The ultimate miscellany of Australia - packed with fascinating and humorous facts, figures and quotations about our politics, our icons, literature and language, sport, flora and fauna, key dates and events.
We are what we eat, watch, buy, read, love . . .
It's been a long step in a short time from meat pies, football, kangaroos and Holden cars to spag bol, gym obsession, chardonnay and Desperate Housewives.
David Dale chronicles how it happened, and seeks the details that now define us as Australians. From the way we talk- Ave a go, ya mug' - to the people we admire - stirrers, healers, losers and larrikins - and the ideas we debate - from the tall poppy syndrome to the cultural strut.
Instead of boasting about what makes Australia great, 'Who We Are' shows what makes us unique - for better and for worse. It investigates older traditions such as Vegemite, Ned Kelly, the Hills Hoist, The Man From Snowy River and the Chiko Roll. And newer transformations such as cappuccino, Peter Garrett, the Hawke olive harvester, Moulin Rouge, Germaine Greer, and the McOz.
Full of common and uncommon knowledge about the myths, facts, jokes and journeys that make us Aussies, this is the ultimate miscellany of the new Australia.
