Lessons from History: Leading Historians Tackle Australia’s Greatest Challenges

Does history repeat itself in meaningful ways, or is each problem unique? How can a knowledge of Australian history enhance our understanding of the present and prepare us for the future?

Lessons from History is written with the conviction that we must see the world, and confront its many challenges, with an understanding of what has gone before. A diverse range of historians, including Graeme Davison, Yves Rees, Joan Beaumont, Ann Curthoys, Mahsheed Ansari, Peter Spearritt and Frank Bongiorno, tackles the biggest challenges that face Australia and the world and shows how the past provides context and insight that can guide us today and tomorrow.

’Know the past to change the future. Insightful essays by leading historians on the complex back stories of some of our most vexed policy challenges.’- Judith Brett

’Lessons from History makes a formidable case for the contemporary real-world relevance, in both national and international policymaking, of deep historical understanding. Hugh White’s account of the lessons of 1914 and 1939 for today’s would-be warriors - just one of twenty-two invariably thought-provoking essays - is alone worth the purchase price. A rich and rewarding collection which should be read by anyone concerned for Australia’s future.’- Gareth Evans

’For several decades now our national mentality has been dominated by economists and culture warriors. Few dare stand up to them. In this book, our top historians begin the fightback. As the pandemics, recessions, extremism and wars of the twentieth century return, the history profession announces its intention to re-enter the public sphere to help create a better future - and not a moment too soon. Lessons from History is the statement of intent all believers in the importance of this crucial discipline have been waiting for.’- Dennis Glover

’When devising policies to address everything from climate change, to racial justice and gender equality, to war and conflict, history and historical thinking are not only relevant, this book shows they are essential.’- Phillipa McGuinness

’A book for the times - an astute contribution to public debate. In twenty-two lively and eminently readable essays leading historians present a compelling case for the importance of history to add span, depth, context and above all wisdom to our policy making repertoire.’- Henry Reynolds

David Lowe is Chair of Contemporary History at Deakin University and co-founder of the Australian Policy and History Network. Recent books include (with Carola Lentz) Remembering Independence, Routledge, 2018 and (edited, with Cassandra Atherton and Alyson Miller) The Unfinished Atomic Bomb, Rowman and Littlefield, 2018. Carolyn Holbrook is a historian in the Contemporary Histories Research Group at Deakin University and the Director of Australian Policy and History. She is the author of Anzac: The Unauthorised Biography, published by NewSouth in 2014, and co-editor (with Keir Reeves) of The Great War: Aftermath and Commemoration, published by UNSW Press in 2019. Lyndon Megarrity is an author, historian and tertiary educator based in Townsville. His most recent book is Northern Dreams: The Politics of Northern Development in Australia (2018).