The Lives and Legacies of a Carceral Island: A Biographical History of Wadjemup/Rottnest Island

This book explores the biographical history of Rottnest Island, arguing that its diverse individuals and histories lend it a unique heritage. It traces the island's carceral history and its transformation into a beach holiday destination. It appeals to academic readers interested in Australian history, Aboriginal history, and the history of the British Empire.

Format: Hardback
Length: 198 pages
Publication date: 30 September 2022
Publisher: Taylor & Francis Ltd

This captivating book delves into the rich tapestry of Rottnest Island's biographical history, a small carceral island situated offshore from Western Australia. Renowned as Wadjemup or the place across the water where the spirits reside, according to the Indigenous Noongar people of south-western Australia, Rottnest Island holds a unique heritage that intertwines Indigenous, maritime, imperial, colonial, penal, and military histories with histories of leisure and recreation.

Tracing the island's ever-evolving identity, the text explores its carceral past, which has left a painful community memory in its wake. Today, Rottnest Island is best known as a sought-after beach holiday destination, thanks in part to the viral quokka selfie trend, where visitors capture memorable photographs with the island's adorable native marsupial.

This book captivates academic readers with a keen interest in Australian history, Aboriginal history, and the history of the British Empire, particularly those exploring the growing scholarship on carceral archipelagos and island prisons. It offers a profound exploration of Rottnest Island's past, shedding light on its intricate connections and providing valuable insights into the broader historical context of Australia and the world.

Weight: 550g
Dimension: 234 x 156 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781032185033