Short History of Australia

Whilst having nothing of the sweeping grandeur or personal analysis of character of the original, thyis is a useful potted summary of Clark's view of history as the drama of a transfer of a civilisation into a silent land. Clark has been attacked and vilified by the John Howard "black armband" of history theorists who want history to be all about glorifying a jingoistic nationalism, and sweeping the difficulties under the carpet. Although vilified as being "left wing" Clark's history doesn't fit neatly into categories. It comes closer to Greek History or Gibbon's "Decline and Fall" category, than any other history of Australia yet written.

If you can't afford the six volume original, this version is pretty good. Cut down by Clark himself, it is still an outstanding read, written before too much revisionist history has taken place.