Still regarded by many as the best book about Sydney, this is a lively account of the history and culture of Sydney told by a much-loved local author. The book is intended for residents interested in the history of their city, and for the more cultured tourist. Containing a great number of fascinating anecdotes about places and buildings and the historical figures associated with them, Ruth Park’s Sydney serves as an admirable companion to the more practical guides (eg. Lonely Planet) and is much shorter than its house-brick competitors.