MONA has done a lot more than just rescue a flagging tourism economy. It has changed the city's body language, teaching it to stand up straight and look others squarely in the eye, even putting on a swagger in its step. From Hobart's convict legacy, its spectacular natural setting, heritage architecture and climate, to crime rates, economic hardship and new developments, not to mention the game-changer that is MONA, Timms brings a wealth of fresh insights, exploring the city with a mixture of affection, admiration, frustration and sadness. He interviews a wide range of residents along the way - many of whom, given the weather, might be found in Gore-Tex and beanies. Those who have experienced Hobart as tourists will be surprised and intrigued by the complex society and history this book reveals. Those who live here will surely discover their city anew, propelled by the author's fondness for it. Now with a new introduction where Tims reflects on what has been nothing short of a tourism-driven revolution since Hobart was first published in 2009.

• New edition of a classic with a new Introduction in which Timms reflects on how much - and how little - Hobart has changed since his book was first published in 2009, before MONA, before more people started moving there and before water restrictions in summer
• The writing is wonderfully evocative - literary non-fiction at its finest
• Foreword by Robert Dessaix
• Originally published as In Search of Hobart, this was the first book published in the City Series - the arrival of MONA means it has already been updated once
• Will be supported with marketing campaign and local events

About the Author
Peter Timms was born in Melbourne and worked in museums and art galleries in Victoria and New South Wales until 1988. Since then, he has been a freelance writer, including periods as editor of Art Monthly and art critic for The Age. He has published thirteen books, including What's wrong with contemporary art?, Silliness: A serious history and the novel Asking for Trouble.

Reviews
... Exudes a discriminat-ing fondness for the city...""- Sydney Morning Herald;

""... Sometimes it takes an outsider to skewer a city more accurately than someone with a lifetime of familiarity with it. I simply couldn't put it down.""- Leo Schofield.



Book Information
ISBN 9781742237114
Author Peter Timms
Format Paperback
Page Count 320
Imprint NewSouth Publishing
Publisher NewSouth Publishing
Weight(grams) 333g
Dimensions(mm) 177mm * 110mm * 17mm