Elizabeth Willis’s wonderfully accessible guide provides a social history of one of Melbourne’s most loved icons, and an insight into why it has been given World Heritage listing. This book’s introduction to the rich history of the Royal Exhibition Building gives vivid descriptions of the great exhibitions and fascinating information on other activities that the building has accommodated, ranging from the opening of the first federal parliament to Ideal Home shows, a fever hospital to a place for peace rallies and religious meetings. The Royal Exhibition Building, Melbourne is a book that will be at home on the shelves of local and urban historians, as well as on the shelves of general readers.