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The Bush
- Narrated by: Don Watson
- Length: 13 hrs and 16 mins
- Categories: History, Australia, New Zealand & Oceania
Non-member price: $54.63
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I really enjoyed this one
- By Toni on 10-01-2020
Publisher's Summary
An enthralling journey, showcasing Watson's trademark literary gift and sardonic wit, through the Australian landscape and character.
While most Australians live in cities clinging to the coastal fringe, our sense of what an Australian is, or should be, is drawn from the vast and varied inland called the bush. But what do we mean by 'the bush', and how has it shaped us?
Starting with his forebears' battle to drive back nature and eke a living from the land, Don Watson explores the bush as it was and as it now is: the triumphs and the ruination, the commonplace and the bizarre, the stories we like to tell about ourselves and the national character, and those we don't. A milestone work of memoir, travel writing and history, The Bush takes us on a profoundly revelatory and entertaining journey through the Australian landscape and character.
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What listeners say about The Bush
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Rodney Wetherell
- 04-12-2017
Great stories and very interesting details
I have always admired Don Watson's writing, but he has excelled himself in this book, The Bush. It is a mixture of stories, both from his own family and from many other sources, and details about many issues, from prickly pear to aboriginal practices and dingoes. I found it all quite engrossing, and believe this will be an important reference book for many years - not all reference books are as entertaining to read as this one.
5 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 02-03-2019
Australian history mixed with modern politics
A great insight into the life of early Europeans in Australia. Covers a lot of recorded accounts from the people, literature, botany, economics, farming principles and more. Strongly influenced by 'global warming' and 'white guilt' philosophies of early 21st century. Very informative, only spoiled by the increasingly overt politics of the later half of the book.
4 people found this helpful
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- W*BvK
- 17-03-2019
A Rambling Mosaic of Australian Rural Life
This is without exception one of the best Audible books I have bought and I bought it on sale. The Bush is a must listen for all Australians and those who want to understand what it was to be Australian. It rambles through many different areas of bush mythology and in doing so carries you in your imagination from the early days to the present. From sheep to indigenous relations, from the bushmen to the hardships of Australian countrywomen. I lived this life. I reconnected with my life through this book. Australia for Australians and those who want to understand the Australian Psyche of old. I regret today we are a different nation or are we. Listen and tell me. The Bush is a must listen to :)
1 person found this helpful
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- Harristotle
- 10-09-2018
The Bush
Interesting and balanced . It is quite a thorough historical account, and really sets the background for how Australias relationship to the bush evolved. I would like to have seen a bit more on how the political power of the bush emerged, and how it continues to shape Australia today. What hapened to the old squatocracy where are they now? How did the relentless desire to ringbark every single tree come about- he mentions it as an almost unifying national philosophy- where did it come from? There is also a place for a sequel - where can it go? What options and possibilities for the future . The book is fascinating, illuminating and will leave you with much to think about. I highly recommend it.
1 person found this helpful
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- Amazon Customer
- 14-01-2021
Excellent
Sound reasoning, a balance view. Very helpful in standing the complex Australian Bush/land uses over the centuries. A very worthwhile listen.
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- Anonymous User
- 21-12-2020
Enjoyed this!
A wonderful insight into the history, trials and tribulations of Aussie bush life beautifully read by the author. Enjoyed listening very much.
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- Amazon Customer
- 16-04-2020
brilliant
don has a lovely Australian laconic style to his writing. his story comes from the heart and describes with empathy and conviction the way Europeans have managed or infact mismanaged the Australian landscape. we could have done a lot better
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- Gregory Johnson
- 21-07-2019
A must read by all Australians.
A journey through country read by the author. Covers aboriginal land care through immigrants, flora, fauna and introduced species. A wonderful trip!
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- mitchell
- 13-07-2019
I believe this history should be taught in all Australian schools
A capture of Australian pioneering stories and their struggles. I found this audiobook to be helpful in the understanding of my ancestors who arrived in Australia during the 1830's.
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- De D'swell
- 26-06-2019
quite fascinating
an eye opener to some of the European "making"of the Australia we live with today
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