{"product_id":"matthew-flinders-shaun-micallef","title":"Matthew Flinders - Shaun Micallef","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHardback\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA 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.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWho 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 wasn’t all that heroic.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe story of Matthew Flinders, like the story of Colonial Australia, is one of tragic lows and high comedy, of embarrassment, shame and humiliation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEnter 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 Flinders’ 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHistorically accurate and surprisingly enlightening, this book is a fresh and funny exploration of a foundational story of Australia.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003ePublished September 29, 2026\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Nice Stack Of Books","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45221591122120,"sku":null,"price":49.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0595\/5567\/6360\/files\/MatthewFlinders.jpg?v=1790225258","url":"https:\/\/nicestackofbooks.myshopify.com\/products\/matthew-flinders-shaun-micallef","provider":"Nice Stack Of Books","version":"1.0","type":"link"}