A History of Tasmania

by Henry Reynolds

This captivating work charts the history of Tasmania from the arrival of European maritime expeditions in the late eighteenth century, through to the modern day. By presenting the perspectives of both Indigenous Tasmanians and British settlers, author Henry Reynolds provides an original and engaging exploration of these first fraught encounters. Utilising key themes to bind his narrative, Reynolds explores how geography created a unique economic and migratory history for Tasmania, quite separate to the mainland experience. He offers an astute analysis of the island's economic and demographic reality, by noting that this facilitated the survival of a rich heritage of colonial architecture unique in Australia, and allowed the resident population to foster a powerful web of kinship. Reynolds' remarkable capacity to empathise with the characters of his chronicle makes this a powerful, engaging and moving account of Tasmania's unique position within Australian history.

Genres: History, Nonfiction, Australia, Tasmania

344 pages, Paperback

First published October 31, 2011

About the author

Henry Reynolds is currently an ARC Senior Research Fellow at the University of Tasmania at Launceston. He was for many years at James Cook University in Townsville. He is the author of many well-known books including The Other Side of the Frontier, Law of the Land, Fate of a Free People and Why Weren’t We Told?

Reviews

[Thom · Rating 2 out of 5]

Over a quarter of the book focuses on what Keith Windshuttle describes as "The fabrication of Aboriginal history". Another large chunk is dedicated to pre-war Tasmania leaving little room for much else.

[Jennifer (JC-S) · Rating 4 out of 5]

‘Distinctive geography and history have left their stamp on the island and its people.’

This book covers the history of Australia from the European expeditions in the last quarter of the 18th century to Tasmania’s bicentenary, which was observed in 2003/2004.
I became one of the Tasmanian diaspora in 1974, when I left the island as a teenager (as so many of us have) to pursue greater opportunities ‘on the mainland’. My most recent visit reawakened my interest in Tasmanian history, and this is one of the books I picked up as part of that pursuit of information.

The book includes chapters with the following headings:
1. Extraordinary encounters
2. Fledgling settlements
3. The Black War
4. An indelible stain?
5. The triumph of colonization
6. The politics of Van Diemen’s Land
7. The convict system
8. Post penal depression
9. Reform and recovery
10. Federation and war
11. Between the wars
12. Post war Tasmania
13. Towards the bicentenary

While I am broadly familiar with Tasmania’s history as a penal settlement, of its mineral wealth and its colonial architecture, I was less familiar with some of the factors that had created Tasmania’s relatively rapid growth and prosperity before 1850. I was also less aware of some of the demographic differences that shaped politics across the island. I found this book very readable: the way in which Mr Reynolds has organised material makes it easy to follow.

The viewpoints of both Indigenous Tasmanians and British settlers are presented, as are differences in perspective between the landed gentry (mainly those fortunate enough to receive land grants and have access to convict labour) and the workers whose success depended on their own efforts. Patterns of settlement across the island reflect the diversity of the island and its mineral wealth. Tasmania’s geography, as much as its isolation have influenced its development.

Walking around Hobart and Launceston, and visiting properties such as ‘Highfield House’ in Stanley and ‘Woolmers’ at Longford illustrate the colonial architecture heritage which is still so rich in Tasmania.

‘Tasmania’s economic history diverges from the common Australian pattern. The period of rapid growth and prosperity before 1850 was followed by prolonged depression interspersed with short periods of relative abundance. No other state has been so often in depression or experienced such a persistent loss of population.’

I learned quite a lot from reading this book, including the existence of a convict cemetery very close to where I went to primary school at Glen Dhu, Launceston. I drove past the cemetery earlier this year: until then I knew nothing of its existence. I hope that much more local history is taught in Tasmanian schools now. I’ve added some of the sources cited to my reading list.

Jennifer Cameron-Smith

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

"Captivating history," no this is not. It's a solid account of Tasmania but it is not especially engaging nor insightful.

[Lee McKerracher · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great little book about the history of Tasmania.

The main focus is on the years from colonisation through to Federation, World War I and then a jump mainly to the 1950s onward. There is a lot contained in its few hundred pages and it raises some very interesting issues especially around Governor Arthur's admission that treaty should have been established with the First Nations peoples and this may (or may not) have resulted in better outcomes for them and better and more equal relationships between the original custodians of the land, the settlers (invaders) and the convicts.

It's also an interesting study on lifestyles and expectations, the competition between the island and the mainland, the economic booms and busts and the impact these had on the local population.

All in all, an informative book.

[Ali · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a funny little book. More a series of expansions on aspects of Tasmanian history than a comprehensive coverage, it provided nevertheless a useful introduction to me to an island whose history looms so large over its present.

I'm still unenlightened on some basic names and dates, but I can also view Hobart with more of an understanding of the forces that built it, and the reasons that this former penal colony retains such a distinct character. I do have to fight a rising urge to ask random locals if they've ever been to the mainland!

[Amos O'Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, although I found it sometimes tiresome. There is still room in the market for someone to write THE book about Tasmania. Until that comes along this will do the trick.