A chronological account the main periods and events in the Australian story that traces the forces that have shaped the nation from the coming of the first Aborigines to the election of the Abbott government in 2013. The content is political, social and economic, showing how these strands of Australian life interacted in eras of exploration, in boom periods and depressions and droughts, and in a number of wars. The book traces the transition from a convict society to a free one is traced, as is development of representative government and of Federation, the growth of cities, and the careers and influence of key politicians.