Recounting the epic and often tragic journeys of French explorers—Bougainville, Lapérouse, D’Entrecasteaux, Baudin, Freycinet, d’Urville, and others—to Australia, this account encompasses a remarkable period of French and Australian history, when for many years, by sheer weight of specimens and scientific documentation, Australia’s biodiversity belonged to France. The changing society that launched these ambitious voyages is brought to life in a story of noble men impoverished by their passion, nobodies who made their names through physical courage and intellectual achievement, and young men who risked their lives for adventure, excitement, and above all, the pursuit of scientific knowledge.