People of the River

People of the River explores the history of Dyarubbin (the Nepean-Hawkesbury River) and its inhabitants, from the First Nations people through to colonial settlement. The book chronicles life along this vital waterway on the outskirts of Sydney, documenting the cultural and environmental transformations that occurred over generations. The narrative follows a chronological structure across four sections, beginning with the river's ancient history and original inhabitants. It tracks the arrival of European settlers, the establishment of farms by emancipated convicts, and the complex relationships that developed between Aboriginal people and colonists. Using historical records, oral histories, and archaeological evidence, Karskens reconstructs the stories of individuals and communities who lived along Dyarubbin's banks. The account includes details about farming practices, floods, conflicts, and daily life in early Australia. The work stands as a significant contribution to Australian historical scholarship, examining themes of connection to country, cultural exchange, and environmental change. It presents the river as both a physical landmark and a symbol of the intersection between Indigenous and colonial Australian histories.

Readers found this history of Aboriginal and colonial life along Dyarubbin/Hawkesbury River illuminating in its details about Indigenous culture, early settler relations, and environmental changes. Multiple reviews noted the depth of research and extensive use of primary sources. Readers appreciated: - Clear connections between past and present - Maps and historical illustrations - Focus on both Indigenous and settler women's experiences - Environmental history angle Common criticisms: - Dense academic writing style - Occasional repetition of points - Length (549 pages) felt excessive to some Ratings: Goodreads: 4.3/5 (42 ratings) Amazon AU: 4.6/5 (11 ratings) "Meticulously researched but remains accessible" - Goodreads reviewer "The sections on Aboriginal history and culture were fascinating but some chapters dragged" - Amazon reviewer "Changed how I see the Hawkesbury region" - Reader review on AustLit

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🔸 Dyarubbin's Aboriginal name translates to "deep water" in the Darug language, reflecting the river's significance as one of Australia's deepest and longest waterways. 🔸 Author Grace Karskens spent over 20 years researching and writing about Sydney's early history, earning her the prestigious Prime Minister's Literary Award for Australian History in 2010 for a previous work. 🔸 The Nepean-Hawkesbury River system was crucial to early colonial agriculture, earning it the nickname "Sydney's food bowl" as it provided 70% of the colony's grain by 1805. 🔸 The book draws on a recently discovered list of over 180 Aboriginal place names along Dyarubbin, compiled by Presbyterian minister Reverend John McGarvie in the 1820s. 🔸 The river valley hosted one of Australia's earliest examples of successful Indigenous-settler cooperation in agriculture, with Aboriginal people teaching Europeans about local soil conditions and seasonal patterns.