The Cattle King by Ion L Idriess

At the age of 13, Sidney Kidman ran away from home with just five shillings in his pocket. He went on to become a horse dealer, drover, cattle buyer and bush jockey and he also ran a coach business. Ultimately Kidman created a mighty cattle empire of more that one hundred stations that stretched from the Top End to the Great Australian Bight, fighting droughts, bushfires, floods and plagues of vermin. His enterprise and courage won him a huge fortune and made him a legend.

Best selling author Ion L Idriess travelled through Kidman country and spent time with Kidman and his family before writing The Cattle King, and the result is both a cracking read and an inspiring tribute to a remarkable life.