The Lost Boys of Mr Dickens: How the British Empire turned artful dodgers into c

Discover the captivating narrative of 'The Lost Boys of Mr Dickens: How the British Empire turned artful dodgers into criminals.' This poignant tale unveils the real-life experiences of two young boys sent by the British Empire to Van Diemen's Land, the first prison exclusively for children in the world. As a rich blend of historical insight and emotional depth, this book explores themes of injustice, moral panic, and prejudice in the 19th century. Witness how impoverished boys, often seen as mere artful dodgers, faced severe punishment and harsh realities in a place like Port Arthur, where they endured solitary confinement, hard labor, and the brutality of isolation. Through the lens of their struggles, we see how some boys sought salvation through trades and religious teachings, while others formed a defiant brotherhood, slipping further into rebellion. This gripping narrative provides a haunting look at the loss of childhood under the pressure of a mighty empire, raising timeless questions about justice and humanity. If you're a fan of historical crime stories and thought-provoking literature, this book is a must-read. Shop now at Smartfox NZ for FREE shipping on this compelling historical account. Order today and dive into a story that resonates across time, blending captivating storytelling with essential reflections on society's treatment of youth.
This is the gripping real-life story of two young boys in the 19th century sent by the British Government as impoverished and unwanted juveniles to exile to Van Diemen's Land in the world's first prison built exclusively for children.

Prejudice, moral panic, harsh justice and expedience saw unwanted boys condemned to severe isolation, solitary confinement, hard labour in chains and thrashings in a juvenile version of notorious Port Arthur, a ground-breaking chapter in the history of juvenile crime and punishment.

Some quietly endured in the hope of salvation through rudimentary trade and Biblical instruction, but others became relentlessly defiant and mutinous in a brotherhood of resistance and bullying, inexorably slipping from hope to hell.

Engrossing as a novel, this story of the death of childhood in the cradle of the world's mightiest empire, and the atmospheric tale of crime and punishment leading to a sensational murder trial is from another time but implicitly raises questions which remain with us today.
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