Reviews
What's Wrong with ANZAC?: The Militarisation of Australian History by Marilyn Lake, Henry Reynolds
historiana's review against another edition
5.0
This was one of the best and most engaging history books I’ve read in a long while. It examines (and deconstructs) the Anzac legend in Australian history and how it is viewed, used, misunderstood or downright fabricated in the present day. A powerful and deeply convincing antidote to the militarism and egregious nationalism expressed in Australia every April 25th (and the rest of the year around it).
becsti's review against another edition
4.0
★★★★☆ | 4 Stars
A potentially controversial topic, this book takes a critical look at how the ANZACs, and Anzac Day in particular, are remembered and "celebrated". It asks some important questions like whether the events at Gallipoli actually "made" Australia and more generally about the use of war as vital to nation-building and national identity. My only minor critcisms would be that is some places it was a bit repetitive and the conclusions for each chapter could have been more developed.
A potentially controversial topic, this book takes a critical look at how the ANZACs, and Anzac Day in particular, are remembered and "celebrated". It asks some important questions like whether the events at Gallipoli actually "made" Australia and more generally about the use of war as vital to nation-building and national identity. My only minor critcisms would be that is some places it was a bit repetitive and the conclusions for each chapter could have been more developed.
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