This biography investigates the life and business strategies of Sidney Kidman, the man who rose from a penniless runaway to establish one of the largest cattle empires in Australian history. Ion Idriess, a prolific chronicler of the Australian outback, utilizes historical accounts and personal anecdotes to trace Kidman's evolution from a young drover to a formidable pastoralist. The narrative examines how Kidman navigated the harsh environmental and economic realities of the late 19th and early 20th centuries to build his vast land holdings.

This work is regarded as a classic account of Australian pioneering spirit, valued for its detailed portrayal of the economic development of the outback. The text provides a comprehensive look at the grit required to survive and thrive in the Australian interior during the early twentieth century.