Professor Peter Edwards: In the tradition? Writing the Australian official history of the Vietnam War

The Friends of the University of Adelaide Library and the History Trust of South Australia invite you to a free author event with Professor Peter Edwards on Thursday 17 July 2008 at 6.00 for 6.30pm.

Venue: Ira Raymond Exhibition Room, Barr Smith Library, University of Adelaide.

What is it like to carry the tradition of Australia's official war historian, initiated by Charles Bean after the 1914-18 war, into the controversial arena of Vietnam? How does an official war history treat a major protest movement? And strike the right balance between the military and the political-diplomatic aspects of the war? And address sensitive medical issues, such as those associated with 'Agent Orange'?
Peter Edwards, the official historian of Australia's involvement in the Vietnam War, will discuss these questions and some of the conclusions of the award-winning, nine-volume official history.

Peter Edwards is a consultant historian who has published on Australian defence and foreign policies for more than thirty years. He is the official historian of Australia's involvement in Southeast Asian conflicts 1948-75 (Malaya, Borneo and Vietnam), the nine-volume series for which he wrote the volumes dealing with strategy and diplomacy, Crises and Commitments (1992) and A Nation at War (1997).
Dr Edwards's most recent books are Arthur Tange: Last of the Mandarins (2006) and Permanent Friends? Historical Reflections on the Australian-American Alliance (2005).

A Visiting Professor at the Australian Defence Force Academy in Canberra, Peter Edwards was made a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) for his work as official historian, and his books have won several major literary awards.

This event is in association with the exhibition Blue Jeans and Jungle Greens, which is on display at the History Trust Exhibition Gallery until August 2009.

Bookings by Tuesday 15 July to:
Email: robina.weir@adelaide.edu.au
Telephone: 8303 4064

Admission is free and open to the public: gold coin donation invited.

Seating is limited.

Paul Wilkins
Deputy University Librarian
Barr Smith Library

Wines by: