This year marks the 100th anniversary of the Australian victory at Beersheba, secured by the Australian Light Horse — marking one of the last successful cavalry charges in history. In his new book, The Charge: The Australian Light Horse victory at Beersheba, David W. Cameron pieces together how this battle unfolded. Here, he tells Sarah Trevor about his research into … Read on
Earlier this year marked the 50th anniversary of the decisive Wave Hill Walk Off, in which 200 Gurindji men and women – stockmen and servants – protested against unfair work and living conditions. In the new book Yijarni: True Stories from Gurindji Country, editors Erika Charola and Felicity Meakins bring together compelling oral accounts of not only the … Read on
In his new book Swallowed by the Sea, leading maritime archaeologist Graeme Henderson delves into an array of shipwrecks around Australia’s coastline, from as far back as 1622 to as recent as 2010. Here, he shares his insights into researching and diving historic shipwrecks with Sarah Trevor – and recounts his thrilling first foray into maritime archaeology at … Read on
In his latest book Flagship: The Cruiser HMAS Australia II and the Pacific War on Japan, journalist and author Mike Carlton turns his attention to HMAS Australia II. He tells Cassie Mercer why the story needed to be told. IHM: What inspired you to start researching HMAS Australia II? Mike: I’d written two books of naval history, one … Read on
In March and April 1942, the RAAF 75 Squadron defended Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, alone against the Japanese war machine. Here, author Michael Veitch explains how he researched this untold chapter of Australia’s World War II history for his book, 44 Days. IHM: What inspired you to start researching the RAAF 75 Squadron for your book 44 Days? Michael: It’s … Read on
In October 1916, two teams of Australian soldiers played a special exhibition match of Australian Rules football in London – bringing the national game to the world beyond. Many of these players were sent to the Western Front, and some never returned. Here, Nick Richardson tells Sarah Trevor about the role of sport in World War I, and the stories … Read on
Amidst the fanfare of the Great War centenary, historian Bruce Scates and his co-authors Rebecca Wheatley and Laura James set out to investigate 100 personal stories from the war: reflecting the experiences of servicemen and women, as well as their families. Here, Bruce tells us about how they researched for their book World War One: A History in 100 … Read on
Enlisting after the horrors of Gallipoli hit home, the ‘Fair Dinkums’ were Anzac’s second wave. Inspired by a family connection to one such ‘Fair Dinkum’ soldier, journalist and author Glenn McFarlane set out to investigate their lives at war and beyond. The Fair Dinkums (MacMillan Australia, $34.99) is the result. IHM: What initially drew you to … Read on
In honour of International Women’s Day, Sarah Trevor speaks with leading Australian feminist and writer Anne Summers on her new, revised edition of the 1975 classic Damned Whores and God’s Police. Read Anne’s insights on the struggles Australian women have faced throughout history, what has changed for women since her landmark book was published – and what challenges remain. IH: Forty-one … Read on
Between 1787 and 1900 more than 1.6 million immigrants, including around 160,400 convicts, travelled to Australia by ship in search of a better life. Many of these journeys lasted more than 100 days, non-stop, and the men, women and children on board endured raging seas and temperature extremes enrolee to their new lives. Passengers formed … Read on