the La Trobe history Dept. when I was a student. He was considered to be a good guy. Maybe he did not do the most exciting history but he was generally respected and liked.
I therefore find it hard to criticize this book. It is good that that someone in the job should have a go at shibboleths of Australian history. Unfortunately he does it in a maddening way.
For instance his piece on Multiculturalism seems to imply that sectarianism hardly existed which is simply untrue: it did. Melbourne had football teams based on religion much like Glasgow except with out the knives and riots. The major conservative party was a party of the ascendancy as in Northern Ireland. The first Catholic Liberal minister was Phil Lynch in the mid '70's. The Protestant establishment imposed restrictions on public drinking that were crazy making. In the U.S. they would be called 'Blue Laws'. They lasted until the 70's as well.
But John is a 75ish WASP. He has not been referred to as a black ... or a mick.... or a yellow....There was plenty of it around he just never copped it.
Australia does have a successful multicutural society.... well at least compared to other societies but I would not like to be an Aboriginal in Australia.

John is right there was something essentially decent about Australians that made this a welcoming place for new arrivals and that interesting historical question should receive serious examination. He is right that it has not (received due attention) but on the other hand his own explanations seem a little smug and a little trite.

As for the rest of the book its a bit here and a bit there. His essay on Aboriginals and Australian history is quite good although a little conservative for my tastes.

This is not an entry into the Australia's history wars because Johns conservative decency precludes him from being a hitman. John is his own man. He even takes aim at Blainey's 'Tyranny of Distance'. If you do want to understand some of the controversies of Australian history without the polemics this is as good a place to start as any.

[Nicco · Rating 3 out of 5]

I don't know how to feel about this book. There are some great sections about egalitarianism and Australia's distinct take on democracy, but overall I felt myself feeling uncomfortable with some of the ways he spoke about certain topics. I'm not yet sure if that uncomfortable feeling is a good thing or bad thing. I know Hirst is held in high regard, and I have a profound respect for his ability to discuss the issues in this book without being too cavalier or shy. However, I feel some of his points missed the mark.

I'll have to stew on this for a few days.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent overview of Australian history, I gained a wider understanding of the country's expanse since the first European set foot on the shore.

[Bev · Rating 5 out of 5]

For AUS11

Have already read this wonderful gem for an earlier university unit, and was over the moon that it pops up again as certain chapters being required reading for another unit. Whatever preconceptions you have about Australia's convict past, this book will light a bomb under. It is without doubt one of the most readable, enjoyable, conversation-inspiring books you could read and I recommend it highly. Oh, and did I mention I love Hirst's writing? No? Okay, then, I love Hirst's writing. Why can't all historians write in such an engaging manner??????