Girt' by David Hunt is one of those books that makes history feel like a wild, chaotic adventure rather than a dry textbook. It’s packed with humor and irreverence, but how much of it is actually accurate? From what I’ve read, Hunt does his homework—he references primary sources and academic works, but he also leans heavily into satire and exaggeration for
comedic effect. The broad strokes of Australian colonial history are there, like the brutality of early settlement and the eccentricities of figures like Governor Bligh, but the tone is undeniably playful. Some
historians might bristle at the way he glosses over nuances or amps up the absurdity, but that’s part of the charm. If you want a meticulous, sober account, this isn’t it. But if you’re okay with history served with a side of laughs, 'Girt' delivers.
I’d say it’s like a caricature—recognizable but deliberately distorted for effect. Hunt isn’t trying to fool anyone; he’s upfront about the book’s cheeky approach. For me, it worked because it got me interested in topics I’d otherwise find tedious. After reading, I dug into more serious histories to compare, and that’s a win in my book—pun intended.