The Bounty:the true story of the mutiny on the Bounty by Caroline Alexander

The Bounty:the true story of the mutiny on the Bounty by Caroline Alexander is a superbly researched history of the mutiny that took place on HMS Bounty in 1789. The book lays out a description of the actual seizing of the ship and much more. Of particular interest is the way that the careers of many of the crew are described both before and after the fateful voyage. Lots of archival research has been done in parish records and archives in the United Kingdom, Australia and the United States.

The question of why Fletcher Christian seized the ship is somewhat avoided. Alexander rightly points out that the evidence just isn't there are just theories. The relationship between captain William Bligh and Fletcher Christian is laid out. It was a lot more substantial than I knew before reading this book. Bligh receives a pretty sympathetic treatment.

The way that the story of the mutiny has changed over time is also dealt with. The campaign on the part of the Christian family is an interesting one. The breadfruit’s impact on slavery as well as the abolitionists anger about the issue is something I hadn't considered before.

Instead of traditional endnotes there is a 40 page commentary which provides citations as well as explanations of the sources and editorial comments.

A superb history highly recommended!

Is available through Abebooks.