Napoleon’s Australia / Terry Smyth – Ebury Press, 2018
Napoleon’s Australia / Terry Smyth – Ebury Press, 2018
A vivid and compelling account of Napoleon Bonaparte’s secret plan to invade Australia, Terry Smyth’s Napoleon’s Australia uncovers a remarkable chapter of history where espionage, exploration, empire, and romance intertwine.
Drawing on letters, maps, archival material, and historical accounts, Smyth reveals how French explorers—often presented as scientists and naturalists—were in fact gathering intelligence on Sydney’s defences in the early 19th century. At the same time, Empress Josephine’s fascination with Australian flora and fauna influenced naval decisions that allowed ships carrying botanical specimens safe passage through wartime waters.
This sweeping narrative blends geopolitical intrigue with the intimate and tumultuous relationship between Napoleon and Josephine, offering a fresh perspective on Australia’s colonial past and its place within global history.
Author
Terry Smyth
Publisher
Ebury Press, North Sydney, NSW
Date
2018
Format
Softcover
Pages
xii, 318 pages + 16 pages of plates : illustrations (some colour), portraits (some colour) ; 24 cm
ISBN
9780143787280
Summary
Explores the French plan to invade New South Wales in 1814, the role of espionage disguised as scientific exploration, Josephine’s passion for Australian plants and animals, and how Napoleon’s ambitions shaped the fate of the Great Southern Land.
Notes
Includes bibliographical references (pp. 303–309) and index.
Subject
Napoleon I, Emperor of the French
Josephine, Empress, Consort of Napoleon I
French — New South Wales — Sydney — History — 19th century
Australia — History — 1788–1900
Australia — Discovery and Exploration — French
France — History — Consulate and First Empire (1799–1815)
Australian History
Condition
Near Fine – clean, bright copy with minimal handling wear.
Why You’ll Love It
Ideal for readers of Australian history, Napoleonic studies, military intrigue, or historical “what if?” narratives. This fresh and engaging work sheds new light on the French presence in early Australia and the surprising botanical and personal connections between Paris, Malmaison, and the Great Southern Land.
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