Clancy Laurie. Culture and Customs of Australia

Greenwood Press, 2011. — 210 p.The Land, People, and History.
Thought and Religion.
Marriage, Gender, and Children.
Holidays and Leisure Activities.
Cuisine and Fashion.
Literature.
The Media and Cinema.
The Performing Arts.
Painting.
Architecture.Students and other interested readers finally have a solid resource that describes the breadth of the evolving modern Australian society. Culture and Customs of Australia is the first general introduction to the rugged continent, written by an Australian novelist with particular insight. Clancy focuses on the Anglo-Irish and more recent immigrants, but the Aboriginal context is also presented.Readers will learn about the Australian identity, with its male mythology of the Bush. The mateship is the core element of a myth of independent, self-sufficient, freedom-loving citizens in a harsh land. This myth is set against multiculturalism and feminism. Other highlights include discussion of the weak hold that Christianity has over the population; the drastic urbanization of the last century and the suburban dream; adventure and the beach culture, with tourism; the importance of sports; the changing roles of men; the evolving cuisine, from the national barbeque to European and Asian influences; strong and long literary, artistic, and performing arts traditions; film industry talent; and the power of media in a sparsely populated country.