'Welcome to the November issue of ABR. This month we look to history and politics with reviews of works on Australia’s political history (both recent and historical), biographical studies of historical figures (from the Macarthurs to a pioneering plastic surgeon) and historical fiction from Gail Jones and Maggie O’Farrell. Also in the issue is our cover feature by Ronan McDonald on the Cambridge Centenary Ulysses, James Dunk on historians and microbes, Kirsten Tranter on Heather Rose, Amanda Laugesen on language, Geordie Williamson on Geoff Dyer, Morgan Nunan on Shaun Prescott, and Kerryn Goldsworthy on Philip Salom.' (Publication summary)