A critical examination of Australia's involvement in the Boer War and its lasting impact on national identity.Why did Australia lose 600 men in a three-year conflict fought in Africa? Henry Reynolds dissects Australias commitment to Britains wars overseas, revealing how it shaped a national identity and established a dangerous precedent.
Unnecessary Warsexplores the mythology surrounding Australia's colonial soldiers and the far-reaching consequences of prioritizing imperial loyalty over national interests. Reynolds questions the justifications for war, the balance of power, and the enduring legacy of deference.
- Understand the historical context of Australia's military engagements.
- Examine the complex relationship between Australia and the British Empire.
- Question the long-term impact of war on Australian society and identity.
For scholars, students, and general readers seeking a deeper understanding of Australian history and foreign policy, this book offers a thought-provoking analysis of the nation's past and its implications for the future.
Henry Reynoldsis one of Australia’s best-known historians. He grew up in Hobart and early in his career became interested in the history of relations between Australian settlers and Aboriginal people. His pioneering scholarly work, especiallyThe Other Side of the Frontier(1981), was critical in changing understandings of the Australian frontier.
Reynolds is one of Australia’s most esteemed and widely read historians, known for overturning historical assumptions. Australia’s role in the Boer War – a war few Australians know much about though it now has an official day of remembrance – has never been investigated in this way. Reynolds argues it marked the birth of Australian militarism and has led us into deeply damaging conflicts ever since.
![Unnecessary Wars [Paperback]](/itemImage/2/6/8/9/2_4370292.jpg "Unnecessary Wars [Paperback]")