Gum: The Story of Eucalyptus and their Champions

With more than 700 species of eucalypt, the gum tree is a defining feature of the Australian landscape. It has inspired and been immortalised by artists, writers, early explorers, botanists and conservationists. Gum captures the struggle of Europeans to classify and comprehend eucalypts and the country they belong to. The story is told through the lives of seven people whose fates were sealed by their passion for the great tree. They include Sir Joseph Banks, May Gibbs, Sir Thomas Mitchell, Ferdinand Mueller and modern-day conservationists and bushfire fighters. Ashley Hay (The Secret) spent two years researching, writing and travelling Australia to produce this unique and wonderful story. Like the myths and legends that surround the eucalypt, there is magic and passion in the telling of this unusual history of Australia.