• The Commonwealth of Thieves 

  • By: Thomas Keneally
  • Narrated by: Simon Vance
  • Length: 12 hrs and 28 mins
  • 4.6 out of 5 stars (5 ratings)

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The Commonwealth of Thieves   By  cover art

The Commonwealth of Thieves 

By: Thomas Keneally
Narrated by: Simon Vance
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Publisher's Summary

A lively history of the 'First Fleet' which took convicts from Britain to Australia in 1787; Sydney's early years as 'an open-air prison'; and the colonisation of New South Wales. 

The story of modern Australia begins in 18th-century Britain, where people were hanged for petty offences but crime was rife and the gaols were bursting. From this situation was born the Sydney experiment, with criminals perceived to be damaging British society transported to Sydney, an 'open air prison with walls 14,000 miles thick'.  

Eleven ships were dispatched in 1781 and arrived in Australia after eight hellish months at sea. Tom Keneally describes the first four years of the 'thief colony' and how, despite the escapes, the floggings, the murders and the rebellions, it survived against the odds to create a culture which would never have been tolerated in its homeland but which, in Australia, became part of the identity of a new and audacious nation.

©2006 The Serpentine Publishing Co. (Pty) Ltd (P)2006 Tantor Media, Inc
  • Unabridged Audiobook
  • Categories: History

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  • The Nautrual
  • 09-21-20

A most vivid account of Australian settlement

Without judgement Thomas weaves the stories of the individual lives of convicts, soldiers sea captains, and free settlers, those of Benelong, Barangaroo and the Eora people with that of Arthur Philip and other British officials into a complex colorful tapestry that brings to vivid life the story of the meeting of two cultures, two nations, two world views. A subject that is often as dry as ships biscuit when presented in grade school history books comes to life under the exquisite penmanship of Keneally as he depicts events of settlement through the intertwining life stories of the many lives allowing the reader to become almost intimately acquainted with the characters through their diary entries thus giving the reader almost the sense of having lived the experience first hand as a fly-on-the-wall observer, a voyeur-to-the-events that began the story of Australia. Engaging enthralling enlightening and best of all... entertaining!!

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  • David
  • 07-20-19

history but not history

kenally writes clearly. this is a well researched and informative book. written in the style of a novel nevertheless it provides an informed view of early European settlement.

3 people found this helpful

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  • Anonymon
  • 09-10-20

Full 5 star

A remarkable book on the early British settlement of Australia and the relationship of the settlers and convicted men and woman with the native Australians. The narration is particularly pleasant with Simon’s lovely voice and English. I’ll listen again one day soon because Thomas has filled the book with so much material that it is easy to miss some while musing over it.

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  • shanti
  • 09-07-20

Wonderful.

I was worried about reading this book. I was worried about it being “ white history “ all over again so I was pleasantly surprised. T.K. Has put us in touch with the individual people. The convicts , the officers, the indigenous folk. It was sympathetic to everyone and written without judgement for or against anyone. Like excellent journalism Some of the stories really surprised me and left me wanting to know more. Like the story of Barangaroo, Benelongs wife and a fantastic woman. I’ve never read anything on early white Australian history nearly as good as this before.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 02-20-23

Rich in history and narrative

Tom Keneally shares brilliantly researched and detailed insights into the Early years of Colonial Sydney. The narration of this ebook is fabulous also.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 01-15-23

A very informative book

I’m very important document. Fascinated to get some insight into the workings of colonisation in Australia. Feel very sad for the indigenous people of the country because of the effects of what is really an invasion.

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  • Leon
  • 10-11-22

Leon's review

I love the amount of heart of the Author and his capacity to convey the ideas so thoughtfully so as to make this a momentous occasion for the listener.

simply a must for all lovers of Australian History.

This is truly a masterpiece waiting to be discovered.

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  • carol
  • 09-17-22

An insight into 1788

I wasn't sure about this book at first, but the story is woven around Journals, Diaries and Accounts of many people who were experiencing Sydney Cove first hand. I guess it is a story seen through the eyes and perceptions of those present.
The deaths of so many Convicts was deplorable and the lack of any compassion for human life was disturbing.
As a descendant of several Convicts first, second and third fleets I can only marvel at their strength and indurance during those shocking times, it proved to me that only the very strong did survive and gives me pride in my Ancestory.
Well researched, written and narrated, a lot in old english speak, sometimes difficult to understand but definately worth listening and giving the listener a greater understanding of what happened at the beginning of colonisation of this country.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 09-10-22

essential history

an excellent account of the first years of colonialism. the figures in history read like tragic characters in a novel. the performance is excellent.

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  • Anonymous User
  • 04-15-22

The Commonwealth of Thieves

This book provided details of the settlement of Sydney, a city that I personally enjoy, I especially appreciated the aspect of the interaction with the Aboriginal people, I would recommend it to anyone interested in such like historic time lines.