Australian History for Dummies - 2nd Edition by Alex McDermott (Paperback)

About the Book

Book Synopsis

Discover the fascinating details that make Australia the country it is today

Australian History For Dummies is your rough-and-ready tour guide through Australia's whirlwind past. We'll introduce you to the people and events that have shaped this 'Land Down Under' (and why it's called that, anyway). You'll see how Indigenous Australians lived in Australia for over 65,000 years. You'll be there as British colonists explore Australia's harsh terrain. You'll appreciate the impact of the world wars. And you'll delve into the recent past, giving you insight into modern-day Australia and what's next.

Australia is a place unlike any other place, and its wild history, with more ups and downs than you'll care to count, makes for fascinating reading. Bushrangers, the gold rush, the first female prime minister--it's all inside. This new edition fills in the last ten years of history and covers issues faced in the 21st century.

• Explore the history of Indigenous Australia from the ancient past to the modern day
• Watch Australia put itself on the map--learn about the intrepid explorers and the discovery of gold
• Understand how and why the states were united and meet the major players who made it happen
• Examine the social, economic and political changes that made Australia what it is today

Students, teachers and anyone else who wants to learn more about Australia's background will love this lively, authoritative book. Relax and be entertained as Australian History For Dummies tells you the stories of the past.

From the Back Cover

Take a guided tour through Australia's past!

The 'Land Down Under' is no shrinking violet, as you probably already know. And this is no dull and dry history book! Climb aboard and meet the people and events that shaped this land: from the oldest continuing culture in the world, to infamous bushrangers, British colonists who explored Australia's unforgiving terrain, the gold rush that lead to mass immigration and made Australia rich, and more fascinating details that made Australia the country it is today. This updated edition also adds another decade of new Australian history and covers issues faced in the 21st century. You'll be enthralled!

Inside...

• Discover the history of indigenous Australia
• Understand why the British colonised Australia
• Explore the gold rush days
• See the effect of fighting in overseas wars
• Meet the major players who helped define the country

About the Author

Alex McDermott is an author, historian, and creative producer. His passion is writing histories which tell the pivotal stories that help us understand how we came to be who we are today. He has contributed his expertise to Screen Australia, State Library Victoria, La Trobe University, SBS, ABC and many other organisations.