In conversation with Frank Bongiorno

Listen to this ANU/Canberra Times Meet the Author conversation on Experience ANU SoundCloud channel

Frank Bongiorno will be in conversation with Andrew Leigh on Frank's new book. Dreamers and Schemers: A Political History of Australia, which has been called the first full political history of Australia.

In this compelling and comprehensive work, renowned historian Frank Bongiorno presents a social and cultural history of Australia's political life, from pre-settlement Indigenous systems to the present day. Depicting a wonderful parade of dreamers and schemers, Bongiorno surveys moments of political renewal and sheds fresh light on our democratic life. From local pubs and meeting halls to the parliament and cabinet; from pamphleteers and stump orators to party agents and operatives - this enthralling account looks at the political insiders in the halls of power, as well as the agitators and outsiders who sought to shape the nation from the margins. A work of political history like no other, Dreamers and Schemers will transform the way you look at Australian politics.

'From First Nations politics to the democracy sausage, Dreamers and Schemers never disappoints. It will stand as one of the most essential works in Australian history for decades to come.' -Mark McKenna

'With acuity and grace, Bongiorno divines the soul of the nation ... All told with a cheeky eye for detail and nose for skullduggery by a historian in full archival, narrative and rhetorical flight. A landmark work' -Clare Wright.

Frank Bongiorno AM FRHistS FASSA FAHA is Professor of History in the College of Arts and Social Sciences, ANU and the current President of the Australian Historical Association. Frank is the award-winning author of the books, The Sex Lives of Australians: A History and The Eighties: The Decade That Transformed Australia and a regular contributor to the media, especially Inside Story and The Conversation. He has also written for Australian Book Review, The Times Literary Supplement, the Monthly, the Australian and Fairfax Media.

Dr Andrew Leigh MP is the Federal Member for Fenner in the ACT and Assistant Minister for Competition, Charities and Treasury. Prior to being elected in 2010, Andrew was a professor of economics at the ANU. He holds a Harvard PhD and is a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Social Sciences. Andrew is the author or co-author of eleven books, on topics including innovation, inequality, community, globalisation and existential risk.

Rae Frances AM, Dean of the College of Arts and Social Sciences and Professor of History at the ANU will give the vote of thanks

This event is in association with Harry Hartog Bookshop. Books will be available for purchase on the evening in the Cultural Centre foyer. Pre-event book signings will be available from 5.30pm, and available again after the event.

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Apodcast will be made available after the event.