Living Australia

books:


	• Australian Dictionary of Biography (1788-1850, a-H) Douglas Pike Intl Specialized Book Service Inc, 1968 average customer review:based on 1 review
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Living Australia

The Australian Dictionary of Biography is not a lightweight and is certainly not bedtime reading material. Not unless, that is, you are a fan of Australian history and the people who made it. In 14 hefty volumes, the lives of the more important figures in Australian history are narrated in around 2000-6000 words. In all, there are 14 volumes which are divided into chronological periods. Volumes 1 and 2 cover prominent personages from the years 1788-1850 (Australia was settled by the British in 1788); volumes3 to 6 cover the years 1851-1890; volumes 7 to 12 cover the years 1891-1939, and volumes 13 through to 16 will cover 1940-1980. I say will, because the publishing schedule is at present up to volume 14 of the intended 16 volumes. So, how does it rate? From this Australian reviewer's perspective, ADB is a truly monumental work which encapsulates the lives of Australian history, and by so doing, encapsulates the history of the largest island continent itself. As a large scale biographical project which began in 1957, this publishing work may be described as nothing less than a treasure trove for the researcher, scholar, or interested layman. As its publishers point out, ADB is not "a pantheon of immortals", but aims to "reflect the rich variety of Australian life by including representatives of almost every occupation - shearers, drovers, governesses, nurses, undertakers, marine engineers, bag-pipers, circus proprietors, axemen, trumpeters, ballroom dancers, murderers, bushrangers and confidence men." The Australian Dictionary of Biography is a truly great work in every sense of the word. If you are a reader who has a passion for Australian history and the people who made it, then this is for you, particularly if you are an academic, a researcher, or a long-term student in this arena. As an investment in Australian biographical history, it is a winner.

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