It's taken me many weeks to read and absorb this monumental work. It's been a highly enjoyable and entertaining experience! Lorraine has taken countless facts by way of written sources, interviews, documents, maps and photographs to weave the story of Penrith, NSW into a coherent history unlike any other I've opened. The early years come alive and bring you the reader into the story. You will feel as though you are there, experiencing the hardships and triumphs of the early pioneers.

The book itself, a hardback in jacket weighing in at almost 1.4 kilos and containing 472 pages, is a fine publication. The clear, easy to read text and sprinkling of sepia photographs presents itself well. For the keen historians there are copious notes after each of the 8 chapters, a 5 page chronology of important events, an 8 page bibliography and most importantly, a comprehensive index to both this book and the earlier DHARUG and DUNGAREE history.

Other historians can learn from this volume; you won't find a better published local history.

John Tipper

25th July, 2014

Lorraine Stacker's PENRITH The Makings of a City,
is now available from Penrith City Library and branches.