Australia: A history: by the former Prime Minister Tony Abbott with a foreword by Geoffrey Blainey; from convict colony to great democracy: A history ... now a major documentary on Sky News Australia
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4.4 out of 5 stars
4.4 out of 5
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Australia: A history: by the former Prime Minister Tony Abbott with a foreword by Geoffrey Blainey; from convict colony to great democracy: A history ... now a major documentary on Sky News Australia
byTony Abbott
Format: Hardcover
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23 customer reviews
From AustraliaAbbott is very broad and generous in his use of the historical literature he must draw on in this project, citing widely and fairly from scholars of many different perspectives and backgrounds, whether in the ideological current in which he was perceived to be swimming during his political days or from very different streams. The moderation, liberality, and modernity which Abbott seeks to reveal in the Australian story should also make us aware of how misleading the old hostile caricatures of him as the "mad monk" or whatever of the Australian political scene. To spell that out: absolutely no Jesuit ideologue would use the words "modern" and "liberal" as the words of praise they are for Abbott. He did join the Liberal Party and his book presents Australia as firmly within an evolving liberal tradition, one which Abbott thinks worth the effort of recounting, preserving, and upholding into the future. What was particularly fascinating for me is that by the time his own political career arrives in the text, he has provided the deepest possible context for understanding his actions and achievements (which were quite significant given the short span of his premiership: Sydney waited how many decades for that second airport decision? ... Labour maintains his border policy at the time of writing... etc) - so this book is also a political autobiography, but a very humble and deeply situated one.
Dennis O'Brien
5.0 out of 5 stars Should be mandatory study material in all Australian schools - its that good !Reviewed in Australia on 28 November 2025
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
This book should be mandatory study for every Australian student doing secondary school.
The author had so much to cram in that at times, it was simply fact after fact with no trivial stories that I read in the historian Professor Blamey's much more extensive account on the same subject.
But it's all true with no apparent bias.
Worthwhile valuable reading and knowledge.
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CP
4.0 out of 5 stars Australia: A history: by the former Prime Minister Tony AbbottReviewed in Australia on 22 November 2025
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Arrived on time and as described, although I was a bit disappointed as the cover got damaged during transportation. Book moved around in the box with no padding to hold it in place.
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Peter Scope
5.0 out of 5 stars Very well written and answers a lot of misinformation about our history.Reviewed in Australia on 29 November 2025
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
What a great read. I was very impressed with Tony Abbot's research and its apolitical nature. I hope it answers a lot of misinformation about Australia's history. This should be part of the education system.
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Bernard O'Brien
5.0 out of 5 stars Simply a great book about our early history by a great Australian. Buy it.Reviewed in Australia on 29 October 2025
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Thank you Tony Abbott for your marvellous book on Australia's History. I am addicted to our country's early history and your book will be a fine addition to my large collection. I was pleased to see in very early pages (chapter 2) mention of a distant relative of mine; Robert Lock who married Maria, the daughter of Yarramundi. In fact Maria's marriage to Robert was the first officially sanctioned marriage in the colony between an Aboriginal and a non-aboriginal. Robert was transported here with his father Jonathan for the crime of 'pig stealing', arriving here in 1821 aboard the vessel Granada. Robert was one of 12 children of Jonathan and his wife Sarah who was left to fend for herself and her children when her husband and one of her sons was transported to Australia. Another of Jonathan and Sarah's children was John who was also transported to Australia for horse theft arriving in 1826. Jonathan and John are direct ancestors of mine. In fact, I have 7 transported convicts in my direct ancestry and proud of it. Thank you again for the great book Mr Abbott.
5 people found this helpful
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Narelle Auld
5.0 out of 5 stars Recommend.Reviewed in Australia on 18 November 2025
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Beautifully presented book by someone with the historical knowledge, love and appreciation of the democracy of Australia. Recommend.
One person found this helpful
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Callapeerney
4.0 out of 5 stars Good readReviewed in Australia on 5 November 2025
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Interesting slant on Australian history.
2 people found this helpful
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M
5.0 out of 5 stars Australian HistoryReviewed in Australia on 9 November 2025
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Husband is currently reading it. Excellent writing by a Rhodes Scholar.
2 people found this helpful
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colin b.
5.0 out of 5 stars The truth told as it happened.Reviewed in Australia on 5 November 2025
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
A must read
4 people found this helpful
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John C
5.0 out of 5 stars Put in all SchoolsReviewed in Australia on 19 October 2025
Format: HardcoverVerified Purchase
Brillant book should be in all Australian schools.
7 people found this helpful
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