First published in 1966, the book examines how Australia's geographical remoteness, particularly from Great Britain, has been central to shaping the country's history and identity and will continue to shape its future. The long distance between Australia and the centre of the British Empire, along with the United States, made Australians unsure of their future economic prosperity.
Blainey writes about how the tyranny had been mostly surmounted and may have even worked in Australia's favour in some ways.
In one of the book's early chapters, Blainey challenges the notion that Australia was colonised by the British in the 18th century solely to serve as a place of exile for convicts. Blainey's assertion that broader strategic and commercial factors also influenced Britain's decision to establish a penal settlement in New South Wales led to significant debate among Australian historians.[1]
The expression "the tyranny of distance" from the book's title has become common parlance in Australia. Although Blainey is widely credited with coining the term in his 1966 work, the term appeared five years previously in the geographic research of William Bunge.[2] Bunge uses the term in quotation marks, indicating that the phrase may have had earlier usage.
Reflecting on the 50th anniversary of the book's publication, historian Graeme Davison stated: "The Tyranny of Distance changed our map of the Australian past. It was a bestseller and a mind-changer... Few books on Australia have been as popular and influential."[3]
During the COVID-19 pandemic, a news article in the conservative magazine Quadrant cited the book in relation to how Australia's relative isolation from China's viral epicentre may have been favourable in containing the virus within Australia.[4]
Referencesedit
^"Distance and destiny". Inside Story. 28 July 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
^Bunge, William (1 May 1961). "The Structure of Contemporary American Geographic Research". The Professional Geographer. 13 (3): 19–23. doi:10.1111/j.0033-0124.1961.133_19.x. ISSN 0033-0124.
^"Distance and destiny". Inside Story. 28 July 2016. Retrieved 21 April 2023.
^"China and the Tyranny of Proximity". Quadrant. 28 October 2020. Retrieved 20 January 2023.
This article about a non-fiction book on Australian history is a stub. You can help Wikipedia by expanding it.
tyranny, distance, distance, shaped, australia, history, history, book, australian, historian, geoffrey, blainey, cover, 2001, paperback, editionauthorgeoffrey, blaineycountryaustralialanguageenglishsubjecthistory, australiapublishersun, bookspublication, date. The Tyranny of Distance How Distance Shaped Australia s History is a history book by Australian historian Geoffrey Blainey Cover of 2001 paperback editionAuthorGeoffrey BlaineyCountryAustraliaLanguageEnglishSubjectHistory of AustraliaPublisherSun BooksPublication date1966Pages365 1968 illustrated edition History editFirst published in 1966 the book examines how Australia s geographical remoteness particularly from Great Britain has been central to shaping the country s history and identity and will continue to shape its future The long distance between Australia and the centre of the British Empire along with the United States made Australians unsure of their future economic prosperity Blainey writes about how the tyranny had been mostly surmounted and may have even worked in Australia s favour in some ways In one of the book s early chapters Blainey challenges the notion that Australia was colonised by the British in the 18th century solely to serve as a place of exile for convicts Blainey s assertion that broader strategic and commercial factors also influenced Britain s decision to establish a penal settlement in New South Wales led to significant debate among Australian historians 1 The expression the tyranny of distance from the book s title has become common parlance in Australia Although Blainey is widely credited with coining the term in his 1966 work the term appeared five years previously in the geographic research of William Bunge 2 Bunge uses the term in quotation marks indicating that the phrase may have had earlier usage Reflecting on the 50th anniversary of the book s publication historian Graeme Davison stated The Tyranny of Distance changed our map of the Australian past It was a bestseller and a mind changer Few books on Australia have been as popular and influential 3 During the COVID 19 pandemic a news article in the conservative magazine Quadrant cited the book in relation to how Australia s relative isolation from China s viral epicentre may have been favourable in containing the virus within Australia 4 References edit Distance and destiny Inside Story 28 July 2016 Retrieved 21 April 2023 Bunge William 1 May 1961 The Structure of Contemporary American Geographic Research The Professional Geographer 13 3 19 23 doi 10 1111 j 0033 0124 1961 133 19 x ISSN 0033 0124 Distance and destiny Inside Story 28 July 2016 Retrieved 21 April 2023 China and the Tyranny of Proximity Quadrant 28 October 2020 Retrieved 20 January 2023 nbsp nbsp This article about a non fiction book on Australian history is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte nbsp This article related to the British Empire 1497 1997 is a stub You can help Wikipedia by expanding it vte Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title The Tyranny of Distance How Distance Shaped Australia 27s History amp oldid 1151126617, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
