Anzac’s Dirty Dozen: 12 Myths of Australian Military History

In Anzac’s Dirty Dozen, a team of renowned historians seek to uncover the truths lying behind twelve stubbornly pervasive and socially venerated myths of Australian military history. Key amongst these include probing the notion that Australia ‘punches above its weight’ militarily and querying the importance of US-Australian alliance. Importantly, some of these myths are most keenly valued amongst the military itself and this insightful book, grounded in empirical research, argues for applying a balanced gaze to our military history. In interrogating the sacrosanct position of these Anzac legends within the psyche of the general Australian population, Anzac’s Dirty Dozen offers a crucial prompt to remain curious and critical about what we might hold to be ‘truths’ so we might better understand military history and our place within it.