Arthur Phillip. Sailor, mercenary, Govenor, Spy

by Michael Pembroke

History

Genres: History, Biography, Australia, Nonfiction

354 pages, Hardcover

First published August 1, 2013

Reviews

[Jim Dellit · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an excellent, accessible history of Captain Phillip and I learned a great deal about him, his extraordinary life and the major role he played in English, and Australian history. A poor boy made good through diligence and adaptability, Phillip emerges as a decent liberal man, with a high regard for public service and a respect for the humanity of the people he worked with and for. The writing style is excellent: neither fussy nor bland, and the author's sense of detail is neither overloading nor too sparse. I liked this a lot!

[JULIAN DOUGLAS-SMITH · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Swashbucklingly Good Read!

I came across this book by a rather circuitous route. It was as a direct result of reading Girt by David Hunt, a satirical look at the European settlement of Australia, that my interest in Arthur Phillip had been re-kindled - if you'll excuse the pun! I'm delighted to say that this book is every bit as good as it's illustrious reviewers (even a QC among them) would have us believe. Having done a degree in Australian history many moons ago, I was thrilled to learn something new about Australia's first, great Briton. I thoroughly recommend this if you're after a swashbuckling good read that's not fiction.

[David Hunt · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the best bio of Phillip doing the rounds, particularly because the author does not tarry too long on the well-trodden road of Phillip's governorship of New South Wales, but instead develops a well-rounded portrait of the man and his life. A must read for any student of Australian or naval history.

[Anne Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

The sort of book that makes you wonder how history can be presented as so dry and flat when events and characters are so complex and interesting.

I found Phillip's backstory, prior to becoming governor of New South Wales, and his stint in the Portuguese navy to be an unexpected and intriguing aspect. The cordial relationship between himself and the Portuguese endured for many years after he left and ensured that the First Fleet, on arriving in Rio de Janeiro, was greeted with high honours and provisioned accordingly.

There are significant gaps in the record of Phillip's service in England, apparently coinciding with his visits to the Continent for "his health" but in fact when he was acting as a spy. His knowledge of languages, his expertise in ships and their provisioning, made his work invaluable as Britain and France eyed off each other's territorial ambitions as well as their war readiness.

At one time in 1780, he went "missing" for nine months and this period coincides with a legend that apparently originated at this time. According to the tale, Phillip went with a shipload of Portuguese convicts across the Atlantic. An epidemic of illness ensued and Phillip allegedly persuaded the healthiest convicts to assist in working the ship on the understanding he would petition the king of Portugal on their behalf. The voyage is said to have gone well, and so the story goes, the convicts were emancipated and given grants of land in Brazil. This expedition with convicts was said to have influenced Phillip's later egalitarian views.

The convicts sent to Australia were, according to historian KM Dallas, "what they had always been - the servants of mercantilist interests."

Before being transported to Australia, in 1784, the Portuguese ambassador was asked if his government might be interested in taking British convicts as galley slaves or as colonists in the remoter parts of Portuguese dominions, or in the cultivation of land or in mining or other forced labour. Queen Maria I politely declined.

Phillip regarded the life of an aboriginal person as equal to that of an Englishman, recording, 'Any man who takes the life of a Native, will be put on his trial as if he had kill'd one of the Garrison. This appears to me to be not only just, but good policy.'

Phillip was opposed to slavery in New South Wales and was apparently backed in this by William Pitt who had spoken on several occasions in favour of its abolition. Pitt said, 'No nation in Europe ... has ... plunged so deeply into this guilt as Great Britain.'

[Alain Lefebvre · Rating 5 out of 5]

For some reason, I particularly enjoy books about sea adventures when it was about sailing and conquering the sea in the 18th and 19th centuries. This one is fascinating because he has been a remarkable seaman but also a clever spy and the founder of Australia, its first governor, with very modern views. The charm of the book is that even if it is based on the existing documentation that Michael Pembroke has extracted from the archives, it can be read as an exceptional adventure book thanks to the way the author presents in a very lively way the facts, including what is known and what can be guessed based on the history of these exceptional times. So I enjoyed the book.

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have always admired Arthur Phillip and this was an interesting, well written book about him. What an interesting life. The only drawback is that there could have been more about his time as governor of New South Wales.

[Tim Armstrong · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this when it came out, and it was a fantastically readable biography of Arthur Phillip. The author has gone on to write an equally readable account on Korea, and he is a quality writer.
He has a book coming in 2020 on the hypocrisy of American politics, that I can’t wait to read.

[Doug Tanner · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading Aust history. Gov Philip has always interested me down to his instructions not to harm the indigenous people - try and befriend them. An interesting read one that helped me understand invasion day that was not really an invasion.

[Steve Harrison · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fascinating biography of a fascinating man. Well written and filled with interesting detail, including the preparations for the First Fleet voyage which established the British settlement of Australia. Very highly recommended.

[Phillip O Hayes · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful life

Australia has been blessed with many great men and women, but two men in particular stand out.
Captain James Cook and Governor/Admiral Arthur Phillip.

[Frumenty · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent biography of a man who was both decent and extremely competent.

[Alex · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable overview of the life of Australia's first Governor. A little light on his life after his return to England after his time in NSW.

[Richard Dickmann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very interesting account of a lesser known figure in Australian History. He comes across a pretty amazing fellow. Well done to Michael Pembroke.

[Phil Doherty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book appealed to me on so many levels. Living in Australia, I love reading this country's early history and if it weren't for the calibre of people such as Arthur Phillip, the early convict settlement would have almost certainly failed, and not only failed but would have been a disasterous and horrible outcome for the people left stranded at the bottom of the world.
With all the Australian history that I have read, Michael Pembroke was still able to come up with some new bits of information that I had not read anywhere else in regard to the events before, during and after the building of the first European settlement in Australia.
But my main reason for searching out this book was to find out more about this charismatic and adventurous sea Captain and his intriguing life in the service of the British Government.
The title calls him Sailor, mercenary, Govenor,Spy; and indeed he carried out all of those tasks superbly.
In the end I came to realise that his amazing work in setting up the British colony in New South Wales, was not THE greatest thing that happened in his life, although he is a towering figure in Australian history. But to the man Arthur Phillip, it was just one of many amazing tasks he performed for Britain and having read this book I am in even more awe of this great man who lived life to the full and made a difference in so many areas of British History. Never a dull moment here!

[Matthew Hickey · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this biography of the first Governor of New South Wales, Michael Pembroke (or Pembroke J, as he is known to those in the legal profession) creates an intricate and colourful account of the life and career of Arthur Phillip. A fascinating and well-researched portrait of British naval life acts as the necessary backdrop.

Immensely enjoyable. I read it in one sitting.

[Jeremy Sadler · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting read with appropriate emphasis on the times and person. Although surprising there weren't any illustrations which I though would have added some depth to narrative, and I think more detail about Phillip as Governor could have been provided . However very well written.

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Excellent biography, and a new view of Australia's first European settlement. Philip is a much more complete and admirable man than the scant information we were taught in school have been better served with illustrations.

[Jenny · Rating 5 out of 5]

intriguing read about a man who was willing to put his adventurous spirit to the test.
Accomplished so much and really put Sydney and the colonisation of Australia in the history books
A thoroughly enjoyable and informative read

[Jamie Boyd · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great read, great man....

[Steven Lewis · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great Christmas present

[Julie Bye · Rating 3 out of 5]

A well written and researched biography. Not as dry as historical texts can be.

[Nicola · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very informative. Read this after seeing the documentary and enjoyed the read to fill out Arthur Phillips as a well rounded person.