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Blood
in the Dust by A.N.Baron
"…when Wild Wright and my mother came
they could trace us across the street by the
blood in the dust…"
Ned Kelly's voice
as written by Joe Byrne in the Jerilderie letter 1879
 "…He
[Joe] writes 'I' many times, giving us an exquisitely detailed look at
his self-image…" Angeline Baron
Content
Graphology (i.e. handwriting analysis*) may not
be a discipline familiar to the average person interested in Kelly history,
but this by no means presents a problem for a reader of this book. Angeline
doesn't assume in her readers any prior knowledge of graphology and presents
her findings in an easy to read format. She provides a broad explanation
of the process of graphology, a brief history of the field, and defines
the main aim of the graphologist, namely: to gather information about
a person that is not otherwise available. Included in the book are some
samples of Angeline's subject's handwriting, transcripts of the 'Kelly
letters', and a noteworthy forward by Kelly descendant Ellen Hollow.
Also included in the book
is an overview of the relevant history written by amateur Kelly historian
Dave White, and edited
by Angeline. This clearly presented, knowledgeable, and readable, albeit
pro-Kelly, section should be very useful for those less familiar with
the personal backgrounds and chronology of the Kelly gang, or for those
Kelly enthusiasts wishing to reference historical details as they read
the book.
Overall Assessment
Obviously it is not within the expertise of this
reviewer to assess the graphological accuracy of the analyses, however
these fascinating examinations are certainly consistent with the historically
recorded behaviors of both Ned Kelly and Joe Byrne.
Blood in the Dust is
a very comprehensive and well-presented work. Each sample of handwriting
has been studied individually and is presented as separate analyses, (i.e.
Ned as an adolescent, an adult, and Joe as an adult), enabling them to
be considered individually or as a whole. The analysis reveal the subject's
inner emotional worlds, both their conscious and, perhaps more fascinating,
their unconscious, as well as important aspects of their characters, such
as their intellects, physical attributes, specific relationships with
others, and sexuality. The detail and depth of the analysis is remarkable.
It is a thoroughly engaging examination, surprisingly moving, and at times
even amusing. One can't read it without feeling one is getting an intimate
glimpse into the private lives and minds of two young men who are ordinarily
no more than 'familiar strangers' to the Kelly scholar. It adds a welcome
third dimension to the historian's more customary two. (Conclusions)
Who are Ned Kelly and Joe
Byrne?
This work demonstrates that history and graphology can sit comfortably
side-by-side, with each field of study opening a door to the other. Angeline
offers graphological evidence of numerous aspects of Ned's
personality and temperament, which are aspects that are frequently demonstrated
in his historically recorded behaviors, and which certainly help explain
some of his more surprising and unusual actions. The information given
about Ned is simultaneously familiar and unfamiliar, and unexpectedly
enables one to easily picture the living, breathing adolescent, and man.
Joe Byrne was highly significant in
Kelly history, but to date he has been a less recognised and certainly
a less understood historical figure than Ned. The analysis of Joe's handwriting
is therefore perhaps more unexpected and illuminating than that of his
friend. Interestingly many of the historically recorded quotes from people
who knew Joe have been supported and expanded by this analysis of his
handwriting. The Joe who we have previously heard described as "nice,
quiet, not flash", "clean and tidy", "cool
and firm as steel", and "a little old-fashioned and grave
in his ways" is born out in the meticulous, restrained, dedicated
and contemplative Joe as represented in his script. His role as a background
historical figure is explained by his apparently modest and tolerant nature,
as well as his active desire to dwell in the shadow of his infamous and
dominant best mate. The inner world of Joe Byrne, as explained by Angeline,
is a complex and fascinating one. His relationships with others, particularly
Ned and Aaron Sherritt, are apparently also visible in his script and
are described and elucidated in intriguing detail in Blood in the Dust.
For the historian
Perhaps one of the most beneficial aspects of this book for the Kelly
historian may not be immediately apparent. Angeline is an experienced
handwriting expert (i.e. the technical 'hard' science of
studying handwriting) and has managed to authenticate two important
historical documents: Ned's letter to Sir Henry Parkes, and Joe Byrne's
letter to Aaron Sherritt. The authenticity of both these letters had previously
been cast in some doubt**, but Angeline has now confirmed them both as
genuine. These disclosures are exciting as the significance of the both
letters can now be recognised and consequently considered more confidently
by historians. Thus this book offers additional value from the point of
view of historical research, as it has revealed that we are richer in
Kelly artefacts than we had previously supposed.
**Note:
Some historians have suspected the Parkes letter to be a fake, but such
supposition has typically been based predominantly on the content of
the letter, (i.e. the theory being that Ned couldn't have written it
because he wasn't racist etc.). Angeline has confirmed however that
it was certainly written by Ned Kelly and expounds her conclusions.
Similarly, the authenticity of Joe's letter to Aaron had been rejected
by, at least one, historian (who curiously theorized that it was merely
a duplicate of a letter written by Joe. This was based on the level
of literacy shown and an inexpert opinion of the handwriting.) However
this document has also been authenticated through Angeline's study,
including by making comparisons with the Jerilderie letter under high
magnification.
Graphology
*Note
on Graphology - The credibility of the professional study of handwriting
and letter formation, for the identification of the writer of a particular
script, is widely accepted. However, there will be some sceptics who
can't help but find the concept that we subconsciously display details
of our inner-selves in our handwriting, and that graphologist can reveal
such details, to be difficult to accept. Yet others, while accepting
the concept that some things can be discovered, will be dubious about
the level of detail acquirable. Such scepticism is understandable, even
healthy, particularly if one is not familiar with the field. (Incidentally,
this reviewer was once just such a sceptic.) For sceptics, or those
simply interested in learning more, there is a list of Angeline's reference
books on the topic of Graphology at the back of the book, and the Internet
and local libraries can also provide information.
Conclusion:
With Blood in the Dust Angeline has
presented a rare and welcome contribution to the Kelly world. That is
to say - a fresh approach to the Kelly story! This work may not sit comfortably
with those who already have a preconceived idea about the kinds of men
Ned Kelly and Joe Byrne were. However, it's worth acknowledging that such
impressions are personal opinions based on historical accounts of their
actions and, as such, open to a wide variety of interpretations. In considering
the graphological evidence, Angeline's analyses offer us a chance to evolve
our ideas. Here is an invitation to better know and understand the real
people behind the historic figures we identify as Ned and Joe, to further
comprehend their actions and, hopefully, the capacity to stereotype and
judge them less.
I highly recommended Blood in the Dust to both history and
psychology scholars alike.
(Book
cover photo courtesy of NCS Publishing)
Blood
in the Dust can be purchased at the following places:
Austin Hospital, Level 4 shop, Heidelberg, VIC
Kate's Cottage, Glenrowan, VIC
Ned Kelly's World, Glenrowan, VIC
Online via www.ironoutlaw.com
Email Angeline at angnbaron@yahoo.com
First published
April 23, 2004
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