This is a review by Randy L Harvey of the Osprey Publishing book Australian Bushrangers 1788 –1880 by author Ian Knight and illustrator Mark Stacey.

Read the Review

If you have comments or questions please post them here.

Thanks!

Browsing through the sample pages, this looks like an very interesting book. Makes me want to get some figures to build and paint.

England did not have a prison system and punishment for even very minor crimes was death by hanging.

They also believed there was a criminal class that could not be reformed.

Transportation was seen as a way to get rid of the criminal class by sending to places from which they were unlikely to return. And incidentally getting work out of them that would benefit the Empire.

The hope of being able to return was held out to the prisoners but most eventually found life better in Australia and opted not to.
Ironically although populated by "the criminal class" Australia had a lower crime rate than England.

Thank you for getting this posted for me Fred, I appreciate it.




I was thinking the same thing in regards to a figure. I might have to scratch-build me a Ned Kelly figure. It should be fairly easy to do. I might have to suggest a "Here Come The Outlaws" campaign or something like that......and dedicate it to my grandfather.

Thank you for the information Donald. The whole English justice system during that time frame is interesting. To me it is kind of ironic how Australia became a huge tourist destination and it is where England sent their undesirables back in the day.

Thanks guys,
Randy