324 pages, 8 unnumbered pages of plates : illustrations (chiefly color), map, portraits ; 24 cm
regular print
Contents
Introduction -- Dancing with strangers -- Meeting the informants -- Governor Arthur Phillip -- Captain John Hunter -- Surgeon-General John White -- Judge-Advocate David Collins -- Watkin Tench, Captain-Lieutenant of Marines -- Settling in -- What the Australians saw -- Arabanoo -- Enter Baneelon -- Spearing the Governor -- 'Coming in' -- House guests -- British sexual politics -- Australian sexual politics -- Boat trip to Rose Hill -- Headhunt -- On discipline -- Potato thieves -- Expedition -- Crime & punishment: Boladeree -- Barangaroo -- Tench goes home -- Phillip goes home -- Collins goes home -- Collins reconsiders -- Baneelon returned -- Bungaree -- Enter Mrs Charles Meredith -- Epilogue
Summary
Tells the story of what happened between British settlers of NSW and the Australian inhabitants they found there. Using reports, journals and letters Clendinnen applies her eye to the key events in the tragic arc of dispossession and looks at the personalities involved: such men as Arthur Phillp, Bennelong and diarist Watkin Tench