This book provides a comprehensive and compelling account of
Australian military history before any soldier set foot on Gallipoli. It shows that this pre-1915 history has
largely been forgotten. Indeed the extent to which Australians thought about
war and experienced war before ANZAC existed will surprise many readers.Starting with detailed accounts of both traditional
indigenous warfare and frontier wars between whites settlers and indigenous
inhabitants, we learn of the setting up of colonial navies, the red coats who
guarded the colonies, Australians fighting in wars against New Zealand Maori,
cadet and rifle clubs as well as the overseas wars we joined up for in the
Crimea and Sudan. Written by leading experts in their fields and expertly
edited by Craig Stockings and John Connor, Before
the Anzac Dawn is essential reading for anyone interested in understanding the whole story of Australias military history.
