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Killing for Country
Killing for Country: A Family Story | David Marr
8 posts | 2 read | 2 to read
David Marr was shocked to discover forebears who served with the brutal Native Police in the bloodiest years on the frontier. Killing for Country is the result - a soul-searching Australian history. This is a richly detailed saga of politics and power in the colonial world - of land seized, fortunes made and lost, and the violence let loose as squatters and their allies fought for possession of the country - a war still unresolved in today's Australia. ''''This book is more than a personal reckoning with Marr's forebears and their crimes. It is an account of an Australian war fought here in our own country, with names, dates, crimes, body counts and the ghastly, remorseless views of the 'settlers'. Thank you, David.''''-Marcia Langton
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Jeg
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Truth telling should be added to the title. I didn‘t actually read all of this but enough. The Afterword is particularly good. “Someone said to author “To bring 21st century thinking to the Queensland frontier is a great mistake. We were different then”. His answer is a paragraph long but begins “ No. Times change , not people. So true. We need to know this history, the truth. Thank you @MrsMalaprop .

Jeg @MrsMalaprop was talking to someone today who was telling me her grandson has been researching his family name and found a Native Policeman in his ancestry. One that‘s documented in the book. 8mo
MrsMalaprop @jeg Oh wow. Interesting. 8mo
13 likes2 comments
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Jeg
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Thank you @MrsMalaprop arrived this morning via Nancy. Thank you. Reading to look forward to.

CarolynM Foal‘s Bread is so good. Enjoy! 9mo
MrsMalaprop Ooh, they made it to you quickly. Yay for Nancy. @CarolynM I haven‘t read Foal‘s Bread yet, but Joy was keen to read it, so I passed it on to her for now. I will get to it… 9mo
9 likes2 comments
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MrsMalaprop
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Marr meticulously researched early settler accounts of Australia‘s invasion, with a focus on the Native Police. He tells the story of his own ancestors, & if their behaviour is representative, it was a blood bath. It almost became monotonous, reading injustice after injustice. Attitudes, events & circumstances conspired to insure the decimation of Aboriginal people. There were people who stood up for what was right, but not nearly enough 😔.

LeeRHarry This sounds like a really tough read. Hope you‘re coping with the heat over there ok. 🤞 9mo
MrsMalaprop @LeeRHarry It was tough, but very good and I‘m glad I read it. It reinforced for me that people don‘t change that much. There will always be people who have open minds and empathy and there will always be those who don‘t. 9mo
MrsMalaprop @LeeRHarry I‘ve been lucky enough to be in air con this week! My son & his girlfriend are very happy to be flying to Melbourne tonight 😮‍💨. 9mo
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LeeRHarry @MrsMalaprop good to hear it‘s been ok - expecting a hot-ish weekend here but it‘ll definitely feel cooler for your son. 😊 9mo
quietlycuriouskate This sounds like a really challenging read. 9mo
MrsMalaprop @quietlycuriouskate It was, but very much worth it. #truthtelling 9mo
Mimi28 🤗💔🤧sounds like a tough read. What are you eating? It looks delicious 😋 9mo
MrsMalaprop @mimi28 It was delicious sourdough, topped with smashed avocado, pickled radish, cherry tomatoes, goats cheese & a drizzle of olive oil. 🤤 9mo
Mimi28 Ooooooooo…aaaaaaahhhhhh!!! I bet it was delicious 😋 9mo
43 likes9 comments
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MrsMalaprop
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I am coming to the end of this illuminating, horrifying book about Australia‘s frontier wars. This passage is in response to the suggestion that colonisation & a guerrilla war were inevitable.
My reading in this area confirms that there absolutely were people who objected to the brutal colonisation of Australia & treatment of its inhabitants. Unfortunately there were not enough stop it from happening & there remain not enough to set it right 😔.

Jeg Very very sad with a big bit of anger in me too. 9mo
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MrsMalaprop
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MrsMalaprop
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Darwin‘s visit to Sydney in 1836

Jeg Wow! 10mo
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MrsMalaprop
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Appreciating this thoroughly researched book about the “settlement” (invasion) of Australia a mere 200 years ago.
😠 #truthtelling #knowyourhistory

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MrsMalaprop
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Going to make a start on this non-fiction read by Australian journalist David Marr. I love the concept here: a deep dive into his own family colonialist history.

I try to read a book about the true history of Australia in the lead-up to ‘Australia Day‘ on 26 Jan each year. I‘m strapping myself in for this one. #currentlyreading

thegreensofa The Diving In podcast spoke about this book on their latest episode. It was really interesting. 10mo
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