Robert Hughes ‘The Fatal Shore’ remains the definitive account of Australia’s convict beginnings. With prose as vivid as any novel, Hughes recreates the epic voyages of the First Fleet and the brutal realities of transportation. His gift lies in bringing ships, landscapes, and lives to life, weaving political history with personal voices from journals and letters. While some critics note its romanticism and limited Indigenous perspective, it remains unmatched for readability and atmosphere. For anyone interested in how exile by sea shaped a nation, The Fatal Shore is essential—a history that feels as immediate as story.
