ACT Book of the Year

Shortlisted 2009

SYNOPSIS

1942 was a key year in Australia's history. For the first time, it seemed that young White Australia, an outpost of empire clinging to the edge of the world, was about to be invaded by the Japanese. In that one year, Darwin was bombed, submarines torpedoed ships in Sydney Harbour and brave militiamen died on the Kokoda Trail. Each year, more and more Australians celebrate Anzac Day and honour the lives of those who fought. There is even a push to create a new public holiday, in remembrance and celebration of the battle for Australia. But was there ever really such a battle, and how close did Australia actually come to being invaded? Invading Australia provides a comprehensive, thorough and well-argued answer to these and other questions. Peter Stanley examines the history of Australian attitudes to Japan before, during and after World War II, and uses archival sources to show that Japan scrapped any invasion plans early in 1942, although the propaganda war on both sides perpetuated the belief that invasion was still likely. He also shows that there never was any particular battle for Australia, but rather a worldwide fight for freedom and democracy that has allowed the West to enjoy great prosperity in the decades since 1945.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dr Peter Stanleywas appointed Head of the Centre for Historical Research at the National Museum of Australia in early 2007. He is best known as a military social historian and was principal historian at the Australian War Memorial for 20 years. He developed or curated many temporary and permanent exhibitions, and is interested in material culture as a source in historical interpretation.

Peter's publications include Tarakan: an Australian Tragedy and Quinn's Post, Anzac, Gallipoli. He has also written extensively on British imperial history, through The Remote Garrison and White Mutiny, and on medical history in For Fear of Pain: British Surgery 1790-1850.

Peter has made many contributions to historical interpretation in print and broadcast media, including the recent television series Revealing Gallipoli, Captain Cook: Obsession and Discovery, Monash and the 2008 4 Corners program 'The Great History War'.

In 2008 Peter published Invading Australia: Japan and the Battle for Australia, 1942, and A Stout Pair of Boots, a book explaining how to get the most out of battlefield research. He is working on two books about the Great War, a popular work on discipline called Bad Characters, and a long-term scholarly study of Australia during the Great War.

Find more books by this author in the ACT Public Libraries.

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