John Morgan's gripping account tells the incredible true story of William Buckley, a British convict who escaped from a penal settlement in 1803 and lived for 32 years among the Aboriginal people of what is now Victoria, Australia. Based on Buckley's own recollections, this narrative reveals a rare and deeply human encounter between European and Indigenous cultures during the earliest days of colonial expansion. Wounded, starving, and alone after his escape, Buckley was taken in by the Wathaurong people, who believed him to be a reincarnated ancestral spirit. He adapted to their customs, language, and rituals, living as one of them for over three decades before emerging to meet settlers again in the 1830s. His story is both a survival epic and an anthropological treasure, offering a first-hand view of Aboriginal lifeways, spiritual beliefs, and cultural values from a uniquely embedded European perspective. Morgan, who recorded the tale, adds context and commentary that reflect the attitudes of his era, but the voice of Buckley shines through with humility and respect. This work remains one of the most remarkable and revealing captivity narratives ever published, offering insight into colonialism, cultural adaptation, and the resilience of the human spirit.
