Historical Dictionary of Australia

(Hardback, Fourth Edition)

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Australias development, from the most unpromising of beginnings as a British prison in 1788 to the prosperous liberal democracy of the present is as remarkable as is its success as a country of large-scale immigration. Since 1942 it has been a loyal ally of the United States and has demonstrated this loyalty by contributing troops to the war in Vietnam and by being part of the coalition of the willing in the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003 and in operations in Afghanistan. In recent years, it has also been more willing to promote peace and democracy in its Pacific and Asian neighbors. This fourth edition of Historical Dictionary of Australia covers its history through a chronology, an introductory essay, appendixes, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 500 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent access point for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Australia.

Reviews

This fourth edition, revised by coauthor Abjorensen and enlarged by 10 percent with more than 500 cross-referenced entries, supersedes its predecessors...Those new to Australian history will value the updated chronology and the introduction's succinct assessment of Australia's historical and contemporary accomplishments and its ongoing societal challenges. The dictionary presents Australia's complex history, addressing its identity dilemma of being a Western nation in the Eastern Hemisphere. New entries on concepts of the 'bush,' 'cultural cringe,' 'lucky country,' 'mateship,' 'outback,' and Russel Ward's The Australian Legend (1958) all comment on the sense of 'Australian-ness,' real or perceived. The relevance of Aboriginal life to modern Australia is treated, including the struggle for civil rights and reconciliation. This revision acknowledges the multiethnic makeup of post-1945 Australia and covers more of its cultural and political history. . . .Appendixes provide updated information on political leaders and historical statistics. An extensive bibliography is subdivided by subject. . . .[C]urrency, conciseness, and ease of use make this new work a reliable, handy, one-volume guide. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through graduate students; general readers. * CHOICE *
The concise entries, broad in subject matter, build a quick picture of Australia. . . .The Historical Dictionary of Australia is a remarkably concise and engaging reference book, useful for its very concision. * s *

Author Bio

Norman Abjorensen is a visiting fellow in the policy and governance program at the Crawford School of Public Policy, College of Asia and Pacific, Australian National University, Canberra. He also serves on the advisory board of the Asia Media Directory in Singapore. James C. Docherty worked for the Australian Department of Immigration and Multicultural Affairs, and was an Honorary Research Associate with the National Centre for Australian Studies at Monash University from 1990 to 1996. Before that, he worked with the Australian Dictionary of Biography at the Australian National University and at the Australian Bureau of Statistics.