Subjects / The history of Australia

Best books to learn The history of Australia, in order

Australia's history has to begin far earlier than 1788, so the order matters: the deep history of First Nations peoples first, then the story of colonization, convict settlement, and Federation, then the modern reckoning with land, immigration, and identity. Starting at the arrival of the British erases the continent's real depth, so a good path runs from the ancient and Indigenous past, to colonial and national history, to modern Australia.

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Frequently asked questions

How should I approach learning the history of australia?
Australia's history has to begin far earlier than 1788, so the order matters: the deep history of First Nations peoples first, then the story of colonization, convict settlement, and Federation, then the modern reckoning with land, immigration, and identity. Starting at the arrival of the British erases the continent's real depth, so a good path runs from the ancient and Indigenous past, to colonial and national history, to modern Australia.
What's a good book to start the history of australia with?
A strong starting point is My place by Sally Morgan. The ordered reading paths above show exactly where it fits and what to read next.
What should I read after the history of australia?
Once you have the fundamentals, explore closely related subjects like The history of the Netherlands, The history of Poland, Maritime history.

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