AUSTRALIAN MILITARY

Historical examination of the development of war memorials and their place in modern Australian life. Author argues that the imagery, rituals and rhetoric generated around memorials constitute a civil religion, a cult of Anzac. He traces the three elements that converged to create the cult: nationalism, colonialism, and the death of so many young men in distant wars; all of which impelled the bereaved to make substitutes for the graves of which history had deprived them. Includes photos, notes and index. Book was awarded the ‘Age’ Book of the Year, NSW Premier’s Prize for Australian History, Ernest Scott Prize, Centre for Australian Cultural Studies Award (all 1999) and joint winner of the 1998 Fellowship of Australian Writers (Vic.) Literature Award.

First Edition.

• xvi, 522 p. : ill. ; 26 cm. Includes bibliographical references and indexes.
• War memorials — Australia
• Monuments — Australia
• 25/11/24