Review of From Deserts the Prophets Come: The Creative Spirits in Australia by Geoffrey Serle

Abstract

Geoffrey Serle's From Deserts the Prophets Come is a general history of the 'creative spirit' in Australia. As such, it has no real parallel in our historiography, and for this reason alone it is to be welcomed. But it is to be welcomed for much more than this. Serle is one of our most distinguished historians; and while (on his own account) roughly half this study is derived from standard works, he is himself sympathetic to and knowledgeable about a very broad range of artistic and cultural activities, and is able to make individual contributions to our understanding of our culture, as well as to present cogent summaries of the views of others.