Dispossession

Aboriginal and immigrant Australians have shared this continent for 200 years. Nineteenth century writers were aware of the importance of the Aboriginal presence, but when the colonists began to write their own history the Aborigines were erased from the account. Recently, this “history” has been overturned as we rediscover the role of Aborigines in our past. In this collection of documents our forebears speak for themselves. They present a fascinating picture of how they endeavored to come to terms—emotionally, morally and intellectually—with the victims of the dispossession. This fascinating collection, compiled by a leading authority on white-Aboriginal relations, challenges the general reader to reinterpret our past. It will prove invaluable to students of history and race relations in schools, colleges and universities. The Australian Experience explores major themes in Australia's history in a lively, accessible manner. Dispossession is the fifth book in the series.

Henry Reynolds is associate professor of history at James Cook University of North Queensland.