Australian Dictionary of Biography, Volume 16: 1940-1980, Pik-Z [Hardcover]

John Ritchie (Author), Diane Langmore (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0522849970 | ISBN-13: 978-0522849974 | Publication Date: February 1, 2003

Since 1966, the Australian Dictionary of Biography has provided concise, informative, and fascinating descriptions of prominent men and women who contributed their vision and energies to a growing nation. The subjects come from all walks of life--from premiers, generals, and bishops, through artists, actors, authors, farmers, engineers, and schoolteachers, to prostitutes, bushrangers, and murderers--providing a representative cross-section of Australian society. While biography necessarily focuses on the individual, the sweeping range of these personal stories illuminates large themes in Australia's recent history, including immigration, rapid industrialization, urbanization and suburbanization, war (WWII, Korea, Malaysia, and Vietnam), material progress, conservative and radical politics, and the loss of isolation and innocence. Maintaining the ADB's tradition of scholarship, this volume covers the period 1940-1980, from Pik-Z.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"An excellent reference tool." -- American Reference Books Annual

"For consistency, interest, and sheer pleasure, the ADB may well be the best English-language biographical dictionary in the world." -- Australian Historical Studies

"Truly a national record and a suggestive piece of social history." -- Richard Davenport-Hines, Times Literary Supplement

About the Author

John Ritchie has been general editor of the Australian Dictionary of Biography at the Research School of Social Sciences, Australian National University, since 1988.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 640 pages
• Publisher: Melbourne University Publishing (February 1, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0522849970
• ISBN-13: 978-0522849974
• Product Dimensions: 10.2 x 6.5 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.9 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #5,190,672 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)