The Fatal Shore
Book - 1987
In this bestselling account of the colonization of Australia, Robert Hughes explores how the convict transportation system created the country we know today.
Digging deep into the dark history of England's infamous efforts to move 160,000 men and women thousands of miles to the other side of the world in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Hughes has crafted a groundbreaking, definitive account of the settling of Australia.
Tracing the European presence in Australia from early explorations through the rise and fall of the penal colonies, and featuring 16 pages of illustrations and 3 maps, The Fatal Shore brings to life the incredible true history of a country we thought we knew.
Digging deep into the dark history of England's infamous efforts to move 160,000 men and women thousands of miles to the other side of the world in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries, Hughes has crafted a groundbreaking, definitive account of the settling of Australia.
Tracing the European presence in Australia from early explorations through the rise and fall of the penal colonies, and featuring 16 pages of illustrations and 3 maps, The Fatal Shore brings to life the incredible true history of a country we thought we knew.
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Publisher:
New York, N.Y. : Knopf, 1987, ©1986.
ISBN:
9780394753669
9780394506685
0394506685
9780394506685
0394506685
Branch Call Number:
LPLC880225114501
LPLD870219161542
LPLD870219161542
Characteristics:
xvi, 688 pages, [16] pages of plates :,illustrations, maps ;,24 cm.
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Add a CommentA great source on Australian history that's not that hard to read, although, I learned many new words (British terms that are not used in my day). Interesting how Aussies didn't want to be reminded of their beginnings, they were ashamed. Most of the criminals were the poor suffering thru economic hard times, and who stole items like food or fabric or shoes and were punished beyond belief. This is history that should be known so it stops repeating itself. Great book to read.
The verve of the writing is hard to escape, one can scarcely believe that one has read a six hundred page book.
Most of the book is a detailed history of the english-speaking gulag system up until the 1840's, with very little about the late 19th century.
Brilliant.
I hated history in school too, but this book reads more like a novel. Mesmerizing and horrifying at the same time, it chronicles another “proud” moment in British history. Eruditely written, well organized. Though long at 600 pages, the space is well used with relevant and chronological detail.
As Boring As The History We Hated In School!, May 22, 2012
The first third was ok,but after that I skimmed through to the end,and relief at last!
Not written in a way to make it interesting.It is extremely tedious to read.Reads exactly like a textbook.
I am hoping I will be able to find a book about the founding of Australia that is actually an *engaging* read. The Fatal Shore missed that mark by a long shot!
Very Disappointing.
This book is an absolutely fantastic read - it reads like a novel - unlike a 'history' book! It's a great history on both England's penal system and Australia's birth. If this subject interests you, you must read this book.
Comprehensive, excellent writing