Kin: A Real People's History of Our Nation

(Paperback)

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Description

When author and historian Nick Brodie traced his own family tree, he began to see the pattern of European settlement in Australia. As he learnt about the generations of his family, Nick uncovered the social and cultural contexts and historic circumstances that shaped his ancestors: the Irish, the convicts, the early settlers, Cobb & Co coachmen, the men from Snowy River, the Boer war, Galipolli, the Depression and the second world war. His quest is full of suspense, frustrations and red herrings, and makes a gripping story.

As Brodie tracks down where key characters lived, what they did, and the decisions they made to commit treason, immigrate, marry, or move he pieces together a complex and entertaining puzzle of Australia's history told through the very people who made it: the everyday Australians who contributed to Australia's rich and varied story.

In the same way Bill Brysons A History of Nearly Everything tells the history of the world through the characters who make the discoveries, Kin is well-written, absolutely accessible (think Tom Keneallys The Australians) but also invigorated with detailed insights that will delight intelligent lovers of history and a good read.

Reviews

Kin is good history and good family history, representing a transformation that has occurred in recent decades. * Weekend Australian *

Author Bio

Nick is a self-confessed history nerd and qualified archaeologist. Hes currently lecturing at the University of Tasmania, though frequently returns to New South Wales where his family is still based. As well as academic papers, he has written a history of St Marys Cathedral, and is an experienced public speaker having given lecturers at Cambridge and interviews on ABC radio and 7.30 Stateline. This book is the result of a lifelong curiosity about Australias history as well as forensic investigations into his family history.