A Commonwealth of Thieves

In "A Commonwealth of Thieves," historian and novelist Thomas Keneally chronicles the ambitious 1786 expedition led by Captain Arthur Phillip to establish a penal colony in Australia. Drawing from personal journals and documents, Keneally vividly depicts the grueling journey and the subsequent trials faced by both convicts and settlers in the nascent settlement of New South Wales. With a focus on the complexities of governance, interactions with the local Aboriginal population, and the struggles of those aiming for a fresh start, this engaging narrative captures the multifaceted experience of early colonial life.