Terre Napoleón; a History of French Explorations and Projects in Australia

Set against the rivalry between Britain and France at the turn of the 19th century, this work follows the French scientific venture launched by Napoleon to chart the southern shores of what was then called New Holland. The author retraces the parallel voyages of Captain Nicolas Baudin and his British counterpart, Matthew Flinders, highlighting their unexpected meeting in Encounter Bay and the subsequent race to map the coastline. Through detailed illustrations and contemporary maps, listeners gain a vivid sense of the harsh seas, exotic landscapes, and the meticulous surveying that defined the era.

Beyond the adventure of exploration, the book interrogates long‑standing legends about French ambitions—whether Napoleon aimed to claim a new “fatherland” in Australia and if French charts were merely copies of Flinders’ work. By juxtaposing official reports, personal journals, and conflicting testimonies about places like Port Phillip, the narrative invites listeners to weigh evidence and reconsider accepted histories. The result is a thoughtful, evidence‑driven portrait of an expedition that reshaped our understanding of early Australian cartography.