An absolutely riveting and enlightening account that offers a fascinating insight into the plight of those bound for Botany Bay. One of the strengths of this book is the way we’re offered accounts from a variety of perspectives: letters from the families of convicts, official records & court reports, journals of ships’ surgeons, and diaries of the convicts themselves, among others. There are some heart-rending stories (particularly those involving young offenders separated from their families), but also those with a happy ending, as convicts who had served their time but had little hope of returning to a decent life in their own country were able to start afresh in a land of opportunity. As well as being meticulously researched and therefore offering a wealth of intriguing fact, this account offers a narrative that’s as compelling as any historical novel. It’s also lavishly illustrated throughout, making it an ideal gift.
