ANZAC ILLUSION, THE : Anglo-Australian Relations during World War I

The myth of Anzac has been one of Australias most enduring. The belief in the superior fighting qualities of Australias soldiers in the First World War is part of the national consciousness, and the much touted special relationship between Britain and Australia during the war accepted as fact. This provocative and wide-ranging book is a reassessment of Australias role in World War I and its relations – military, economic, political and psychological – with Britain. Eric Andrews shows that it suited all parties to propagate the myth of Anzac for their own purposes. It was widely assumed that Britain and Australia were countries with similar interests united by Empire. The book considers this assumption in the light of Australias actual military experience in the War and finds that it was false. It also discusses the impact of the War on the Australian attitude to Empire. The book is a fresh – and at times controversial – consideration of issues of abiding interest and significance. pp. 274 illusts #0717R 9780521419147