Although he is still a part of the military and does have to attend to matters with the others, Rooke spends most of his time alone which enables him the opportunity to associate with some of the indigenous people. To this end, he sets himself up on a hilltop, in his own hut with his equipment. Rooke is also an astronomer and mathematician and he manages to convince the Governor that his place, in the new settlement, is as an astronomer to sketch the Southern skies. Basically, this is how we are taught the history of Australia. They also meet the indigenous population who they consider sly and savage. Upon arriving they find the land rugged, inaccessible, and dry. Initially, his role is part of the military accompanying a fleet of convicts sent to the new land to begin a new settlement. The story follows a young Lieutenant, Rooke, as he makes his way to New South Wales (Australia) in the 1780s. This book is based on true events but reads fluently as a novel, not a historic text. Now, two books later, I have just finished The Lieutenant and WOW!! Two books ago I declared that I am not one for historic fiction but I did enjoy Joanne Harris' Holy Fools.
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