By member Judy Purkiss

The book ‘1788, The Brutal Truth of the First Fleet‘, by David Hill was an easy interesting read about the ‘biggest single overseas migration the world had ever seen’.

The author had combined the story with quotes from many different sources to show various viewpoints relating to the conditions on the ships, the journey and the settlement of Sydney and Norfolk Island, from the view of the governor, the medics, the officers, the marines and occasionally the convicts.  The convicts did not have same opportunities for writing letters home or having articles published in those early years.

Author, David Hill, doesn’t mince words when writing about disease on the ships, the treacherous journey to and from Sydney Cove, near starvation in the colony in the first few years and the promiscuity of convicts, officers and marines.

It is truly amazing the colony got through the first 4 years. Although this is known via other works, the authors ability to weave information from diaries, letters, news articles and manuscripts takes the reader along on the journey.   This enables the reader to feel the anguish, despair and desperation that was felt during the trip and initial years in the colony, and then to also feel that little bit of hope as conditions improved.

I would recommend this book due to its easy to read format, quotes from primary sources and the authors ability to write in an interesting manner.  Enjoy!