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Grog : a bottled history of Australia's first 30 years
Even before James Squire set sail as a convict aboard the First Fleet, liquor was playing its part in shaping the colony-to-be. Who was entitled to it and who wasn't; who could make and sell it and who couldn't; and how the young and thirsty colony could make itself self-sufficient in booze. As the colony grew, rum became both a currency and a source of political strength and instability, culminating in the Rum Rebellion in 1808, and what one observer said was a society of 'drunkenness, gaming and debaucheries'.
Now, with GROG, writer Tom Gilling presents a compelling bottled history of the first three decades of European settlement: how the men and women of New South Wales transformed the colony from a squalid and starving convict settlement into a prosperous trading town with fashionable Georgian street names and a monumental two-storey hospital built by private contractors in exchange for a monopoly on rum.
GROG is a colourful account of the unique beginnings of a new nation, and a unique insight into the history of Australia's long love affair with the hard stuff.
Now, with GROG, writer Tom Gilling presents a compelling bottled history of the first three decades of European settlement: how the men and women of New South Wales transformed the colony from a squalid and starving convict settlement into a prosperous trading town with fashionable Georgian street names and a monumental two-storey hospital built by private contractors in exchange for a monopoly on rum.
GROG is a colourful account of the unique beginnings of a new nation, and a unique insight into the history of Australia's long love affair with the hard stuff.
- GenresHistory
352 pages, Paperback
Published January 1, 2016
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 7, 2017
An interesting exploration of Australian settlement from the day the first fleet set foot on Botany Bay until thirty years onwards. The colony's reputation for drunkedness and debauchery is explored alongside the resiliance, idealism and opportunism of those who wanted more. It transports you to that time with an easy to read style that opens up our founding history without being stuffy, sensationalist or apologistic. I think the cover doesn't do the book justice: this is no ode to pisspots (thankfully), nor a pat on the back to temperance. The word Grog makes a great hook for this book and there's no doubt its influence flows through everything written about, but this book about so much than the cover suggests. So glad I took the bait and read it. I feel like Australia Day has more meaning to me now than it did before. There's something in this book for both sides of that debate too.
March 23, 2018
A very interesting read.
July 20, 2023
This book is a fascinating insight into the first thirty years of European settlement in Australia, with a particular emphasis on the massive role that liquor played. At the time, it was almost like gold to the early settlers; if they weren't drinking the stuff themselves, they were stockpiling it and using it as currency. For a while there, in old Sydney Town, grog was THE currency.
This book taught me a lot of things about Australian history that I didn't know previously; like how American-based trading ships were quickly onto the opportunity to exploit a new market of customers desperate for liquor, and how rum from India, and Cape brandy from South Africa played significant roles in keeping early Sydney's thirst for liquor quenched. Any attempt by the British to quell the new colony's supply of alcohol was thwarted by its provision from other sources.
"Grog" is extremely well-researched, and gives a fascinating historical account of life aboard the ships of the very first fleet, not to mention the early encounters that the European settlers had with the aborigines.
Modern Australia has of course been shaped by many influences, but it's fascinating to note that right from the start of European colonisation, Australia has always been a society of drinkers, smokers and gamblers. "Grog" also reveals a kind of dark underbelly of greed and monopolism in Australia that has also been there from the start.
That written, the reward of being able to acquire alcohol was undoubtedly something that drove the entrepeneurial spirit of the early settlers, so perhaps it had its usefulness as well.
Despite the many social ills caused by alcohol, attempts by governing bodies to contain its proliferation always proved futile, and soon enough, governments realised it was much better to tax and regulate it. Interestingly, Australia's famous fondness for beer basically evolved because promoting beer was seen as a good alternative to having the masses consume large amounts of spirits.
This book taught me a lot of things about Australian history that I didn't know previously; like how American-based trading ships were quickly onto the opportunity to exploit a new market of customers desperate for liquor, and how rum from India, and Cape brandy from South Africa played significant roles in keeping early Sydney's thirst for liquor quenched. Any attempt by the British to quell the new colony's supply of alcohol was thwarted by its provision from other sources.
"Grog" is extremely well-researched, and gives a fascinating historical account of life aboard the ships of the very first fleet, not to mention the early encounters that the European settlers had with the aborigines.
Modern Australia has of course been shaped by many influences, but it's fascinating to note that right from the start of European colonisation, Australia has always been a society of drinkers, smokers and gamblers. "Grog" also reveals a kind of dark underbelly of greed and monopolism in Australia that has also been there from the start.
That written, the reward of being able to acquire alcohol was undoubtedly something that drove the entrepeneurial spirit of the early settlers, so perhaps it had its usefulness as well.
Despite the many social ills caused by alcohol, attempts by governing bodies to contain its proliferation always proved futile, and soon enough, governments realised it was much better to tax and regulate it. Interestingly, Australia's famous fondness for beer basically evolved because promoting beer was seen as a good alternative to having the masses consume large amounts of spirits.
August 20, 2020
Purchase Grog here for just $10!
An insight into the first thirty years following the First Fleet’s landing at Botany Bay, Gilling explores the early colony's reputation for drunkenness and debauchery alongside the resilience, idealism and opportunism of those who wanted more. Unapologetic and intoxicating, this book unmasks the early days from which Australia as a nation was forged.
Andrew - The Book Grocer
An insight into the first thirty years following the First Fleet’s landing at Botany Bay, Gilling explores the early colony's reputation for drunkenness and debauchery alongside the resilience, idealism and opportunism of those who wanted more. Unapologetic and intoxicating, this book unmasks the early days from which Australia as a nation was forged.
Andrew - The Book Grocer
May 21, 2019
A fun, frothy read.
May 7, 2020
Interesting content here and there, it just becomes a bit sprawling and dry in some areas.
August 10, 2020
A quite-good history of the first year's of colonisation. The 'bottled history' aspect doesn't contribute much - intermittent watery draughts
May 14, 2021
Great book. A fascinating look into early settlement and grog. Worthwhile.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews