Professor John Maynard is one of the most prolific and respected voices writing about Aboriginal history. He has won awards, is in demand as a speaker and as an advisor for television programs. He is Professor of Aboriginal Studies, Newcastle University, and currently an ARC research fellow. His most recent publication is The Aboriginal soccer tribe (Magabala) while his previous publications with Aboriginal Studies Press include popular Fight for liberty and freedom and he was also a contributor to Uncommon ground.

Some of the stories are splendid. And every time a horse was ridden by M Maynard, my Dad would back it. We never knew that he was an Aboriginal jockey. Or perhaps he did and Dad being a fierce nationalist most probably felt he should support him. — Alan Jones, first edition of Stars of the Turf

At the heart of this study was a passion and desire to play some small part in the process of revealing another important missing chapter of Australian Aboriginal history…[O]ur stories recognis[e] that over the past two hundred years the historical tapestry of this country was one in which both black and white were deeply interwoven. — Preface