The Part Borne by the Dutch in the Discovery of Australia 1606-1765

"The Part Borne by the Dutch in the Discovery of Australia 1606-1765" by J. E. (Jan Ernst) Heeres is a historical exploration of Dutch contributions to the discovery and mapping of Australia, aiming to bring to light the Dutch explorers' often unacknowledged achievements in a narrative dominated by British accounts. The book starts by detailing the inspiration behind reassessing these Dutch expeditions, emphasizing the lack of recognition for their significant role in both Dutch and international history. Heeres builds upon his earlier work connected to Abel Tasman, focusing on the critical importance of archival findings, including the journeys of Willem Jansz and Dirk Hartogs, in revealing the extent of early Dutch explorations. By systematically examining historical records and chronologically arranging expeditions, the author seeks to reveal the Dutch influence on the geographical understanding of Australia.