Don Bradman

This fascinating book takes a very different look at Australia's most popular sporting hero, Sir Donald Bradman. Unlike the mostly reverent literature on 'The Don', this 2003 book explains how his iconic status was created and sustained, and what his popularity and heroism say about the meaning of Australian nationhood. Brett Hutchins' unique analysis reveals the mythical character of so many representations of The Don, and connects them to broader social phenomena and the cultural contexts in which they were created. Hutchins considers the many ways in which Bradman has been represented - as a symbol of Australian masculinity, as the quintessential Australian boy from the bush, as the 'battler', and as the hero at a distance from the political. Hutchins is able to show that many of the truisms we take for granted about Bradman and his role in Australian culture are open to challenge.

• he first book that takes a critical look at the way Don Bradman has been understood by the Australian nation.•Covers all of the siginficant aspects of the Bradman myth in question, including bodyline, politics, commercialisation and masculinity•Author is a frequent media commentator on things to do with Don Bradman, having appeared on television, radio and in print to discuss.