A Commonwealth of Thieves - The Improbable Birth of Australia

Jerry Hughes

A Commonwealth of Thieves - The Improbable Birth of Australia
by Thomas Keneally
Random House (2006)
ISBN-13 # 978-0-385-51459-0

Just finished an interesting volume: "A Commonwealth of Thieves - The Improbable Birth of Australia". It's by Thomas Keneally, author of "Schindler's List" and a current resident of Sydney. It recounts the story - from journals, official logs and records and letters - of the founding of New South Wales/Australia, from 1789, by essentially an English convict population. Though tedious at times, it is a remarkable tale, given we know the eventual outcome, of determination, fortitude and compassion.