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Lest

Australian War Myths

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Lest

By: Mark Dapin
Narrated by: Henry Nixon
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About this listen

From Simpson’s donkey and the Emu War to Vietnam and Ben Roberts-Smith, Australian military history is full of events that didn’t happen the way most people think they did. In his inimitable style, award-winning author Mark Dapin sets the record straight.

Australia has many stories and statues ‘lest we forget’ our military past. But from Simpson’s donkey to Ben Roberts-Smith, our history is full
of events that didn’t happen the way most people think they did.

The first Anzac Day, for example, was far from being a solemn march – it was a celebration where people dressed as cavemen and dinosaurs, among other things. And is it true that British officers callously dispatched Australian soldiers to their deaths in the Dardanelles, as we’ve been told? Did we really hate the soldiers returning from Vietnam? Were the white-feather women of the First World War fact or fiction?

In his inimitable style, award-winning author and historian Mark Dapin sets the record straight, showing that the reality was often completely different from the myth – and that in celebrating the wrong people we often overlook the real heroes.

‘With Lest, Mark Dapin transforms his trademark humour into serious history … It forces us to look again at stories we think we all know –
or should know – and reframe them with intellectual rectitude and rigour … Lest offers new perspectives on the past from one of Australia’s most interesting and provocative thinkers.’ Clare Wright
Australia, New Zealand & Oceania Military War

Critic Reviews

‘thoughtful, meticulous, funny, at times furious, and to veterans at least, kind … Lest is a cry for the truth ... Remarkable; a great and entertaining book on historiography.’
'Lucidly written and illuminating ... a great read.'
'That is the value of books like Lest. Not only do they counter fiction with fact, they also add more layers to a story that has become very narrow and one-dimensional over time. I highly recommend it.'
'For a book about brutal wars Lest is a very light read, filled with humour, fun facts and anecdotes. In fact, what made the book stand out for me was Dapin’s wit, and his commitment to extract the truth'
All stars
Most relevant
A little facile in places but overall pretty good. Nothing like having your own biases confirmed!

Don’t let your kids hear this.

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The author talks shit hope he gets hiv and drops dead. Lefty scum bag did not like his anti jew sentiment when discussing Monash.

Author is a wanker

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.