What’s Wrong with ANZAC? : The Militarisation of Australian History

AUSTRALIAN MILITARY

Brave and controversial, this account argues that Australians’ collective obsession with the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) has distorted their perception of national history. Delving into the history of ANZAC and the mythologies surrounding it, this detailed record explores topics such as the formation of Australia’s national holiday—ANZAC Day—and the way in which the spirit of ANZAC is taught in the nation’s classrooms. Ultimately, this informative narrative claims that ANZAC has become a conservative political force in Australia and questions whether ANZAC’S renowned foreign battles were worth all of the bloodshed. Daring, intelligent, and thought-provoking, this is a must-read for those interested in Australian or military history.
The book caused considerable controversy on its release and since, although many of the themes in it had been thoroughly aired in previous pieces by the authors. Chapter headings include ‘Are nations really made in war?’ ‘Why do we get so emotional about Anzac?’ ‘Anzac Day: how did it become Australia’s national day? and ‘How do schoolchildren learn about the spirit of Anzac?’

The book suggests that ‘the Anzac obsession distorts our understanding of the past, replacing historical fact with mythology’.
viii, 183 p. ; 24 cm. #290423
Introduction: What have you done for your country? / Marilyn Lake
1. Are nations really made in war? / Henry Reynolds
2. Colonial Cassandras: why weren’t the warnings heeded? / Henry Reynolds
3. Whatever happened to the anti-war movement? / Carina Donaldson and Marilyn Lake
4. Why do we get so emotional about Anzac? / Joy Damousi
5. Anzac Day: how did it become Australia’s national day? / Mark McKenna
6. How do schoolchildren learn about the spirit of Anzac? / Marilyn Lake
Epilogue: moving on? / Henry Reynolds and Marilyn Lake.