An affable, informative portrait of the people down under from the author of 800,000. 000: The Real China and The White Boned Demon: A Biography of Madame Zedong. Australian-born Terrill has never been afraid of large projects. He's made a name for himself as a reliable popularizer of Chinese culture, and now puts a handle on Australia, that huge, culturally ""western"" country geographically situated in Asia. Terrill quite capably describes a nation that began as a dumping site for British Empire criminals, evolved into a Commonwealth entity, and more recently has come under the growing influence of Asia and the US. Here's a country with a fondness for its disobedient ancestors that at the same time exhibits strong paternalism in social services and a ""safety. net"" approach to government and business. Though the country has drifted considerable distance from an original British influence, Terrill points out that it was still possible in 1975 for the Governor General, officially representing the Queen of England, to dismiss Australia's Labor Party Prime Minister, Gough Whitlam, on the strength of a parliamentary technicality. And, as Terrill notes, Australian politicians routinely hurl abuse at one another (""The honorable member for Burrumburra is a screeching galah"") with characteristic gusto within the framework and decorous tradition of an English-styled parliament. Apart from one section unnecessarily detailing the author's experiences growing up in Australia in the 40's and 50's, this is an engaging, revelatory social graph that builds strongly on Terrill's vivid conversations with everyone from cab drivers to prime ministers. Copyright ©Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.

Terrill, author of 800,000,000: the real China, here writes about his native Australia. After many years away Terrill returned to spend eight months interviewing people and becoming reacquainted with his country. His is a fascinating portrait of the Australians. He explains their lack of work ethic and love of leisure and how this has affected the development of the nation. He also examines the man-to-man camaraderie and the strange lack of country pride that may reflect its convict origins. He shares his own childhood memories and traces the background of each major city. History and sociology are so skillfully woven together that one begins to really understand Australia. Terrill also identifies subtle changes in Australian attitudes and thinking, which he sees as signs of its maturing into a future world power. BOMC alternate. Judith Nixon, Purdue Univ. Lib., W. Lafayette, Ind. (c) Copyright 2010. Library Journals LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

With perspective gained during his years in the West and China, TerrillHarvard research associate, author of a biography of Madame Mao and other titlesrecalls his tranquil childhood in the Australian outback and the still-Victorian city of Melbourne. He also evaluates the simultaneous efforts of his native land to build a national image and achieve cosmopolitanism. To the heritage of the early penal colony settlers, he notes, have been added British and American cultural influences, the impact of massive Southern European migrations and a recent influx of Middle Easterners and Asians. With the ebbing of British power, Australians are increasingly aware that their country's future lies mainly in the Asian sphere, according to the author. He also states that although Australians still believe in progress, they are divided over the issue of aboriginal land rights. The nation is also subject to the modern social ills of unemployment, strikes and corruption, but he notes much artistic activity, especially among filmmakers. BOMC alternate. (August 29) (c) Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved

American television viewers see actor Paul Hogan charmingly touting Australia's virtues in splendidly evocative advertisements, and more and more American tourists are sitting for hours inside long silver tubes in the sky to get there. However, the country remains terra incognita to most of us. The Australian-born Terrill remedies that situation to a great extent, guiding the reader on a geographical and psychological tour through cities big and small, through the Outback, and through the minds of people whose thoughts form a composite picture of the Australian self-image. Terrill isolates with charm, passion, and deliberateness the strengths and weaknesses in the uniquely Australian fabric of life. Book-of-the-Month Club alternate. Sources; to be indexed. BH. 994 Australia Social life and customs / Australia Social conditions / Australia History / Terrill, Ross [OCLC] 87-4807