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When Words Fail Us

Truth Beyond Time
Brief Description
I am out of words at home. I have grown bored with my language, bored with my voice, bored with my writing. My words labour under the weight of Australia's history. The land itself, as much as I love it, bears down hard. Now in another... Read More
Format: Hardback
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In When Words Fail Us, Stan Grant reflects on how we struggle to speak to each other and the importance of listening, silence and philosophy.

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I am out of words at home. I have grown bored with my language, bored with my voice, bored with my writing. My words labour under the weight of Australia's history. The land itself, as much as I love it, bears down hard.

Now in another place, I am finding lighter words. At times, I may not need to speak at all. I smile; I nod. I seek permission to speak. Please, do you mind? Will you allow me?

In an important book for our times, Stan Grant, one of Australia's most prominent writers on identity, nationhood, and belonging, reflects on how we struggle to speak to one another today. He discusses the importance of listening, silence and philosophy, from Plato to Simone Weil to Radiohead, in When Words Fail Us.

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781761170751

Publisher: NewSouth Publishing

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 01 May 2026

Country: Australia

Imprint: NewSouth Publishing

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Width: 111.0mm

Height: 181.0mm

Weight: 0g

Pages: 128

About the Author

Stan Grant is a proud Wiradjuri man, and the Vice Chancellor's Chair of Australian-Indigenous Belonging at Charles Sturt University. He was formerly ABC's Global Affairs and Indigenous Affairs Analyst. He is the award-winning and bestselling author of several books, including Talking To My Country, The Queen Is Dead, Murriyang and Australia Day.

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