It is a substantial book in both weight and content. The carefully curated information is generously shared by Banjo Paterson's great-grandson, Alistair Campbell from an extraordinarily large collection, now in the hands of the National Library so all Australians can discover more about his remarkable ancestor.

After reading the book which contains excerpts of Banjo Paterson's writings we realise the enormous progress changes that Banjo Paterson and people of the era would have witnessed. It is good to see how he appreciated living in a time of great opportunity, at the beginnings of a new country (provisos recognised and given to indigenous people).

Although trained as a lawyer, it wasn't long before Banjo declared himself a journalist as he realised he  preferred writing and could earn a good living from doing what he loved.

As well as being a writer, journalist and bush poet, Banjo was a remarkably adventurous man, even by today's standards. He travelled widely both when as a war correspondent in Africa and Europe and independently as he visited the islands in the South Pacific, China and beyond.

Included in this keepsake production are his letters, some poetry, the story of how Waltzing Matilda came to fruition and how it initially had a different name, many copies of newspaper cuttings and drawings, copies of family heirloom published prose, family photos, letters from his publishers, Angus & Robertson, photographs of the filming of "The Man from Snowy River" in 1912 - including his comment one what he thought of the production!

You will also read of his working with the artist Norman Lindsay who illustrated Banjo's collection of verse entitled  "The Animals Noah Forgot". There's also a sizeable chapter on horses which as we know were vital in several aspects of life in this era. From breaking in, comfort for a horse, "the Human in the Horse and Horse in the Human", recreational activities like the gymkhana, racing, showjumping, polo, photos of lithographs at the races and his thoughts of the brumbies, some which are still shared today.

The section on War is particularly poignant, beginning with photos of the men leaving to join the war efforts, on the battlefields, letters back home to his wife, Alice. There's also a particularly interesting Christmas greetings postcard dated 1918 and returning home with his wife Alice aboard the SS Kildonan Castle from Egypt.

Reading through this beautifully presented book with it's dust jacket, from cover-to-cover one can only imagine the extraordinary volumes of memorabilia and it is no wonder help was needed to sort through it to enable this publication of this fine book. The linen cover has the beginning of "Waltzing Matilda" printed in a replica of Banjo Paterson's own handwriting.

This will make a good addition to home libraries, for people who appreciate history and want to pass this on to future generations. It is an ideal gift.

This is independent review, I am not paid by the publishers, so.If you

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