The book was one of three short books by Clune issued in 1945, others being Starlight and Forlorn Hope. The Herald said "Each of the tales is Informative and diverting. All are marred, however, by overdoses of "slapstick". With Frank Clune. a name is a "monniker," a face is a "flzzog," and so on. He could easily retain his breezincss without using so much cheap slang in historical stories."[4]
The Courier Mail said "Mr. Clune must have quarried very deeply into musty old records to present a record so complete and detailed."[5]
The Morning Bulletin said "On the whole, Mr Clune seems ambitiously to have claimed overmuch, in his title for this prevaricator, and to have overlooked the claims thereto of some of our land settlement politicians."[6]
The Age said "Clune tells the story of this engaging and somewhat pathetic rascal with -great gusto, and makes a fascinating story of it."[7]