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Donald Horne: A Life in the Lucky Country

Winner of the 2024 Prime Minister's Literary Award
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( 22 ratings, 7 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
Donald Horne: A Life in the Lucky Country by Ryan Cropp delves into the life of one of Australia's most influential intellectuals, Donald Horne. The biography explores Horne's role in reshaping the cultural and political landscape of twentieth-century Australia, highlighting his critical and thought-provoking ideas about Australian identity and society. Cropp captures Horne's impact, showcasing how his work has left a lasting legacy on the nation's sense of self and place in the world.
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Format: Paperback / softback
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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?

This biography offers a gripping journey through the life of Donald Horne, shedding light on the complexities of Australian identity and politics. You might enjoy this compelling read if you're interested in exploring the intellectual and cultural history of Australia, or if you're fascinated by the profound impact one man can have on a nation's narrative.

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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

The fascinating biography of a brilliant man who captured the nation's imagination and boldly showed Australians who we were and how we could change.

In the 1960s, Donald Horne offered Australians a compelling reinterpretation of the Menzies years as a period of social and political inertia and mediocrity. His book The Lucky Country was profoundly influential and, without doubt, one of the most significant shots ever fired in Australia's endless culture war.

Ryan Cropp's landmark biography positions Horne as an antipodean Orwell, a lively, independent and distinct literary voice 'searching for the temper of the people, accepting it, and moving on from there'. Through the eyesβ€”and unforgettable wordsβ€”of this preternaturally observant and articulate man, we see a recognisable modern Australia emerge.

Shortlisted for the 2024 National Biography Award

'A compulsive read about a writer who shaped the way we Australians think about ourselves' - Judith Brett

'Unmissable for anybody interested in the intellectual life of this country' - Sean Kelly

'Ryan Cropp's thoughtful life of Donald Horne ... charted the restless and provocative habits of his subject with care and elegance, and animated decades of faded news and current affairs with colour and poise.' - Patrick Mullins, Australian Book Review 'Books of the Year 2023'

'In his accomplished and insightful biography ... Cropp has captured a full life, well lived, that was a tribute to the importance of paying attention and making a difference.' - Julianne Schultz, The Conversation

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?

Donald Horne: A Life in the Lucky Country by Ryan Cropp has received positive acclaim for providing a comprehensive insight into the life and impact of Donald Horne, a significant Australian figure. The biography is praised for its detailed examination of Horne's contributions to Australian society, politics, and culture, capturing his intellectual vigour and the complexities of his character. Critics appreciate Cropp's eloquent writing style and the way he contextualises Horne's work within the broader socio-political landscape of his time.

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Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9781760641375

Publisher: Black Inc.

Format: Paperback / softback

Date Published: 01 August 2023

Country: Australia

Imprint: La Trobe University Press

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 32.0mm

Width: 154.0mm

Height: 234.0mm

Weight: 513g

Pages: 384

About the Author

Ryan Cropp is a writer and historian based in Sydney. His writing has appeared in Australian Book Review, Overland and Inside Story. He has studied and taught in the Department of History at the University of Sydney. His forthcoming book is Donald Horne- A Life in the Luck Country.

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