The Aboriginal Australians first arrived on the continent at least 60,000 years ago. Indigenous Australians occupied and adapted to a range of environmental conditions from tropical estuarine habitats, densely forested regions, open plains and arid desert country, to cold, mountainous and often wet and snowy high country. Cultures adapted according to the different conditions and adapted again to environmental changes brought about by rising sea levels at the end of the last ice age. Colonization of the island continent in 1788 brought not only introduced diseases to which Aborigines had no immunity, but also heralded the commencement of enduring conflict over land and other resources. At times this conflict was violent and recognized as war. Still today the issue of reconciliation between Aborigines and the settler population remains unresolved.

This second edition of Historical Dictionary of Australian Aborigines contains a chronology, an introduction, and an extensive bibliography. The dictionary section has over 300 cross-referenced entries on important personalities, politics, economy, foreign relations, religion, and culture. This book is an excellent resource for students, researchers, and anyone wanting to know more about Australian Aborigines.