The house : the dramatic story of the Sydney Opera House and the people who made it

The extraordinary story of the 20th century's most recognisable building, with new insights into the people involved and the controversy that surrounded its construction. Winner of the 2018 Walkley Book Award The best-loved building in Australia nearly didn't get off the drawing board. When it did, the lives of everyone involved in its construction were utterly changed: some for the better, many for the worse. Helen Pitt tells the stories of the people behind the magnificent white sails of the Sydney Opera House. From the famous conductor and state premier who conceived the project; to the two architects whose lives were so tragically intertwined; to the workers and engineers; to the people of Sydney, who were alternately beguiled and horrified as the drama unfolded over two decades. With access to diaries, letters, and classified records, as well as her own interviews with people involved in the project, Helen Pitt reveals the intimate back story of the building that turned Sydney into an international city. It is a tale worthy of Shakespeare himself. 'A drama-filled page turner' - Ita Buttrose AO OBE 'Helen Pitt tells us so much about the building of the Sydney Opera House we've never heard before' - Bob Carr, former Premier of NSW 'Australia in the seventies: mullets, platform shoes and, miraculously, the Opera House. At least we got one of them right. A great read.' - Amanda Keller, WSFM breakfast presenter The extraordinary story of the 20th century's most recognisable building, with new insights into the people involved and the controversy that surrounded its construction.

Winner of the 2018 Walkley Book Award

The best-loved building in Australia nearly didn't get off the drawing board. When it did, the lives of everyone involved in its construction were utterly changed: some for the better, many for the worse.

Helen Pitt tells the stories of the people behind the magnificent white sails of the Sydney Opera House. From the famous conductor and state premier who conceived the project; to the two architects whose lives were so tragically intertwined; to the workers and engineers; to the people of Sydney, who were alternately beguiled and horrified as the drama unfolded over two decades.

With access to diaries, letters, and classified records, as well as her own interviews with people involved in the project, Helen Pitt reveals the intimate back story of the building that turned Sydney into an international city. It is a tale worthy of Shakespeare himself.

'A drama-filled page turner' - Ita Buttrose AO OBE

'Helen Pitt tells us so much about the building of the Sydney Opera House we've never heard before' - Bob Carr, former Premier of NSW

'Australia in the seventies: mullets, platform shoes and, miraculously, the Opera House. At least we got one of them right. A great read.' - Amanda Keller, WSFM breakfast presenter 1. A phone call from half a world away2. The young Jorn3. Scandi-style4. The mastermind5. The ordinary Joe, who gave Sydney its Opera House6. The magnificent lonely idea7. Sex magic and the maestro 8. Gentlemen, here is your Opera House9. And the winner is ... 10. Poetry or pastry?11. Bennelong pointers12. Kiss and sell13. With a little bit of bloomin' luck14. A mini Greek tragedy15. Rising up like Aztec gods16. The spherical solution17. End of the bromance18. The arch that changed the world19. Plain sailing20. Millions and mullions21. High noon at the chief secretary's office22. I am still available23. This chapter is over24. Malice in Blunderland25. SOS to London26. New man at the Opera House27. Autopsy on a dream28. Hall's balls29. Not a job for boys30. Opening daze31. ReconciliationNotesIndex