`Part of Blainey's magic is that his words float off the page. Here, too, are the puzzles, oddities and offbeat comparisons of his restless, quirky intelligence, constantly astonished and endlessly engaging.'- John Hirst, the age

After a lifetime of research and debate on Australian and international history, Geoffrey Blainey is well-placed to introduce us to the people who have played a part and to guide us through the events that have created and shaped the Australian identity: the mania for spectator sport; the suspicion of the tall poppy; the rivalries of Catholic and Protestant, Sydney and Melbourne, new and old homelands; the conflicts of war abroad and race at home; the importance of technology; the recognition of our Aboriginal past and native title; the economic booms and busts; the successes and failures of the nation.

For this enlarged edition, Blainey has expanded or rewritten some of the crucial episodes and added new chapters on significant events of recent decades. The final chapter boldly asks: what made Australia's history so distinctive? He shows two decisive factors weaving in and out, again and again, over 50,000 years.