This work investigates the lived experience of the itinerant unemployed during the Australian Great Depression. Frank Huelin, drawing on his own experiences as a 'swagman' during the 1930s, presents a firsthand account of the economic collapse and the subsequent social displacement of the working class. He argues that the reality of the era is best understood through the perspective of those forced to traverse the country in search of sustenance and work.

Historians and readers frequently cite this work as a foundational primary source for understanding the social impact of the Depression in Australia. Experts highlight the text for its authentic, unvarnished depiction of the hardships faced by the itinerant population.