{"title":"Matt Murphy","description":"\u003cp\u003eExplore the captivating world of history and military through the vivid storytelling of Matt Murphy. As an author renowned for his unique take on pivotal moments in history, Matt Murphy brings a fresh perspective to tales that have shaped nations and identities.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDive into \"Gold,\" where Matt unravels the intriguing stories behind the gold rush era, highlighting the fervour and the fortune-seekers who risked it all in pursuit of wealth. This book delves into the socio-economic impacts that the allure of gold had on societies and individuals alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\"Rum\" takes readers on a historical journey through one of the most influential commodities in both military and civilian life. Discover the intricate relationship between rum and commerce, colonial endeavours, and its impact on major historical events.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn \"Straya Day,\" Matt explores the cultural and historical significance of Australia Day, providing insightful analysis and context to the formation of modern Australian identity. It's a compelling look at the traditions and controversies surrounding this national holiday.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMatt Murphy's works are essential reads for those interested in understanding the detailed and dynamic narratives within the fabric of history. His engaging writing style ensures that each book is not only educational but also immensely enjoyable.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"gold-by-matt-murphy-9780733343858","title":"Gold","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e‘Impostor’, ‘greedy’, and ‘incompetent’ – Edmund Hammond Hargraves was beloved by few and reviled by many more.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAsk Google \u003cem\u003eWho discovered gold in Australia?\u003c\/em\u003e and you'll promptly get ‘Edward Hammond Hargraves’. Hargraves has, for decades, received the fame, fortune, and adulation from all corners of the country, but did he earn it?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhat about the two diggers he met on the Californian goldfields who told him where to look when he returned to Australia?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhat about the guys who led him to where they'd heard gold had been found before?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhat about the pioneers whose discoveries had been documented years earlier?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the story of an oversized layabout who received years of accolades and free lunches, despite lumbering from one embarrassment to the next, and of those who spent decades trying to expose him and seek their share of the glory.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePraise\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e‘Put this book in schools’ – Jack Marx, \u003cem\u003eThe Australian\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eFor Matt Murphy’s \u003cem\u003eRum\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e‘Fun, spirited popular history’ – Steven Carroll, \u003cem\u003eSydney Morning Herald\/Age\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46655116312812,"sku":"9780733343858","price":36.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/2138873482449.jpg?v=1752463623"},{"product_id":"rum-by-matt-murphy-9781460759424","title":"Rum","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAustralia and its formation - through the distorted view of a rum bottle.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCould the Rum Rebellion have been averted if Major Johnston wasn't hungover?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWould the Eureka Stockade have been different if the rebels weren't pissed?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHow were prisoners to get drunk if Macquarie closed the only pub in the gaol?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAnd why should sailors under fourteen be deprived of their sixteen shots of rum per day?\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThese are just some of the questions raised in Matt Murphy's account of Australia's colonial history. Brimming with detailed research and irreverent character sketches, \u003cem\u003eRum\u003c\/em\u003e looks at not just how much was drunk in colonial Australia (a lot!), but also the lengths people went to get their hands on it, the futile efforts of the early governors to control it, and the often disastrous and\/or absurd consequences of its consumption.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThose consequences aren't just in our past. Murphy goes beyond foundation stories to look at the legacy our love affair with alcohol has created, from binge drinking to lockout laws and from prohibition to urinating on the parliamentary carpet. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSo here's to \u003cem\u003eRum\u003c\/em\u003e, for making bad decisions look like a good idea at the time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Arotahi Agency","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46655622578412,"sku":"9781460759424","price":35.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/2074923482708.jpg?v=1752473258"},{"product_id":"straya-day-by-matt-murphy-9780733344305","title":"Straya Day","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe unofficial history of Australia's national day since the first contentious one, thereby offering 237 other reasons for a day off.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eLike it or not, 26 January in Australia has become a significant day of both celebration and mourning.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMost countries, if not all, have a national day. The reasons to celebrate a national day include independence from a colonial power, the signing of a treaty, or an act by a monarch, political leader, or patron saint. Australia is the only country whose national day celebrates the colonisation of an already occupied territory. Controversially, it continues to do this despite most of its citizens both acknowledging this and the devastating impact upon its original inhabitants.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eSo what else could we look to as we uneasily cling onto a national holiday? As it happens, some very significant, funny, tragic, curious and plain old ordinary things have also occurred on that date.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn the spirit of humour, history and humility, here are 237 other events that 26 January could instead be remembered for besides a British Governor raising a British flag on Australian soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46813103292652,"sku":"9780733344305","price":39.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/4462e8bdb54c4910ac8e58d8f8457d8a.jpg?v=1757757348"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/matt-murphy.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}