On April 17, 1993, after an Australian Football League match between St. Kilda and Collingwood marred by racist chanting, victorious St. Kilda star Nicky Winmar faced the opposition fans, lifted his shirt and, pointing to his chest, declared, "I'm black and I'm proud to be black." The moment was immortalized by photographers Wayne Ludbey and John Feder and forced Australian football and its fans to confront deeply held prejudices. This chronicle documents the events that led to that pivota...

Head in the game brings together international scholars from multiple humanities, social science, and scientific disciplines to critically examine one of the most vexing issues in global sport: concussion. It argues that science and medicine alone cannot solve the concussion crisis: sociocultural factors must also be considered. This edited collection draws attention to the ways that social, cultural, historical, political, literary, philosophical, and legal factors have shaped th...

A bold and provocative book about Australia's national identity and a plea to keep Australia's famed open-mindedness, Cater tracks the seismic changes in Australian culture and outlook since Donald Horne published THE LUCKY COUNTRY in 1964. 'A great book.' Rupert MurdochA bold and provocative book about Australia's national identity and how it is threatened by the rise of a ruling class. Nick Cater, senior editor at the Australian, tracks the seismic changes in Australian culture an...

The best, the worst and the most memorable moments from Australia's best-known sports commentators."I love this book" Peter FitzSimons Without doubt, we Aussies love our sport. We've got passionate opinions about the contest, the players, the refs and umpires - and about the commentators. Love 'em or loathe 'em, their calling of a game or race can lift something ordinary into the extraordinary, while their quick-thinking asides are often as timeless as the event itself. In Back to t...

Known to fans as 'Micky O', Michael O'Loughlin is a legendary figure in AFL and one of the Sydney Swans' favourite sons. This is the candid and inspiring story of the boy who became one of AFL's greatest players.When Michael O'Loughlin was drafted by the Sydney Swans at just 17 years of age, he was the no. 40 selection and the last player picked. Back then he could not have imagined the extraordinary future that awaited him: the numerous awards and accolades, the respect and admirat...

'A terrific account of a great nation cursed by ordinary leaders' - George Megalogenis'There's sharpness and insight in Bryant's book' - Sydney Morning HeraldNever before has Australia enjoyed such economic, commercial, diplomatic and cultural clout. Its recession-proof economy is the envy of the world. It’s the planet’s great lifestyle superpower. But its politics have never been so brutal, narrow and facile, as well as such a glob...

'Retiring in 1975, Fred Daly liked to tell the story of the new Member who sat next to him in the House. Turning to Fred, he said, 'I like to sit here and look across at the enemy.''Son,' said Fred, 'you are looking at the Opposition. The enemy is behind you.' 'Phillip Adams has been close to governments of various persuasions for over fifty years. Having been a confidant – or a fierce opponent – of many of Australia's most influential figure...

The intimate biography of High Court justice Michael Kirby.For most of his life, Michael Kirby has been a man on a tightrope. A person of strong views working in a world governed by objectivity, he has had to balance the potent, sometimes contradictory impulses of passion and duty, honesty and discretion, advocacy and neutrality.He had to hide his real self from the world for decades, while being the public voice of countless human-rights and legal issues. ...

A Fascinating account of a great sporting life and an insider's look at the byzantine world of soccer politics. The essential Australian story of the World Game - Bob CarrJohnny Warren received an MBE (1973), ASM (2000) Centenary Medal (2001), OAM (2003) and the FIFA Order of Merit (2004)Johnny Warren is a credit to Australia and the game that he loves. His is a great story which I heartily recommend to all sports fans - Martin TylerFrom a nine-year-old who was init...

Like most of the bouncers in town, Bobby Lee was an ageing boxer, but was as tough as they come. He was the muscle on the door at Thommo's, the illegal two-up game held in secrecy in Surry Hills in Sydney's inner city. It was owned by Joe Taylor - 'The Boss', as everyone called him. In May 1951, Bobby Lee was shot five times. He didn't survive. Jack Gibson got his job.'Big Jack' was the original supercoach, but before that he was one of the toughest men in Sydney. It was there for ...

For years journalists have been eyewitnesses to athletes - from the elite to downtrodden - chasing, achieving or falling short of their dreams. They have observed, chronicled and attempted to find the secrets to winning and losing. For some, sport may be a meaningless diversion. For most, it is life's most important punctuation mark. In this book the formidable Fairfax stable of fine writing thoroughbreds explains why.Roy Masters explores the heart and soul of rugby league. Peter R...

For fans of the AFL and great sports writing, this collection provides a compelling look at events on and off the field.The Game collects the best AFL stories on and off the field told by the best writers around. They delve behind the statistics, examining the players, coaches and teams that make the game.Greg Baum brings to life the epic drawn 2010 grand final and Jake Niall dissects game styles and tells how the Cats saved football in 2008. Carol...