This work investigates how the nomadic pastoral workforce of the nineteenth-century Australian outback fundamentally shaped the national character and social values of Australia. Russel Braddock Ward, a prominent historian, utilizes extensive archival research and primary source analysis to argue that the unique conditions of frontier labor fostered a distinct ethos of mateship, egalitarianism, and skepticism toward authority. By examining the lives of itinerant workers, the text establishes a framework for understanding the origins of the Australian identity as it exists in the modern era.

Historians and sociologists frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the development of Australian national identity. Readers often note the academic rigor and the depth of historical context provided throughout the analysis.