' a lively, intelligent, opinionated and very well written one-volume history, traversing some well-covered territory of colonial and 20th-century Australia with a fresh eye that doesn't fail to observe the big and small picture.' Australian Bookseller and Publisher 'As one of a series of works of reference, concise national histories, the book is an interesting, often brilliant combination of new and conventional scholarship, of information, opinion and ideas.' Journal of Australian Colonial History ' a most impressive contribution to Australian historical literature'. Australian Book Review 'This volume will become the standard text for many university courses in Australian history. Researchers, students and general readers will appreciate Macintrye's deft coverage and insights.' Michael Sturma, History 'Macintyre's book is the best short history of Australia since Manning Clark's classic of 1963.' The Times Literary Supplement 'This excellent, compact volume Macintye gives a perceptive account of the culture of sacrifice, made for the mother country in two world wars, the making of the modern, multicultural society, and, of course, looks at the unifying role of cricket.' BBC History Magazine
