'Following WWII, Australians were buying more local literature than ever belore. Frank Clune,
as one of the country's most popular authors, had on important role in developing a particular
sense of national identity. He constructed a mythic popular history through his travels in
Australia as well as in Asia and Europe. While an object of little study now, Clune, along with
his partner, the literary intellectual PR. Stephensen, was of the first media personalities to
come to terms with the need to create a national market for popular cultural products. As such,
he played an important and distinctive role in Australia's communication history' (Author's abstract).