What do you think?
Rate this book
By Sea & Stars: The Story of the First Fleet
Dazzling, poetic and vivid storytelling from one of Australia's greatest writers, which tells the bloody, brutal and enthralling story of the epic journey of the First Fleet.
Originally published as a multi-part serial in The Australian, By Sea and Stars tells the story of the epic voyage which led to the founding of our nation, as told from the point of view of the people who took part - willingly or unwillingly - in it. Drawing from historical sources of the time, including letters and journals, Trent Dalton, one of Australia's best writers, brings this epic voyage, and the people who went on it, to vivid life.
This is not dry history of dates and names. These are gripping stories of real people, from the lowest to the highest. From terrified nine year old chimney sweep and convict John Hudson to conscientious Lieutenant Ralph Clark, pining after his wife and son, to the brave and determined Captain-General Arthur Phillip, the brightest star of the British Navy: these are the people who made the voyage, and these are their stories - of death, duty, glory, lust, violence, escape, mutiny - and a great southern land...
Originally published as a multi-part serial in The Australian, By Sea and Stars tells the story of the epic voyage which led to the founding of our nation, as told from the point of view of the people who took part - willingly or unwillingly - in it. Drawing from historical sources of the time, including letters and journals, Trent Dalton, one of Australia's best writers, brings this epic voyage, and the people who went on it, to vivid life.
This is not dry history of dates and names. These are gripping stories of real people, from the lowest to the highest. From terrified nine year old chimney sweep and convict John Hudson to conscientious Lieutenant Ralph Clark, pining after his wife and son, to the brave and determined Captain-General Arthur Phillip, the brightest star of the British Navy: these are the people who made the voyage, and these are their stories - of death, duty, glory, lust, violence, escape, mutiny - and a great southern land...
160 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2018
13 people are currently reading
1897 people want to read
About the author
Trent Dalton
14 books3,158 followersTrent Dalton writes for the award-winning The Weekend Australian Magazine. A former assistant editor of The Courier-Mail, he has won a Walkley, been a four-time winner of the national News Awards Feature Journalist of the Year Award, and was named Queensland Journalist of the Year at the 2011 Clarion Awards for excellence in Queensland media. His writing includes several short and feature-length film screenplays. His latest feature film screenplay, Home, is a love story inspired by his non-fiction collection Detours: Stories from the Street (2011), the culmination of three months immersed in Brisbane's homeless community, the proceeds of which went back to the 20 people featured within its pages. His journalism has twice been nominated for a United Nations of Australia Media Peace Award, and his debut novel Boy Swallows Universe was published in 2018.
He was nominated for a 2010 AFI Best Short Fiction screenplay award for his latest film, Glenn Owen Dodds, starring David Wenham. The film won the prestigious International Prix Canal award at the world's largest short film festival, The Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in France. Dalton's debut feature film screenplay, In the Silence, is currently in production.
Trent also hosted the ABC Conversations show while Richard Fidler was on a Churchill Fellowship.
He was nominated for a 2010 AFI Best Short Fiction screenplay award for his latest film, Glenn Owen Dodds, starring David Wenham. The film won the prestigious International Prix Canal award at the world's largest short film festival, The Clermont-Ferrand International Short Film Festival in France. Dalton's debut feature film screenplay, In the Silence, is currently in production.
Trent also hosted the ABC Conversations show while Richard Fidler was on a Churchill Fellowship.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
April 9, 2019
This is a dazzling concise rendering of the voyage of the First Fleet and those that undertook it. Trent used information from the existing journals from the First Fleet. One of the 9 journals held in the State Library of NSW by the priggish Ralph Clark. Clark mentions my First Fleet ancestor, who was 20 when he arrived as one of the 780 convict in the First Fleet and who was transported on The Friendship, the same boat that Clark was on.
It's a lovely produced little hardcover book that only takes a few hours to read and well worth the investment. Highly recommended.
Can't wait to read more by Trent Dalton.
It's a lovely produced little hardcover book that only takes a few hours to read and well worth the investment. Highly recommended.
Can't wait to read more by Trent Dalton.
November 1, 2025
Interesting but a bit too concise. Would have liked a longer book with more detail
January 29, 2024
Trent Dalton managed to write a really insightful and interesting book about a topic that is often seen as either controversial or boring - somehow managing to not fuel either side of controversy. Just a simple and interesting retelling of a bizarre “social experiment” that took place over 200 years ago… out of 1420 passengers, only 30 didn’t make it to the final destination.
September 13, 2021
By Sea & Stars tells the stories of some of the people whose lives were changed forever by the intrepid journey of the First Fleet from England to Australia in the late 18th century. This is not a textbook, filled with dry facts & explanations, but rather a collection of vividly drawn character sketches & vignettes, drawn from diaries, letters & court records & inspired by the true stories of the convicts, soldiers and local Eora people whose lives were so dramatically altered.
The First Fleet comprised eleven ships, carrying 1420 people in total. Of these, 778 were convicts. The fleet departed Portsmouth on 13 May 1787 and landed in ‘Sydney Cove’ on 26 January 1788 – eight months and thirteen days later.
The book starts with the crime of a nine-year-old chimney sweep named John Hudson who stole a linen shirt, five silk stockings, two aprons and a pistol and so was sentenced to transportation to Botany Bay. He spent three long years on a floating prison hulk moored on the Thames before the Fleet at last set sail. At twelve, he was the youngest convict on board.
Another story brought to life is that of Lieutenant Ralph Clark, who hated serving on the voyage and missed his dear wife Alicia terribly. He called the female convicts ‘damned whores’, but ended up having an affair with 17-year-old Mary Branham, who later gave birth to a daughter named Alicia.
The Fleet’s safe landing in Australia triggered ‘an impulsive night of unbridled passion between landed sailors and female convicts’. This is explained away as the ‘purging of eight months of collective fear and tension’. I was interested by this, and would have liked a more thoughtful appraisal of the event. Were the female convicts willing partners in this impulsive unbridled passion?
Similarly, I was troubled by Trent Dalton’s side-stepping of the biggest issue at the heart of the story of the First Fleet – an event now called ‘Invasion Day’ by many people. I would have liked to have known so much more about the lives of the local Eora people, and how the arrival of the First Fleet impacted them.
Trent Dalton’s writing is lyrical and evocative, and he does a great job of breathing life into the historical record. The book was originally written as a series of articles for ‘The Australian’ newspaper, and this is both an advantage & a disadvantage. It’s very readable, and I whizzed through it in less than an hour. However, it does feel rather lightweight & flimsy, and I was left wanting more.
Nonetheless, By Sea & Stars is a great introduction to the epic journey of the First Fleet & really illuminates the human stories behind the history.
The First Fleet comprised eleven ships, carrying 1420 people in total. Of these, 778 were convicts. The fleet departed Portsmouth on 13 May 1787 and landed in ‘Sydney Cove’ on 26 January 1788 – eight months and thirteen days later.
The book starts with the crime of a nine-year-old chimney sweep named John Hudson who stole a linen shirt, five silk stockings, two aprons and a pistol and so was sentenced to transportation to Botany Bay. He spent three long years on a floating prison hulk moored on the Thames before the Fleet at last set sail. At twelve, he was the youngest convict on board.
Another story brought to life is that of Lieutenant Ralph Clark, who hated serving on the voyage and missed his dear wife Alicia terribly. He called the female convicts ‘damned whores’, but ended up having an affair with 17-year-old Mary Branham, who later gave birth to a daughter named Alicia.
The Fleet’s safe landing in Australia triggered ‘an impulsive night of unbridled passion between landed sailors and female convicts’. This is explained away as the ‘purging of eight months of collective fear and tension’. I was interested by this, and would have liked a more thoughtful appraisal of the event. Were the female convicts willing partners in this impulsive unbridled passion?
Similarly, I was troubled by Trent Dalton’s side-stepping of the biggest issue at the heart of the story of the First Fleet – an event now called ‘Invasion Day’ by many people. I would have liked to have known so much more about the lives of the local Eora people, and how the arrival of the First Fleet impacted them.
Trent Dalton’s writing is lyrical and evocative, and he does a great job of breathing life into the historical record. The book was originally written as a series of articles for ‘The Australian’ newspaper, and this is both an advantage & a disadvantage. It’s very readable, and I whizzed through it in less than an hour. However, it does feel rather lightweight & flimsy, and I was left wanting more.
Nonetheless, By Sea & Stars is a great introduction to the epic journey of the First Fleet & really illuminates the human stories behind the history.
September 22, 2018
The British in Philips first fleet meet the indigenous Australians at Botany Bay in 1788. Pizarro's conquistadors meet the Inca at cajamarca in 1531. Compare and contrast.
While the stories in this account are probably somewhat familiar to most Australians, it is in comparison to other colonization efforts that the Australian effort becomes so remarkable. Rather than letting loose some the nations worst it have them an opportunity to be better, and largely restrained them from their worst instincts. The intent to make peace with the natives was explicitly instructed. Indeed, the humility of the indigenous Australians is markedly different from the naive arrogance of the Inca (for example), defusing the potential for conflict with an overwhelmingly more powerful force.
It is not to say British settlement in Australia was without its flaws, or to suggest all who came were heroic and noble. Most were rogues (which we are strangely proud of) or poorly off, whilst soldiers and officers were not universally pure in motive. Indigenous Australia is still recovering in many cases. But there is much in our story, a fragment of which is distilled into this short snippet of the first fleet, in which all Australians can be proud. This is a short read, only failing on the few occasions it repeats some of its points, important as they might have been.
While the stories in this account are probably somewhat familiar to most Australians, it is in comparison to other colonization efforts that the Australian effort becomes so remarkable. Rather than letting loose some the nations worst it have them an opportunity to be better, and largely restrained them from their worst instincts. The intent to make peace with the natives was explicitly instructed. Indeed, the humility of the indigenous Australians is markedly different from the naive arrogance of the Inca (for example), defusing the potential for conflict with an overwhelmingly more powerful force.
It is not to say British settlement in Australia was without its flaws, or to suggest all who came were heroic and noble. Most were rogues (which we are strangely proud of) or poorly off, whilst soldiers and officers were not universally pure in motive. Indigenous Australia is still recovering in many cases. But there is much in our story, a fragment of which is distilled into this short snippet of the first fleet, in which all Australians can be proud. This is a short read, only failing on the few occasions it repeats some of its points, important as they might have been.
December 23, 2018
Beautifully presented and researched. A different perspective.
February 21, 2020
I love everything about this little treasure of a book. The story of the good Captain Arthur Phillip bringing the First Fleet to Sydney Cove in 1788 is familiar, but Trent Dalton’s retelling is refreshing and so beautifully written.
October 24, 2025
An easy and pleasant way to get a feeling for the first fleet which brought the first British convicts to Australia in 1788. This short book reads more as a series of biographical sketches than as a simple history - tales of the people who were part of that extraordinary voyage which saw the birth of British settlement in a land inhabited only by the Aboriginal peoples for millennia before. This is a great introduction to an amazing story.
Read
May 6, 2024What a beautiful book
February 1, 2019
A very interesting take on the First Fleet’s voyage to Australia. Written in a light and breezy style, introducing the factual backdrop of the First Fleet against some of the personal stories. The book made me admire the fortitude of Captain Arthur Phillip whilst feeling the despair of the convict group.
October 27, 2022
At only 130 pages, this is a great book for those wishing to gain some knowledge of the First Fleet. Led by Arthur Phillip, the First Fleet landed on Australian shores on 26th January 1788, with the purpose of establishing a permanent colony of both free settlers and convicts.
I was reading a review on Goodreads for another book about convicts and it made me laugh so I had to copy it here:
"Britain had some whack ideas. Remember that time they colonized an entire continent with convicts? That was whack."
Pretty much sums it up!
The introduction explains why this little book is important and how it hopes that its size will make it less daunting and encourage some interest in our history. It tells how in 2017 a survey of Australians was held, where the participants were asked to identify the event celebrated on Australia Day. Only 43% connected the date with the arrival of the First Fleet, with 20% saying the day marked Captain Cook's arrival and a puzzling 2% saying it was to recognise an important battle in World War I (I think they were confusing it with Gallipoli and ANZAC Day!) I have also heard of people thinking it was to do with the Stolen Generation, possibly due to the number of protests held on Australia Day (or Invasion Day).
Arthur Phillip was determined to follow the instructions given to him by King George III, particularly the following:
"You are to endeavour, by every possible means, to open an intercourse with the natives, and so conciliate their affections, enjoining all our subjects to live in amity and kindness with them."
If only these instructions and Arthur Phillip's humanitarian views could have been followed completely.
The story of the First Fleet is told from different perspectives, using First Fleet journals and other documents. It is mainly about the journey to Australia - there are many other books that document the harrowing first years of the colony.
A good history of the journey, written in a story telling style which makes it an interesting and easy read. We all know some history books can be pretty dry and get bogged down in the detail. Not so this one!
P.S. This was orginally published as a multi-part serial in The Australian newspaper. Trent Dalton has won many Australian journalism awards.
I was reading a review on Goodreads for another book about convicts and it made me laugh so I had to copy it here:
"Britain had some whack ideas. Remember that time they colonized an entire continent with convicts? That was whack."
Pretty much sums it up!
The introduction explains why this little book is important and how it hopes that its size will make it less daunting and encourage some interest in our history. It tells how in 2017 a survey of Australians was held, where the participants were asked to identify the event celebrated on Australia Day. Only 43% connected the date with the arrival of the First Fleet, with 20% saying the day marked Captain Cook's arrival and a puzzling 2% saying it was to recognise an important battle in World War I (I think they were confusing it with Gallipoli and ANZAC Day!) I have also heard of people thinking it was to do with the Stolen Generation, possibly due to the number of protests held on Australia Day (or Invasion Day).
Arthur Phillip was determined to follow the instructions given to him by King George III, particularly the following:
"You are to endeavour, by every possible means, to open an intercourse with the natives, and so conciliate their affections, enjoining all our subjects to live in amity and kindness with them."
If only these instructions and Arthur Phillip's humanitarian views could have been followed completely.
The story of the First Fleet is told from different perspectives, using First Fleet journals and other documents. It is mainly about the journey to Australia - there are many other books that document the harrowing first years of the colony.
A good history of the journey, written in a story telling style which makes it an interesting and easy read. We all know some history books can be pretty dry and get bogged down in the detail. Not so this one!
P.S. This was orginally published as a multi-part serial in The Australian newspaper. Trent Dalton has won many Australian journalism awards.
January 19, 2022
Is this man capable of writing rubbish? Because this is excellent.
Discovered that his series of articles on the first fleet had been published as a book. Second discovery was finding that my local library had a copy and it was available now. The universe is being kind for once.
Taken from diaries, correspondence, and official records of the First Fleet held by various libraries and archives, it takes the story from the dry sanitized version we learned at school and made it real, highlighting specific people in the narrative, both convict and freeman. Sure he has allowed himself to embellish the tale a little, who know exactly what the thoughts were of 9 year old chimney sweep Hudson was thinking as he entered a house through a skylight, or Mary Marshall as she jostled for a better position on the prison deck on the Charlotte, or Mary Braund as she gave birth in the middle of a violent storm out of Rio de Janeiro, but thoughts in such situations are universal. Most of the scenes within the book/article have been taken straight from the source material. The way it has been written, gives it the humanity.
If anything, this book highlighted what an incredible experience this journey was, many of the ships crew having never sailed this far and under these conditions before.
Significant for me was the revelation that George the III gave specific orders to ...
... "endeavour, by every possible means, to open an intercourse with the natives, and to concilidate their affections, enjoining all our subjects to live in amity and kindness with them. And if any of our subjects hall wantonly destroy them, or give unnecessary interruption in he exercise of their several occupations, it is our will and pleasure that you do cause such offenders to be brought to punishment according to the degree of the offence."....
Wow, our history would be so different if the spirit of that decree was carried through from 1788.
Discovered that his series of articles on the first fleet had been published as a book. Second discovery was finding that my local library had a copy and it was available now. The universe is being kind for once.
Taken from diaries, correspondence, and official records of the First Fleet held by various libraries and archives, it takes the story from the dry sanitized version we learned at school and made it real, highlighting specific people in the narrative, both convict and freeman. Sure he has allowed himself to embellish the tale a little, who know exactly what the thoughts were of 9 year old chimney sweep Hudson was thinking as he entered a house through a skylight, or Mary Marshall as she jostled for a better position on the prison deck on the Charlotte, or Mary Braund as she gave birth in the middle of a violent storm out of Rio de Janeiro, but thoughts in such situations are universal. Most of the scenes within the book/article have been taken straight from the source material. The way it has been written, gives it the humanity.
If anything, this book highlighted what an incredible experience this journey was, many of the ships crew having never sailed this far and under these conditions before.
Significant for me was the revelation that George the III gave specific orders to ...
... "endeavour, by every possible means, to open an intercourse with the natives, and to concilidate their affections, enjoining all our subjects to live in amity and kindness with them. And if any of our subjects hall wantonly destroy them, or give unnecessary interruption in he exercise of their several occupations, it is our will and pleasure that you do cause such offenders to be brought to punishment according to the degree of the offence."....
Wow, our history would be so different if the spirit of that decree was carried through from 1788.
August 11, 2022
A light and enjoyable historical novella about the journey of the first fleet.
Dalton takes the journal's of the first fleet officers and provides the reader with a vivid perspective of the 8 month journey from Portsmouth to Sydney.
Although short, the story is engaging and provides some insight into the goings on in the 11 Fleet ships. Between the mutiny plots, the lechery between convicts and sailors, the disease, the lovesick letters and the contrasting welcomes received at the ports along the way, if anything it has encouraged me to seek out a meatier book on the subject. After all it is probably on of the greatest and most ambitious journeys undertaken given its scope and the time in history.
A decent introduction that can be knocked off in a day. 3.5 stars.
Dalton takes the journal's of the first fleet officers and provides the reader with a vivid perspective of the 8 month journey from Portsmouth to Sydney.
Although short, the story is engaging and provides some insight into the goings on in the 11 Fleet ships. Between the mutiny plots, the lechery between convicts and sailors, the disease, the lovesick letters and the contrasting welcomes received at the ports along the way, if anything it has encouraged me to seek out a meatier book on the subject. After all it is probably on of the greatest and most ambitious journeys undertaken given its scope and the time in history.
A decent introduction that can be knocked off in a day. 3.5 stars.
January 30, 2019
I enjoyed this quick read detailing the journey to Botany Bay of the First Fleet in 1788. Whilst a lot of the information was not new to me, I appreciated the writing style that drew in snippets from the stories of various people - the youngest, the oldest etc. and also the way that reference to modern day times was also alluded to on occasion. The thing I liked the most was how different perspectives were explored, from the range of people travelling in the fleet to the indigenous people who greeted them. Would certainly recommend it as a quick and easy read. Would be fantastic for young people interested in history.
April 23, 2022
I had no idea that history, even the contentious history of Australia's beginnings, could be so poetic. Dalton's prose could teach textbook writers a thing or two about a compassionate and personal recounting of the past.
Focused around Arthur Phillip's vision of Australia as a nation, not simply a colony, and plenty of tales from real convicts, sailors, and First Nations people populate the narrative too.
A well-rounded success of a book.
I reccommend to all who have contended with a sonorous retelling of the First Fleet. This will make you think differently and be all the better for it.
Focused around Arthur Phillip's vision of Australia as a nation, not simply a colony, and plenty of tales from real convicts, sailors, and First Nations people populate the narrative too.
A well-rounded success of a book.
I reccommend to all who have contended with a sonorous retelling of the First Fleet. This will make you think differently and be all the better for it.
January 22, 2019
A human perspective of the First Fleet, that history lessons and history books have never touched upon. Beautifully written with a nod towards the classical style of writing in which the original journals and articles were written 230 years ago. Researched thoroughly and interpreted respectfully to tell the stories of the people who made up the First Fleet, from the convicts and the officers, through to Captain-General Arthur Phillip and his vision for the colony. Not a long book, I really enjoyed it, and it's well worth the read.
April 20, 2021
This is an original perspective on the story of the First Fleet. It is highly readable and I enjoyed the new way to tell the tale.
I did find at times that there were characters introduced where I would have liked to know more but they were skimmed over - I suppose in such a short tale this was necessary, however I probably would have preferred a bit more depth in some areas rather than so much breadth of coverage.
There was a lot made of this being about Phillip's hope and vision and I felt a bit more focus on Phillip's view might have helped steer such a short tale better.
I did find at times that there were characters introduced where I would have liked to know more but they were skimmed over - I suppose in such a short tale this was necessary, however I probably would have preferred a bit more depth in some areas rather than so much breadth of coverage.
There was a lot made of this being about Phillip's hope and vision and I felt a bit more focus on Phillip's view might have helped steer such a short tale better.
March 18, 2019
Reading this book made me feel almost like I had discovered Australia! Insightful description of the journey and hardships of all on the fleet. Disappointed there was not too much reference to the indigenous people, especially as it is noted at the start of the book that it was to be written from both perspectives. Amazing really to think of the bravery and hard work of these people have led to what we are today.
April 6, 2019
Was quite a good read, especially to gain insight into the first fleet into what is now known as Australia.
I thought there would have been more of a storyline, however I felt it was disjointed. It was writer like it’s a newspaper. I’m glad it was only short, as I probably would not have read any further purely due to is structure.
Definitely alright for a brief insight into Australia’s history.
I thought there would have been more of a storyline, however I felt it was disjointed. It was writer like it’s a newspaper. I’m glad it was only short, as I probably would not have read any further purely due to is structure.
Definitely alright for a brief insight into Australia’s history.
January 25, 2024
A light, concise retelling of the first fleet told through diaries of various people on board with Captain Phillip. Although the intro says they endeavoured to tell various sides of the history - from the perspective of the convicts and of the Eora nation who first encountered the colonizers - the only sources available are from the free Englishman's perspective. I thought it was interesting, well written for the most part but finished feeling incomplete.
August 13, 2024
This book is an interesting insight into life on board the ships of the first fleet. I was surprised by how much I learned! There were moments of lovely intricate detail that created a rich picture in my mind. The only thing that prevented this being a 5-star book for me was that at almost every turn I wanted more. Maybe that's a good thing! For a short story this was certainly very enjoyable to read and I would be first in line to buy the longer version if that ever existed!
December 18, 2019
A well written, concise book. After reading the introduction, I was looking forward to reading “...from two critical vantage points - the view form the ship and the view from the shore. European and Indigenous”
There was little from the shore and I don’t feel that the viewpoint of the Eora people was really presented fully.
There was little from the shore and I don’t feel that the viewpoint of the Eora people was really presented fully.
January 5, 2021
Read in a few hours, riveting story of Capt Arthur Phillip and his leadership of the first fleet to colonise Australia. Against all odds he delivered 1420 souls, including free men, convicts and children and led them to build the colony that became Sydney and eventually Australia. Lots of historical pictures and journal entries make the book fascinating.
December 29, 2021
2.5 stars. After reading the introduction of this “dazzling” book, I was expecting more from Dalton. I did like the the excerpts from the historical journals and letters. However, I never found the promise “…from two critical vantage points: from the ship and the shore. European and Indigenous.”
What happened to the view from the shore?
What happened to the view from the shore?
December 25, 2022
I'm not convinced the "story of the first fleet" is actually told in any great depth. Far from it. The narrative is superficial and lacks detail but motivates the reader to investigate things further.
On the positive side, it's an easy read with just enough information that promps one to look further into the history of the colonisation of New Holland as it was known to be.
On the positive side, it's an easy read with just enough information that promps one to look further into the history of the colonisation of New Holland as it was known to be.
August 26, 2019
This isn't an academic/historical retelling but a very human re-telling of the First Fleet's voyage based on original journals and articles from that time. I wish it was longer and had more detail but it was an enjoyable read.
November 13, 2019
A very readable, brief account of the first fleet and the trip to Oz. Personal anecdotes in there, snippets from journal entries. A very brief account of what it would have been like from the POV of the aborigines.
October 1, 2020
A simple, easy read that paints a beautiful picture of the first fleet. Turns out there’s a lot I didn’t know about the social experiment that formed the basis of my country as it stands today... and when you think about it, what an insane project it was!
April 17, 2021
Great short history of the first fleet. Short tales about Arthur Phillip and his control of the 11 ships. Loved reading of the first sighting of coves and land and fresh water. Read it while sitting on Bondi Beach and finished it walking along the windy bluff at La Perouse.
February 25, 2025
Very short skip through the voyage and landing of the first fleet in New South Wales. Nicely done but very abbreviated. I had the impression from the introduction that there would be a bit more about First nations perspective.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews