1788 by David Hill (5 stars)

Every Australian child is taught the story of the First Fleet, but this short narrative history by David Hill inspired more interest in Australian history than my entire education. Conversational in prose, precise in detail, and smoothly paced, this book was an absolute joy to read. Forget dry, overloaded expositions; the talent of a historian and a writer combine here to create a work that will excite those, who (like me) don’t often pick up a piece of non-fiction.

1788 traces the origins of the First Fleet from originating causes of the expedition, through to planning, the course of the voyages, initial settling and the social/cultural problems that arose at each stage. David Hill paints vivid and fascinating scenes at every point; the overloaded prison boats clogging the Thames with filth, the cramped, diseased conditions for convicts on the voyage over, and the barren, unhospitable landscape of the Australian coast. Particular favourites on my part were parts of the story I had never considered before; the immediate depletion of resources at Botany Bay by the settlers, resulting in great disdain from the Aboriginal locals; the disastrous impact of higher ranked officials hating each other, as in the case of Governor Phillip and Major Ross; and the gaping void of communication with England, caused by the great distance between motherland and colony.

David Hill also excels in balancing different styles of history. As each new character if importance is introduced, we visit their background and previous life, which allows the reader to understand their actions in the course of events. Unfamiliar social conventions, linguistic expressions, and objects are also explained with just the right amount of brevity. What stands out, most of all, is how 1788 is above all a story, a complex and intriguing narrative that highlights the struggles of first Australians in an unknown world. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

Have you read 1788? What did you think? Please leave a comment below with your opinion!

Reserve 1788 now at Camden Council Library services.