Charles Perkins: A Biography
Australian History Indigenous Studies Biography Cultural Studies Collectible Non-Fiction Political Activism Civil Rights History
Peter Read’s “Charles Perkins: A Biography” (1990, first-edition hardcover with dust jacket) is the definitive portrait of the Arrernte man who became Australia’s most influential Aboriginal activist. Chronicling Perkins’ journey from a barefoot football prodigy in Adelaide to the firebrand leader of the 1965 Freedom Ride and, finally, to the country’s highest-ranking Indigenous public servant, Read blends meticulous archival research with first-hand interviews and more than 60 rare photographs, newspaper clippings and campaign posters. The result is a vivid, fast-paced narrative that lets readers witness historic moments—such as the confrontations at Moree’s swimming pool and the negotiations that led to the 1967 referendum—through the eyes of the man who forced white Australia to confront its own racism.
What makes this particular copy special is its collectability: the 352-page illustrated hardcover is becoming increasingly scarce in very-good, smoke-free condition with an intact dust jacket. As the only full-length biography authorised by the Perkins family, the book is a cornerstone text for anyone studying Australian history, cultural studies or Indigenous politics. Young-adult and adult readers alike value Read’s balanced tone—celebrating Perkins’ victories while honestly examining the personal cost of relentless activism—making it an ideal gift for educators, students or collectors seeking authoritative Australiana.
Keywords that lead collectors to this edition include “Charles Perkins Freedom Ride,” “Peter Read Aboriginal biography,” “Australian civil rights history,” and “1990 illustrated hardcover.” Owning this volume not only adds a key work to any antiquarian or cultural-studies shelf, it preserves the legacy of the man whose life story rewrote the nation’s conversation about land rights, education and reconciliation.
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