Paradise in Chains: The Bounty Mutiny and the Founding of Australia

by Diana Preston Narrated by Davina Porter

Overview

Celebrated historian Diana Preston presents betrayals, escapes, and survival at sea in her account of the mutiny of the Bounty and the flight of convicts from the Australian penal colony. The story of the mutiny of the Bounty and William Bligh and his men's survival on the open ocean for 48 days and 3,618 miles has become the stuff of legend. But few realize that Bligh's escape across the seas was not the only open-boat journey in that era of British exploration and colonization. Indeed, 9 convicts from the Australian penal colony, led by Mary Bryant, also traveled 3,250 miles across the open ocean and some uncharted seas to land at the same port Bligh had reached only months before. In this meticulously researched dual narrative of survival, acclaimed historian Diana Preston provides the background and context to explain the thrilling open-boat voyages each party survived and the Pacific Island nations each encountered on their journey to safety. Through this deep-dive, readers come to understand the Pacific Islands as they were and as they were perceived, and how these seemingly utopian lands became a place where mutineers, convicts, and eventually the natives themselves, were chained.

Editorial Reviews

Publishers Weekly

09/11/2017
British historian Preston (Lusitania) examines the British era of discovery in the South Pacific and the people who, willingly or not, endured severe privations during this episode. Tracking the paths of the infamous Bounty and of Mary Bryant, a convict transported to the New South Wales penal colony who later escaped, Preston colorfully evokes the claustrophobia and isolation faced by seafarers. At the tale’s center sits Tahiti, where the British sought breadfruit saplings. The island captured sailors’ attentions for a different reason; after overthrowing Vice Adm. William Bligh, Bounty mutineers risked returning to Tahiti “because they lacked women and each wanted to obtain one.” Preston explores the socioeconomic conditions in Britain that led to convict transport becoming an attractive policy, but Australia and the fledgling colony there get short shrift. The enduring legacy of colonialism is reflected in the life of Bennelong, one of a handful of Aboriginals who spent time in England and whose “experiences and treatment seem to have left him stranded between two societies.” Preston’s heart is with the oceanic adventurers, and readers will be titillated by tales of derring-do, but those seeking a more comprehensive history of Australia or the South Pacific should look elsewhere. Agent: Bill Hamilton, A.M. Heath Literary (U.K.). (Nov.)Correction: An earlier version of this review misstated why the British sought breadfruit saplings.

From the Publisher

"Grounded in a familiar assortment of printed manuscripts and secondary sources, the book is comprehensive in scope, cogently written and amply detailed . . . The chief contribution of ‘Paradise in Chains’ lies in the contrast it offers in the relations between natives and newcomers." - Wall Street Journal

"Ultimately, this is a book about survival, and the author engagingly recounts the nearly impossible task of trying to establish a penal colony with few supplies and poor agricultural conditions. Preston shines in her description of the true nature of Capt. Bligh . . . A wonderful look into the beginnings of Australia and the remarkable strength of the survivors of these dangerous voyages." - Kirkus Reviews

"Tracking the paths of the infamous Bounty and of Mary Bryant, a convict transported to the New South Wales penal colony who later escaped, Preston colorfully evokes the claustrophobia and isolation faced by seafarers . . . Preston's heart is with the oceanic adventurers, and readers will be titillated by tales of derring-do." - Publishers Weekly

"Preston delivers an eminently engaging account of Britain's discovering voyages to the South Pacific." - Booklist

"The history lover will find much in this book. This story is an adventure on a grand scale, directed by powerful institutions but told in the actions of colorful characters." - The New York Journal of Books

"History at its best: lively, vivid and thorough. Author Diana Preston delivers that rare combination of incredible research with clear writing to produce a book that holds your attention and makes you want to keep reading well into the night." - Michael J. Tougias, New York Times bestselling author and coauthor of RESCUE ON THE BOUNTY, THE FINEST HOURS, and SO CLOSE TO HOME

"Preston deftly and graphically weaves the complex stories—hitherto kept distinct—of these land, sea and air innovations into a connected narrative. For the first time, readers can grasp the mounting cognitive assault on civilians, soldiers and politicians of the curious clustering of events that spring." - The New York Times Book Review on A HIGHER FORM OF KILLING

"[A] gripping and excellent book . . . Preston, whose previous books include a history of the sinking of the Lusitania, tells this grim story well. Her extensive archival research fills in the historical chronology with well-selected quotations from personal accounts of participants at every level of civilian and military life and of government." - The Washington Post on A HIGHER FORM OF KILLING

Kirkus Reviews

2017-09-03
A British historian recounts the links between the founding of the British penal colony in Australia and the mutiny on the Bounty.Preston (A Higher Form of Killing: Six Weeks in World War I That Forever Changed the Nature of Warfare, 2015, etc.) narrates the story of three remarkable open-boat journeys. The first was occasioned by mutiny, the second by escaped convicts, and the third by shipwreck. William Bligh (1754-1817) was part of two other mutinies: the great naval mutiny in 1797, when aggrieved sailors removed their captains from a number of ships on Britain's coast, and his deposition by subordinates as governor of the Australian penal colony in 1808. The story of Bligh's 3,600-mile open-boat journey to Timor in 1789 is well-known, but two others made similar voyages not long after. Almost two years to the day, nine convicts, escapees from Port Jackson penal colony in Botany Bay, landed at the same place on Timor. Their 10-week trek covered more than 3,200 nautical miles of hazardous seas. The third trek was led by the captain of Pandora, a ship sent to find and arrest the Bounty mutineers. She sank in the Great Barrier Reef, but dozens of the ship's company, as well as 10 captured mutineers, survived the trip to Timor in four boats. Ultimately, this is a book about survival, and the author engagingly recounts the nearly impossible task of trying to establish a penal colony with few supplies and poor agricultural conditions. Preston shines in her description of the true nature of Capt. Bligh, who skimmed, cheated, cut rations, and stole supplies. Still, it seems greed was the least of his faults. He also had an explosive temper and was uncommonly harsh, abusive, and even tyrannical. His manner was consistently aggressive, and he seemed to completely lack empathy, intuition, or insight. A wonderful look into the beginnings of Australia and the remarkable strength of the survivors of these dangerous voyages.

Product Details

BN ID:	2940171285098
Publisher:	Recorded Books, LLC
Publication date:	11/07/2017
Edition description:	Unabridged

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