The collected known works of James Browne have been annotated with explanatory notes by Ken Macintyre and Dr Barbara Dobson in order to provide a biographical and ethnohistorical context. Where Browne has omitted to use the traditional Noongar terms for artefacts and known ceremonial rituals, these have been provided in the annotations. Browne's collected works provide a valuable contribution to the historical ethnography of indigenous southwestern Australia. His perceptions are insightful, often analytical and in the case of Aboriginal title to the land, he leaves no doubt in the reader's mind that the original inhabitants were 'owners'
