Most know the story of Australia’s First Fleet. But who were those convicts, sailors, marines and administrators who travelled to Botany Bay in 1787? And who orchestrated this ambitious expedition? In his meticulously researched new book, John Gardiner pulls back the curtain on the world from which the First Fleet emerged.Delving into English newspapers, official reports, and government documents from the era, Gardiner vividly captures the squalor of London’s slums, the rotting hulks on the Thames where prisoners languished, and the hardscrabble lives of those who would people New South Wales. We meet real-life figures like Prime Minister William Pitt, Home Secretary Lord Sydney, and the Fleet’s commander, Captain Arthur Phillip. And we discover a society rife with corruption, violence, and despair.Before the First Fleet to Australia paints an unflinching portrait of late 18th century England in all its vulgarity and cruelty. Gardiner’s fearless account confronts historical truths often glossed over about the First Fleet’s origins. Was this ragged band of convicts a collection of pathetic vagabonds or part of a strategically calculated colonial enterprise? Readers can decide for themselves in this absorbing and revelatory narrative history.
John Gardiner is a journalist, media adviser and author. His first major book, A Hitchhiker’s Triptych, published by Austin Macauley Publishers in 2022, sold well across the United Kingdom, in Europe, in the USA and in Australia. John is married to fellow journalist and writer, Yvonne Gardiner. Together they have four children, Oliver and Alex, Kasey and James, and nine grandchildren. John lives in the pretty seaside village of Pottsville in northern New South Wales in Australia.
“Life is good. To write, surf, and then watch whales cruise along the coast in winter. Difficult to imagine the world being any better. I hope people enjoy this second book. So different from the first. Rough and ready, this one, staying as close to the research as possible.”
Customer
Reviews
4 reviews
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This book is a good screen play for a movie.
True accounts of history fictionalised. Based on truth and a lot of research has gone into the making of this book. And all I can see is a terrific movie being made. The wide range of diverse characters, based on true history already fictionalised.
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I think the people who came over to Australia on the First Fleet were better off than if they'd stayed on in England. I thought the convicts sent out to New South Wales remained in chains and were treated terribly, for years and years. Apparently not. So many of the First Fleeters went on to establish strong, positive lives in their new land. There is a Fellowship of First Fleeters in Australia. Descendents of people who came out on the First Fleet. It would be interesting to hear what they think of this new book. I certainly enjoyed the book. As cringeworthy as some of it is. Particularly the first chapters. Horrible stuff. Yet I did learn a lot. Quite a good read.
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A good solid read. I really enjoyed this book. Nothing too sophisticated. It takes us into the prisons and the terrible convict ships anchored on the Thames pulling no punches on the disgusting conditions. Men and women, mostly from England's lower class, confined in nightmare conditions. Some eventually made their way to Australia on the First Fleet. A really well researched book on these disturbing times.
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Good book. Who knew Arthur Phillip was a spy for England? Excellent research. And the stories throughout this book are special. My favourite character is Johnny Tazler. And I wouldn't want to run into Charlie Zen in a dark alley late at night! This is a light read. Easy enough to relax, enjoy and drift away into another time.
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