It's a bit like reading an encyclopaedia or the bible but it is a story and like the bible ~ one of the greatest stories ever written. I read it in conjunction with Sam Neill's ~ In the Wake of Captain Cook screening on ABC 9.35pm on Monday nights (which is an excellent show) portraying the voyage of Cook and Banks.īanks by Grantlee Kieza is a brilliant read. Grantlee Kieza has taken into account all sensitive issues relating to this book. It's part of our history and the writer has explained in depth Joseph Banks and his life as a botanist and adventurer on the high seas.

A great thanks also to Grantlee for putting the effort into bringing a deeper story of Sir Jo to us all.īanks by Grantlee Kieza is a brilliant portrayal and biography of Joseph Banks and his voyages of discovery. His achievements, generosity and knowledge have contributed to terra australis greatly, and we are all indebted to the him for knowledge and discoveries JB made during his full and crazy life. JB has a monument there and reading this book will no doubt make me look at this face in a deeper and more appreciative light.

I feel a gratitude that I am walking and seeing the same scenes JB once had over 200 years ago. I live not far from Kurnell in Sydney and often visit and wonder at the sight of the Endeavour coming into the inlet and sitting out there on the water while the Natives stood by and tried to shoo them away but to no avail. His energy and effort at developing the early years of Botany and Natural Sciences were and are still unmatched. Reading this I had no idea at the scope of influence that Sir JB had on Australia, and very much the rest of the world. Will not be my last book by the author, no doubt. Great research, well written and easy on the eye. One of my first Grantlee books I’ve bought and very happy with it.

Grantlee kieza banks