A valuable study of political leadership during the Federation period in Australia, examining the contribution of seven figures whose role in the struggle for Federation has not so far received the attention it deserves.

The making of the Constitution of the Australian Commonwealth was the work of many hands. In this book distinguished political scientist, "Fin" Crisp, acknowledges seven of the makers by providing a detailed account of their distinctive contributions to the creation of one nation from six British colonies. The result is a valuable study of political leadership during the Federation period, built from deft portraits of figures whose role in the struggle for Federation has not so far received the attention it deserves. "L. G. Crisp (1917--84), in Manning Clark's words, "devoted his great talents and energies to educating Australians about their political institutions". Crisp was a Professor of Political Science at the Australian National University for twenty-seven years, and he published prolifically. In poarticular, he produced three works of immense importance: a history of the federal Australian Labor Party, a much acclaimed biography of Ben Chifley, and the standard text on Australian government.".

George Houstoun Reid: federation father or federal failure?
George Richard Dibbs 1834--1904: Premier of New South Wales, prophet of unification
Federation prophets without honour: A. B. Piddington, Tom Price, H. B. Higgins
The unrelenting penance of federalist Isaac Isaacs 1897--1947
Charles Cameron Kingston: radical federationist
The later Australian federation movement 1883--1901: outline and bibliography