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Why Weren't We Told?
- Narrated by: Peter Hosking
- Length: 7 hrs and 15 mins
- Unabridged Audiobook
- Categories: History, Americas
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Publisher's Summary
Why were we never told? Why didn't we know? Historian Henry Reynolds has found himself being asked these questions by many people, over many years, in all parts of Australia. The acclaimed Why Weren't We Told? is a frank account of his personal journey towards the realisation that he, like generations of Australians, grew up with a distorted and idealised version of the past.
From the author's unforgettable encounter in a North Queensland jail with injustice towards Aboriginal children, to his friendship with Eddie Mabo, to his shattering of the myths about our "peaceful" history, this best-selling book will shock, move, and intrigue.
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What listeners say about Why Weren't We Told?
Average Customer RatingsReviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
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- Ian Schubert
- 13-07-2019
A hard truth to hear
I found this book often times confronting and frustrating, not because of its literary style or narration (both being of a very high standard) but by the matter of fact-ness with which it told a story of my country’s past that I felt that I “had not been told” either.
It’s final chapter sums our country’s situation up well. The removal of ignorance brings with it the burden to change attitudes and behaviours and to give true recognition and perhaps recompense for the inestimable services rendered by,as well as wrongs perpetrated on our own First Nation people.
This story and others like it need to be shared and discussed and argued about for the truths they unashamedly bring from the past to our current time.
5 people found this helpful
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- EllaGS
- 02-08-2020
Must Read for All Australians
An excellent starting point for anyone who feels like they don’t know where to begin. For those who already have this book covers so much ground you are sure to learn something new.
3 people found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 18-06-2020
Must read
Beautifully written and read. Information that all Australians should know, but presented in a way that doesn’t make you feel judged for not knowing it before. Full of empathy, intelligence, and vital information for our country. If all Australians read/listen to this book maybe we could forge a hopeful future together.
3 people found this helpful
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- Gracious
- 30-08-2015
Not told for a despicable reason
Since Federation, all Australian governments have chosen to treat us people like mushrooms; kept in the dark and fed on excrement, the easier to keep us fighting each other instead of the cruel racist system that would make slaves of all of us, black or white. I'm almost overwhelmed by the content of this book. There's so much to absorb. I will have to read it again soon. I am white. Born in England.
3 people found this helpful
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- Peter P. Whyte
- 17-01-2020
Eye opening Australian history
Easy to listen narration. Very interesting material. Mabo and Wik sections very helpful. Loved the tactic of reversing perspective to see the situation more clearly.
2 people found this helpful
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- Anthony Earl
- 25-10-2017
Mind-blowing and deeply saddening
Some of what Reynolds has written about, I was aware of. However, the detail that is reached is shattering, educational, insightful and horrifying. This is a must read.
2 people found this helpful
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- Tezza
- 17-04-2017
Everyone should know this
This book and it's knowledge should be part of the school curriculum.
Excellent and easy to listen to.
2 people found this helpful
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- Sharyn
- 30-05-2016
essential learning
exactly..... why weren't we told? thank you Mr Reynolds for skyrocketing my education on this essential learning
2 people found this helpful
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- Francis Doherty-Bigara
- 14-01-2019
One chapter and no timeline.
A historical account relating the lessor known aspects of Australia's social history, particularly as it pertains to aboriginal people.
The book is loaded badly in Audible. It has no chapters and no timeline so if you lose your place then you have to start from the beginning.
1 person found this helpful
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- Anonymous User
- 17-10-2017
Enlightening
An enlightening and moving expose. Thanks choice of voice was also very well suited to the delicate subject matter. aa
1 person found this helpful
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