REVIEWS AND COMMENTS

Reviews and comments

Eddie Coffey Peribo Books

"Convicts Capitalists and Corruption is seriously impressive, both in content and appearance."

Suzanne Barnett

I'm loving your book. Each page has something new and exciting. Your research is incredible, then turning it into a story that is well written.

Some of the names/places is making me nostalgic.

Well done Kate.

Richard Butcher

Indeed the work the going back in time, a wow, the families, the aboriginal groups, the explorers my -sure 20 years of dedication Kate. I'm just over half way through the story been mind boggling, thank you.

Bob Abnett

I finished your excellent book today and in other articles (on the internet) about you, the book and the Nubrygyn Inn.

There were many more references in your book which I noted as I read, with great joy, about how these early settlers of the NSW Colony, as it was then, got around to so many places! As I read your book I had on my left hand side, an Atlas/Road and Town Directory of NSW (2011 vintage) which I avidly referred to, plus, on my right hand side my iPad , which I constantly googled regarding places and people. WOW – what a story you put together. Finally Kate, what are you researching and writing about next?

I can become an avid fan of your historical work, as you put a lot of “umph” into what many historians present as rather boring! I can only congratulate you on writing an excellent local and regional early history of NSW. Keep it up, as some of us ‘keen historians’ need to read writers such as you. Finally Kate, what are you researching and writing about next?

Den Mascaro

Message: Thank you for your wonderful book. I have convict ancestors and free settlers and it is wonderful to have a better idea of their lives and the conditions they lived in. As I now live in Dubbo (born in Tasmania, raised in the Riverina) it is wonderful to have an insight into the local area. I have a fairly large collection of local history books from many areas and this is one of the very best I have. Both for presentation and content. Thank you again, Den

Robyn Morgan

Hi Kate, I recently purchased your book & had it delivered to my mother in Dubbo. It only took her a few days to read & she said it was the best book she has ever read!! Both sides of my family were from Wellington so the book contained lots of familiar names & a few surprises for her. My mum loved the book so much she is going to read it again very soon. Thank you so much for all the research you have done to write this wonderfully informative historical book.

Linda Humphrey

We received ours and it is truly a well-written, riveting book. Thanks Kate.

Sue Taylor

Reading the book right now and I must congratulate Kate for all the research work she has done and writing so well.

Look forward to her next book!

Robert Curran

Loved it.

Brilliant painstaking research well composed. Thank you

Ian Spencer Wellington

I have just finished reading Convicts, Capitalists and Corruption. It is a wonderfully insightful, detailed and moving account of the hardship and sometimes heartbreak of our early pioneers, be they free settlers, convicts or bushrangers. Congratulations on your success.

Mike Dutton

An excellent book Kate. Very nicely presented and well researched and written. As an Engineer I have always marvelled at the difficulties of road building over the mountains. Your book brings that to life. Also I never knew that William Cox, the road builder settled at Burrendong, near my Dutton ancestors. Thank you

Di McCarthy

I asked Wagga Wagga Library to purchase it which they did & I finished it last night! Congratulations ! I was blown away by the body of research you undertook. A great book for young people who have not yet learned our history.

Andy McGeogh

Congratulations Kate, I am only halfway through, its brilliant, the research the stories and your dedication. I can't wait to finish it

Julie Arthur

G'day Kate,

I was lucky enough to have a trip to Sydney to see Dad, now 98, and my sisters. Kaye gave me your book and you're absolutely unbelievable. All the detail and information in it is absolutely wonderful. I'm only part way through it but thank you ever so much for writing it. I'm very keen to complete the reading, but I'm sure, I can reread it many times and still find it very interesting.

You've done a marvellous job, so much work and investigation. Thank you, Julie

Pam Knox

Dear Kate,

I would like to order two more books thanks as I am enjoying the books so much with love.

Anthony Armstrong

I was disappointed to not find my ancestors the Fardons who settled at Oberon sometime in the 1800s. However that was my mistake. Am glad to have bought your book though. What an amazing woman you are to have written that. Have not yet read it, as I only just received it. Thank you on your amazing work in advance, as I have only skimmed over it so far.

Margaret Schwebel, Collins Booksellers.

Kate’s 20 years of research has paid off, the book is beautifully written and my husband Phillip cannot put it down. Our most popular local seller Kate has done some unbelievable research to uncover our early history.

Caitlyn Donaldson

Congratulations, so well deserved. Dad and I have both read it now, you have a real gift for making non fiction into a great narrative structure, an absolute page turner.

Bob Sullivan

Congratulations Kate you have done an unbelievable job, I cannot put the book down.

Peter Wedgwood

Dear Kate

Jill and I wish to thank you and Allan for being such generous hosts on Saturday. We thoroughly enjoyed meeting you both and your neighbours and sharing in the book launch occasion itself.

What you have researched and written is quite remarkable and the fortitude over the 22 years is inspirational. We look forward to reading the history.

Also, special thanks for selecting Cumulus wines for the event. Once again very generous of the Gadsbys.

We would like to reciprocate sometime early in 2021 after we have devoured the book and can ask sensible questions about the region’s history etc.

All the best (and compliments of the season) to you and family.

The Book Nest Mudgee

Thank you, Kate there has been a lot of interest in the book already, particularly from people who've heard you talking about it in the media. It was one of our top three bestselling titles last week!

Sally Falkiner,

Congratulations Kate, you took me right back to that era, and the Chapter on Elizabeth Finch was superb. I could see your connection with her and the land. What a beautiful job.

Nat Barton

Kate, Many congratulations. This is a very well written and researched book that brings to life some of the characters of the Wellington Valley and the Euchareena area. I was intrigued to read that Henry Kater, Robert Johnstone Barton and John Arthur Templer were all magistrates. They were also brothers in law married to the Darvall sisters - Henry to Charlotte, Robert to Emily and John Templer to Rose. So important that books like this are written. Well done and thank you.

Bob Brazier,

I cannot thank you enough Kate, you have preserved our history for generations to come.

Donna Dommerson,

Kate your book looks amazing. You alone did all the hard work with such amazing research, passion for the area and its people. You gave your time that was required to bring such an enormous amount of information together in a format that is easy to read and that can be appreciated. A passionate project beautifully executed.

Liz Dutton.

Kate what a fantastic launch and what an absolutely fantastic book, I’m only a little way into the book but it is a credit to you.

Helen James

Although I have read only a few chapters of your book I feel compelled to write to congratulate you on your achievement. You have presented so much factual material in an easily read format.

The contents are of particular interest to me as I am the descendant of three of the early selectors of land in the Baker's Swamp district.

I was born Helen Bayliss, the three times great-daughter of Joseph Bayliss who features in your book. My father's parents moved to the Wellington district from Bathurst in 1921. I grew up at Baker's Swamp, lived in Canberra for over 50 years and now reside on the Far North Coast.

I hope that the sales of your book are justifiably rewarding for the many years of research required to produce such a great historical reference.

Wishing you good health and success in 2021.

Bruce Pearce,

Kate I cannot thank you enough for the beautiful book you have written, it has solved many of my unanswered questions about Nubrygyn. I now call it my Bible.

Hi Kate & Allan,

Thank you for your very generous hospitality on Saturday. It was great also to see people I haven’t seen for years!

I feel great admiration for your dedication and undertaking regarding such a huge research project. I am very proud to be related to Kate Gadsby Historian & published author.

Much love to all the family

Judy xxxxxx=

Merrilee Linegar

Thank you for the beautiful day at Binnowee. Your dogged determination and tenacity has really paid off. I have to date only read a few chapters but it’s such a riveting and important account of our area that is now preserved for time immemorial. You must be very proud, as, obviously are all your friends and family.

Hi Kate

I have just finished your book. Enjoyed it thoroughly. It opened my eyes to the development of the district and gave me a new perspective on history here. Well done Girl!

Kim Lee

Keith Bramma, PhD

I go to bed at the moment with a copy of your book. I’ve got to hand it to you Kate! That book is seriously worthy of a PhD. Writing it must have beaten drenching sheep. Well done matey.

Anne Wilson,

Thank you, Kate for writing so many wonderful stories. It’s a shame our education department doesn’t focus on our Australian history and promote work such as yours to our younger generations.

Well done.

Tricia Copp

Have sent on your email. Am so impressed with the amount of work you’ve done, worthy of a Ph.D!

Hi Kate,

I am on holidays at Murray Bridge and I have LOVED reading your book. I am up to the last chapter and I am a bit sad that it is about to come to an end. A heartfelt congratulations to you in publishing your book. A woman can do anything.

Rachel MacSmith

I picked up a copy in Thursday at the yarn market and spending a rainy Saturday in Wellington reading it - a seriously impressive piece of work Kate - congratulations

Di McCarthy

Evening Kate,

Obviously ive not read the entire book...!

But its an extraordinary piece of writing on nsw history and worthy of some sort of literary prize...not sure which one...but definitely consider it for entry.

Of course libraries, schools, colleges, and universities would find it a valuable reference book for their section on Australian History.

As well, it is important for further/future studies in nsw history and a very good example for other authors to borrow your approach to presenting comprehensive historical data and records of any area of Australia.

My family have also seen the book and are mightily impressed.

I'm taking it to Collins bookshop Croydon tomorrow and recommend they order it in. I'll give them the card of the Bathurst bookshop for that purpose.

A query...did you approach any agents and publishers to publish the book? And if so what was the feedback?

My son and I are curious about the weight of the paper of the book..its something special?

We admired the particularness and exactitude you have shown in every detail and aspect of the book.

20 years of work?

Congratulations and Well Done!

Janice

Ian Spencer Wellington