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Matthew Flinders

A definitive and indisputable history of the man who mapped Australia

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Matthew Flinders

By: Shaun Micallef
Narrated by: Shaun Micallef
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Summary
 A wildly funny and meticulously researched re-examination of the life of explorer Matthew Flinders, as Shaun Micallef charts the chaos, comedy and contradictions behind the founding of Australia.


Who was Matthew Flinders? A pioneer who gave Australia its name but chose to name nothing after himself. A dreamer obsessed with Robinson Crusoe who wound up imprisoned on an island for six years. A leader who captained a stout and loyal crew but preferred spending time with his cat. An explorer who charted a continent but had a side-hustle collecting human skulls. A hero who wasn’t all that heroic.

The story of Matthew Flinders, like the story of Colonial Australia, is one of tragic lows and high comedy, of embarrassment, shame and humiliation.

Enter Shaun Micallef to tell this tale as it has never been told (but probably should have): with both meticulous research and an overweening sense of the ridiculous. As he charts Flinders’ chaotic route around Australia and beyond, Micallef asks bigger questions about who we are as a country and what it means to hold onto a legacy in an ever-changing-its-mind world.


Historically accurate and surprisingly enlightening, this book is a fresh and funny exploration of a foundational Australia story.


'Francis Fukuyama promised the end of history. Shaun Micallef has delivered it.' DAVID HUNT


'Why on earth would you think I’d endorse this book?' CLARE WRIGHT


'Illiterate.' PHILLIP ADAMS


'Not again.' DAVID MARR©2026 Shaun Micallef (P)2026 W.F. Howes ltd. Adventurers, Explorers & Survival Australia, New Zealand & Oceania Historical Funny
All stars
Most relevant
Witty, well-written, and well-presented. Great historical voiceing adds to the listening experience. Its fast narration makes you think its playing fast. It"s not, just play it again and again till you get it all!

A different slant on an Australian historical figure...

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If you like Shaun, you'll like this book, if you enjoy inane ramblings, you will also like this book, if you like accurate narrative history, probably go read some Peter FitzSimons or something.

I have subtracted one star from my review because of the statement made in this book that no one survived from the Sydney Cove Long boat trip is false, three people survived? The editor that let that one slip through should probably be fired.

Anyway, it's a good book, I bought the physical book as well, as putting my phone on my bookshelf with my Audible library open when I have guests around so they can see how well read I am is inadequate way to show off.

Fast pased stream of consciousness loosely based around the topic of Matthew Flinders

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real voice of author Shaun Micallef, feeling so connected....but this for mature audiences as there is F word. I hope to buy all your print books when I get a bigger house... at the moment, I have put my clothes in basket for 12 years in Australia....

Humanized historical figures with comedy

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