The Bush - What is the bush? The noble figures written about by Paterson, Lawson etc. are they real? Perhaps, but so are the scoundrels.
The practical nature of bushies means neglecting the other parts of life - arts, invention etc.
The idea of "good enough" - evidenced at almost every farm you pass - the suspicion generated by a farm that is ship-shape & Bristol fashion.
Men and Women - egalitarian, not the individualism of the USA, but not socialism either, although togetherness - is that because the USA land was easy enough to manage? Probably not.
Women - I hope he writes about them more - written off as whores or breeders, but possibly begins to hit the nail on the head with the description of Drysdale's Drover's Wife. In my experience, it's always the women who run the show, they are the stronger of the sexes in old Australia.
Points out that mateship is a take on Victorian values - hard work, thrift etc. too - the bush behind the times.
Maxwell's book a classic tragedy with an exotic twist - burying slaves alive to trick people...power is all, human life nothing.
Books read: The Bush by Don Watson, Lords of the Atlas by Gavin Maxwell
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