Empire of Rum: The Unofficial Economy of Early Australia

Empire of Rum – The Unofficial Economy of Early Australia is a gripping journey through the colony’s most intoxicating secret: that rum, not coin, built Australia.

In the fledgling settlement of New South Wales, alcohol was more than a drink - it was money, power, and survival. From the notorious Rum Corps to the only successful military coup in Australian history, this audiobook brings to life the corruption, rebellion and everyday struggles that flowed through the barrels of rum.

But the story doesn’t stop in the past. Linking colonial rum trading to modern Australia, this powerful work shows how alcohol still fuels crime, family breakdown, and an overwhelmed justice system.

Part history, part social critique, Empire of Rum pulls no punches in exposing how alcohol became and remains a currency of control.

Perfect for listeners of Australian history, true crime, and social justice narratives.