This lively, evocative book uncovers the rich history of the former gold, silver, copper and leading mining communities that once existed in the Southern Tablelands, Braidwood, Shoalhaven, Monaro and south-west slopes districts of New South Wales. Dust and Dreams focuses on the towns, camps and communities that developed around mines and the people who lived in them, rather than the mines themselves. It explores the impact of mining, the growth and decline of the communities, the development of mining society and culture, and the consequences of mining for the environment and the region as a whole. Historian Barry McGowan paints a vivid picture of these communities, bringing to life the diverse characters that populated these towns.