Convicts, Crimes and Tragic Times: Dark Days of Old Australia
Jan 2026 · Sold by Simon and Schuster
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383
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About this ebook
Behind the birth of a nation lies a brutal, lawless world where crime, punishment, and desperation ruled — and shaped the Australia we know today.
This gripping true crime collection unearths the darkest chapters of Australia’s colonial past. From the savage penal colonies to the violent gold rush, these stories reveal the human cost behind the nation’s rise — tales of ruthless executioners, bungled robberies, heart-wrenching justice, and mysterious disappearances.
From the brutal penal colonies to the feverish gold rush that brought both immense wealth and unimaginable suffering, the book explores the paradoxes that defined the young nation. Meet William Bamford, the one-eyed executioner who survived a savage whipping only to become a figure of dread at Melbourne Gaol. Discover the bungled bank robbery of Joseph Wells, whose tragic end on the gallows highlights the desperation of the era. Witness the emotional complexity of Justice Redmond Barry, a judge who once wept as he sentenced a man to death, yet showed no mercy to the infamous Ned Kelly.
Within these pages, you will find tales of mutinies, disappearances, poisonings, and even ‘baby-farming’ — dark episodes often forgotten but essential to understanding the foundations of modern Australia. Convicts, Crimes and Tragic Times offers a vivid window into the tumultuous, often tragic, past that shaped the nation’s destiny.
‘A chilling window into Australia’s dark origins.’
A vivid resurrection of Australia’s lawless past.’
This gripping true crime collection unearths the darkest chapters of Australia’s colonial past. From the savage penal colonies to the violent gold rush, these stories reveal the human cost behind the nation’s rise — tales of ruthless executioners, bungled robberies, heart-wrenching justice, and mysterious disappearances.
From the brutal penal colonies to the feverish gold rush that brought both immense wealth and unimaginable suffering, the book explores the paradoxes that defined the young nation. Meet William Bamford, the one-eyed executioner who survived a savage whipping only to become a figure of dread at Melbourne Gaol. Discover the bungled bank robbery of Joseph Wells, whose tragic end on the gallows highlights the desperation of the era. Witness the emotional complexity of Justice Redmond Barry, a judge who once wept as he sentenced a man to death, yet showed no mercy to the infamous Ned Kelly.
Within these pages, you will find tales of mutinies, disappearances, poisonings, and even ‘baby-farming’ — dark episodes often forgotten but essential to understanding the foundations of modern Australia. Convicts, Crimes and Tragic Times offers a vivid window into the tumultuous, often tragic, past that shaped the nation’s destiny.
‘A chilling window into Australia’s dark origins.’
A vivid resurrection of Australia’s lawless past.’
Behind the birth of a nation lies a brutal, lawless world where crime, punishment, and desperation ruled — and shaped the Australia we know today.
This gripping true crime collection unearths the darkest chapters of Australia’s colonial past. From the savage penal colonies to the violent gold ru...
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About the author
Tony Matthews is a Welsh–Australian historian and author who has devoted his career to uncovering the hidden stories of Australia’s past. Since migrating in 1972, he has written nearly 40 books—including best-selling regional histories and gripping true crime anthologies—and produced more than a dozen documentaries for the ABC and Seven Network, as well as hundreds of radio programs.
Born in Swansea, Wales, and educated at Clevedon College, Tony travelled widely before settling in Australia to pursue his lifelong passion for history. His first book was published in 1986, with many titles since achieving strong sales—most notably Crosses: Australian Soldiers in the Great War, which remained on Queensland bestseller lists for 13 consecutive weeks.
Renowned for his meticulous research and accessible storytelling, Tony brings history to life through compelling narratives and unforgettable characters. His colonial true crime books have been serialised on radio and praised for their vivid, dramatic flair.
Born in Swansea, Wales, and educated at Clevedon College, Tony travelled widely before settling in Australia to pursue his lifelong passion for history. His first book was published in 1986, with many titles since achieving strong sales—most notably Crosses: Australian Soldiers in the Great War, which remained on Queensland bestseller lists for 13 consecutive weeks.
Renowned for his meticulous research and accessible storytelling, Tony brings history to life through compelling narratives and unforgettable characters. His colonial true crime books have been serialised on radio and praised for their vivid, dramatic flair.
Tony Matthews is a Welsh–Australian historian and author who has devoted his career to uncovering the hidden stories of Australia’s past. Since migrating in 1972, he has written nearly 40 books—including best-selling regional histories and gripping true crime anthologies—and produced more than a ...
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