Henry Reynold's account of how he became aware of the history of Indigenous people made a strong impact of the judges, who in addition to praising the book for its literary merit, admired the author's skill in communicating his own uncomfortable feelings as an awareness of past and present injustices emerged.
The judges thought the book was outstanding and commended its honesty and accessibility, especially as so many Australians will relate to those uncomfortable feelings of not knowing enough about the past and Indigenous history. They felt that the book would contribute greatly to the Reconciliation debate by inspiring readers to actively seek out knowledge and understanding about the whole story of their country's history.
Media award Winner