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Kosciuszko

The incredible life of the man behind the mountain

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About this listen

 Heroes are hard to come by - but there's one man whose legend has stood the test of two centuries, and whose name sits on Australia's highest peak. Tadeusz Kosciuszko: freedom fighter, friend of Thomas Jefferson and champion of liberty on two continents. Bestselling author Anthony Sharwood finds out why he's the hero the world needs right now.

Kosciuszko - our iconic highest mountain - is a name familiar to all Australians. But how many people know who the mountain is named after?

Tadeusz Kosciuszko, who lived from 1746 to 1817, is the most famous person Australians probably know absolutely nothing about. A military engineer, freedom fighter, and champion of human rights, this extraordinary revolutionary was crucial to the success of the American War of Independence, then bravely led an uprising against Russia and other invaders in his native Poland, promising freedom and equality to all who joined his cause.

In his day, Kosciuszko was loved and respected across Europe and America. His great friend Thomas Jefferson called him 'as pure a son of liberty as I have ever known', while Kosciuszko would later challenge Jefferson to live up to the famous words 'All men are created equal' by bequeathing his American funds to free enslaved people, including those on Jefferson's plantation.

Bestselling author Anthony Sharwood (From Snow to Ash; The Brumby Wars) has spent a lifetime walking, skiing and writing about Kosciuszko National Park. Now he sets off on the trail of the man himself, travelling across the USA, Poland and Switzerland to key sites in Kosciuszko's life. Returning to Australia where a potential name change from Mt Kosciuszko to an Indigenous name is hotly debated, he walks with the area's traditional owners and discovers the ancient history of Australia's highest peak.

Kosciuszko's life and legacy is enthralling, inspiring and indispensable. But is that reason enough to keep his name on the mountain? Americas Australia, New Zealand & Oceania Historical Military & War Revolution & Founding United States Freedom Inspiring Military War
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This was a surprise - I had expected a routine historical biography about a man I thought I should know more about. It was that and much more. Sharwood took me on a rollicking ride through history on three continents. Witty, informative and fun. Kosciuszko’s story was fascinating and Sharwood used it as a launching pad for sharp observations about the state of the world then now. Loved it!

Witty informative and fun.

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Why didnt i know this stuff ready? That's the question I kept asking myself as this book unfolded and told its twin tales of Kosciuszko and the parts of Australia that borrowed his name. never dry. passionately read. eye opening and challenging. enjoy

A love letter to Australia

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Mr Sharwood had an excellent idea for a biography with a difference - a road trip to the sites where anything Kosciuszko-related happened, all enlivened with observations of local sights, customs, red tape, cuisine and transport systems, plus lively reports of encounters with colorful locals he meets along the way. He has a way with words, a talent for the right word or phrase for every occasion, and he's the perfect narrator for his book. So far, so entertaining and informative. But Sharwood inserts his opinions on local and international politics which, for me, detracts from this otherwise first class biography. In general, his political views are mainstream but still controversial and warrant deeper analysis and discussion - a jolly road trip is not the right forum.

Anthony Sharwood, master storyteller

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If this book was just about the man Kosciuszko it would be half the length and still well worth the read. His contribution to the American War of Independence and his views on liberty and slavery were amazing. The author’s road trip and commentary on the food and cultures was interesting and entertaining. However, I wouldn’t have felt so annoyed for the last two hours if the subtitle had given an indication that the book is very much a vehicle for the author to have a rant about civil rights, ecology and first nations custodianship of The Mountain.




A hero, a road trip and a rant.

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I bought this hoping to gain an insight into a man whose name I've taken for granted since childhood. What I got was a Trojan horse. A book written by an idealogue shoehorning his politics into a narrative in the most vulgar manner.

Recommended to anyone who enjoys pretending that identity politics is a path to harmony in civilised society, and that whitewashing recent history without responsible representation of details (listen to him describe the George Floyd debacle for and example) is going to get us anywhere worthwhile.

Just plain disappointing.

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In the spirit of reconciliation, Audible acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.