The Prize for a First Book of History: Winner 2004

Judges report

Unearthed: The Aboriginal Tasmanians of Kangaroo Island by Rebe Taylor (Wakefield Press)

Unearthed is an impressive exploration of the history of a small community on South Australia’ Kangaroo Island, whose members included Tasmanian Aboriginals. By resolutely focusing on the personal experience of community, memory, and history, not sparing her own attitudes and assumptions, Taylor is able to get under the skin of what it means to be dispossessed.