A-Z of Convicts in Van Diemen’s Land
Simon Barnard
Seventy-three thousand convicts were transported to the British penal colony of Van Diemen’s Land in the first half of the nineteenth century. They played a vital role in the building of the settlements, as well as the runningof the newly established colony.
Simon Barnard’s A–Z of Convicts in Van Diemen’s Land is a rich and compelling account of the lives of the men, women and children who were transported to Tasmania for crimes ranging from stealing bread to poisoning family members. Their sentences, punishments, achievements and suffering make for fascinating reading.
And the spectacular illustrations, each one carefully drawn in meticulous detail from contemporary records, bring this extraordinary history to life.
INTERVIEWS and REVIEWS
ABC News
ABC Splash (article)
Sydney Morning Herald
andA-Z of Convicts in Van Diemen’s Land
‘Simon Barnard brings Tasmania’s remarkable convict story to life.’
‘A big, beautiful, funny, fascinating thrill-ride of convict esoterica.’
‘A rich and compelling account of the lives of the men, women and children who were transported to Tasmania for crimes ranging from stealing bread to poisoning family members.’
‘A lively, detailed and richly illustrated account of the lives of convicts sent to Van Diemen’s land.’
‘Australian convict history is a crowded field, but Barnard’s detailed and vivid illustrations breathe fresh life into it…Every school library should own the A-Z of Convicts in Van Diemen’s Land…not to mention interested adults.’
‘Barnard’s impressive craftsmanship has produced a truly handsome book design that pays loving homage to its 19th century sources…School students often complain about the dullness of Australian history. Barnard’s highly entertaining book is the perfect antidote to the usual sober textbook treatment of the convict era.’
‘In a time when we, as descendants no longer wish to wash away the ‘convict stain’, this book is a wonderful history for as wide as possible an audience.’
