Secrets and Lies: The Shocking Truth of Recent Australian Aboriginal History by Barbara Miller

With the heart of an activist and the mind of a scholar, author Barbara Miller delivers a powerful message in Secrets and Lies: The Shocking Truth of Recent Australian Aboriginal History, A Memoir.

For those unfamiliar with the plight and struggle for rights of the First Nations people in Australia, this passionate and deeply researched book shines a light on what Aboriginal really means, and the weight such a title bears. Delving into the political machinations, racism, and historical oppression in this oft-overlooked part of the world, the author is unabashed in her reporting on the past five decades, and vulnerable in her thoughtful reflections on all that she has personally experienced.

As a former press officer for the North Queensland Land Council, the author’s unique style of gonzo journalism is fascinating, and illustrates the power of on-the-ground reporting. At times, the flow of information and history loses the sense of narrative storytelling, and begins to resemble a bullet point list of expositional events, but the anecdotes about activism and personal involvement provide balance, and enhance the authenticity of this historical account. The inclusion of evocative photography also frames the story in black-and-white reality, drawing readers fully into this untold history, and granting them a powerfully informed perspective.

Despite it being a work of history, this story feels incredibly timely, given the ongoing political battles for First Nation rights in other parts of the globe. All told, Secrets and Lies is an eye-opening and fearless reflection on a vital topic.