It was the tenth in his Great South Land Saga of novels.

It was the last novel Timms completed in his lifetime, although two more in the Saga were published, the first of which, The Big Country, he co wrote.

Charles and Robina Davenport adopt an abandoned child who they name James.

The Canberra Times said "Although inevitably in such a series of books there is a certain sameness in style, there is also a quite surprising variety of plot and story.

"[3] Pacific Island Monthyl said "Mr. Timms is one of several Australian writers who feel some sort of divine mission to get their country’s early history down on paper.