The shearers : the story of Australia, told from the woolsheds
McHugh, Evan2015
Books, Manuscripts
'For much of its history Australia has been described as riding on the sheep's back... but if the country rode on anyone's back, it was on the aching, creaking, flexing spines of Australian shearers.' Armed with their blades, a sense of adventure and a relentless work ethic, shearers have been a fundamental part of Australia's outback for centuries. From legendary figures such as blade shearing record-holder Jack Howe and fearless union man cum poet Julian Stuart, to today's young guns having to adapt to a rapidly changing industry, these rugged, resilient and proud characters have influenced the social landscape and folklore of the country. Shearers contributed to the formation of both the Labor and National parties, while Australia's national song, 'Waltzing Matilda', was written on a Queensland sheep station. Expert outback chronicler Evan McHugh -- author of bestselling titles such as The Drovers and Outback Heroes -- presents the definitive history of these men, bringing to life the toil, tumult and toughness of the shearing life, and the effect it has had on Australia's national character.
Main title:
Author:
Imprint:
[Melbourne, Victoria] : Viking an imprint of Penguin Books, 2015.[Melbourne, Victoria] Viking an imprint of Penguin Books, 2015.©2015
Collation:
292 pages, 16 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (some colour), portraits ; 24 cm.
Notes:
Scheduled to be published July 2015.Includes bibliographical references (pages 288-292)
Contents:
1. Click go the shears -- 2. The rise of the machines -- 3. Shearers unite! -- 4. The year of living dangerously -- 5. The rise of a legend -- 6. Fire and blood -- 7. The rise of the middlemen -- 8. The golden fleece -- 9. A matter of survival -- 10. Sunday too far away -- 11. Whatever makes it easier -- 12. Wool is dead. Long live wool -- Glossary -- Shearing Hall of Fame citations -- Shearing records.
ISBN:
9780670078158
Dewey class:
636.3145
Language:
English
Subject:
BRN:
15743
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