The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Australia (Cambridge World Encyclopedias) [Hardcover]

Susan Bambrick (Editor)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 28, 1994 | Series: Cambridge World Encyclopedias

The essential single-volume reference source describes all aspects of Australia. With contributions from over ninety experts, it provides comprehensive coverage of life in twentieth-century Australia alongside a host of insights into culture, the Aboriginal heritage, the natural world, and the continent's colourful past. Eight major sections examine all the key aspects of the continent, past and present: the physical continent, the Aboriginal heritage, history since European contact, government, economy, society, science and technology, and culture and the arts.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

This book draws on the expertise of more than 900 scholars to describe the world's smallest continent (or its largest island). This comprehensive reference covers not only modern Australia, but its aboriginal heritage, physical makeup, history, economy, government, and cultural contributions. Similar to other titles in this series (Cambridge Encyclopedia of China, Cambridge Encyclopedia of Latin America and the Caribbean), it is intended to introduce the reader to the continent of Australia and provides facts, figures, and 250 colorful photographs to enhance the understanding of its society and culture.

Sections cover such topics as the Great Barrier Reef, the legal system, agriculture, religion, health, and aboriginal art. Although topical entries throughout the volume are brief, the contributors add information in brief boxed essays. For example, in the "Media" section, a brief insert on foreign ownership is included. All articles are signed with intitials keyed to a contributors list at the front of the book. Almost all the contributors are Australian. More than 40 maps and charts are scattered throughout the volume. A bibliography of suggested readings and video recordings is arranged in the same order as the text. The detailed index uses italics to denote illustrations and bold type to indicate a major reference to a subject.

The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Australia, with its readable format and attractive illustrations, provides an overview of topics related to this continent and is appropriate for undergraduate, public, and high-school libraries.

Review

"The writing throughout is lively and lucid, and the difficult task of depicting Australian society, in all its complexities, is accomplished well, with attention paid to the downside of life Down Under, as well as the oftcited positive aspects....this is a first-rate reference work and should delight both Australians and readers elsewhere who seek a clear and comprehensive sourcebook on Australia." Robert Tonkinson, Pacific Affairs

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 394 pages
• Publisher: Cambridge University Press (October 28, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0521365112
• ISBN-13: 978-0521365116
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.8 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,088,747 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Encyclopedic, March 25, 2000

By 

saliero (NSW Australia) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Australia (Cambridge World Encyclopedias) (Hardcover)

In the usual way of the Cambridge Encyclopedias, this is a well-produced and useful guide. Being encyclopedic, it covers all the usual range of bases - the physical nature - climate, soils, water, vegetation etc, history, including a section on Aboriginal heritage, the nature of government, the economy, society, science and technology and culture and the arts. The contributors are an eminent group of mainly boffins from various universities. Unlike some older, and similar comprehensive surveys of Australia, this volume does include a section on Aboriginal-European relations, from first contact to the early 1990s and the Mabo judgement affecting land rights. There is a small section on child removal, a major issue in Australia since the inquiry into this. Generously illustrated in full colour. A worthy general, single volume addition to the home or school reference library.