Australia: A Cultural History by John Rickard

Book Description

Secondhand. Very good condition. Minor wear to book corners and edges

The history of Australia from a cultural perspective. The focus is on the transmission of values, beliefs and customs. The impact of European settlement on the First Australians and their environment is appraised, and the diverse origins of colonial society, from convicts to gold diggers, are described.

Particular attention is given to both the kind of culture that was articulated in the period between Federation and the outbreak of WWII, and the way this culture was modified and challenged in the postwar era.

The evolution of Australia's distinctive social and political institutions is set against the background of imperial relationships, and the contribution of writers, artists and intellectuals is seen in the context of the broader culture. The popular mythology of the Bush and the Bushman is measured against the suburban reality of home and family. (back cover)