Anyone interested in generational theory in Australia would do well to get hold of “What Was It All For? The Reshaping of Australia” by Don Aitkin (Allen & Unwin, 2005, ISBN: 1-74114-667-4) (it isn’t available on Amazon, and I can’t find a place to purchase it online – see the publisher page here, but I picked it up at Borders while in Sydney).
Aitken is apparently a well-known Australian social scientist and commentator, especially prolific in the 1970s and 80s. The book is largely the reflections on “the class of ’53”, his matriculation year. After reconnecting with many school friends at a reunion, he tracks the changes in the past 50 years of Australian history, weaving in social information, facts and stories of his friends. Its an easy read, with some wonderful insights into Australia’s emergence as a real world-class player in the past 50 years. (Read a summary/review onloine here).
His book provides great inputs for anyone wanting to understand the cycle of Generations in Australia, clearly showing all the common generational moments (GI, Silent, Boomers, Xers and Millennials). A great read!
What was it all for?
