Sydney Observed

<p>When <em>Sydney Observed</em> was first published in 1965 (under the title <em>Sydney</em>) and illustrated throughout with the striking photographs of Quintin F. Davis it won instant and rapturous praise from reviewers across Australia and beyond.</p><p>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?’</p><p>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.</p><p>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.</p><p><strong><em>Sydney Observed</em> illustrated by George Molnar is a small masterpiece – a book for giving keeping reading and re-reading.</strong></p><p><strong>Praise for <em>Sydney Observed</em></strong></p><p>‘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.’ <strong><em>The</em><em> Sydne</em><em>y</em><em> Morning Herald</em></strong></p><p>‘Brilliantly successful.’ <strong><em>The Times Literary Supplement</em></strong></p><p>‘Unfalteringly entertaining.’ <strong><em>The Age</em></strong></p><p>‘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.’ <strong>H.G. Kippax</strong></p><p>‘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.’ <strong>Neil Jillett</strong></p>