‘I wanted to showcase those subjects which thoughtful and talented Australian writers were absorbed by in this particular year; indeed (I thought), wouldn’t it be good to show what this country, and its culture, was about in 2010?’ —Robert Drewe This year’s Best Australian Essays offers riveting snapshots of the nation’s “current loves and angers, its art and myths and amusements and gender concerns – and its propensity for bushfires.” From Alex Miller on the creative imagination to Mark Dapin on crime myths, from Amanda Hooton on Miss Universe to Tim Flannery on the inner lives of animals, this is a collection that takes the pulse of the nation’s writers and thinkers and finds them in rude health. A deeply satisfying collection for that long summer read. Contributors include: Clive James, Christine Kenneally, Shane Maloney, David Marr, Mark Dapin, Andrew Sant, Guy Rundle, Peter Conrad, Jo Lennan, Tim Flannery, Maureen O’Shaughnessy, Ian Henderson, Amanda Hooton, Anne Manne, Elizabeth Farrelly, David Brooks, Sunil Badami, Les Murray, Janet Hawley, David Malouf, Shelley Gare, Paul McGeough, Murray Bail, Kathy Marks, Alex Miller, Melissa Lucashenko, Lorna Hallahan, Pauline Nguyen, Carmel Bird, Nicolas Rothwell, Robert Manne, Sarah Drummond and Gerard Windsor. ‘A rich anthology’ —Canberra Times ‘A rich and varied collection’ —Sydney Morning Herald ‘Wonderful’ —the Age ‘A terrific collection’ —Big Issue ‘The perfect summer volume’ —Adelaide Review Robert Drewe was born in Melbourne and grew up on the West Australian coast. His many novels and short stories and his prize-winning memoir, The Shark Net, have been widely translated, won national and international awards, and been adapted for film, television, radio and theatre around the world. He has also edited five collections of short stories and prose, including The Best Australian Stories 2006 and The Best Australian Stories 2007.