In 1770, Captain James Cook sailed up the east coast of Australia in his ship, the HM Bark Endeavour. Setting out from England in 1768, he was given two instructions: to observe the transit of Venus and to find and chart the mythical 'Great Southern Land'. He succeeded in both tasks, despite he and his crew facing great hardship and danger, to complete one of the great voyages of exploration. But as a result of this voyage and reports made later by Joseph Banks, botanist on board the Endeavour, England would come to view Australia as a viable solution to her convict problem and a potential British colony. FROM COOK TO CONVICTS examines this epic voyage and its history-making consequences.

In 1770, Captain James Cook sailed up the east coast of Australia in his ship, the HM Bark Endeavour. Setting out from England in 1768, he was given two instructions: to observe the transit of Venus and to find and chart the mythical "Great Southern Land". He succeeded in both tasks, despite he and his crew facing great hardship and danger, to complete one of the great voyages of exploration.

But as a result of this voyage and reports made later by Joseph Banks, botanist on board the Endeavour, England would come to view Australia as a viable solution to her convict problem and a potential British colony. From Cook to Convicts examines this epic voyage and its history-making consequences.

This book is part of Exisle Publishing's Little Red Books series.

Every title in the Little Red Books series provides an overview of key events, people or places in Australian history. They cover the essentials, bringing the reader up to speed on the most important, fascinating or intriguing facts. Appealing to everyone from students to pensioners who've always wanted to "know a bit about that", they're an essential part of every Australian bookshelf.