"This book brings to life one of the most significant events in Australia's history: Federation. In this eyewitness account, Alfred Deakin, statesman and 'federation father', presents a record of the Federal movement between 1880 and 1901." "Deakin began to make notes for his account in March 1898, during the closing days of the Federal Convention. He felt there was sufficient official documentation for those interested in the public account, but his narrative would record the eccentric personalities, the quirks of negotiations, the clashes and compromises that took place behind closed doors and away from the public arena. He provides a marvellous entree to the creation of the Australian Commonwealth. Deakin called it 'the inner history'."--BOOK JACKET.Title Summary field provided by Blackwell North America, Inc. All Rights Reserved