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Return to Uluru

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( 547 ratings, 101 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
In Return to Uluru, Mark McKenna explores a historical mystery surrounding a shooting in the Australian desert near Uluru in the 1930s. The book delves into the cultural and historical significance of the site, as well as the broader themes of colonialism, justice, and reconciliation. Through meticulous research, McKenna intertwines personal stories and larger national narratives, offering a compelling examination of Australia's past.
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Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by historical mysteries and the complex interplay of Australia's colonial past and Indigenous history. It delves into an intriguing investigation of a 1930s crime at Uluru, offering a compelling mix of historical research and journey through cultural landscapes. Perfect for readers interested in understanding untold narratives and examining how history shapes modern identities.

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Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

A killing. A hidden history. A story that goes to the heart of the nation.

When Mark McKenna set out to write a history of the centre of Australia, he had no idea what he would discover. One event in 1934β€”the shooting at Uluru of Aboriginal man Yokunnuna by white policeman Bill McKinnon, and subsequent Commonwealth inquiryβ€”stood out as a mirror of racial politics in the Northern Territory at the time.

But then, through speaking with the families of both killer and victim, McKenna unearthed new evidence that transformed the historical record and the meaning of the event for today. As he explains, 'Every thread of the story connected to the present in surprising ways.' In a sequence of powerful revelations, McKenna explores what truth-telling and reconciliation look like in practice.

Return to Uluru brings a cold case to life. It speaks directly to the Black Lives Matter movement, but is completely Australian. Recalling Chloe Hooper's The Tall Man, it is superbly written, moving, and full of astonishing, unexpected twists. Ultimately it is a story of recognition and return, which goes to the very heart of the country. At the centre of it all is Uluru, the sacred site where paths fatefully converged.

'Mark McKenna sets the highest standard for truth-telling of the kind that Australians so urgently need if they are to live in this country with honour. I feel sure that this book will become an Australian classic, not the first of its kind, but certainly the most powerful narrative I have read of frontier injustice and its resonance in our lives today.' - Marcia Langton

'A timely elevation of a foundational Australian-A?angu story in the age of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. The Uluru Statement seeks to enshrine, as this book does, the ancient polities of this land within the framework of Australian democracy. Return to Uluru will form an important part of Australia's truth-telling canon.' - Megan Davis

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Return to Uluru by Mark McKenna has been praised for its insightful exploration of Australian history and its nuanced examination of complex themes such as colonialism and reconciliation. Many reviews commend McKenna for the detailed research and compelling narrative style, which brings to light lesser-known historical events. The book is noted for its ability to weave personal stories with broader historical contexts, creating an engaging and thought-provoking read.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781760642556

Publisher: Black Inc.

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 22 February 2021

Country: Australia

Imprint: Black Inc.

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 20.0mm

Width: 162.0mm

Height: 240.0mm

Weight: 575g

Pages: 272

About the Author

Mark McKenna is one of Australia's leading historians, based at the University of Sydney. He is the author of several prize-winning books, including From the Edge- Australia's Lost Histories, Looking for Blackfellas' Point and An Eye for Eternity- The Life of Manning Clark, which won the Prime Minister's Literary Award for nonfiction and the Victorian, New South Wales, Queensland and South Australian premiers' awards.

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