This fourth edition, revised by coauthor Abjorensen and enlarged by 10 percent with more than 500 cross-referenced entries, supersedes its predecessors...Those new to Australian history will value the updated chronology and the introduction's succinct assessment of Australia's historical and contemporary accomplishments and its ongoing societal challenges. The dictionary presents Australia's complex history, addressing its identity dilemma of being a Western nation in the Eastern Hemisphere. New entries on concepts of the 'bush,' 'cultural cringe,' 'lucky country,' 'mateship,' 'outback,' and Russel Ward's The Australian Legend (1958) all comment on the sense of 'Australian-ness,' real or perceived. The relevance of Aboriginal life to modern Australia is treated, including the struggle for civil rights and reconciliation. This revision acknowledges the multiethnic makeup of post-1945 Australia and covers more of its cultural and political history. . . .Appendixes provide updated information on political leaders and historical statistics. An extensive bibliography is subdivided by subject. . . .[C]urrency, conciseness, and ease of use make this new work a reliable, handy, one-volume guide. Summing Up: Highly recommended. Lower-division undergraduates through graduate students; general readers.

Choice Reviews

The concise entries, broad in subject matter, build a quick picture of Australia. . . .The Historical Dictionary of Australia is a remarkably concise and engaging reference book, useful for its very concision.

Reference Reviews