The Beagle
Jul 28, 2017
Dragon & Kangaroo
Australia and China’s Shared History from the Goldfields to the Present Day
by Robert Macklin
Published by Hachette Australia on 25th July, 2017
Paperback, 368pp, RRP $32.99
The fascinating story of the Chinese presence in and influence on this country — our intertwined history from colonial times to today
Chinese 'presence' in Australia extends from well before the time of Captain Cook - trading with northern Australia long before Europeans came here - right through to the present day, with Chinese activities ranging from being the main customer for our iron ore, to their very extensive intelligence operations here.
Robert Macklin, bestselling and critically acclaimed author of HAMILTON HUME and DARK PARADISE, has traced a new history of the two nations. Macklin's engrossing narrative reaches from pre-colonial times, to John Macarthur's 'coolie' shepherds, the only Chinese bushranger, Sam Pu, and the multiple atrocities committed against the Chinese in the gold rush; through to the 20th century, where the two Australians - 'Morrison of Peking' and William Donald - played a significant role in the downfall of the last Chinese emperor and the creation of the first republic, before World War II and decades of Cold War brinkmanship; to our current economic bonds and Australia's role in the dangerous geopolitics of the South China Sea.
DRAGON AND KANGAROO is an absorbing account of a vastly underestimated part of Australia's story: this is our shared history, from an immensely important - and entirely new - angle.
'Robert Macklin calls Hamilton Hume "our greatest explorer", and now that I've read this enthralling but at times shocking story, I totally agree.' ***** GOOD READING on Robert Macklin's HAMILTON HUME
Robert Macklin was born in Queensland and educated at University of Queensland and the Australian National University. He has worked as a journalist at the COURIER-MAIL, THE AGE and THE BULLETIN, and was associate editor of the CANBERRA TIMES until 2003.
Robert is the author of 27 books, including DARK PARADISE, HAMILTON HUME and four works focusing on the SAS and Australia's Special Forces: SAS SNIPER, REDBACK ONE, SAS INSIDER and WARRIOR ELITE. He lives in Canberra and spends many long hours at his desk in Tuross Head.