Description

Book Synopsis
‘Australian governments find it easy to go to war. Their leaders seem to be able to withdraw with a calm conscience, answerable neither to God nor humanity.’

Australia lost 600 men in the Boer War, a threeyear conflict fought in the heart of Africa that had, ostensibly, nothing to do with Australia. Coinciding with Federation, the war kickstarted Australia’s commitment to fighting in Britain’s wars overseas, and forged a national identity around it. By 1902, when the Boer War ended, a mythology about our colonial soldiers had already been crafted, and a dangerous precedent established.

This is Henry Reynolds at his searing best, as he shows how the Boer War left a dark and dangerous legacy, demonstrating how those beliefs have propelled us into too many unnecessary wars – without ever counting the cost.

Unnecessary Wars

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    Order before 4pm today for delivery by Sat 20 Jun 2026.

    A Paperback / softback by Henry Reynolds


      View other formats and editions of Unnecessary Wars by Henry Reynolds

      Publisher: NewSouth Publishing
      Publication Date: 04/04/2016
      ISBN13: 9781742234809, 978-1742234809
      ISBN10: 1742234801
      Also in:
      Warfare and defence

      Description

      Book Synopsis
      ‘Australian governments find it easy to go to war. Their leaders seem to be able to withdraw with a calm conscience, answerable neither to God nor humanity.’

      Australia lost 600 men in the Boer War, a threeyear conflict fought in the heart of Africa that had, ostensibly, nothing to do with Australia. Coinciding with Federation, the war kickstarted Australia’s commitment to fighting in Britain’s wars overseas, and forged a national identity around it. By 1902, when the Boer War ended, a mythology about our colonial soldiers had already been crafted, and a dangerous precedent established.

      This is Henry Reynolds at his searing best, as he shows how the Boer War left a dark and dangerous legacy, demonstrating how those beliefs have propelled us into too many unnecessary wars – without ever counting the cost.

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