AustLit

'Little more than seventy years after the British settled Van Diemen's Land (later Tasmania) in 1803, its indigenous population had been virtually wiped out. Yet this genocide one of the earliest of the modern era is virtually forgotten in Britain today. The Last Man is the first book specifically to explore the role of the British government and wider society in the destruction of the Aboriginal Tasmanians. Although the introduction of European diseases undoubtedly contributed to the decline of the indigenous population, Tom Lawson shows that Britain supported what was effectively the ethnic cleansing of Tasmania particularly in the period of martial law in 1828-1832. He also illustrates the ways in which the destruction of indigenous Tasmanians was reflected in British culture both at the time and since and how it came to play a key part in forging particular versions of British imperial identity. The Last Man provides the first comprehensive picture of Britain's role in the destruction of the Tasmanian Aboriginal population.' (Source: Publisher's website)

'"The most wonderful natural feature I have ever seen." With these words the explorer William Gosse expressed the awe he and many others have felt at the natural phenomenon of Uluru. The first white person to reach the central Australian monolith, he gave it the name "Ayers Rock".

'But who was Henry Ayers, the man whose name is forever associated with Australia's most recognisable natural icon? And why should he still be remembered today? Although the rock now carries its ancient indigenous name, Uluru, the name of Ayers is still linked with the the Rock's "discovery" in 1873. Indeed, "Ayers Rock" is one of the most famous natural wonders on earth and, despite its remote location, attracts over 400,000 visitors each year.

'This book, the first biography of Henry Ayers, focuses attention on the complex character behind the name and examines all aspects of his life - from his humble origins in the naval city of Portsmouth in southern England, his migration to Australia and his career as a miner, businessman and eventually as Premier of South Australia - a post to which he was elected seven times.

'It provides a fascinating insight into Australian history through the life of a man who was consistently in the upper echelons of influence and authority in colonial society and whose legacy lives through his association with the most famous and recognisable natural feature of his adopted country.' (From the publisher's website.)

'"Making Film and Television Histories" approaches film and television texts as primary historical media with the potential to bring historical topics alive through their interplay between past and present. It is a major text, the first to situate in a clear historical context selected New Zealand and Australian films and television programs ranging from highly successful films such as "Gallipoli", "The Piano", "Australia", "Once Were Warriors" and "Heavenly Creatures" to less well-known texts that form the basis for intriguing examinations of history, representation and identity. This book is designed for all those with an interest in Australian or New Zealand history, film or television, and is written by leading scholars in these interdisciplinary fields, as well as filmmakers involved in the production of some of the films and TV shows discussed. With ten thematically structured sections and covering over 40 film and tv texts in clear and focused chapters, "Making Film and Television Histories" will be of particular value to teachers and trainee teachers wishing to inspire students to engage with history by putting to use audiovisual media in the classroom.'

Source: Publisher's blurb.