Lovers of Deadwood will be delighted to learn that Melbourne wasn't that dissimilar. It was a lawless encampment, with notorious brothels, opium dens and big personalities. And, of-course, it was all violently snatched from the Kulin people.

Making Modern Melbourne is a delicious, bite-sized history of our city written by Jenny Lee and brought to you by Arcade Publications - publishers of pocket-sized books about Melbourne's lesser known histories.

Any good bookshop can sell you this great read, give you change from a $20, and give you a new perspective on what's at the heart of modern Melbourne.

Jenny will be talking about the book, and about the city, at Coburg Library (7pm, Wed 29 Oct; bookings 9353 4000). Oh, and Arcade's sell-out History of Literary Melbourne Walking Tour is on again (1.30pm, Sat 25 Oct; bookings 9329 9665).