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The Bounty and beyond : a textual and bibliographical investigation of William Bligh's journals of the first breadfruit expedition / John A. Fish.

By: Publication details: Melbourne : Australian Scholarly Publishing : in association with Ancora Press, 2023.Description: 303 pages : colour illustrations ; 29 cmISBN:
  • 9781922952783
Subject(s): DDC classification:
  • 910.45 23
Summary: "Despite Bligh's 'Bounty' journal being widely regarded as the most important of all the primary documents related to the famous mutiny, the relationship between the official version of the journal (at The National Archives in London) and Bligh's private version (at the Mitchell Library in Sydney) has never been thoroughly investigated. That surprising omission has now been comprehensively rectified with the publication of 'The Bounty and beyond', a meticulous comparison of the two versions of the journal by John A. Fish. Numerous surprising and important differences are revealed, particularly those relating to food and drink, and Bligh's relationship with his officers and men. The comparison is preceded by a thorough historical and bibliographical investigation of Bligh's three first breadfruit expedition journals, that is, the journals of the 'Bounty', the 'Resource' and the 'Vyldt'. Also included is a comprehensive investigation and considered interpretation of Bligh's separate manuscript account of the mutiny and the voyage in the open boat. This large manuscript is the forerunner of Bligh's published 'Narrative of the Mutiny' (1790). The significance of this manuscript, in Bligh's own hand and held by the Mitchell Library, has not, hitherto, been fully recognised. Based on extensive research (including several examinations of the primary sources) and a deep understanding of the relevant literature, this work will prove to be a landmark event in the history of Bligh/'Bounty' scholarship." -- Inside cover
Holdings
Item type Home library Collection Call number Status Date due Barcode Item reserves
Book Melbourne Athenaeum Library Non-Fiction large size 910.45 FIS Available 072205
Total reserves: 0

Signed and dedicated to the library by the author.
"To The Melbourne Athenaeum Library
Thanks indeed for making this delightful venue available for the book launch.
John Fish
Melbourne
July, 2023"

"Despite Bligh's 'Bounty' journal being widely regarded as the most important of all the primary documents related to the famous mutiny, the relationship between the official version of the journal (at The National Archives in London) and Bligh's private version (at the Mitchell Library in Sydney) has never been thoroughly investigated. That surprising omission has now been comprehensively rectified with the publication of 'The Bounty and beyond', a meticulous comparison of the two versions of the journal by John A. Fish. Numerous surprising and important differences are revealed, particularly those relating to food and drink, and Bligh's relationship with his officers and men.
The comparison is preceded by a thorough historical and bibliographical investigation of Bligh's three first breadfruit expedition journals, that is, the journals of the 'Bounty', the 'Resource' and the 'Vyldt'.
Also included is a comprehensive investigation and considered interpretation of Bligh's separate manuscript account of the mutiny and the voyage in the open boat. This large manuscript is the forerunner of Bligh's published 'Narrative of the Mutiny' (1790). The significance of this manuscript, in Bligh's own hand and held by the Mitchell Library, has not, hitherto, been fully recognised.
Based on extensive research (including several examinations of the primary sources) and a deep understanding of the relevant literature, this work will prove to be a landmark event in the history of Bligh/'Bounty' scholarship." -- Inside cover

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