{"product_id":"9781460711996_banks-a-riveting-account-of-one-of-the-worlds-most-famous-explorers-a-story-of-lust-science-adventure-and-voyages-of-discovery-from-the-award-winning-author-of-banjo-sister-viv-and-hudson-fysh","title":"Banks: A riveting account of one of the world's most famous explorers, a story of lust, science, adventure, and voyages of discovery, from the award-winning author of BANJO, SISTER VIV and HUDSON FYSH","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLust, science, adventure -- Joseph Banks and his voyages of discovery\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cp\u003eSir Joseph Banks was a man of passion whose influence spanned the globe. A fearless adventurer, his fascination with beautiful women was only trumped by his obsession with the natural world and his lust for scientific knowledge.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eFabulously wealthy, Banks was the driving force behind monumental voyages and scientific discoveries in Australia, New Zealand, the South Pacific, Europe, North America, South America, Asia, Africa and the Arctic. In 1768, as a galivanting young playboy, he joined Captain James Cook's \u003cem\u003eEndeavour \u003c\/em\u003eexpedition to the South Pacific. Financing his own team of scientists and artists, Banks battled high seas, hailstorms, treacherous coral reefs and hostile locals to expand the world's knowledge of life on distant shores. He returned with thousands of specimens of plants and animals, generating enormous interest in Europe, while the racy accounts of his amorous adventures in Tahiti made him one of the most famous and notorious men in England.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eAs the longest-serving president of Britain's Royal Society, Banks was perhaps the most important man in the scientific world for more than half a century. It was Banks, one of the first Europeans to set foot on Australia's east coast, who advised Britain to establish a remote penal settlement and strategic base at Botany Bay, and he eventually became the foremost expert on everything Australian. Early governors in the colony answered to him as he set about unleashing Australia's vast potential in agriculture and minerals. For decades, major British voyages of exploration around the globe only sailed with his backing.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eBy award-winning bestselling writer Grantlee Kieza, \u003cem\u003eBanks \u003c\/em\u003eis a rich and rollicking biography of one of the most colourful and intriguing characters in the history of exploration.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003ePRAISE FOR GRANTLEE KIEZA OAM\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Engagingly written ... one of the most nuanced portraits to date' -- \u003cem\u003eThe Australian\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Vivid, detailed and well written' --\u003cem\u003e Daily Telegrap\u003c\/em\u003eh\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'A staggering accomplishment that can't be missed by history buffs and story lovers alike' -- Betterreading.com.au\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'A free-flowing biography of a great Australian figure' --- John Howard\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Clear and accessible ... well-crafted and extensively documented' -- \u003cem\u003eWeekend Australian\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'Kieza has added hugely to the depth of knowledge about our greatest military general in a book that is timely' Tim Fischer, \u003cem\u003eCourier-Mail\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e'The author writes with the immediacy of a fine documentary ... an easy, informative read, bringing historic personalities to life' -- \u003cem\u003eBallarat Courier\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Grantlee Kieza","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46908470493333,"sku":"9781460711996","price":36.99,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0484\/3175\/9509\/files\/9781460711996_2bafa1be-ad90-4c7d-98fb-11007e02b6d4.jpg?v=1776992610","url":"https:\/\/harpercollins.com.au\/products\/9781460711996_banks-a-riveting-account-of-one-of-the-worlds-most-famous-explorers-a-story-of-lust-science-adventure-and-voyages-of-discovery-from-the-award-winning-author-of-banjo-sister-viv-and-hudson-fysh","provider":"HarperCollins AU","version":"1.0","type":"link"}