Sydney: The Story of a CitySydney's harbor establishes it as one of the most attractive modern cities, but its beginnings suggest something different. In 1770, the British Parliament saw the area as a solution to England's overcrowded prisons. On arriving at the harbor, the first "convicts" found themselves in one of the hottest climates in the world, and were greeted by aboriginal natives whose curiosity was matched only by their desire for the newcomers to leave. Sydney is a place where gravestones have such inscriptions as "Be ready mates, that's all!," where people wear shorts and sandals to one of the most renowned opera houses in the world, where the working man fights for what he's got and never backs down. Geoffrey Moorhouse brilliantly describes the city, its appetites, and its character-from its colonial beginnings to its becoming the host city of the 2000 Olympics. His curious knowledge, remarkable insight, and marvelous storytelling capture Sydney's warmth, texture, resilience, and loyalty. |
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aboard aboriginal Anzac Anzac Day arrived Arthur Phillip Australian Balmain beach became become began Bennelong Bennelong Point Billy Hughes boat Botanic Gardens Botany Bay British building Chinese Church Circular Quay citizens city's colony convicts cricket Darling Harbour England Eveleigh Street eventually Federal ferry Fleet George Street Goossens Government Governor Heads Hughes hundred Hyde Park Ibid Island John Macarthur labour land later live London look Macquarie Street Melbourne ment Merinos miles months native naval never night North Sydney Opera House Parliament Parramatta passengers past played police Port Jackson Redfern round Royal rugby league sailed Second World settlement ship shore side South Wales suburbs surf Sydney Cove Sydney Morning Herald Sydney's Sydneysiders thing thousand took Town Hall tralian transported trees turned twentieth century union vessels week wharfies Woolloomooloo