According to the conventional wisdom, the British government established a colony in what became New South Wales in 1788 because it was seen as a dumping ground for convicts. However, a new book rewrites the history of the founding of modern Australia. The real story is about the contest between the British and the French to get to Botany Bay first. Behind the scenes, American explorers, spies and a future US President made contributions that assisted the winners and prevented the continent becoming a French possession.