What does Australia’s military history reveal about us?

In Beyond The Broken Years – fifty years after The Broken Years, Bill Gammage’s classic on World War One soldiers, was published – provocative military historian Peter Stanley argues why it’s vital for Australians to understand how our military past has been created. By whom, how and with what consequences.

Stanley explores military history and the storytellers – from historians Charles Bean, Henry Reynolds, Joan Beaumont and David Horner to ‘’storians’ Peter FitzSimons and Les Carlyon. And grapples with what it means to write military history, its different approaches, the rise of popular writers and much more. He asks readers to consider a genre that plays a central role in the Australian identity, but many take for granted.

‘An unflinching and insightful tour through the evolving landscape of Australian war history, led by one of the country’s most trusted guides. This impressive blend of scholarship and reflection is crucial reading for anyone wanting to understand the place of war in Australian history.’ – Kate Ariotti, University of Queensland

‘All historians of Australian military history will be indebted to Peter Stanley for this virtuoso commentary on the books of the field, written with his characteristic flair, insight and delight in controversy.’ – Emeritus Professor Joan Beaumont, Australian National University

‘Peter Stanley’s evocation of Australia’s military history is not to be missed. Half a century after Bill Gammage’s superb book The Broken Years was published, Stanley has cleverly drawn on the cream of Australian military historians to underline the key elements of Australia’s military past. However, it is Stanley’s own analysis of the importance of Australia’s military past that has given new meaning to the importance of Australians at war. Remarkably, Stanley has researched 1300 books written by Australian authors since 1974. The result is a gripping overview of our military history that should not be missed.’ – The late Tim Bowden AM, author, radio and television broadcaster, producer and oral historian

‘Peter Stanley is surely the military historian’s historian. This book is an extraordinary achievement, both knowledgeable and eminently readable. It should take pride of place in any military history library.’ – Mike Carlton, author, broadcaster and journalist

‘In engaging prose, and with a light touch, Stanley analyses the military history boom of the last fifty years, pondering the rise and rise of Anzac commemoration, and making a strong claim for better representation of frontier wars at the Australian War Memorial. Beyond The Broken Years will be devoured by those who enjoy military history and will endure as the authoritative account of how Australians have understood our experience of war.’ – Carolyn Holbrook, Deakin University

‘For more than a century Australia’s military experience has been central to the nation’s identity, and the bedrock of understanding that experience has been the published histories, academic studies and personal stories. Peter Stanley’s book is a brilliant, erudite, and insightful examination of the books that have enlightened, strengthened and at times challenged our understanding of Australia’s military history in the past fifty years. Beyond The Broken Years is a reminder that there are multiple strands to Australia’s military history. This is not just because Australia continues to go to new wars, but also because our understanding of the impact of war continues to grow.’ – David Horner, Emeritus Professor, Australian National University

‘As an exceptional historian and a generous patron and mentor, Peter Stanley is ideally placed to analyse the last 50 years of Australian military historiography. This brilliant and original book will entertain and inform readers at all levels of expertise. Beyond The Broken Years will inspire all readers to read (or write) more Australian military history.’ – Mark Johnston, Head of History and Classics, Scotch College Melbourne

‘Aficionados of Australia’s rich military history will enjoy reading this latest work by prolific military author and historian, Peter Stanley. Beyond The Broken Years will stimulate reading, and further analysis and research on Australia’s military history, which is important, as Australia’s military history reveals much about us. I commend this book to you.’ – Paul Irving, MAJGEN (Ret’d) AM PSM RFD, Manager, Royal United Services Institute NSW Ursula Davidson Library

‘Another Stanley original. Inspiring, thoughtful, provocative and personal, this book will have you reaching for your pencil to jot down titles for your next library visit. Essential reading for all Australian military history enthusiasts.’ – Professor Emerita Melanie Oppenheimer, Australian National University and Flinders University

‘A spirited romp through the annals of Australian military history. Searching, sceptical, self-reflexive and engaging, Peter Stanley vigorously ponders the past and future of the discipline.’ – Professor Bruce Scates, Australian National University

‘You’re in good hands...this is a wonderful contribution to military history, and national public life.’ – Caroline Overington, The Australian

‘A highly readable personal and professional history, in which Stanley engages with the contexts, cross-currents, and controversies of Australian military history.’ – Australian Book Review

‘If the Olympics had an event for reading and analysis, Peter Stanley would win gold.’ – The Canberra Times

‘...to the legion of researchers interested in the discipline of Australian military history, this book will be indispensable. It is provocative, readable and erudite. And it’s a reminder that in our understanding of war, we have come a long way in the 50 years since The Broken Years appeared, when the complexities of gender, race and frontier conflict were unrecognised or unacknowledged by Australian military historians.’ – Phillip Deery, Sydney Morning Herald / The Age

‘Stanley’s book shines a new light on Australian military history writing and its impact on our perceptions as a society. Structured along chronological and thematic lines, it is a fascinating overview written in a very engaging manner. Stanley does not steer away from controversy, and his views entertain, as well as inspiring readers to seek out exemplary examples of military history. Very impressive.’ – The Canberra Weekly