A Commonwealth of Thieves: The Improbable Birth of Australia [Hardcover]

"A Commonwealth of Thieves - The Improbable Birth of Australia" covers the establishment of the first English settlement in New South Wales (i.e. Australia), and the stories of the convicts, free men, and military personnel who played a role. He also has some stories of the unfortunate aboriginal population who were the first to encounter the European settlers.

The book is divided into two sections. The first section covers the decision to send the convicts, the preparation for the first fleet, the voyage of the first fleet, the evaluation of where to build the colony, and the establishment of the colony by the members of the first fleet. The second section covers additional shipments of convicts to the area, the continued growth of the colony and the interactions with the native population, and concludes with the departure of the colony's first governor, Arthur Phillip.

This is one of the balanced historical accounts on any period of history that I have ever read. Thomas Keneally does an exceptional job of relating the stories of the people and events without choosing sides. There is, of course, ample opportunity to criticize the Europeans, or to defend their actions, but Keneally stays away from that discussion, and simply relates what happened. He does offer the historical perspective of the time on the events as gathered from numerous resources. For the rest, he leaves the reader to make their own conclusions.

The research that Thomas Keneally did for this book is also superb. He draws from official historical records, as well as numerous personal journals from a fairly large number of the people involved. From these sources he builds a history which not only covers the settlement, but then blends that with biographical sketches. He provides an excellent bibliography as well.

This is an excellent book which covers the subject incredibly well. The writing is clear and concise. The only minor negative would be that the narrative can be a little dry at times. This is not a big problem though, and the book is definitely worth reading if you are interested in the early history of Australia.

Having read A Commonwealth of Thieves: The Story of The Founding of Australia,
this review is for the Audio Book edition of the same book, though the labelling
for this audio edition bears a slightly different sub title," The Improbable Birth
of Australia".

With the help of Simon Vance, the noted reader on this unabridged edition
of his book, Thomas Keneally takes us through an exceptionally well researched
and well balanced account of the first four founding years of his native land.

Prior to the American Revolution in 1776, Britain had seen fit to transport convicts
to the American Colonies. Now with this means of disposing of it's convicted felons
at an end, the decision to transport convicts to New South Wales became an obsession
for the penal authorities and eventually a First Fleet of over 700 were sent to the
antipodes. Drawing on journals and the many documents of the era, the author gives
us a rich insight into the minds of both, officers and convicts to create an audio
edition of his book that is well worth a listen.

We learn something of the mind of Captain Arthur Phillip, the Naval Officer in charge
of the fleet, and on arrival his role as Governor of the new colony. The Marine Officers
and men who 'policed' the early settlement and of the convicted men and women too.
The struggles of the Aboriginal population are given credence as we listen to accounts
of battles and sometimes cold blooded murders of these indigenous folk whose first
confrontation with white skinned people must have astounded them. They thought
that white skinned people were ghosts.

Lack of supplies, famine and disease all feature here as the convicts become colonists.
Captain Phillip's maxim being "no slavery in a free land", and many convicts whose
prison sentences were served, would now struggle and finally make a new and successful
life in what was a wild and dusty land.

Thomas Keneally's book of the birth of Australia is brought to life here in a well
narrated and characterised account by Simon Vance, whose voice quite pleasing to
listen to, brings the main characters to life.

With over 12 hours of listening on a 10 CD boxed set
this is ideal for those who love audio books in unabridged format.
Published in 2006 by Tantor audio.
Very Enjoyable.

Anyone into early Australian life and the opening up of Australia from Sydney then this is a must have.

I found it one of those rare books that was very hard to put down once started.

Another good read is 'The Fatal Shore' by Robert Hughes.