Unfree Workers / Palgrave Studies in Economic History (PDF)

'This remarkable book reveals the ties that bind transported convicts to histories of global capitalism, and the ways in which convict resistance and collective action shaped patterns of violence and labour exploitation. Grounded in the unprecedented linkage and analysis of a wide range of records, its compelling conceptual framework means that it will become a classic in Australian and imperial history.'

---Clare Anderson, University of Leicester

'In Hamish Maxwell-Stewart and Michael Quinlan we have two gifted historians, writing at the peak of their powers, about one of world history's most fascinating labor systems. Deeply researched, engagingly written, and morally informed, Unfree Workers is a gift for the ages.'

---Marcus Rediker, author of The Slave Ship: A Human History

'The book makes a major contribution to understanding the world-wide capitalism/unfree labour connection, and as far as Australia is concerned, constitutes the first full-length study of it.'

---Terry Irving, Honorary Professorial Fellow, University of Wollongong

Michael Quinlan is emeritus professor of industrial relations at UNSW, Australia, as well as holding posts at the University of Tasmania, Australia, and Middlesex, UK, University. He has researched and published extensively on the history and regulation of work (including occupational health and safety) and worker organisation.

Hamish Maxwell-Stewart is a professor of heritage and digital history at the University of New England, Australia. He has researched and published extensively on the history of convict transportation including its connections with slavery and other unfree labour systems.