Andrew Fisher : Prime Minister of Australia

Day, David, 1949-

$30.00

Sold Out

AUSTRALIANA
Prime Minister Andrew Fisher was one of Australia′s great nation-builders, yet his story is largely unknown. Leaving school early to work in the coalmines of Scotland, he educated himself at night, and in 1885, at the age of 22, he immigrated to Queensland. A staunch Presbyterian and fervent unionist, Fisher committed himself to politics and was soon elected to the Queensland parliament, then to the first federal parliament.

In 1908 he became prime minister for the first of three stints in the job, serving Australia for longer than John Curtin, Ben Chifley, Gough Whitlam, or Paul Keating.

As prime minister, Fisher launched a massive nation-building program, which included the establishment of the national capital, the Commonwealth Bank, old age pensions, and a transcontinental railway line. His most pressing concern was to populate and defend the new nation. To this end he famously pledged to back Britain in the Great War ′to the last man and the last shilling′ – a commitment that came at the heavy cost of Gallipoli and the Western Front.

Andrew Fisher was a man who hated imperial honours, yet enjoyed the trappings of office, a leader who believed in world socialism, yet took Australians into the First World War. In this authoritative and immensely readable biography, David Day reveals the man, his politics and his remarkable legacy.

‘Well researched and eminently readable.’ Sydney Morning Herald
xi, 496 p., [24] p. of plates : ill., ports. ; 23 cm. Includes bibliographical references (p. [479]-488) and index.
Fisher, Andrew, 1862-1928. | Prime ministers — Australia — Biography. | Australia — Politics and government — 1901-1945. #181122

(Some foxing to prelims and tanning.) First Edition.

Additional Information

Author Day, David, 1949-
Number of pages496
PublisherFourth Estate
Year Published2008
Binding Type

Softcover

Book Condition

Very Good +

Elizabeth’s Bookshops have been one of Australia’s premier independent book dealers since 1973. Elizabeth’s family-owned business operates four branches in Perth CBD, Fremantle (WA), and Newtown (NSW). All orders are dispatched within 24 hours from our Fremantle Warehouse.

All items can be viewed at Elizabeth’s Bookshop Warehouse, 23 Queen Victoria Street, Fremantle WA.
Click & Collect (no postage cost!) is available at all branches.