Tim Shadbolt is a national icon (not to mention a local hero in Invercargill). He is known for his wide-mouthed smile, wicked sense of humour, standing up for causes and supporting the average kiwi. Tim, who was 60 in 2007, has finally relented, after many approaches, and agreed to write his autobiography.

He is now enjoying his fifth term as Mayor of Invercargill, after romping back for a fifth term in October 2007. In the past Tim has written numerous books on subjects ranging from concrete to film-making, as well as his 'early' biography Bullshit and Jellybeans (published in 1971). As well as his political career, Tim is also widely remembered as a student activist and "concrete contractor with a cause".

These days Tim finds time to write a weekly column for two newspapers, stars in and presents television programmes and is sought after as a celebrity speaker. Written in Tim's inimitable humorous style, A Mayor of Two Cities stretches from the Shadbolt whakapapa to Tim's present endeavours.

Topics covered include: hippie communes, what women really want, concrete, the peace movement, the '81 Tour, Bastion Point, Waitemata mayoralty, TV appearances, court cases, Invercargill mayoralty, World's Fastest Indian, and various other scandals, achievements and adventures.