Black Land, White Land offers a confronting and meticulously researched account of the violent clashes between European settlers and Indigenous Australians during the nineteenth century. Focusing primarily on the Victorian frontier between 1840 and 1848, historian Michael Cannon examines the systemic failure of the British Protectorate system to prevent the displacement and destruction of Aboriginal communities. Through a series of detailed case studies, the narrative highlights the brutal reality of the race wars, the formation of Native Police units, and the legal marginalisation that accompanied colonial expansion. Cannon, who grew up in the region where these events transpired, combines archival rigour with a profound sense of place to reveal the complexities of a nation built on conflict. This essential work challenges readers to confront the tragic historical truths behind the colonisation of Australia. It is an unflinching look at a turbulent era, providing vital context for understanding the long-term impacts of frontier policies on Aboriginal people, land rights, and national identity. This is a significant addition to the study of Australian history and social relations.
Used (good, see images, signed by author and some initial pages marking) Softcover ISBN 1863303154
