A History of Australia (6 volumes) by C.M.H. Clark (Manning Clark)

A History of Australia (6 volumes) by C.M.H. Clark (Manning Clark)

A History of Australia I: From the earliest times to the age of Macquarie by C.M.H. Clark. Hardcover book published by Melbourne University Press 1971, 422 pages with a few black and white illustrations and maps.

A History of Australia II: New South Wales and Van Diemen's Land 1822-1838 by C.M.H. Clark. Hardcover book published by Melbourne University Press 1968, 364 pages with a few black and white illustrations and maps.

A History of Australia III: The Beginning of an Australian Civilization 1824-1851 by C.M.H. Clark. Hardcover book published by Melbourne University Press 1973, 491 pages with a few black and white illustrations and maps.

A History of Australia IV: The Earth Abideth For Ever 1851-1888 by C.M.H. Clark. Hardcover book published by Melbourne University Press 1978, 427 pages with a few black and white illustrations and photographs.

A History of Australia V: The People Make Laws 1888 to 1915 by C.M.H. Clark. Hardcover book published by Melbourne University Press 1981, 448 pages with a few black and white illustrations and photographs.

A History of Australia VI: 'The Old Dead Tree and The Young Tree Garden' 1916-1935 with an Epilogue by C.M.H. Clark. Hardcover book published by Melbourne University Press 1987, 522 pages with some black and white photographs.

“Charles Manning Hope Clark (1915 – 1991), an Australian historian, was the author of the best-known general history of Australia, his six-volume A History of Australia, published between 1962 and 1987.”

Manning Clark is a bit of legend here in Australia. If you went to school and did Australian History at any stage, you were bound to stumble upon Clark. I remember studying some historical controversy between Clark and Blainey... possibly something to do with hemp (used in the making of rope) and the growing thereof here in Australia. Blainey suggested this was the real reason why Australia was settled and Clark disagreed... at least that's the way I remember it. I also remember that we didn't read a six volume set of Manning Clark's A History of Australia.

I don't know that I know anyone who has read the six volumes. It's a bit of a thing to read and according to some and despite being of epic proportions and having near legendary status here in Australia, it's a little dry in parts. There's some controversy about the opening lines of Volume 1 as well. From my bookselling experiences (yes, I have sold a few over the years) all of this does not deter many readers from trudging through and i'm sure there are Clark fans out there who would dispute my flippant remarks re dryness and controversy. … and lets be honest, even with wear it looks good on the shelf.

I recently posted the image above on Instagram and have had some hits and even a request for volume 6 by itself if available. Besides this set, I am collecting another set and I am always happy to sell individual volumes if they don't already contribute to the making up of a set. Unfortunately I don't have a spare volume 6 but I am anticipating unearthing one soon(ish).