In The Shortest History of Australia, Mark McKenna offers a compelling new version of our national story. This is a modern Australia permeated by First Nations history; a multicultural society with an island mindset; a continent of epic beauty and extreme natural events; a country obsessed by war abroad but blind to its founding war at home; and a thriving nation-state still to realise its political independence.

McKenna’s wise and humane history reveals the surprising in the familiar, and reframes the past so we can see the present more clearly.

Attend in person

Entry to this event is free but bookings are essential. Following the presentation, Mark will be available for book signings in the foyer.

Watch online

The presentation will also be available online. Please make a booking and we will send you a direct link to the livestream event via email. Or you can join anytime through the Library's YouTube channel.

About Mark McKenna

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

About Frank Bongiorno

Frank Bongiorno is the author of three acclaimed histories: Dreamers and Schemers, The Eighties and The Sex Lives of Australians. He is professor of history at the Australian National University and President of the Council for the Humanities Arts and Social Sciences.