Heroes, Rebels and Radicals of Convict Australia

by Jim Haynes

Australia's most amazing characters of the convict age.In Heroes, Rebels and Radicals of Convict Australia, our master storyteller Jim Haynes has collected a fascinating cast of characters who embody the resourcefulness, bravery, defiance, successes and tragedies of the convict era, the men and women who forged the nation we would one day become.There's Joseph Banks, the true founder of the colony; Surgeon John White, the saviour of the First Fleet; Pemulwuy, the Bidjigal freedom fighter; Mary Reiby, the horse thief who made good; Sapy Lovell, the Eora gypsy convict; John Donohue, the wild colonial boy; Lady Jane Franklin, the true leader of Van Diemen's Land – and many more!Why did transportation occur, why did it end, and what was it like living in Australia from 1788 to 1870? Skilfully researched and told in Jim's warm and witty style, Heroes, Rebels and Radicals of Convict Australia answers these questions and brings to life well-known and unknown figures from Australia's history as a penal settlement. This is the true story of the colonisation of Australia.'Aussies love a good story and entertainer Jim Haynes has been telling them for decades' —Courier-Mail

Genres: Nonfiction, History

336 pages, Paperback

Published October 31, 2023

About the author

The son of British migrants, Jim attended Sydney Boys’ High and Sydney Teachers’ College. He taught in schools and universities in NSW and Britain, has two masters’ degrees in literature, from New England University and the University of Wales in the UK, and is the author of 24 books.

Jim’s book, Australia’s Best Unknown Stories, made it into the top ten best-seller list for his publishers Allen & Unwin. He was Writer in Residence at Charles Sturt University in 2011 and has also taught writing, performance skills and song-writing for The Arts Council of NSW, University of New England, SA Arts Council, Victorian Folk Council and Australian Performing Rights Association.

A professional entertainer since 1988, Jim has recorded for Festival, Sony and ABC Music and has had many songs in the Country Music Charts, including a number one with ‘Since Cheryl Went Feral’ and a national hit with ‘Don’t Call Wagga Wagga Wagga’. He won the Comedy Song of The Year award four times and toured his own show for many years.

Jim still performs as an entertainer and speaker, works in radio as the Australiana expert on 2UE.
Jim was awarded the Order of Australia Medal in the Australia Day Honour's List in 2016, 'for service to the performing arts as an entertainer, author, broadcaster and historian'.

Reviews

[Yicheng Liu · Rating 4 out of 5]

Decent book. Fairly engaging. Would recommend. 8/10.

[Rebecca · Rating 4 out of 5]

Engaging and informative about historical figures I've heard of and other I haven't during Australia's settlement and penal colony years. Easy listening for something between big books.

[Sare · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book, learnt fascinating stories about a range of different people I would never have learnt about in any other book about Australia. I will definitely be going more into depth researching some of these people in the future. Enjoyable read.

[Cher · Rating 3 out of 5]

Bit dry in places but overall interesting

[queenie m. · Rating 3 out of 5]

I do agree this book is a bit dry and the information is patched up, but still, an interesting read for someone to want to know a little bit more about the history for Australia

[Alice · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting.

[Jane T · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this.