Book Description

In this whimsical, understated and wide-ranging autobiography, author Frederick Rennie From recounts his own life while also providing a kind of eyewitness account of the fortunes of everyday Australians throughout the 20th century and into the new millennium. Born a sickly infant, From became a cane-cutter, then a soldier, and finally a farmer-forester. Along the way he led a life filled with drama: blood-curdling accidents, fearsome escapes from flood, fire and small-town law-breaking, and even managing to survive three separate theatres of combat during World War II and the Korean War. We are left with a sense of how Australian life in decades past was marked by endeavour, hard labour and hard times, yet was also rich in humanity, incident and fun. What is notable is that the author has managed to recount the saga of a long life without dwelling on pain, noticing boredom or inflicting calumny on anyone. Where others might have seen unkindness, criminal incompetence, even cruelty, he remembers only human foibles at worst and kindness at best. Above all this book demonstrates how the quintessentially Aussie traits of fortitude, humour, observation and assessment flow down the generations.