Austrailian History Book

Several years back i read a fine papreback book on the history of Australia. From the early days of Botany Bay, so-called 'transportation' from England to the trials and tribulations of building railroad routes thru the hills, development of Norfolk Island and the like. It brought the reader up to about the 1950s. I recall it was quite a long read-- almost novel length. Very interesting facts and true tales of heroism, the horrors of primitive colinization of a wild land and much more.

Here's the question: i cannot find the book nor do i recall the author. any suggestions from the forum? I'd really like to find that book-- it also went into the condition of the early overburdened criminal justice system in england and, sadly, i see a lot of comparisons between then and now.

thanks in advance for any suggestions.

mark in nevada.