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In Search of Captain Moonlite: The Strange Life and Death of the Notorious Bushranger
He was the gun-toting man of God who enthralled and appalled the nation for more than a decade. This is the story of the notorious bushranger, Captain Moonlite.
When a masked and cloaked bandit robbed the bank at a small gold town in 1869 he created the legend of Captain Moonlite, the gun-toting man of God who enthralled and appalled the nation for more than a decade.
Real name Andrew George Scott, he is remembered as bushranger, conman, warrior and lunatic. In an 11-year life of crime, he escaped from gaol, took to the road as a prison reformer and fought a pitched gun-battle that made him a household name.
He was a man who loved, and was loved unreservedly in return - but more than a century passed before his dying wish to be buried with his soul mate was granted. Charming, articulate and intelligent, this flawed genius was also a thief, a liar and a chameleon whose true story has been lost to myth and misinformation. Yet when he led a pathetic band of misfits to their doom he stood tall at last and proved he was worthy to be their captain.
In Search of Captain Moonlite looks for the man behind the legend. It uses little-seen histories, a remarkable cache of rare documents and the records of his time to rewrite the story of a man who was not what he seemed.
In the end, it challenges history's verdict and finds a truth that's even more spectacular than the fiction.
When a masked and cloaked bandit robbed the bank at a small gold town in 1869 he created the legend of Captain Moonlite, the gun-toting man of God who enthralled and appalled the nation for more than a decade.
Real name Andrew George Scott, he is remembered as bushranger, conman, warrior and lunatic. In an 11-year life of crime, he escaped from gaol, took to the road as a prison reformer and fought a pitched gun-battle that made him a household name.
He was a man who loved, and was loved unreservedly in return - but more than a century passed before his dying wish to be buried with his soul mate was granted. Charming, articulate and intelligent, this flawed genius was also a thief, a liar and a chameleon whose true story has been lost to myth and misinformation. Yet when he led a pathetic band of misfits to their doom he stood tall at last and proved he was worthy to be their captain.
In Search of Captain Moonlite looks for the man behind the legend. It uses little-seen histories, a remarkable cache of rare documents and the records of his time to rewrite the story of a man who was not what he seemed.
In the end, it challenges history's verdict and finds a truth that's even more spectacular than the fiction.
255 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 23, 2016
A well-written and well-researched book that debunks many of the myths about Moonlite, Australia's favourite LGBTI bushranger.
August 26, 2022
No photographs, (how can you have a historical book and not have photos?), constantly repeating previous paragraphs for filler and promises of excitement, when there is none.
March 6, 2016
In Search of Captain Moonlite is a gripping story of one of the last Australian bushrangers, Andrew George Scott. Although eclipsed in fame by the infamous Ned Kelly, Scott, alias Captain Moonlight, is an intriguing character whose story was initially unknown to me but came to fascinate me.
Obviously well-researched, Paul Terry's account makes for excellent reading. Very clearly well-researched and his arguments similarly well-reasoned, Terry's writing is still clear and accessible, and, above all, compelling. He does his best to nut out the mysteries in Scott's life but never shies away from the fact that most of these mysteries can't be solved.
Sometimes, though, I found that Terry seemed a bit too enthusiastic about his own theories, and rather than letting them sit naturally in the book, would take a hammer to them. It induced in me the feeling of "yes I got it, I agree with you, it seems very likely, now can we move on?" There were also a few times where I felt Terry was treading close to my pet peeve: fiction in my non-fiction.
These complaints, however, are very minor and overall did nothing to detract from my enjoyment of In Search of Captain Moonlite or my evaluation of it as an excellent resource and account of one of the least understood figures in Australian history. A thoroughly enjoyable and recommended read.
o come.
Obviously well-researched, Paul Terry's account makes for excellent reading. Very clearly well-researched and his arguments similarly well-reasoned, Terry's writing is still clear and accessible, and, above all, compelling. He does his best to nut out the mysteries in Scott's life but never shies away from the fact that most of these mysteries can't be solved.
Sometimes, though, I found that Terry seemed a bit too enthusiastic about his own theories, and rather than letting them sit naturally in the book, would take a hammer to them. It induced in me the feeling of "yes I got it, I agree with you, it seems very likely, now can we move on?" There were also a few times where I felt Terry was treading close to my pet peeve: fiction in my non-fiction.
These complaints, however, are very minor and overall did nothing to detract from my enjoyment of In Search of Captain Moonlite or my evaluation of it as an excellent resource and account of one of the least understood figures in Australian history. A thoroughly enjoyable and recommended read.
o come.
October 25, 2017
Loved this book - lots of fascinating information about the man (Andrew George Scott alias Captain Moonlite) and life in Australia in the second half of the 19th century. The book is a well researched, engaging read which provides intimate insights and some speculative theories about the the character and activities of Scott. Although Scott was indeed a criminal and deserved punishment I did feel a measure of sympathy for him, particularly regarding the matter of withholding the documents he had written before his execution being passed on to their intended recipients. This seemed to me a complete injustice.
August 12, 2016
Despite growing up in the area where Captain Moonlite began his Australian career, I knew very little about him. Having read this interesting and easy to read biography, I can now understand why. There is not much to know. Labeling him as a bushranger is something of an exaggeration, but he certainly is a good subject for a psycho analyst's class. The book provides considerable detail, but some questions go unanswered and as the author points out, many other answers are difficult to believe. It was a time when truth and dignity were what many people wanted it to be.
Captain Moonlite is however a part of Australian history, and the interesting book provides another facet for the reader.
Captain Moonlite is however a part of Australian history, and the interesting book provides another facet for the reader.
August 10, 2013
Interesting and concise account on the life of complex bushranger Captain Moonlite. An easy to follow well researched book.
February 17, 2014
Very interesting and thorough
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews