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Alan Atkinson Alan Atkinson i(A41412 works by) (a.k.a. Alan Thomas Atkinson)
Born: Established: 1946 ;
Gender: Male
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Works By

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1 The Triumph of Unity Alan Atkinson , 2015 single work review
— Appears in: The Weekend Australian , 18-19 April 2015; (p. 18-19)
1 [Review Essay] A Three-Cornered Life : The Historian W. K. Hancock Alan Atkinson , 2011 single work review
— Appears in: Australian Journal of Politics & History , March vol. 57 no. 1 2011; (p. 131-132)

— Review of A Three-Cornered Life : The Historian W. K. Hancock Jim Davidson , 2010 single work biography
1 1 Nervous, Vivid, Real Alan Atkinson , 2008 single work review
— Appears in: The Australian Literary Review , November vol. 3 no. 10 2008; (p. 3-4)

— Review of Manning Clark : A Life Brian Matthews , 2008 single work biography
1 Russel Ward : Settlement and Apotheosis Alan Atkinson , 2008 single work criticism
— Appears in: Journal of Australian Colonial History , vol. 10 no. 2 2008; (p. 91-102)

'For all its dated idealism, I want to suggest that the late nineteenth century as it appeared to Ward, and also to Palmer, still has its uses as a pivotal moment for the broad integrity of the Australian story. It was a time of apotheosis in more ways than Ward imagined. It was an era when collective self-understanding was refashioned at a new and more elevated level, when the particular became generalised and when partial experiences were drawn together to create an ideal. But this was very much a multifaceted process. The period has been examined from a number of angles, usually with the idea that it was one of high creativity, when foundations were laid for the construction of the Australian psyche, national identity and so forth (all of which might be seen as aspects of the 'Australian Settlement'). But also, and more profoundly, the period is vital for what it shows about the operation of intelligence and imagination on physical circumstances. Ward himself concentrated on the bush ethos and on rural workers, his so-called 'nomad tribe'. Others have written about the visual representation of the landscape. Prose and poetry have also been well examined. Technological inventions have been accounted for to some extent railways and telegraph lines, water engineering, agricultural machinery, meat refrigeration and so on, which taken altogether were certainly extraordinary. They too were inspired mainly by rural life and productivity.'

Source: Article abstract.

1 2 y separately published work icon High Lean Country : Land, People and Memory in New England Alan Atkinson (editor), J. S. Ryan (editor), Iain Davidson (editor), Andrew Piper (editor), Crows Nest : Allen and Unwin , 2007 Z1392580 2007 anthology essay

'High Lean Country captures the rich history and haunting character of the New England region of northern New South Wales.

'The authors explore how memory - of land, of family, of patterns of life on the other side of the world - has influenced the identity of New England. They also consider how the high country itself has shaped its people and their sense of regional uniqueness. In doing so, this book sets a new direction for understanding Australia as a whole.

'Weaving together the histories of human settlement, economic, social and cultural development, as well as interactions with the environment, High Lean Country shows how colonial settlers strived for decades to literally create a new England. It traces the story of the graduates of Oxford and Cambridge who turned their hands to sheep husbandry and developed a squattocracy, the establishment of schools and other institutions, and the cultivation of traditional arts. It also examines the early colonial bushranging period, and a history of not always friendly relations between white settlers and the local Aboriginal population.

'A project of the Heritage Futures Research Centre at the University of New England, High Lean Country is a fascinating study of this distinctive Australian high country.' (Publisher's blurb)

1 One in the Eye for the PC Brigade Alan Atkinson , 2006 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 14-15 January 2006; (p. 21)

— Review of The Poor Man : Being Some Account of the Extraordinary Adventures Met with, of the Strange Sights Seen, and the Curious Things Heard, by Mr. Redde Pepper, in His Search after that Much Injured Individual Redde Pepper , 1864 single work novel
1 Occupied Territory Alan Atkinson , 2005-2006 single work review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , December-January no. 277 2005-2006; (p. 16-17)

— Review of The Commonwealth of Thieves Thomas Keneally , 2005 single work prose
1 Middle Earth Writ Little Alan Atkinson , 2004 single work review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , December-January no. 267 2004-2005; (p. 40)

— Review of Times and Tides : A Middle Harbour Memoir Gavin Souter , 2004 single work autobiography
1 Honour Games Alan Atkinson , 2003 single work review
— Appears in: Australian Book Review , August no. 253 2003; (p. 35-36)

— Review of Man of Honour : John Macarthur : Duellist, Rebel, Founding Father Michael Duffy , 2003 single work biography
1 Profound in Any Language Alan Atkinson , 2002 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 30 November - 1 December 2002; (p. 10-11)

— Review of Broken Song : T. G. H. Strehlow and Aboriginal Possession Barry Hill , 2002 single work biography
1 A Sense of Place Alan Atkinson , 2000 single work review
— Appears in: The Sydney Morning Herald , 21 October 2000; (p. 3)

— Review of Belonging : Australians, Place and Aboriginal Ownership Peter Read , 2000 multi chapter work prose
1 5 y separately published work icon The Europeans in Australia : A History Alan Atkinson , Melbourne : Oxford University Press , 1997 Z1178966 1997 reference non-fiction

'In the first volume of his history of Australia, Alan Atkinson covers the first impact of European power on Australia. He argues that the Europeans were not simply conquerors, that their own cultures were infinitely complex, thickly-woven with ideas about spirituality, authority, self and land, all of which influenced the development of Australia.' (Publication summary)

1 y separately published work icon The Push Alan Atkinson (editor), 1989 Armidale : University of New England , Z1548900 1989 periodical (2 issues)
1 y separately published work icon The Political Life of James Macarthur Alan Atkinson , Canberra : 1976 19373837 1976 single work thesis 'This thesis covers the whole life of James Macarthur (1798-1867), but it concentrates on his political career, from 1831 to 1859. The argument focuses on his motives and ideals, and it depends on a view of his personality which is to some extent new. He was in the first place a man of great imagination, although he was usually not fluent enough to make his ideas seem cogent or attractive to a general audience. Secondly, he was a man of consistent honesty. There were many occasions on which he told only part of the truth, or where his faulty memory allowed him the benefit of the doubt. But there is no record of his telling a deliberate lie. Therefore by far the best way of understanding his motives is to examine his own speeches and letters. These are fundamental to the argument of the thesis. Thirdly, he had a buoyant personality and was capable of taking a detached, intellectualised view of local politics. This detachment made it hard for his contemporaries to understand him, and to pin him down on any issues. But it is key to the whole method and tone of his political life. A faith in cool discussion is evident at every stage of his career, and a willingness, even an eagerness to compromise, in the belief that all would be right in the end. Even in cases where he was forced to give up his own side of the question completely he can usually be seen afterwoods looking for signs that the effects he feared would be minimal. The first part of the thesis, chapters 1 to 5, cover his life up the age of 40, beginning with an account of his intellectual and social background. Chapters 3 and 4 deal with his attitude to land setlement and constitutional and church reform. The main point of reference at this stage - and for most of the thesis, - is the idea of the moral citizen. The idea was at the root of Macarthur's ambitions for a strong centralised government, planned settlement, assisted immigration and schools, and the equal establishment of all the main Christian religions. Macarthur was a member of the nominated legislative council from 1840 until its dissolution in 1843. He was afterwards a candidate for the first elected council, but was not returned until the general election of 1848. He was also a member of the first parliament, until 1859. The second part of the thesis is meant to show how his moral and 'radical' conservatism was brought to bear on the work of these successsive legislatures. The discussion concentrates partly on Macarthur's work as a day-to-day politician anxious to make the habits of the house conform with his own ideals.' (Thesis description)
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