Australia's birthstain : the startling legacy of the convict era

Resource Information

The work Australia's birthstain : the startling legacy of the convict era represents a distinct intellectual or artistic creation found in Randwick City Library. This resource is a combination of several types including: Work, Language Material, Books.

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Label

Australia's birthstain : the startling legacy of the convict era

Title remainder

the startling legacy of the convict era

Statement of responsibility

Babette Smith

Title variation

Australias birthstain

Title variation remainder

the startling legacy of the convict era

Creator

• trueSmith, Babette, 1942-

Subject

• trueAustralia -- History -- 1788-1851
• trueAustralia -- History -- 1788-1900
• trueAustralia -- History -- 1851-1901
• Australia -- History | Colonial influence
• trueAustralia -- Colonial influence
• Convicts -- Australia -- Social life and customs
• Convicts -- Social aspects -- Australia
• truePenal colonies -- Australia -- History
• trueConvicts -- Australia -- History

Language

eng

Summary

"Why is it that Australians are still misled by myths about their convict heritage? Why are so many family historians surprised to find a convict ancestor in their family trees? Why did an entire society collude to cover up its past? Babette Smith traces the stories of hundreds of convicts over the 80 years of convict transportation to Australia. Putting a human face on the convicts' experience, she paints a rich picture of their crimes in Britain and their lives in the colonies. We know about Port Arthur, Norfolk Island, chaingangs and floggings, but this was far from the experience of most. In fact, most convicts became good citizens and the backbone of the new nation. So why did we need to hide them away? Australia's Birthstain rewrites the story of Australia's convict foundations, revealing the involvement of British politicians and clergy in creating a birthstain that reached far beyond convict crimes. Its startling conclusion offers a fresh perspective on our past."--Provided by publisher

Dewey number

994.02

Illustrations

• illustrations
• maps
• portraits

Index

index present

Literary form

non fiction

Nature of contents

bibliography

Target audience

general