All of Bryce Courtenay's books have achieved extraordinary sales figures. He was the winner of the 1998 and 1999 APA Who Weekly Reader's Choice Award.

The story of two families - branches of the Solomons - transported to an alien land, both of whom eventually grow rich and powerful but who, through three generations, never for one moment relinquish their hatred for each other. It is also the story of our country from the beginning until we came of age as a nation. I have learned a great deal about Australia and those things which concern us as a people and make us, in many ways, who we are today.