The making of the Constitution of the Australian Commonwealth was the work of many hands. In this book distinguished political scientist, ""Fin"" Crisp, acknowledges seven of the makers by providing a detailed account of their distinctive contributions to the creation of one nation from six British colonies. The result is a valuable study of political leadership during the Federation period, built from deft portraits of figures whose role in the struggle for Federation has not so far received the attention it deserves. ""L. G. Crisp (1917--84), in Manning Clark's words, ""devoted his great talents and energies to educating Australians about their political institutions"". Crisp was a Professor of Political Science at the Australian National University for twenty-seven years, and he published prolifically. In poarticular, he produced three works of immense importance: a history of the federal Australian Labor Party, a much acclaimed biography of Ben Chifley, and the standard text on Australian government."".
