The Destruction of Aboriginal Society

The Destruction of Aboriginal Society examines the impact of European settlement on Indigenous Australians from 1788 to 1930. Written by historian Charles Rowley and published in 1970, this foundational text documents the policies, attitudes and actions that disrupted traditional Aboriginal life. Through archival research and historical analysis, Rowley traces how colonization led to displacement of Aboriginal people from their lands and the breakdown of their social structures. The book covers frontier violence, government policies, missionary activities, and the economic marginalization of Indigenous communities across different regions of Australia. The work highlights changes in Aboriginal-settler relations over time and variations between different colonial administrations. Rowley examines both official policies and unofficial practices that shaped these interactions across Australian territories. As the first comprehensive academic study of this subject, the book established a framework for understanding the systematic nature of Aboriginal dispossession and its long-term consequences for Indigenous Australians. The text remains influential in discussions about colonization's ongoing effects on Aboriginal society.

Readers value this book's detailed research on Australia's historical treatment of Aboriginal peoples from 1788-1930, though some find the academic writing style dense and difficult to follow. Positive mentions focus on: - Thorough documentation of government policies and their impacts - Inclusion of primary source material - Clear explanation of how settlement patterns affected Indigenous communities Common criticisms: - Complex academic prose that can be hard for general readers - Limited coverage of Aboriginal perspectives and voices - Some outdated terminology (given its 1970 publication) A review on AbeBooks notes it "remains relevant but requires patience to work through the scholarly tone." Another on an Australian history forum describes it as "comprehensive but not particularly accessible to non-academics." Limited ratings available online: Goodreads: 4.1/5 (9 ratings) WorldCat: No ratings AbeBooks: No aggregate ratings Note: This book predates most online review platforms, resulting in minimal digital review data.

The Politics of Suffering by Peter Sutton This anthropological study documents the consequences of government policies on Aboriginal communities in Australia from the 1970s to the present.

Why Warriors Lie Down and Die by Richard Trudgen The book examines the cultural disconnect between Aboriginal and European-Australian societies and its impact on health outcomes in Arnhem Land.

Frontier History Revisited by Robert Ørsted-Jensen A research-based account uncovers the extent of frontier violence against Aboriginal people in colonial Queensland through statistical analysis and primary sources.

Whitewash: On Keith Windschuttle's Fabrication of Aboriginal History by Robert Manne This work presents historical evidence to counter revisionist claims about colonial violence against Indigenous Australians.

My Place by Sally Morgan The autobiography traces three generations of Aboriginal people and their experiences with forced separation, discrimination, and identity in Western Australia.

🔍 Charles Rowley's groundbreaking work was the first comprehensive academic study of Aboriginal policy in Australia, published in 1970 when most Australians knew little about their nation's treatment of Indigenous peoples 📚 The book forms part of a influential trilogy called "Aboriginal Policy and Practice," with the other volumes being "Outcasts in White Australia" and "The Remote Aborigines" 🎓 Rowley established the first university course in Aboriginal studies at the Australian National University and was instrumental in forming AIAS (Australian Institute of Aboriginal Studies) ⚖️ The research for this book was funded by the Social Science Research Council of Australia, marking one of the first major academic investigations into Indigenous policy supported by a national institution 🗓️ The publication coincided with and helped fuel the Aboriginal rights movement of the 1970s, providing scholarly evidence that supported Indigenous land rights claims and calls for self-determination