In Denial: The Stolen Generations and the Right: Quarterly Essay 1

In this national bestseller Robert Mane attacks the right-wing campaign against theBringing them homereport that revealed how thousands of Aborigines had been taken from their parents. What was the role of Paddy McGuinness as editor ofQuadrant? How reliable was the evidence that led newspaper columnists from Piers Akerman in the SydneyDaily Telegraphto Andrew Bolt in the MelbourneHerald Sunto deny the gravity of the injustice done? In a powerful indictment of past government policies towards the Aborigines, Robert Manne has written a brilliant polemical essay which doubles as a succinct history of how Aborigines were mistreated and an exposure of the ignorance of those who want to deny that history.
'In Denialis not a book of history. It is a political intervention. By holding an influential section of the Right to account-Manne was exercising the kind of responsibility often demanded of public intellectuals.' -Raimond Gaita
'In complex intellectual conflicts, there will always be argument about whether the antagonists are committed to finding the truth or to winning the battle. This essay tells us that Robert Manne is intent on finding the truth.' -Morag Fraser
'In Denialis a work of both the head and the heart. It is carefully researched and powerfully expressed. It needs to be widely read.' -The Hon. P. J Keating
6 April 2001
'Robert Manne has made an important contribution to the continuing debate and in doing so has helped launch a new and important venture.' -Henry Reynolds