The Commonwealth of Thieves cover art

The Commonwealth of Thieves

The Story of the Founding of Australia

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The Commonwealth of Thieves

By: Thomas Keneally
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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About this listen

A lively history of the 'First Fleet' which took convicts from Britain to Australia in 1787; Sydney's early years as 'an open-air prison'; and the colonisation of New South Wales.

The story of modern Australia begins in 18th-century Britain, where people were hanged for petty offences but crime was rife and the gaols were bursting. From this situation was born the Sydney experiment, with criminals perceived to be damaging British society transported to Sydney, an 'open air prison with walls 14,000 miles thick'.

Eleven ships were dispatched in 1781 and arrived in Australia after eight hellish months at sea. Tom Keneally describes the first four years of the 'thief colony' and how, despite the escapes, the floggings, the murders and the rebellions, it survived against the odds to create a culture which would never have been tolerated in its homeland but which, in Australia, became part of the identity of a new and audacious nation.

©2006 The Serpentine Publishing Co. (Pty) Ltd (P)2006 Tantor Media, Inc Crime World

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All stars
Most relevant  
Keneally has a way of writing that captures you and has you listening intently. The history of the first fleets, the establishment of settlements and the interaction with aborigines is beautifully embellished with the personal facts and traits of those involved. Hearing about the decisions to implement deportation and then the people and the travails they faced, both administrators and criminals, left me wanting to know more. I could have quite happily listened to additional detail about the second and third fleeters, as well as the successes or otherwise of the second and third Governors. Surely there's a followup book Mr Keneally?

Wonderfully researched

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A superb history, very well researched and excellently read. I will read this again and again. Highly recommended.

What a story

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What a good listen, thoroughly enjoyed it and will look for further Keneally books to listen to.

Really enjoyed….

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Keneally does a great job in bringing to life the stories and experiences of some of the first settlors/inmates. Brings the privations of transportation and challenges of settlement to life. The encounters with the aboriginals were not glossed over. Compelling history well told. Narration was also most enjoyable and engaging.

Excellent insight into Australia’s colonisation

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A good background to the earliest years of convict settling in a tiny corner of distant land

A rounded account of the English occupation

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I appreciate books, I can learn something from.
I also like the books about history but written like a story, not like a lecture. This book has both of above and good narrator makes the things only better.

Great story about Australia's dawn

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such an in sight to transportation. really enjoyed the personal details and the effect upon the indigenous people.

fascinating

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Probably the best book for me to date about the criminal colony in Australia. Between it and The fatal shore.

Absolutely brilliant book

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It is written as a documentary. Easy to listening and hugely educational at the same time.

Fascinating account of the birth of modern Australia. Very informative, amazing men, women and children who struggled so much.

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Great detailed history book about the founding of Australia.
Loads of stuff we were never told in lessons.

Thanks!

Fascinating!

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