Australia today is a nation created by immigrants. Other than the indigenous peoples, every Australian is an immigrant or is descended from an immigrant.

From the moment the first English, Irish, Scots and Welsh stepped ashore at Sydney Cove in January 1788, Australia's history, its institutions, its wealth and its achievements have been made by immigrants.

This is the story of the people who made the perilous journey to a new land and a new life. At first the immigrants had little choice in the matter — they were sent by a court. Later, the brave free settlers plunged into life in a harsh new environment unlike anything they knew.

In this book we see how every wave of new immigrants had to battle to establish themselves against prejudice, ignorance, official indifference and the hazards of nature.

From the original Anglos, through the people of Europe, the refugees and the assisted settlers, the Asians, the Africans and the Americans, here is the story of how modern Australia was made.