Wide Sky People is a journey in the footsteps of the Thornton family from Galway to Sydney, over the fabled Blue Mountains and into the vast plains of Central Western New South Wales. The story starts in the 1840s when Mick, Cate Thornton and their two boys survive four months at sea to encounter false arrest, bushrangers, crooked cops, working the land and a devastating bushfire, to name just a few. Their sons take us on a journey through the gold rush and on their quest to become successful graziers and businessmen. This is a story that has been lived by many but told by few, with action, colourful characters, sadness and wry humour. It tells of the endurance of men and women who saw a wide sky full of promise and turned a colony into a country. Bruce Mitchell's debut novel is a must-read.