Sense and Nonsense in Australian History represents a lifetime's original reflection by Australia's most innovative and penetrating historian. Included here are classic essays on the pioneer legend, Australian egalitarianism and colonial culture. There are celebrated critiques of The Tyranny of Distance, multiculturalism and nationalistic history, as well as a substantial essay on Aboriginal dispossession and the history wars. In Sense and Nonsense in Australian History, John Hirst overturns familiar conceptions and deepens our sense of Australia's development from convict society to distinctive democracy. "one of the nation's most independent and original historians" - Geoffrey Blainey "John Hirst is the gadfly of Australian history, stinging and provocative" - Stuart Macintyre "essential reading for those who want to ponder, let alone write and teach about, Australian history" - Robert Murray, The Weekend Australian