Up from the Mission

by Noel Pearson

Up from the Mission charts the life and thought of Noel Pearson, from his early days as a native title lawyer to his position today as one of Australia's most influential figures. This is writing of great passion and power, which introduces a fascinating man and a compelling writer. Many of the pieces included have been hard to find until now. Gathered together in a cohesive, broad-ranging book, they show a key Australian thinker coming into being. Pearson evokes his early life in Hope Vale, Queensland. He includes sections of his epoch-making essay Our Right To Take Responsibility, which exposed the trap of passive welfare and proposed new ways forward. There are pieces on the apology; on Barack Obama and black leadership; on Australian party politics - Keating, Howard and Rudd; and on alcoholism, despair and what can be done to mend Aboriginal communities that have fallen apart.

Genres: Australia, Nonfiction, Indigenous, Politics

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2009

About the author

Noel Pearson is the founder and director of the Cape York Partnership, and the author of Up From the Mission, two Quarterly Essays and many essays, articles and speeches.

Reviews

[Sean · Rating 4 out of 5]

I think this book gives great insight into indigenous living and issues in 'the lucky country'.
Noel is one smart cookie and certainly a passionate advocate and leader for his ‘mob’.
Would love to see him in federal politics; it might wake up a few people that’s for sure.

[Ainslee]

This book completely changed my mind about both the author and many of the issues that he speaks about. Anyone who is interested in Indigenous issues really needs to read this. Even those with an interest in decency.

[Blartibartfast · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pearson is a gifted orator and also engages as an essayist. He is very persuasive.

[Kathryn Castles · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting, challenging book, where you can witness his focus and opinions evolving. Some bits are a bit dry and repetitive, but overall a dynamic and demanding read.

"Roger's story tells of the last days of the bush people. In many respects life in these circumstances - occasional work for whites, hunting and travelling around the countryside - sounds like it might have had possibilities. If only they could have been free. If only they had some land for themselves. If only the whites weren't so inhumane and there was no exploitation. Maybe they could have kept their families and remained on their country."

Michael Kirby: "Any fair Australian will have a sense of disquiet, and even shame, at the way the Australian legal system has operated in relation to the Aboriginal ... It represents a cruel assertion of power, sometimes deliberate, sometimes mindless, resulting in the destruction of Aboriginal culture, unparalleled rates of criminal conviction and imprisonment and massive deprivation of property and land."

[KateOB · Rating 5 out of 5]

This an incredibly well-written book that articulates important and powerful concepts: ‘the soft bigotry of low expectations’, the potential of a ‘radical centre’, and the multiple layers of identity. The chapters ‘Fighting old enemies’ and ‘Challenging old friends’ cover important history that I only half-knew, and helped me better understand Noel Pearson’s newspaper columns. This book deserves a second read: five stars means that is on the cards one day.

[John Marchant · Rating 4 out of 5]

A bit of autobiography and mostly some of his essays and writings. Some excellent ideas and some controversial ones there too, but as he says he is in the business of controversy.

[Vasile · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fantastic writer!