The Australians: Insiders and Outsiders on the National Character since 1770
John Hirst, Black Inc.

Hirst explores the Australian national character by collecting excerpts from diverse writings relating to Australia. On topics such as mateship, sport, the digger, new Australians and many others, Hirst collects a wide range of literary reflections — from Charles Dickens and Charles Darwin through James Cook, Ned Kelly, Barry Humphries and Al Grasby to D. H. Lawrence, Henry Lawson, John Howard, Germaine Greer and Tim Flannery.

It makes for a fascinating, varied and balanced read. Hirst offers only minimal reflection or guidance of his own in the process and examines extensively (through others) issues of class, egalitarianism, equality, fairness and how as Australians we understand those terms.

Yet again in a book examining what it is to be Australian, Hirst completely ignores any direct reflection on religion in Australian life — which perhaps in itself speaks volumes about faith and religion in Australian society.

However despite this significant omission, The Australians is a worthy addition to recent works examining our national character. It is an interesting, stimulating and thought provoking work — and certainly worth reading.

Matt Wilson