The Nationbuilders is a collection of linked essays on individuals and companies in the years from 1931 to 1984 who contributed in major ways to building a New Zealand nation. They include well-known figures like W. B. Sutch and forgotten influences like Douglas Robb. The book captures the intertwining of the lives of politicians, their advisers and their mentors, as well as the ideas and experiences which drove them.
While his focus is on the economic strategy of the times, Brian Easton also looks at the cultural, social, union, business, and foreign policy strands in the nationbuilding project. The book finally explores what happened to nationbuilding in recent years and options for the future. An original, lively and provocative book, it is backed by powerful nationalistic emotions and by a deep distaste at the kind of country that has been fashioned since 1984.