Australia's Most Notorious Convicts: From thieves and bushrangers to murderers and cannibals

Description

Thousands of convicts were transported to Australia. Of these, some managed to escape incarceration and went on to achieve notoriety in their new land. A few tried to invent a Robin Hood reputation, taking the side of the poor settler against those in authority. Some committed crimes so heinous they were both feared and despised by the general population. Their lives were desperate, their fate often tragic. AUSTRALIA'S MOST NOTORIOUS CONVICTS reveals not only their stories but also the horror and brutality of the prison system they fought so hard to escape. Thousands of convicts were transported to Australia. This Little Red Book shows what became of the most dangerous and desperate of those incarcerated in Australia, and records their deeds both foul and fascinating. Some arrived here with serious criminal records; many more escaped and became hardened criminals... This is the story of the worst of them and those that ran the system. Multiple murderers, bushrangers, cannibals, conmen and the desperately criminal fought lifetime battles with a prison system that was often no better, managed by the incompetent, the sadistic, the ignorant and the foolhardy. This story of the worst of Australian convicts and the system that created them is a meticulously researched insight into the tragedy, treachery, drama and characters that founded our nation. This book is part of Exisle Publishing's Little Red Books series. Every title in the Little Red Books series provides an overview of key events, people or places in Australian history. They cover the essentials, bringing the reader up to speed on the most important, fascinating or intriguing facts. Appealing to everyone from students to pensioners who've always wanted to "know a bit about that", they're an essential part of every Australian bookshelf.