Over the last 40 years, Jonathan King has brought history to life, re-enacting events such as the First Fleet’s voyage across the high seas to Botany Bay, the mutiny against ship’s captain William Bligh on the Bounty, Matthew Flinders’ troubled circumnavigation of Terra Australis, Ernest Shackleton’s death-defying dash across the icy waters of the Antarctic Ocean, and Marco Polo’s passage from China.
Along the way, King has encountered a cast of mavericks, rogues, entrepreneurs, dignitaries, and politicians — a veritable who’s who of Australia and beyond. These include bushman R.M. Williams, singers Slim Dusty and Helen Reddy, actor Jack Thompson, media magnate Rupert Murdoch, great train robber Ronnie Biggs, explorer Edmund Hillary, boxer Muhammad Ali, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, rock star Sting — and even Queen Elizabeth II.
So join this bestselling author and historian as he recounts his spectacular adventures: jackarooing on outback stations; trekking the Amazon to meet a remote tribe; sailing the perilous waters of the Atlantic; riding a traditional junk in the South China Sea; being detained by Spanish border guards; and becoming caught in an Antarctic hurricane, just metres from reaching Shackleton’s grave. These extraordinary tales will leave you breathless, dazzled, and inspired by King’s persistence and sheer courage in bringing history to life.
If you like to read about the behind-the-scenes politics of major events then this is the book for you ... King's persistence and passion to bring history to life is impressive.'
Fiona Purdon, Sunday Territorian
'Now my mate has reached the grand old age of 70, he feels it is time to return to that campfire of old, pull up a few logs, and ask you all to sit down so he can spin a few yarns, tall tales included. As a fellow jackaroo, I recommend you give him a hearing. These are pretty good yarns.'
Jack Thompson
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'Jonathan King has long been a leader in resurrecting Australian history and breathing new life into it.'
Geoffrey Blainey
'This is fantastic story from an incredible Australian. Jonathan King, a descendant of Philip Gidley King, is one of the last true eccentric Aussie "ratbags" - and we need more of them! Read the behind the scenes story of the First Fleet Re-enactment Expedition and how Jonathan's dream became a reality - despite a campaign from the hardened bureaucrats to stop it. A wonderful autobiography and a must read for everyone who loves Australia.'
Dick Smith
