New Zealand Books

An Unsettled Spirit: The Life & Frontier Fiction Of Edith Lyttleton (G. B. Lancaster) by Terry Sturm (Professor of English, University of Auckland, New Zealand) is the superbly researched and deftly written biographical story of the life and literature of New Zealand's most widely read author oversees during the first half of the twentieth century. This is the amazing and informative portrayal of the difficult experiences of a very talented woman who, in penning her tales of romance and outdoors adventure, struggled to rise above the limits of potboiler fiction. An Unsettled Spirit is an absolute must-read for literary connoisseurs of Lyttleton's life and work.

I was handed this book and was told that it has some of our Family History in it.(i'm part koori) From the moment I opened this book till the last page I could'nt put it down.

Graeme Davison draws upon his experience and expertise as an historian and commentator on national celebrations, heritage, museums, and other forms of public history in The Use And Abuse Of Australian History. He presents a wide-ranging and perceptive survey of the many ways in which history enters into and becomes a part of contemporary everyday life in Australia. The past inspires, consoles, and condemns (sometimes all at once), and here highlighted is how Australians use (and sometimes misuse) the past in attending to such present concerns, issues and national discussions on everything from gun ownership to aboriginal rights. The Use And Abuse Of Australian History is highly recommended reading to students of Australian history, culture, politics, and international relations.

An eclectic and fascinating collection of critical essays, memoirs, poetry and artwork addressing this forgotten war.

I loved this story! What makes it so funny is the author's wry sense of humor and her ability to laugh at herself. The description put the reader right there through the whole experience (one I wouldn't want to have!), and I'm sure I sighed with relief when she finally emerged unscathed from the cave. I look forward to more stories from this author.

This book has been so valuable to me when planning outings in the greater Wellington region. I take it along with me on walks too.
It is very well organised with clear information about what to expect on each walk, as well as interesting history and nature insights. Great maps too, which I find clearer than the "official" ones sometimes available.
Good variety of tracks from all around the region, including the central city.
This is good for visitors to the city as well as locals.

The book arrived within two weeks of my ordering it and was in the condition advertised.

This is a comprehensive breakdown of neighborhoods and property values. I'm afraid this is bit dated now in as much as property values go, but the description of the city is still solid. I'm desperately waiting for the fourth edition.

Rowse traces the history of Aboriginal contact with white settlers by examining the economic rewards offered to the indigenous people by pastoralists and missionaries, from the first distribution of foodstuffs through the integration of Aboriginal people into a cash economy in the last 50 years. This is a book that wil suprise you with insights and connections, make even statistics live, and demonstrate how comlicated the skein of relationships between black and white in Australia hav ebeen and continue to be. Each transaction seems to offer good and bad, and although Rowse never attempts to speak for the Aboriginal people, but only examines the voices of whitefellas through their leavings in the historical record, he manages to pressent a balanced and nuanced understanding of both sides of the frontier.

Wild Rivers: Discovering The Natural History Of The Central South Island by Dimedin-based New Zealand guidebook writer and nature photographer Neville Peat and Brian Patrick (entomologist, botanist, and Otago Museum general manager) is a gorgeous, 142 page volume filled from cover to cover with full-color nature photography showcasing the Central South Island of New Zealand. The informative and reader friendly text reveals a wondrous journey through the history of rock, unique ecosystems, and illustrates wide variety of natural settings from coast to icy mountaintops. Wild Rivers is a beautiful and fascinating book, and as close as any reader can get to the natural wonder of New Zealand short of actually going there!