The road that led to the inauguration of the Australian nation in Centennial Park, Sydney, on 1 January 1901 was by no means smooth travelling. Alfred Deakin later noted that Federation 'must always appear to have been secured by a series of miracles'. These 'miracles' needed committed Australians to make them happen. But many individuals who helped to write the Federation story have long been forgotten. Who were these movers and shakers? What were their hopes for the fledgling nation? Our founders were an eclectic bunch of characters, with their own ambitions, dreams and foibles; from the substantial Reid who liked to offer his seat on the tram to not one but two ladies, to the cunning orator Parkes whom The Bulletin cheekily dubbed the 'great hi ham'. Makers of Miracles allows us to see behind the public activities of these men and women and to understand their private thoughts and aspirations. It is a book not so much of politics as of personalities, bringing the creators of our Commonwealth vividly to life.

Australia and Canada are both lively, multicultural societies with British constitutional traditions. Historically, they have faced similar challenges in defining and sustaining citizenship that reach back into a common past. They also have similar approaches to address contemporary issues and anticipate the challenges of a 21st century future. New perspectives on the culture and politics of citizenship emerge in this timely text that is essential reading for those interested in the steadily expanding ties between Australia and Canada.

As questions concerning nationhood and national identity continue to preoccupy both Canada and Australia, "Shaping Nations" brings together the work of Australian and Canadian scholars around five core themes: constitutionalism, colonialism, republicanism, national identity, and governance.

As questions concerning nationhood and national identity continue to preoccupy both Canada and Australia, "Shaping Nations" brings together the work of Australian and Canadian scholars around five core themes: constitutionalism, colonialism, republicanism, national identity, and governance.

"There is no team that gives pleasure to the sporting public like the Canberra Raiders." --Bob Hawke, former Prime Minister of Australia The Canberra Raiders' spectacular grand final win against the Balmain Tigers in 1989 is widely regarded as Australian rugby league's greatest ever decider. For a fledgling club, this was an extraordinary and unexpected achievement, heralding a sequence of years that produced two more premierships and two near-misses. The Raiders' trademark adventurous style of play was welcomed by all lovers of the game. Attacking football was back in vogue. David Headon tells the story of a unique football team that entered the Sydney competition in 1982 with little fanfare and plenty of pessimism, despite the fact that league had been an integral part of communities across the Limestone Plains for nearly a century. From this firm base, the Raiders emerged to make their mark. Absolutely Bleeding Green recounts the big wins and heart-wrenching losses as it follows the players through their Raider careers, revealing how the club was able to build exceptional team spirit, even in difficult times. It includes interviews with players past and present, with coaches and administrators, as well as with families and supporters who are so proud of the distinctive lime green jersey. "This terrific book tells the story of a unique club that changed my life forever, just as the Raiders changed rugby league forever." --Mal Meninga, rugby league Immortal, Canberra Raiders Hall of Fame

The editors of this book boldly proclaim that Eureka is Australia's 'greatest story', and they have gathered together some of our country's finest historians to prosecute the case. Collectively, they compile a strong argument. In the late 19th century that acute American observer, Mark Twain, called the Ballarat rebellion 'the finest thing in Australasian history' and, like all such milestone moments in any country's expanding tale, Eureka challenges because of the sheer number of interpretations that have been imposed upon it, both before Twain and after. During the sesquicentenary year of Eureka, 2004, one journalist rightly observed that Eureka 'is not so much history as many versions of history'. The question of who 'owns' the Eureka story is destined never to be answered, but one thing is certain: the superb Charter of Bakery Hill, an irresistible sequence of goldfield events leading to tragedy, a cast of characters drawn straight from a classic novel, violence and murder on an early Sabbath morning in December 1854, and a never-ending aftermath that arguably has had more energy within it in the 20th and 21st centuries than it had in the 19th these extraordinary elements of a grand narrative will forever stimulate the Australian imagination. Eureka: Australia's Greatest Story is certain to stoke the fires.