The Rise and Fall of Australia
How a great nation lost its way
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4.2 • 16 Ratings
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- $14.99
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- $14.99
Publisher Description
'A terrific account of a great nation cursed by ordinary leaders' - George Megalogenis
'There's sharpness and insight in Bryant's book' - Sydney Morning Herald
Never before has Australia enjoyed such economic, commercial, diplomatic and cultural clout. Its recession-proof economy is the envy of the world. It’s the planet’s great lifestyle superpower. But its politics have never been so brutal, narrow and facile, as well as such a global laughing stock. A positive national story is at odds with a deeply unattractive Canberra story.
In The Rise and Fall of Australia, BBC correspondent and author Nick Bryant offers an outsider’s take on the great paradox of modern-day Australian life: of how the country has gotten richer at a time when its politics have become impoverished.
In this thoroughly entertaining and thought-provoking book, dealing with politics, racism, sexism, culture, sport and the nation’s place in the region and the world, Bryant sets out to describe the new Australia rather than the mythic country so often misunderstood not just by foreigners but also by Australians themselves.
Customer Reviews
Very British academic view of the world
A good read but annoying that international is spelt as two words. Even when capital, Inter national.
An outsiders view
A fascinating outsiders view of Australia in the early 21st century, made whilst inside the beast itself.
Absolutely worth a read.
Makes a good case for the point of view that a country rich in resource can be too lazy to drive itself to greatness.
Breaking the analysis in to chunks focused on specific areas makes this easily digestible. It is in effect a series of well thought out essays with a common theme.
Anyone who believes that Australia can be better than it has become should read this book.