This rare book is a collection of oral histories (stories) told by the people who lived and worked in Kings Cross, locally known simply as "The Cross".
An area near Sydney city which has had a reputation for controversy since early settler days, a bit 'wild west' in nature, attracting all sections of society from the wealthy to the fringe dwellers, bohemians or simply those who were excited by a lifestyle where just about anything goes and wanting a "good time".
PEOPLE OF THE CROSS
Gina Lennox & Frances Rush
Published by Simon & Schuster
1993
Soft cover
206 pages
Monochrome photograph associated with each of the story tellers
CONTENTS:
Greg Ardron (Tattooist) - The Art That Walks
Ayesha (former Les Girls diva) - A Class Act
Vittorio Bianchia (Maestro of the cappuccino machine) - Living The Piccolo Mondo
Elizabeth Burton (Striptease dancer) - Legend Of A Goddess
Kate and Lucy Coates (Mother & Daughter) - Best Friends
Sachiko Collins (A businessman from Japan) - Pure Water Under A Blue Sky
Annie Crowe (Community worker) - A Graduation From Fish To Amphibian
Moses Gutierrez (Moses Security Services and Genesis) - Bouncer And Benefactor
John Ibrahim (Nightclub owner at nineteen) - The Tunnel
Miriam Isaacs (Sex industry worker and brothel owner - Left Off Mainstream
Cornelius Jagger (Veteran of the street who likes a drink) - A Street Called Home
Khan (A Christian, Communist, Journalist, Gambler and Gangster) - Watch Out When A Communist Starts Praying
Lisa Ann (A survivor of the street scene) - Street Heart
Jim McCluskey (Superintendent of Police and Patrol Commander Kings Cross Police Station 1989 ~ 1992) - Policing The Cross
Mary Miles (An Aboriginal perspective) - Buarburgarli
Naomi Sanguinetti (Vauderville artist and 85 year old violinist) - Not For Rent And Not For Sale Either
Jack Sherret "Hollywood Jack" (Boister, SP Bookie, Merchant Seaman and Poet)
Tony Trachtenberg (Medical Practitioner) - Just Call Me Tony
Noelene White (A Good Shepherd Sister) - Stationed At The Cross
Rex Wrennall (A Cross dressing entertainer) - Dragging Out Rose
If 'human interest' is one of your most enjoyable reads, you will certainly want to bury yourself into this book! What was life like for the folks down at The Cross? What sort of life did they have and their experiences and thoughts about others who came to the Cross - this book will answer some of those questions and make you want to find out more about the very colourful history of "The Cross"
COSMETIC CONDITION:
Clean
NO torn pages
NO missing pages
Paper stock is white, no yellowing or foxing is evident
Glued spine is secure and tight
Front & Rear cover in very good condition (no writing, no retail stickers or price tags)
Since I have now removed this book from the shelves, it is now sealed in a cello-wrap to ensure it is protected from the environment and it will be shipped this way.
I am not a book collector but overall I would personally describe this book as being in very good condition. I have/had an interest in all aspects of the human condition, mainly focusing on those in 'The Arts' and learning what makes them 'tick' - I read this book a couple of times since we bought it in the early 1990's and then it just sat on my library shelves - it is now time for someone else to own this fascinating enjoyable read.
I couldn't help but notice that this book is now extremely difficult to find and if it is offered for sale by others, the price being asked is astonishing! On Amazon I see a seller has this release for $215 - goodness me, that just seems a bit much to me, we paid $24.95 back in 1993.
ored in a clean smoke free environment, sealed in a plastic bag in our storage units.
