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  • The Ballad of Abdul Wade

  • By: Ryan Butta
  • Narrated by: John Voce
  • Length: 10 hrs and 16 mins
  • 4.5 out of 5 stars (8 ratings)

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The Ballad of Abdul Wade

By: Ryan Butta
Narrated by: John Voce
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Publisher's Summary

2023, Indie Book Awards Non Fiction, Long-listed

2024, South Australian Literary Awards Non-Fiction, Short-listed

When Afghan entrepreneur Abdul Wade first brought his camel trains to the outback, he was hailed as a hero. Horses couldn’t access many remote settlements, especially those stricken by flood or drought, and camel trains rode to the rescue time and time again.

But with success came fierce opposition fuelled by prejudice. The camel was not even classed as an animal under Australian law, and, in a climate of colonial misinformation, hyperbole and fear, camel drivers such as Wade were shown almost as little respect. Yet all the while, for those in need, the ships of the desert continued to appear on the outback horizon.

After his interest was piqued by a 19th-century photo of a camel train in a country town, Ryan Butta found himself on the trail of Australia’s earliest Afghan camel-drivers. Separating the bulldust from the bush poetry, he reveals the breadth and depth of white Australian protectionism and prejudice. Told with flair and authority, this gritty alternative history defies the standard horse-powered folklore to reveal the untold debt this country owes to humble dromedaries, their drivers and those who brought them here.

Longlisted for the Indie Book Awards Non Fiction 2023

©2022 Ryan Butta (P)2022 Bolinda Publishing

What listeners say about The Ballad of Abdul Wade

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Revision of history

It was refreshing to read such an extensive review of Australian history and to see credit provided to the forgotten Afghani camel drivers. It does us all some good to see those who created the white Australia policy bought to task.

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The Real History

Excellent research and telling of a real Australian Pioneer life.
I live in Far North Queensland and volunteer at the museum in the home of John Moffat mining entrepreneur. My particular interest being Mr Wade's time spent here, Irvinebank being between Lappa and Mt Garnet.

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Good history and well researched— pity about the woke lecture

I found this book very well researched, well written and presented. I always suspected there was much to learn about the Afghans and the camels of Australia. This book showed how much our history has been “cloaked” in miss information. BUT I found it totally unnecessary for a big woke lecture near the end. It spoiled a good history.

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A fair go

Abdul Wade, a man that wouldn't be beaten and tried to be fair, but Australia wouldn't let him. What a shame that these men are not better recognised and remembered by this country, that they helped to open up and protect.
I really enjoyed the story that you researched.

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.