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Matthew Flinders
A definitive and indisputable history of the man who mapped Australia
Brief Description
A wildly funny and meticulously researched reexamination of the life of explorer Matthew Flinders, as Shaun Micallef charts the chaos, comedy, and contradictions behind the founding of Australia. Who was Matthew Flinders? A pioneer who gave Australia its name but chose to name nothing after himself....
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Matthew Flinders
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Description
A wildly funny and meticulously researched reexamination of the life of explorer Matthew Flinders, as Shaun Micallef charts the chaos, comedy, and contradictions behind the founding of Australia.
Who was Matthew Flinders? A pioneer who gave Australia its name but chose to name nothing after himself. A dreamer obsessed with Robinson Crusoe who wound up imprisoned on an island for six years. A leader who captained a stout and loyal crew but preferred spending time with his cat. An explorer who charted a continent but had a side-hustle collecting human skulls. A hero who wasnβt all that heroic.
The story of Matthew Flinders, like the story of Colonial Australia, is one of tragic lows and high comedy, of embarrassment, shame, and humiliation.
Enter Shaun Micallef to tell this tale as it has never been told (but probably should have): with both meticulous research and an overweening sense of the ridiculous. As he charts Flindersβ chaotic route around Australia and beyond, Micallef asks bigger questions about who we are as a country and what it means to hold onto a legacy in an ever-changing-its-mind world.
Historically accurate and surprisingly enlightening, Matthew Flinders is a fresh and funny exploration of a foundational Australian story.
Book Details
INFORMATION
ISBN: 9781761638336
Publisher: Affirm Press
Format: Hardback
Date Published: 29 September 2026
Country: Australia
Imprint: Affirm Press
DIMENSIONS
Width: 153.0mm
Height: 234.0mm
Weight: 0g
Pages: 352
About the Author
Shaun Micallef is an Australian comedian, writer, actor, producer, author and bon vivant. After several years of practising law, Micallef threw it all away for a life in comedy. He has been a regular on Australian TV for more than two decades, although his output has been anything but predictable, ranging from chat shows and sitcoms to improvisation, drama and feature films. He is possibly the most loved comedian in Australia and has won just about every award going. Shaun lives in Melbourne with his wife, three children and the motto, βWhen you start quoting yourself, itβs time to stop writing.β
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