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Great Furphies of Australian History: What you really need to know - the truth behind the myths
Jim Haynes upturns some of the long-held myths of Australian history with surprising results.With all the skills of the master storyteller that he is, Jim Haynes exposes some of the great myths of Australian history.Did you know that Portuguese and Spanish explorers probably found the east coast of Australia before Captain Cook, and that the Rum Rebellion was not caused by rum? And what about Banjo Paterson writing Waltzing Matilda? As for Ned Kelly being a brave freedom-fighting rebel, in truth he was a thief, a thug and a murderer. The Ashes have nothing to do with cricket, the Ghan is not named after Afghan cameleers and Hargraves lied about discovering gold in New South Wales.Surprising, confounding, revealing and fun, Jim Haynes takes us on another great journey through Australian history and folklore.
306 pages, Kindle Edition
Published November 2, 2021
12 people are currently reading
37 people want to read
About the author
Jim Haynes
68 books8 followersThe son of British migrants, Jim attended Sydney Boys’ High and Sydney Teachers’ College. He taught in schools and universities in NSW and Britain, has two masters’ degrees in literature, from New England University and the University of Wales in the UK, and is the author of 24 books.
Jim’s book, Australia’s Best Unknown Stories, made it into the top ten best-seller list for his publishers Allen & Unwin. He was Writer in Residence at Charles Sturt University in 2011 and has also taught writing, performance skills and song-writing for The Arts Council of NSW, University of New England, SA Arts Council, Victorian Folk Council and Australian Performing Rights Association.
A professional entertainer since 1988, Jim has recorded for Festival, Sony and ABC Music and has had many songs in the Country Music Charts, including a number one with ‘Since Cheryl Went Feral’ and a national hit with ‘Don’t Call Wagga Wagga Wagga’. He won the Comedy Song of The Year award four times and toured his own show for many years.
Jim still performs as an entertainer and speaker, works in radio as the Australiana expert on 2UE.
Jim was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in the Australia Day Honour's List in 2016, 'for service to the performing arts as an entertainer, author, broadcaster and historian'.
Jim’s book, Australia’s Best Unknown Stories, made it into the top ten best-seller list for his publishers Allen & Unwin. He was Writer in Residence at Charles Sturt University in 2011 and has also taught writing, performance skills and song-writing for The Arts Council of NSW, University of New England, SA Arts Council, Victorian Folk Council and Australian Performing Rights Association.
A professional entertainer since 1988, Jim has recorded for Festival, Sony and ABC Music and has had many songs in the Country Music Charts, including a number one with ‘Since Cheryl Went Feral’ and a national hit with ‘Don’t Call Wagga Wagga Wagga’. He won the Comedy Song of The Year award four times and toured his own show for many years.
Jim still performs as an entertainer and speaker, works in radio as the Australiana expert on 2UE.
Jim was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in the Australia Day Honour's List in 2016, 'for service to the performing arts as an entertainer, author, broadcaster and historian'.
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
November 22, 2021
GREAT FURPHIES OF AUSTRALIAN HISTORY – by Jim Haynes
That Jim has done much research there can be no doubt, which is both a plus and a minus. That his points are clearly and factually made there can be little doubt but, personally, I felt at times that there was too much detail proffered to fulfil the point of this book.
The trending of the Ned Kelly legend is something I was totally on the same page with him. Ned was not a nice man, but the passing of time and distortion of, or total ignorance of, facts, has seen Ned become a folk hero. Frankly, I don’t want any of my offspring heading down the same path as that rogue.
Other things, like the falsehood about how the Ashes came into being, how Holden wasn’t an Aussie design but a reject American one and the exposing of the Melbourne Cup fanciful tale that the winning horse walked there from N.S.W., are all summarily dealt with.
One that was new to me was the naming of the “Ghan”, that famous train route between Adelaide and Darwin. Nothing to do with cameleers, think commissioner of Government Railways, name of Gahan, pronounced “Garn”.
There is also depth in his dealing with folkloric stuff such as “Waltzing Matilda”, “Dad and Dave” and the “Dog On The Tuckerbox”.
Some finalities were beyond his meticulous probing, none more so than the story of Breaker Morant, which is so well researched that we will never really know the full ins and outs. Suffice it to say here that Breaker was NOT an Australian citizen and either he should have been pardoned or others should have been convicted as well.
Another of my favourites is the crossing of the Blue Mountains. What we can be sure of is that Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth were NOT the first non-indigenous people to find their way. Politics come into play in instances like this; wouldn’t do for an escaped convict or two to have their name in lights, would it?
Eighty pages plus deal with ocean exploration (half to do with Captain Cook as he finally became). The Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish etc. all get a gong (surprised Antonio Pigafetta didn’t get a mention though – he recorded the voyage that Magellan started out on but Magellan was killed in the Philippines and didn’t make it).
Hopefully enough will read this book to enlighten future generations because there’s enough rubbish published elsewhere that people believe to be true without adding to it.
That Jim has done much research there can be no doubt, which is both a plus and a minus. That his points are clearly and factually made there can be little doubt but, personally, I felt at times that there was too much detail proffered to fulfil the point of this book.
The trending of the Ned Kelly legend is something I was totally on the same page with him. Ned was not a nice man, but the passing of time and distortion of, or total ignorance of, facts, has seen Ned become a folk hero. Frankly, I don’t want any of my offspring heading down the same path as that rogue.
Other things, like the falsehood about how the Ashes came into being, how Holden wasn’t an Aussie design but a reject American one and the exposing of the Melbourne Cup fanciful tale that the winning horse walked there from N.S.W., are all summarily dealt with.
One that was new to me was the naming of the “Ghan”, that famous train route between Adelaide and Darwin. Nothing to do with cameleers, think commissioner of Government Railways, name of Gahan, pronounced “Garn”.
There is also depth in his dealing with folkloric stuff such as “Waltzing Matilda”, “Dad and Dave” and the “Dog On The Tuckerbox”.
Some finalities were beyond his meticulous probing, none more so than the story of Breaker Morant, which is so well researched that we will never really know the full ins and outs. Suffice it to say here that Breaker was NOT an Australian citizen and either he should have been pardoned or others should have been convicted as well.
Another of my favourites is the crossing of the Blue Mountains. What we can be sure of is that Blaxland, Lawson and Wentworth were NOT the first non-indigenous people to find their way. Politics come into play in instances like this; wouldn’t do for an escaped convict or two to have their name in lights, would it?
Eighty pages plus deal with ocean exploration (half to do with Captain Cook as he finally became). The Dutch, Portuguese, Spanish etc. all get a gong (surprised Antonio Pigafetta didn’t get a mention though – he recorded the voyage that Magellan started out on but Magellan was killed in the Philippines and didn’t make it).
Hopefully enough will read this book to enlighten future generations because there’s enough rubbish published elsewhere that people believe to be true without adding to it.
September 21, 2022
I very fond of reading Australian history, so the cover of this book caught my eye in the bookshop. The distorting, embellishing, or removal of facts to fit some unknown agenda is a fascinating study in human nature. Haynes clearly and correctly points out that history studied in isolation from context is bound to leads to misunderstanding at best or the acceptance of lies at worst.
Even though there is a 'party pooper' feel to this book, I really enjoyed the shorter sections debunking myths with well researched facts - from a multitude of sources. I would have enjoyed the book more if there were mores stories, but it was dominated by Captain Cook and Breaker Morant. As truly interesting as these characters were, and as much as I learned new information about them, I felt these treatises were a little long. Haynes deep dives into the weeds with extraordinary care and attention to detail. It's good stuff, but I just found it a bit much. I also found it hard to read in places due to the complexity of some of the sentences.
My three star rating is more a reflection of my personal engagement with the book rather than a statement about is quality. If you like history, it's a must read and Haynes does present a compelling argument for treating history with the respect it deserves.
Even though there is a 'party pooper' feel to this book, I really enjoyed the shorter sections debunking myths with well researched facts - from a multitude of sources. I would have enjoyed the book more if there were mores stories, but it was dominated by Captain Cook and Breaker Morant. As truly interesting as these characters were, and as much as I learned new information about them, I felt these treatises were a little long. Haynes deep dives into the weeds with extraordinary care and attention to detail. It's good stuff, but I just found it a bit much. I also found it hard to read in places due to the complexity of some of the sentences.
My three star rating is more a reflection of my personal engagement with the book rather than a statement about is quality. If you like history, it's a must read and Haynes does present a compelling argument for treating history with the respect it deserves.
August 22, 2022
VERY well-researched but not heavy handed - a great way to introduce readers to the fact that we should not accept all our history. (and there are many examples of mis-recorded history coming to light recently) Humour and surprise keep the reader engaged.
Jim Haynes upturns some of the long-held myths of Australian history with surprising results. With all the skills of the master story teller that he is, Jim Haynes exposes some of the great myths of Australian history.
Did you know that Portuguese and Spanish explorers probably found the east coast of Australia before Captain Cook, and that the Rum Rebellion was not caused by rum? And what about Banjo Patterson having written Waltzing Matilda? As for Ned Kelly being a brave rebel fighting for the underdog, in truth he was a thief, a thug and a murderer. The Ashes have nothing to do with cricket, the Ghan is not named after Afghan cameleers and Hargraves lied about discovering gold in NSW. Surprising, confounding, revealing and fun, Jim Haynes takes us on another great journey through Australian history and folklore.
Jim Haynes upturns some of the long-held myths of Australian history with surprising results. With all the skills of the master story teller that he is, Jim Haynes exposes some of the great myths of Australian history.
Did you know that Portuguese and Spanish explorers probably found the east coast of Australia before Captain Cook, and that the Rum Rebellion was not caused by rum? And what about Banjo Patterson having written Waltzing Matilda? As for Ned Kelly being a brave rebel fighting for the underdog, in truth he was a thief, a thug and a murderer. The Ashes have nothing to do with cricket, the Ghan is not named after Afghan cameleers and Hargraves lied about discovering gold in NSW. Surprising, confounding, revealing and fun, Jim Haynes takes us on another great journey through Australian history and folklore.
August 13, 2022
Great book. Fact-checking with humour. Examines many myths about Australian history that people believe in but simply didn't happen or happened in a very different way to the way that people think they happened.
Some legends are covered in great detail (Breaker Morant, Captain Cook, Waltzing Matilda, Ned Kelly, the dog on the tucker box, Edward Hargreaves and The Great South Land). Other myths like the origins of Aussie slang words are dismissed more quickly.
A very entertaining and informative read.
Some legends are covered in great detail (Breaker Morant, Captain Cook, Waltzing Matilda, Ned Kelly, the dog on the tucker box, Edward Hargreaves and The Great South Land). Other myths like the origins of Aussie slang words are dismissed more quickly.
A very entertaining and informative read.
April 13, 2024
A very well researched and laid out book. The early chapters are quite short and dispel myths quickly and efficiently, so as to not bore readers that already know the truth.
The best parts of this book are the deeper insights into Captain Cook, Ned Kelly and, the Boer war. These sections are great for their comments on the misconceptions that arise form intentional or accidental misreporting of facts.
The best parts of this book are the deeper insights into Captain Cook, Ned Kelly and, the Boer war. These sections are great for their comments on the misconceptions that arise form intentional or accidental misreporting of facts.
March 4, 2025
Quite an interesting book with 8 main sections:
1 - General Australian stories that weren't quite true, like the "Ashes" in the cricket.
2 - The discovery of New Holland/Great South Land
3 - Cook's "discovery" of Australia
4 - Common Australian catchphrases ie Digger, Dinkum etc
5 - The discovery of gold
6 - Ned Kelly
7 - Folklore like the dog on the tuckerbox
8 - Breaker Morant
1 - General Australian stories that weren't quite true, like the "Ashes" in the cricket.
2 - The discovery of New Holland/Great South Land
3 - Cook's "discovery" of Australia
4 - Common Australian catchphrases ie Digger, Dinkum etc
5 - The discovery of gold
6 - Ned Kelly
7 - Folklore like the dog on the tuckerbox
8 - Breaker Morant
June 20, 2025
I have learnt nothing from this and waded through the most interminable padding to get there. Less, Mr Haynes, is more. Learn to make a single point and move on.
I had hoped for something as interesting as Girt; but this is not it.
I had hoped for something as interesting as Girt; but this is not it.
Read
April 1, 2022Started out okay but quickly lost interest.
June 4, 2022
Some points of interest, and many more points that weren’t.
August 21, 2023
Interesting read, though some sections drag on.
October 19, 2024
Interesting, just a bit thin in places.
January 19, 2025
The cover seems this book is a trivial and amusing summation but actually it goes into detail on great Australian myths. Including debunking Ned Kelly.
December 11, 2025
Enjoyed reading it.
December 18, 2025
collection of stories about different Australians and what troubles they got themselves involved in.
the author has done a great job like always researching all these people from the Australian past.
the author has done a great job like always researching all these people from the Australian past.
May 14, 2022
Surprisingly good. Because of the title I'd been expecting a light hearted look at odd and crazy incidents in Australian history - something mildly amusing at best.
Instead the stories were detailed and serious examinations of some seminal, some minor but interesting, moments from our past. Learnt things I'd not known, and was entertained at the same time.
And full marks for the author's dismissal of Ned Kelly as anything but a thug!
Instead the stories were detailed and serious examinations of some seminal, some minor but interesting, moments from our past. Learnt things I'd not known, and was entertained at the same time.
And full marks for the author's dismissal of Ned Kelly as anything but a thug!
January 4, 2022
it's a must-read for anyone interested in greater knowledge and understanding of Australian history.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews