Panic

Panic examines five episodes of fear and crisis in Australian history, from the 1890s to modern times. The book focuses on moments when public anxiety and political opportunism combined to create periods of societal upheaval. Through extensive research and firsthand accounts, David Marr reconstructs key historical events including the Chinese immigration panic, the Communist "menace," and modern asylum seeker controversies. The narrative tracks how these fears spread through communities and were amplified by media and political figures. Each section provides context for understanding how Australia's past panics connect to present-day debates about immigration, security, and national identity. Marr draws on parliamentary records, newspaper archives, and interviews to piece together these watershed moments. The work reveals recurring patterns in how societies process perceived threats, and how fear can be harnessed as a powerful political tool. This examination of mass panic provides insights into human nature and the complex relationship between public emotion and policy-making.

Readers found this book revealed new insights into Australia's asylum seeker policies and political dynamics around immigration. Many highlighted Marr's thorough research and clear breakdown of complex policy history. Likes: - Detailed documentation of government decisions and their impacts - Accessible explanation of immigration statistics and trends - Strong interview content with key political figures - Clear connections between media coverage and public sentiment Dislikes: - Some felt it focused too heavily on specific politicians - A few readers wanted more personal stories from refugees - Critics noted potential left-leaning bias in analysis Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (186 ratings) Amazon AU: 4.2/5 (24 reviews) "Marr lays bare the cynical political machinery behind immigration policy" - Goodreads reviewer "Could have included more refugee perspectives to balance the political focus" - Amazon reviewer

Dark Money by Jane Mayer Investigates the influence of wealthy donors and political networks on democracy through detailed research and documentation.

Fear by Bob Woodward Chronicles the inner workings and power dynamics of the Trump administration through interviews with key insiders.

They Want to Kill Americans by Malcolm Nance Examines the rise of political extremism and its impact on democratic institutions in contemporary America.

This Is Not Propaganda by Peter Pomerantsev Explores the global manipulation of information and its effects on political systems through first-hand accounts and investigations.

The Road to Unfreedom by Timothy Snyder Traces the erosion of democratic values and the rise of authoritarian tendencies in multiple nations through historical analysis.

🔍 Author David Marr has won five Walkley Awards for journalism, Australia's highest honor in the field. 📚 The book examines how fear and panic have shaped Australian politics, particularly around issues of asylum seekers and immigration. 🗓️ "Panic" was published in 2011 during a period of intense debate about boat arrivals and border protection in Australia. 🏆 The book won the 2012 John Button Prize for writing on public policy and politics. 🔖 Marr wrote "Panic" while serving as a senior writer for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, drawing on his decades of experience covering Australian politics and social issues.