{"product_id":"australia-26","title":"Australia: A History: by the former Prime Minister Tony Abbott with a foreword by Geoffrey Blainey","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHow an ancient land became a great democracy.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLonglisted for Best Non Fiction in the Indie Book Awards 2026\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e \u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'Tony Abbott should be congratulated ... This history of Australia is vivid, readable, provocative\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e' Geoffrey Blainey, historian\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e'I think it's very good' Tom Holland, historian\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAustralia is one of the world's great success stories: a land long hidden from outsiders, chosen as a convict dumping ground, where - since 1788 - people from many backgrounds have built one of the freest, fairest and most prosperous countries on earth.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBy the standards of a harsher time, the early governors tried to respect the original inhabitants and to encourage the convict outcasts of the British Isles to make a new start to a better life. This Indigenous heritage, British foundation and immigrant character have shaped the land of the 'fair go' especially for those willing to 'have a go'. It's not perfect, even now, yet mostly we have a history to be proud of. Within a century of settlement, Australia had not only the world's highest standard of living but had become a global pioneer for democratic freedoms such as the secret ballot, the payment of MPs and voting rights for women. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eA country largely created by settlement and negotiation has evolved from 'White Australia' at the time of federation into one of the world's most colour-blind societies and has managed the transition from an old 'Anglo' identity to a civic patriotism based on an overriding commitment to Australia and its values. \u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book is intended to give anyone interested - as every Australian should be - an account of our past that's positive, while not oblivious to our mistakes and imperfections as a nation. If to be an Australian is still to have won the lottery of life, the history that's produced us is surely something to savour.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eNow a major TV documentary \u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eavailable to stream at Sky News Australia.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePRAISE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Tony Abbott's book is inspired by love of country, yet he comes to grip with our flaws. This is a fresh, powerful, highly readable single-volume history of Australia that deserves a wide audience' \u003cstrong\u003ePaul Kelly, editor-at-large, The Australian\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Scholarly researched, scrupulously fair-minded and very engagingly written, this is big narrative history at its best. It explains why Australia is such a wonderfully unique place, and why history is all the better when written by those who themselves helped make it' - \u003cstrong\u003eAndrew Roberts, author, Churchill: Walking with Destiny\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Not quite the \"white armband\" version of history I was expecting in the first half, nor a \"Liberal Party highlights package\" in the second half. I enjoyed reading it' -\u003cstrong\u003e Peter FitzSimons, author, Kokoda\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eThis is an immensely readable account of how - as I frequently call it - the \"Australian Achievement\" has been built' - \u003cstrong\u003eHon John Howard OM AC, former prime minister of Australia\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Tony Abbott's latest book is a powerful antidote to the poison of little and bad history ... \u003c\/em\u003e\u003cem\u003ewe have much to be thankful for and to build on' \u003cstrong\u003eHon John Anderson AC, former deputy prime minister of Australia and leader of the National Party\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'The former prime minister has done a good job with A\u003c\/em\u003eustralia: A History\u003cem\u003e' \u003cstrong\u003eFrank Bongiorno, historian\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'if you have a serious interest in Australian history, the book will go on your shelves' \u003cstrong\u003eHon Kim Beazley AC, former deputy prime minister of Australia\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Tony Abbott has written with reverence and richness, bringing our nation's past, although both painful and proud, to life with striking clarity'\u003cstrong\u003e Nova Peris OAM OLY, first Aboriginal-Australian Olympic gold medallist and former Labor senator\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'This book is a compelling reminder of our inheritance, which gives us a reason to be proud of who we are and the country we've become' - \u003cstrong\u003eJacinta Nampijinpa Price, federal senator for Northern Territory\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'Tony Abbott brings history to life in a way that is both enlightening and deeply engaging' \u003cstrong\u003eBrett Lee, former Australian international cricketer\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e'This book helps us rediscover our past with honesty and respect, so we can better understand our present and shape a stronger, more inclusive future' \u003cstrong\u003eDai Le MP, independent member for Fowler\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"HarperCollins Publishers (Australia) Pty Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":56107106074968,"sku":"9781460768297","price":31.99,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0278\/1295\/4195\/files\/9781460768297.jpg?v=1779184834","url":"https:\/\/agendabookshop.com\/products\/australia-26","provider":"Agenda Bookshop","version":"1.0","type":"link"}