“Australia’s education system tended to emphasize the struggle and pluck of settlers. Dark Emu shifted the gaze, pointing to peaceful towns and well-tended land devastated by European aggression and cattle grazing. In a nation of 25 million people, the book has sold more than 260,000 copies.”
—Damien Cave, The New York Times
“Unputdownable.”
—Darina Allen, Irish Examiner
“An extraordinary book.”
—David Grieg, The Herald
“The truth-telling must go on.”
—Stephen Fitzpatrick, The Australian
“This is the most important book on Australia and should be read by every Australian.”
—Marcia Langton, The Australian
“Dark Emu ... is revolutionary, the most important book published in Australia by any writer in this or any other century.”
—Jersey Evening Post
“[A] brisk and lucidly written account…This is an important and deeply researched reinterpretation of Australian history and a stark warning about the danger of accepting received wisdom at face value.”
—Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Essential reading for anyone who wants to understand what Australia once was, or what it might yet be if we heed the lessons of long and sophisticated human occupation.”
—NSW Premier's Literacy Awards judging panel
“I’m grateful for a book that has so enlivened the engagement of Australians with their country’s history … In spite of half a century of eloquent activism and scholarship, most Australians still grossly underestimate the sophistication of Indigenous culture, technology and governance. The popular embrace of Pascoe’s work suggests that many are keen to learn.”
—Tom Griffiths, Emeritus Professor of History at the Australian National University
“[Pascoe’s] arguments about the reality of Aboriginal agriculture, acquaculture, food storage and preservation are not new, but hitherto they have been buried in scientific papers, less accessible writings, or not pursued in such a sustained manner. He has done a great service by bringing this material to students and general readers, and in such a lively and engaging fashion … I heartily recommend this book to teachers of Aboriginal studies.”
—Richard Broome, Emeritus Professor of History at La Trobe University
“[A]n important book that advances a powerful argument for re-evaluating the sophistication of Aboriginal peoples’ economic and socio-political livelihoods, and calls for Australia to embrace the complexity, sophistication and innovative skills of Indigenous people into its concept of itself as a nation.”
—Dr Michael Davis, Aboriginal History
