Secondhand Australian History and Culture Bargain Book Box DSH1130

Secondhand Australian History and Culture Bargain Book Box

Immerse yourself in the rich and rugged history of Australia with this extensive collection of 19 secondhand historical texts and cultural studies. This box provides a deep dive into critical periods, from the early colonial "Squatting Age" and the drama of the Gold Rushes to the formation of the Commonwealth and the shaping of the unique "Australian Legend." Featuring works by key historians like Geoffrey Blainey, Manning Clark, and Russel Ward, alongside primary source material and social histories, this is an essential collection for students, historians, and anyone fascinated by the evolution of the Australian identity. Each book is secondhand and may show signs of wear.

1. The British Empire in Australia: 1834-1939 by Brian Fitzpatrick
   Fitzpatrick provides a detailed, often critical, economic and political history of Australia, examining the country’s development under the influence of British imperial policy and capitalism. The text meticulously analyzes land ownership, labor relations, and the political struggles of the working class against entrenched colonial power structures. It remains a powerful and influential interpretation of Australia’s economic past, highlighting conflicts between local interests and imperial command.

2. The Gold-Finder of Australia by John Sherer
   This volume offers a compelling narrative, likely drawn from firsthand accounts or historical records, detailing the intense drama and harsh realities faced by those who flocked to Australia during the mid-19th-century Gold Rushes. It captures the frantic search for fortune, the chaotic living conditions, and the profound social transformations triggered by the sudden influx of immigrants and wealth. It is a vibrant portrayal of a defining period in Australian history.

3. Spinifex and Sand by David W. Carnegie
   Carnegie's work provides a classic account of exploration and travel across the arid, challenging interior of Western Australia, detailing the harsh landscapes, the difficulty of navigation, and interactions with indigenous populations. The text offers a unique window into the late 19th-century efforts to map and understand the continent's remote regions. It is an important primary source for understanding the geography and colonial expansion into the Western deserts.

4. The Book of the Bush by George Dunderdale
   Dunderdale's observations offer a colorful, detailed look at life in the Australian bush during the colonial era, covering everything from pastoralism and pioneering challenges to the unique characters and vernacular of the remote settlements. The book captures the spirit of self-reliance and the pragmatic realities of frontier existence. It serves as a valuable cultural record of the customs, hardships, and daily life that forged the Australian identity.

5. Notes and Sketches of New South Wales by Mrs. Charles Meredith
   Written by an educated and observant woman settling in the colony, this work provides a rare and valuable perspective on the social and domestic life in New South Wales during the mid-19th century. Meredith offers candid descriptions of colonial society, natural history, and the challenges of adapting to a new environment. Her writing offers a counterpoint to male-centric accounts of exploration and politics, focusing instead on community and domestic details.

6. The Australian Legend by Russel Ward
   Russel Ward's seminal work investigates the origins and characteristics of the archetypal Australian identity—the 'bushman'—as a democratic, irreverent, and practical figure forged by the frontier experience. Ward argues that this national character was shaped primarily in the outback, on the goldfields and sheep stations. This text is crucial for understanding the enduring myths and cultural narratives that underpin Australian self-perception.

7. The Squatting Age in Australia 1835-1847 by Stephen H. Roberts
   Roberts provides a detailed economic and political analysis of the pivotal period when pastoralists illegally occupied vast tracts of land, establishing the foundation for Australia's wool industry and landholding structure. This historical study explores the conflicts arising from land tenure, government regulations, and the displacement of indigenous populations. It is a foundational academic text on the origins of wealth and power in colonial Australia.

8. Gold and Silver: Photographs of Australian Goldfields from the Holtermann Collection by Keast Burke
   This volume presents a stunning photographic record from the mid-1870s, capturing the bustling life, mining operations, and developing towns of the New South Wales goldfields. The images, sourced from the remarkable Holtermann collection, offer an unparalleled visual history of the period's technological advancements and social dynamics. It is an essential resource for anyone seeking a photographic glimpse into the heart of the Gold Rush era.

9. A History of Queensland: From the Dreaming to 1915 by Ross Fitzgerald
   Fitzgerald presents a comprehensive and critical history of the state of Queensland, tracing its narrative from pre-European Indigenous history through to the early 20th century. The work addresses key issues of frontier conflict, political struggles, the development of major industries, and the state's unique social composition. It provides a regional focus crucial for understanding Australia's diverse developmental paths.

10. The Making of the Commonwealth by Scott Bennett
    This study examines the political, social, and legal processes that led to the federation of the six Australian colonies into the Commonwealth of Australia in 1901. Bennett analyses the key figures, debates, and compromises involved in drafting the constitution and navigating the sometimes contentious path to nationhood. It is an indispensable text for understanding the birth of modern Australian political identity.

11. Historical Studies (Australia and New Zealand, Eureka Supplement) by Various
    This academic journal or collection, focusing on Australia and New Zealand history, likely features specialized essays and research. The "Eureka Supplement" suggests a particular focus on the Eureka Stockade rebellion of 1854, a pivotal event in Australian democracy. The volume offers scholarly insights into specific historical events, figures, and research methodologies within the Australasian context.

12. The Rush That Never Ended: A History of Australian Mining by Geoffrey Blainey
    Geoffrey Blainey's influential history tells the sweeping story of Australian mining, arguing that the search for resources—from gold and copper to coal and iron—has fundamentally shaped the nation's economy, politics, and social geography. Blainey demonstrates how successive mineral rushes drove population growth and technological innovation. It is a vital examination of the deep impact of resource extraction on the continent’s development.

13. Port Phillip Gentlemen by Paul de Serville
    De Serville explores the lives and social customs of the elite class—the "gentlemen" and their families—who settled the Port Phillip district (later Victoria) in the colonial period. The book details their aristocratic aspirations, their social networks, their wealth acquisition, and their efforts to establish British class structures in the Australian environment. It offers a detailed look at the formation of colonial high society.

14. Double Time: Women in Victoria - 150 Years by Marilyn Lake and Farley Kelly
    This work offers a much-needed perspective on the role of women in the history of Victoria over a century and a half, challenging traditional, male-dominated narratives. The authors explore women's contributions across various spheres—labor, politics, family, and social reform—providing a comprehensive gendered history of the state. It emphasizes the diversity and often overlooked agency of women in shaping Australian society.

15. The Vagabond Papers by John Stanley James
    John Stanley James, writing under the pseudonym 'The Vagabond,' was a prominent journalist whose incisive reporting exposed the poverty, social inequalities, and conditions of life among the lower classes in Melbourne during the 1870s. This collection of his articles provides a vivid, gritty, and often shocking primary source account of the underbelly of rapidly growing colonial cities. It is a powerful piece of social commentary.

16. In Search of Henry Lawson by Manning Clark
    Manning Clark, one of Australia's most renowned historians, offers an engaging biography and literary analysis of Henry Lawson, the iconic poet and writer celebrated for capturing the essence of the bush and the 'Aussie battler.' Clark explores Lawson's life, struggles with addiction, and the way his pessimistic vision contrasted with the romanticized national image. It is a profound exploration of a central figure in Australian literature.

17. The Golden Age: A History of the Colony of Victoria 1851-1861 by Geoffrey Serle
    Serle focuses on the transformative decade immediately following the discovery of gold in Victoria, a period of unprecedented economic growth, democratic reform, and rapid immigration. The book examines how the Gold Rush created a powerful, politically active middle class and fundamentally restructured the colony. It is a comprehensive study of Victoria's rapid ascent to become Australia's economic heartland.

18. Australia: A Social and Political History edited by Professor Gordon Greenwood
    This comprehensive volume presents a collective work covering key aspects of Australia's social and political evolution from colonization through the 20th century. It is a foundational text, offering broad coverage of indigenous relations, constitutional development, foreign policy, and the changing social fabric of the nation. The collaborative nature of the work provides multiple perspectives on historical continuity and change.