Young People and the Shaping of Public Space in Melbourne, 1870-1914

'"Marvellous Melbourne", a precocious new world city of the late nineteenth century, is the site for this rich and acute study of how young people carved out their own spaces in the urban outdoors. Simon Sleight draws on a remarkable range of sources to illuminate the subversive perspectives of Melbourne's youth. The book contributes to the burgeoning international scholarship on young people's historical experiences, and is recommended reading for historians, geographers and sociologists alike.'

Stuart Macintyre, University of Melbourne, Australia

‘[A] remarkable book ... Any architect, any student, or any historian who is eager to ask what a city is, who wants to understand the lived experience of urban children, or who wants to make cities more welcoming places for them should read Young People and the Shaping of Public Space in Melbourne.’

Marta Gutman, Journal of Architectural Education

‘Sleight is acutely attuned to the rhythms of the city, its sounds and senses ... This has taken enormous time, skill, attention to detail, and a critical eye. Like slow food, this is slow history – educative, ethical, tasty, artisanal – you can feel it doing you good ... There is no doubt at all in my mind that this book will become a classic in the genre.’

Andrew May, Reviews in History

‘Sleight is a skilful detective, mining municipal records, diaries, photographs and more to bring his subjects to life. He demonstrates a painstaking capacity to sift through voluminous archives and texts, extract meaningful fragments and weave them into an evocative picture. In doing so, Sleight accords the young Melburnians at the heart of his research agency, humanity and vitality.’

Carla Pascoe, Journal of Australian Studies

'[A] superlative study, based on an impressively wide range of research, all fully documented for those who wish to investigate further. It is detailed yet concise, informed yet not obscured by theory, and warmed by empathy with youngsters’ desires for freedom and adventure.'

Robert Darby, Labour History

'Sleight is adroit in positioning his study within the current sociological and geographical literature on young people and the city, but brings to this a focus on the past ... [This book] offers a fresh and timely perspective on the historical dimensions of urban spaces … Sleight’s ability to delve into the historical experiences of young people has led to a vividly written, well-illustrated and instructive book about childhood in late colonial Melbourne.'

Kate Darian-Smith, Journal of Historical Geography

'What Sleight’s study refreshingly presents before the reader is a history of childhood which concentrates on children’s experiences rather than adults’ view of children.'

Ian Grosvenor, Australian Historical Studies