Sense & Nonsense in Australian History
By John Hirst
2005
First Published
3.52
Average Rating
336
Number of Pages
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
Avg Rating
3.52
Number of Ratings
33
5 STARS
15%
4 STARS
39%
3 STARS
33%
2 STARS
6%
1 STARS
6%
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Author
John Hirst
Author · 8 books
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.
