Across Great Divides

True Stories of Life at Sydney Cove

Susan Boyer

$34.95 $31.54

Paperback

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English

Birrong Books
01 December 2013

History; Australasian & Pacific history; Social & cultural history

‘Across Great Divides, true stories of life at Sydney Cove’ will appeal to all readers, young, old and in-between, who love to be immersed in a good read, while learning new things. The stories will no doubt make you wonder, what would I have done?

The book brings to life the diverse experiences of people living in the precarious circumstance of Australia’s first penal colony. The stories are relayed through a non-fiction narrative which shows how convict men saw and seized the possibilities of their new position. It portrays the situation of convict women and their relationships with military men. The stories demonstrate the varied responses of participants to their unique situation: some succeeded beyond their imagination, some failed disastrously.

The stories also give voice to the dilemma of the Aboriginal people challenged by the unexpected arrival of a completely alien race of white people to their land: Bennelong and his difficult to ignore wife, Barangaroo, dealt with their new circumstances in a way they felt would best benefit themselves and their people. On the other hand, the young warrior Pemulwuy had his own ideas about how the white invaders should be confronted.Boorong and Nanberry, two native children taken separately into the homes of white settlers in the aftermath of a devastating epidemic, went on to have fickle yet enduring relationships with their white guardians.

The stories here give the different perspectives of military men who had volunteered for a tour of duty in the remote colony. Marine officers Watkin Tench, William Dawes, George Johnston, Philip Gidley King, and Captain John Hunter left valuable links to past times through their diaries, letters and journals. Arthur Phillip, the colony’s first governor, also wrote letters which give us insight into the dilemmas plaguing his mind.

This is a narrative non-fiction story set in the time of 1788 to 1892, Sydney Cove. It very successfully tells how all participants felt and how they coped with the challenges confronted. It is about the people and events as recorded in journals, letters and official documents.

'Across Great Divides’ is for general readership and it will appeal to all readers, young, old and in between who love to be immersed in a good book while learning new things.

Across Great Divides: True Stories of Life at Sydney Cove by Susan Boyer at Abbey's Bookshop 131 York Street, Sydney

By: Susan Boyer
Imprint: Birrong Books
Country of Publication: Australia
Dimensions: Height: 229mm, Width: 152mm, Spine: 17mm
Weight: 594g
ISBN: 9781877074424
ISBN 10: 187707442X
Pages: 336
Publication Date: 01 December 2013
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Reviews for Across Great Divides: True Stories of Life at Sydney Cove

Had the pleasure to meet the author by chance and decided to buy the book after we discussed her research and the 'voyage' the book takes you through. Great read and it's one of my favourite period/travel books. (Amazon, 8th Feb, 2015) 5 Stars. An excellent book. A feeling of being there. Should be required reading in all Australian schools. (Amazon, 16th May, 2015) 5 Stars. Much enjoyed, and as a boy from Balmain whose playgrounds were so much of the harbour for shore made for easy realisation. (Amazon, 15th Jan, 2019) 4 Stars. This book really helped me to understand what went on at Sydney Cove upon the arrival of the first fleet. Susan Boyer paints a balanced picture of the good, the bad and the ugly. Reading this book made me feel very sad about the ignorance of the English, and the missed opportunities to share the land rather than take it over through warlike tactics. (Amazon, 28th December, 2015) 5 Stars.