This is the story of a man who researched his family tree only to find it had been growing in a forest full of unusual life. His family began arriving in Sydney, Australia in 1839, whether by choice or by the order of an overworked judge. Either way, they left their old ways (and sometimes, spouses) behind and began a new life (sometimes with new spouses). While the O'Brien and Kingdom families had their share of interesting people, so did life around them. There were heroes, villains, brilliant minds, and utter morons. There was thrilling entertainment (until television arrived), political shenanigans, sporting successes and complete failures. There were some extraordinary stories in some extraordinary times. With a dry sense of humour and the odd tear in his eye, Michael O'Brien tells the tale of his family and the world they lived in. It is funny, it is sad, it is tragic, it is triumphant. It is their story … and it is history.