" Laperouse" by Ernest Sir Scott is a bittersweet biography of La Pérouse, Jean-François de Galaup, comte de (1741-1788). Lapérouse was a French naval officer and explorer. Having enlisted at the age of 15, he had a successful naval career and in 1785 was appointed to lead a scientific expedition around the world. All Sydney people, and most of those who have visited the city, have seen the tall monument to Laperouse overlooking Botany Bay. Many have perhaps read a little about him and know the story of his surprise appearance in this harbor six days after the arrival of Governor Phillip with the First Fleet.