Written by Dane McCormack, a direct descendant of James Magee, Exiled to Exalted is an illuminating historical nonfiction exploration of Australia’s convict heritage, that follows a 14 year old James Magee, from committing petty crimes on the treacherous streets of Toxteth Park in Liverpool. To being exiled as a convict halfway around the world for stealing a shawl, gown, sugar and brass pan. To being exalted for helping establish the Midlands of Van Dieman’s Land as the breadbasket of the new colony. James then married the daughter of the free settler he was assigned to and living happily ever after.

Along the way, Dane will also help you better understand what life was like as a convict, and how important convicts were to the new colony and the Australian culture. How did living in England and their subsequent experience shape them and despite their challenges, foster the creation of one of the world’s most democratic and culturally diverse nations? It is all the more remarkable given that they were being transported for opposing British cultural ideals. Convicts were exiled, but we need to exalt them for helping create this wonderful country we now live.