1788, 9781921922312
Paperback
First Fleet’s arrival unveils Australia: a land of sharp intellect.
Fast Dispatch

$16.91

  • Paperback

    320 pages

  • Release Date

    25 April 2012

Check Delivery Options

Summary

1788: A Marine’s Account of the First Fleet

“I do not hesitate to declare that the natives of New South Wales possess a considerable portion of that acumen, or sharpness of intellect, which bespeaks genius.”

In 1788, Watkin Tench stepped ashore at Sydney Cove with the First Fleet. This curious young captain of the marines was a natural storyteller. His account of the infant colony is the first classic of Australian literature.

Book Details

ISBN-13:9781921922312
ISBN-10:1921922311
Series:Text Classics
Author:Watkin Tench
Publisher:Text Publishing Co
Imprint:The Text Publishing Company
Format:Paperback
Number of Pages:320
Release Date:25 April 2012
Weight:216g
Dimensions:29mm x 211mm x 132mm
What They're Saying

Critics Review

‘Not to have read Watkin Tench is not to know early Australia. An eye that noticed everything, a young man’s verve, a sly wit, an elegant prose style - all brought to bear on an unimagined place and a very strange micro-society. This is the most readable classic of early Australian history.’ - Robert Hughes. ‘Tench will always remain the classic contemporary witness of our beginnings.’ - Les Murray.

About The Author

Watkin Tench

Watkin Tench was born around 1758 in Chester, England. He joined the marine corps in 1776 and served in the American War of Independence before sailing to Botany Bay with the First Fleet. Tench returned to England in 1792. He stayed with the marine corps before retiring as a lieutenant-general in 1821. Watkin Tench died in 1833.

Returns

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.