The collection, thematically organised, ranges from Australian prehistory and the practice of archaeology and history; to meditations on time and space, to deserts, the Dreaming, Aboriginal peoples, fire, and, lastly, the ‘politics of prehistory’. The editors show the diverse and storied influences on the history and practice of archaeology in Australia, from Deuteronomy to Gough Whitlam. Black-and-white photographs of archaeologists, Aboriginal peoples, and Australian landscapes accompany and contextualise the quotations, earthing them and illustrating a handful of archaeological encounters. A pint-sized collection that punches well above its weight, this collection is a must-have for active and armchair adventurers alike.