Backbencher

For my book report I read The Kelly Outbreak, 1878-1880: The Geographical Dimension of Social Banditry by author John McQuilton. I chose to read this documentation and analysis of the Kelly Gang outbreak because I found the aspect of social banditry interesting, and Dr. Isern has alluded to the likes of Ned Kelly and his gang multiple times in class.

McQuilton began the first couple chapters by reviewing the history of northeast Victoria, the location of the outbreak, and the conditions he felt led to the outbreak. These chapters covered the rivalry between the rich squattors and poor land selectors and various government programs that opened new lands for selection. These chapters were rather slow, but once McQuilton started reviewing the events of the outbreak, the book became very interesting and a great read.

The whole book is basically an argument to McQuilton's theories on why the outbreak was able to occur and last as long as it did. Once Kelly and his gang of four killed three police at Stringybark Creek, they avoided capture, despite being the primary target of authorities, for 2 years. McQuilton attributes their ability to avoid capture to many factors including the overall incompetence of the police force, the amazing bushranging skills of the gang, and most of all the overwhelming sympathy given to the Kelly Gang by rural Northeastern Victoria. Despite an 8000 pound reward, no one turned in the Kelly Gang.

I found the accounts of the Kelly Gang's invasions the most interesting, especially the portrayal of the infamous leader Ned Kelly. In the three bank robberies, McQuilton sheds light on the gentlemanly nature of Ned Kelly. He socialized with the very people he was robbing, and was comparable to an R-rated Robin Hood. He was a very charismatic character, which made his capture and execution a bit of a letdown.