100% NZ-owned | 80,000+ Books In NZ 📚

Today Only: 20% Off When You Buy 2+ Stationery Items! 🎨

Burke and Wills

The triumph and tragedy of Australia's most famous explorers
By Peter FitzSimons
0.0 (0 reviews)
4.26 goodreads logo

Ratings/reviews counts are updated frequently.

Check link for latest rating. ( 817 ratings, 76 reviews)
Book Hero Magic crafted this summary to help describe this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Summary
Burke and Wills by Peter FitzSimons delves into the gripping tale of the ill-fated expedition of Robert O'Hara Burke and William John Wills as they embarked on an ambitious journey across the Australian continent. The narrative vividly captures their courage, struggles, and the impact of their journey on Australian exploration history, painting a detailed picture of the challenges faced during this epic adventure.
Read More
Format: Hardback
TEMPORARILY OUT OF STOCK Please add to wishlist to be notified when back in stock

Sorry, we're currently out of stock of Burke and Wills. Please add to your Wishlist and we'll send you an email as soon as it's back in stock.

Book Hero Magic created this recommendation. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! IS THIS YOUR NEXT READ?

You might enjoy this book if you're fascinated by epic tales of exploration and endurance, as it delves into the dramatic journey of two adventurers traversing the harsh Australian landscape. With vivid storytelling and historical insights, it sheds light on their triumphs and tragedies, making it a compelling read for those interested in exploration history.

Book Hero thinking about your next read

Burke and Wills

Book Hero Magic formatted this description to make it easier to read. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! Description

"They have left here today!" he calls to the others. When King puts his hand down above the ashes of the fire, it is to find it still hot. There is even a tiny flame flickering from the end of one log. They must have left just hours ago.

MELBOURNE, 20 AUGUST 1860. In an ambitious quest to be the first Europeans to cross the harsh Australian continent, the Victorian Exploring Expedition sets off, farewelled by 15,000 cheering well-wishers. Led by Robert O'Hara Burke, a brave man totally lacking in the bush skills necessary for his task; surveyor and meteorologist William Wills; and 17 others, the expedition took 20 tons of equipment carried on six wagons, 23 horses, and 26 camels.

Almost immediately plagued by disputes and sackings, the expeditioners battled the extremes of the Australian landscape and weather: its deserts, the boggy mangrove swamps of the Gulf, the searing heat, and flooding rains. Food ran short and, unable to live off the land, the men nevertheless mostly spurned the offers of help from the local Indigenous people.

In desperation, leaving the rest of the party at the expedition's depot on Coopers Creek, Burke, Wills, and John King made a dash for the Gulf in December 1860. Bad luck and bad management would see them miss by just hours a rendezvous back at Coopers Creek, leaving them stranded in the wilderness with practically no supplies. Only King survived to tell the tale.

Yet, despite their tragic fates, the names of Burke and Wills have become synonymous with perseverance and bravery in the face of overwhelming odds. They live on in our nation's history - and their story remains immediate and compelling.

Book Hero Magic summarised reviews for this book. While it's new and still learning, it may not be perfect - your feedback is welcome! HOW HAS THIS BEEN REVIEWED?

Burke and Wills by Peter FitzSimons is praised for its solid foundation in empirical research, engaging enthusiastic prose, and ability to draw readers into Australian history. It is expected to satisfy both loyal followers of the author and potentially inspire younger audiences.

Book Hero reading reviews

Book Details

INFORMATION

ISBN: 9780733634109

Publisher: Hachette Australia

Format: Hardback

Date Published: 31 October 2017

Country: Australia

Imprint: Hachette Australia

Audience: General / adult

DIMENSIONS

Spine width: 61.0mm

Width: 160.0mm

Height: 243.0mm

Weight: 1080g

Pages: 704

Collections

History & Military Non-Fiction Peter FitzSimons

About the Author

Peter FitzSimons is Australia's bestselling non-fiction writer, and for the past 30 years has also been a journalist and columnist with the SYDNEY MORNING HERALD and the SUN HERALD. He is the author of a number of highly successful books, including KOKODA, NED KELLY and GALLIPOLI, as well as biographies of such notable Australians as Sir Douglas Mawson, Nancy Wake and Nick Farr-Jones. His passion is to tell Australian stories, our own stories: of great men and women, of stirring events in our history. Peter grew up on a farm north of Sydney, went to boarding school in Sydney and attended Sydney University. An ex-Wallaby, he also lived for several years in rural France and Italy, playing Rugby for regional clubs. He lives in Sydney with his wife, Lisa Wilkinson - journalist, magazine editor and currently co-presenter of TODAY on Channel 9 - and their three children.

Also by Peter FitzSimons

View all

More from History & Military

View all

Why buy from us?

Book Hero is not a chain store or big box retailer. We're an independent 100% NZ-owned business on a mission to help more Kiwis rediscover a love of books and reading!

Service & Delivery

Service & Delivery

Our warehouse in Auckland holds over 80,000 books and puzzles in-stock so you're not waiting for your order to arrive from overseas.

Auckland Bookstore

Auckland Bookstore

We're primarily an online store, but for your convenience you can pick up your order for free from our bookstore, which is right next door to our warehouse in Hobsonville.

Our Gifting Service

Our Gifting Service

Books make wonderful thoughtful gifts and we're here to help with gift-wrapping and cards. We can even send your gift directly to your loved one.