Sydney

Sydney'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.