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Watkin Tench's 1788

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Watkin Tench's 1788

By: Tim Flannery - editor
Narrated by: Grant Cartwright
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About this listen

Tench, a humble captain-lieutenant of the marines, arrived on the First Fleet, and with his characteristic understanding, humanity, and eye for detail, recorded the first four years of European settlement. This is a classic, lovingly edited and introduced by Tim Flannery, author of the best-selling The Future Eaters, Throwim Way Leg, and The Weather Makers.

©2009 Tim Flannery (P)2009 Bolinda Publishing Pty Ltd World

Critic Reviews

"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)
"Tench's work is a stunning time machine." (Chloe Hooper)
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An extraordinary account of Australia’s first settlers. 1788 should be taught to all Australians and we should be proud of this history. Watkins Tench is a name that should be remembered for his honest view of life in the infancy of European settlement in Australia and the hardships endured by convicts, the indigenous and the settlers.

A must for all Australians.

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should be part of the school curiculum for every Australian child. every Australian should study this account of European settlement. mixed into it are some great observations of Australia in ots pre European settlement. tragedy of disease and misunderstanding and misinterpretation common of the time.

essential listening for every Australian.

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Fascinating first hand account of the First Fleet and the first few years of settlement in Sydney. Written and spoken in the language of the time, which was wonderful, with some drawbacks. The author was an intellectual and elite of the time, therefore barely described the suffering of the convicts both during the passage and during settlement. First hand account yes, though a little tainted with elitism and prejudice in parts. Others rewriting the history have told it much better.

First hand experience

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I thought this was such a fantastic book!
If you love Australian history and wish to learn things you never knew this one is for you. To read a first hand account of the first years of Australian colonisation was fascinating.

Brilliant

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Enjoyed it, very easy to listen to. Good insight into the thinking and attitudes of the first fleet, as well as an appreciation of the inhabitants, human, plant and animal

Great insight into early Sydney

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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.