The Shearers: The Story of Australia, told from the woolsheds
July 2015 · Sold by Penguin Group Australia
eBook
272
Pages
family_home
Eligible
info
About this eBook
The story of Australia, told from the woolsheds.
'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.
'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.
About the author
Evan McHugh is a journalist who has written for newspapers, television and radio. His previous books include The Stockmen: The Making of an Australian Legend, Outback Stations, Bushrangers, The Drovers, Birdsville, Outback Pioneers, Outback Heroes and Shipwrecks: Australia's Greatest Maritime Disasters. Evan's book about true crime in the outback, Red Centre, Dark Heart, won the Ned Kelly Award for best non-fiction in 2008. He lives with his wife in the Hunter Valley, New South Wales.
Rate this eBook
Tell us what you think.
Reading information
Smartphones and tablets
Install the Google Play Books app for Android and iPad/iPhone. It syncs automatically with your account and allows you to read online or offline wherever you are.
Laptops and computers
You can listen to audiobooks purchased on Google Play using your computer's web browser.
eReaders and other devices
To read on e-ink devices like Kobo eReaders, you'll need to download a file and transfer it to your device. Follow the detailed Help Centre instructions to transfer the files to supported eReaders.
