Published by Clarence City Council in September 2003.

Over two centuries of fascinating Tasmanian history unfolds in a new book titled The Eastern Shore: A History of Clarence.

Written by leading historian Dr Alison Alexander and published by Clarence City Council, the 400 page hardback volume traces the history of Clarence from before the time of European settlement to the thriving city of 50,000 people that it is today.

Illustrated by more than 200 rare photographs, maps and historical documents, the book gives a unique insight into the lives of the people of Clarence for more than two centuries.

It includes material on Clarence before and after European settlement, the establishment of farming and small townships, periods of development and depression, two world wars, transport, the 1967 bushfires, the Tasman Bridge disaster, achieving city status, the fight against amalgamation and many sporting and cultural events.

The material is presented in largely chronological order and there are many interesting, moving and often funny anecdotes about people, places and events in Clarence.

The book tells of parsons, pastoralists and prostitutes; a con man at Sandford, Lindisfarne's best selling romantic novelist and skinny dipping at Seven Mile Beach; shipwrecks and air disasters, a whale attack off Cremorne, the Prince of Wales and Lord Louis Mountbatten drinking in the Clarence Hotel, and dances at Bellerive to the music of Hilda Sainsbury's orchestra.

Alison Alexander sums it up in the book concluding: "Clarence today provides inhabitants with much the same as it always has: an opportunity to enjoy a pleasant life in a friendly community, with a genial climate in beautiful surroundings."

Copies of the book are available from the Clarence City Council offices and selected book stores for $29.95. For more information contact Clarence City Council.