Girt Nation: the unauthorised history of Australia volume 3

The past years of the COVID-19 pandemic have shown weaknesses in the Australian federal system of government with the states frequently working independently to protect the welfare of constituents. Girt Nation by David Hunt examines the years leading up to federation, often providing information about events not normally publicised. Girt Nation is a sequel to Girt and True Girt.

This volume largely tells the story through incidents in the lives of politicians such as Alfred Deakin and Henry Parkes plus poets and authors such as Banjo Patterson and Henry Lawson. Topics discussed include the rise of unions and the Labour Party, not to mention wholesale discrimination against Chinese and other immigrants leading to the establishment of the White Australia Policy plus, of course, discrimination against women. Involvement of the colonists in the Boer War and Boxer Rebellion is also discussed as is the rise of larrikin gangs in the cities. The book proves that nothing is new as the author describes the array of conspiracy theories and extreme beliefs, religious and otherwise, that existed in the period of Australian history leading to Federation.

David Hunt definitely looks for the quirky, often amusing aspects of history when telling his story but the reader soon becomes aware that this only highlights the miracle that Federation ever occurred with all the differing opinions and attitudes at the time. Unfortunately it is not difficult to think of parallel events, incidents and attitudes occurring in society today. This is a must-read book for anyone interested in Australian history.

True Girt: the unauthorised history of Australia - volume 2

The sequel to Girt: the unauthorised history of Australia by David Hunt has arrived providing readers with another chance to explore the alternative history of our country. This time topics examined include the European settlement of Tasmania, New South Wales after Macquarie (briefly), European settlement of Victoria, gold, bushrangers, explorers and the treatment of Aborigines.

David Hunt continues his irreverent investigation of events in Australian history with copious footnotes often referring to possibly parallel recent events. Like the first volume the book provides a usually humorous interpretation of history though some of the incidents described, particularly the treatment of indigenous Australians, may make the reader feel uncomfortable. However other sections make entertaining reading and may encourage readers to explore Australian history more thoroughly.

The Australian reviewed this book in November.

Girt: the unauthorised history of Australia

Australians, generally, have a reputation for the ability to see humour in most situations so why not history. Some historians aside who appear to be upset when allusions to Australia's history appear in novel form - such as Kate Grenville's The Secret River, most other readers will enjoy this irreverent look at the history of our country until the end of Macquarie's term as Governor.

David Hunt starts his account with the first Europeans credited with bumping into the coast of Australia, Aborigines in Australia prior to 1788 and then the decision by the British to set up a colony on the other side of the world. The rest of the book deals with the trials and tribulations of the early settlement, the convicts and their leaders until Macquarie left the colony in 1821- nothing is safe. The author sets out to write a satire on Australian history and succeeds.

This book is recommended reading for anyone interested in the history of Australia but it is particularly recommended for those who think that Australian history is boring. The author is currently working on volume two so beware.

A review of Girt in The Australian 5 April 2014