The Politics of War 'the Great Betrayal', 'Reluctant Nation

by David Day

Based on his original publications of "The Great Betrayal" and "Reluctant Nation" plus extensive new research in the archives of Britain and Australia, and utilising a very readable narrative style, the author places the landmark battles of Allied forces within their wider political context. The book exposes the awful peril in which Australia was placed by the war in the Pacific and shows how Australia's relationship with Britain was tested almost to breaking point.

Genres: History, War, World War II, Politics, Australia

688 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

David Day has written widely on Australian history and the history of World War II. His biography of John Curtin won the 2000 Queensland Premier’s Literary Awards Prize for History and was shortlisted for the 2000 New South Wales Premier’s Literary Awards Douglas Stewart Prize for Non-Fiction, while his biography of Ben Chifley was shortlisted for the New South Wales Premier’s Award for History in 2002. David Day is currently an Honorary Associate with the History Program at La Trobe University and a visiting professor at the University of Aberdeen. He lives in Eltham, Victoria.

1986: Menzies and Churchill at War
1988: The Great Betrayal: Britain, Australia and the Onset of the Pacific War, 1939-42
1992: Reluctant Nation: Australia and the Allied Defeat of Japan, 1942-45
1992: Smugglers and Sailors: The Customs History of Australia, 1788-1901
1996: Contraband and Controversy: The Customs History of Australia from 1901
1996: Claiming a Continent: A New History of Australia
1999: John Curtin: A Life
2001: Chifley
2003: The Politics of War
2005: Conquest: A New History of the Modern World - ISBN 0732277655
2007: The Weather Watchers - ISBN 9780522852752
2008: Andrew Fisher: Prime Minister of Australia

Reviews

[John Brown · Rating 5 out of 5]

Be careful with this book. It is interesting and fascinating. But I suspect that Mr Day is not altogether balanced in his approach.