In 1860, a cavalcade of men and camels set out from Melbourne, tasked with the ambitious goal of crossing the Australian continent from south to north. Led by an eccentric Irish policeman and a shy English scientist, this historic expedition quickly spiralled into a harrowing ordeal. Within a year, seven men had perished in the unforgiving landscape.
Sarah Murgatroyd’s classic account captures the full tragedy of the ill-fated Burke and Wills expedition. It is a compelling narrative of human ambition, confronting the harsh realities of the outback, and the ultimate test of courage, love and madness. As the explorers face starvation and isolation, their desperate struggle for survival becomes a gripping tale that highlights the thin line between heroic discovery and profound disaster. Murgatroyd meticulously reconstructs the final days of the mission, including the heart-breaking decision of Wills to sacrifice himself to save his companions. This is a visceral, must-read chronicle of Australian history that will keep you captivated until the final page. A truly remarkable story of endurance and tragic loss.
Used (good, see images) Softcover ISBN 9781921922268
