Sydney Observed

by Gavin Souter

When  Sydney Observed  was first published in 1965 (under the title  Sydney ), and illustrated throughout with the striking photographs of Quintin F. Davis, it won instant and rapturous praise from reviewers across Australia and beyond. Within the space of a few years it came to be regarded as the best single piece ever written about the city. ‘Write the text of a new book about Sydney?’ a distinguished writer asked his publisher. ‘But after Souter, what’s left to say?’ A second hardback edition featuring the iconic illustrations of talented fellow Sydneysider, George Molnar, was released in 1968. It is this edition we proudly reproduce here. In prose that is measured, astute, wry and always entertaining, Gavin Souter has captured the Emerald City’s fortunes, foibles, past and future. He has produced a work that is as timely, relevant and lucid today as it was when first published. Sydney Observed , illustrated by George Molnar, is a small masterpiece – a book for giving, keeping, reading and re-reading. Praise for  Sydney Observed ‘Here, for once, is a description of Sydney which is unblinking but good-mannered, appreciative but unsentimental, factual but not a tourists’ guide, opinionated but never eccentric … a brilliant mosaic.’  The  Sydne y  Morning Herald ‘Brilliantly successful.’  The Times Literary Supplement ‘Unfalteringly entertaining.’  The Age ‘One of the best essays I have ever read about Sydney … Souter has approached his task with the low pulse and critical eye of one of the most skilled reporters in Australia, but also with the controlled enthusiasm and senses of the artist – and with the affection of a Sydneysider.’  H.G. Kippax ‘Gavin Souter, one of Australia’s most stylish newspapermen, combines a reporter’s regard for facts and details with an essayist’s gift for phrase. And he is in love with his city, adoring its virtues, tolerant of its faults.’  Neil Jillett

182 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1965

About the author

Born in Sydney in 1929,Gavin Souter is a former assitant editor of the Sydney Morning Herald. He was also a Visiting Fellow in the Departments of History and Political Science at the Research School of Social Science, Australia National University.

Reviews

[Nick · Rating 4 out of 5]

Observations of Sydney during the 1960’s. This is a little classic!

[Ruprecht · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is not a superficial book about Sydney and it's skyline, harbour, pubs, etc. This is a book that humanises the eccentric characters of Sydney. When it's inner suburbs were inhabited by low income, working class people, people who had it tough! Loved this book, Gavin gives a good thorough history of Sydney town and it's surrounds.