It is generally proposed that history is written by the victors. Anna Clark, however, may argue that it is written by historians – which makes it no less biased. Australian history is famously contested, from the ‘history wars’ to the backlash and debate around Dark Emu to arguments in Parliament about high school curricula. This begs the question: how is Australian history constructed and why do these debates exist? Dr Clark, granddaughter of Manning Clark and internationally recognised scholar of Australian history in her own right, argues that history- making, despite its best efforts, is not a value-free accounting of what has come before. Each piece of Australian history-making has a context and contributes towards a specific idea of Australian identity.

Making Australian History, her comprehensive study of the historiography of Australia, is a surprisingly compelling and easy read – even for a non-Australian such as myself. Broadly chronological, each section follows a theme such as ‘Contact’, ‘Memory’, ‘Protest’, and ‘Country’. Be forewarned that Clark sits firmly left of centre so you may find yourself nodding along in agreement or fiercely challenged by Clark’s own reading of history (for the record, I was the former). Some may argue that history and politics should not mix, but this book makes it clear that such a position is untenable: historians are engaged, and have been engaged historically, with the process of nation and identity building – a politically charged task.

This is an important look at the work historians do and the changing and conflicting readings of the past. It provides insight not only into our past but into our present and even our future. What we remember, record and pass down shapes how we view ourselves, our country and our place in the world.

Tristen Brudy is a bookseller at Readings Carlton.