Description

Title: The Great Race Between English & French, Australia Exploration History
Author/Publisher: David Hill, Random House Australia Pty Ltd
Publication Year: 1912
Format: Illustrated Paperback

The Great Race: The Race Between the English and the French to Complete the Map of Australia is a historical non-fiction book by David Hill, published in 2012. The book recounts the true story of the contemporary and often tense expeditions of Matthew Flinders (English) and Nicolas Baudin (French) as they charted the last unknown sections of the Australian coastline in the early 1800s. This Illustrated paperback is an accessible and compelling work of Australian exploration history.

Synopsys: David Hill's book, "The Great Race: the Race Between the English and the French to Complete the Map of Australia," is a riveting exploration of a quest between two world superpowers in the 18th century to complete an accurate map of Australia. This intriguing narrative takes us back to a time when vast portions of the world remained uncharted, and nations competed for global dominance through discovery and knowledge. The book primarily focuses on the English navigator Matthew Flinders and the French cartographer Nicolas Baudin, chronicling their perilous journeys, their unexpected encounters with the indigenous population, and their rivalry which trickled into diplomacy, setting an important course for Australia's history. This historical narrative is a must-read for those interested in the adventurous era of exploration and the shaping of modern Australia.

Synopsis

This compelling non-fiction work delves into a pivotal chapter of Australian history, chronicling the intense rivalry between English and French explorers vying to chart the continent's last unknown coastlines. It illuminates the audacious expeditions that reshaped the map of Australia.

Set against the dramatic backdrop of the early 19th century, the book explores the strategic and scientific endeavours that drove these ambitious voyages, detailing the determination and challenges faced by those who sought to claim discovery for their respective nations.

• Pioneering Expeditions: The narrative meticulously recounts the simultaneous, often competing, voyages of figures such as Matthew Flinders and Nicolas Baudin, whose efforts were crucial in completing the cartographic understanding of the Australian continent.
• Anglo-French Rivalry: Explore the political undercurrents and nationalistic fervour that fuelled this 'great race', showcasing how the quest for geographical knowledge was intertwined with geopolitical ambitions between Britain and France.
• Illustrated Insights: Enhanced with illustrations, the book offers visual context to the exploration efforts, providing a richer understanding of the landscapes, encounters, and navigational challenges faced by these historic expeditions.

This historical account offers a fascinating glimpse into Australia's formative years of exploration, making it a valuable acquisition for collectors of Australiana, maritime history enthusiasts, and those with an interest in the competitive spirit of scientific discovery.

Condition

This item has been professionally inspected and is in Acceptable condition. Please refer to the photographs for detailed visual assessment.

Specifications