The Encyclopedia of Melbourne

Great cities deserve great encyclopedias. A city is known by its past, its characteristic virtues and troubles, and its ways of life. 'Marvellous Melbourne' symbolises the achievements of Australian urbanisation and suburbanisation. The Encyclopedia of Melbourne reflects and encompasses the city's historical position as one of the world's pre-eminent nineteenth century metropolises, and as one of the twenty-first century's most liveable cities. Alphabetical entries range from short factual summaries about places, institutions and events, through to extended survey articles on key topics such as Architecture, Aboriginal Melbourne, Economy, Foundation and Early Settlement, Law and Order, Literature, Science, Sport, Suburbia, Theatre and Transport. Although Australia has long ranked amongst the world's most urbanised countries, no comparable reference work exists on any Australian metropolis.

Table of Contents:
The Encyclopedia of Melbourne; Eating Melbourne Stephanie Alexander; The Lady Mayoress' Robyn Annear; A Christmas story Tony Birch; Queen Victoria Carmel Bird; Summers in Melbourne Jennifer Byrne; My Melbourne John Cain; St Paul's Cathedral Barry Dickins; Larino, safe haven George Dreyfus; The Six O'clock swill Keith Dunstan; Childhood memories Dame Phyllis Frost; Collins Street Kerry Greenwood; Running for the tram Ian Southall; A WASP's-eye view of 'The Hill' Marjorie Tipping; The treasure Arnold Zable; My Melbourne Barry Humphries.

About the Author :
Andrew Brown-May is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of History, University of Melbourne. He has written extensively on the city of Melbourne and his books include Melbourne Street Life, Espresso! Melbourne Coffee Stories and Federation Square. Shurlee Swain is a Reader in History at the Australian Catholic University and Senior Research Fellow in the Department of History, University of Melbourne. She has published widely in historical, child welfare and women's studies journals and co-written a number of books, the most recent of which are Equal Subjects, Unequal Rights and Confronting Cruelty.

Review :
'Cambridge University Press should be congratulated for carrying to completion this ambitious, generously illustrated and hugely entertaining encyclopedia.' Times Literary Supplement "Great cities deserve great encyclopaedias.' So, confidently, the publishers proclaim their product. They are right to say so with this volume on Melbourne. The editors have developed a team of distinguished scholars ... each bring decades of their own research expertise on the city ... one of the most remarkable books seen in many years ... In a highly innovative approach, personal experiences are captured in a series of 'My Melbourne' entries ... There is simply no need to look further for some categories of information and in this sense the editors provide a springboard for future generations of student projects and local historical studies ... A generous use of images enriches the book. Many are superb contemporary lithographs of buildings, but ... It is a reference work for and about people, and people figure prominently in the images ... a pleasing, if heavy, physical appearance as well as an informative one ... If, as the dustjacket states, 'Great cities deserve great encyclopaedias' then Melbournians have a encyclopaedia and a city of which to be proud ... This is the type of volume that provides immense local historical interest ... distils decades of detailed research in a digestible form.' Journal of Urban History