New Zealand Books

It is a truism that success rarely comes to three successive generations of a family. But Jamie Packer is the fourth generation success story in the media-owning family which never seems to strike failure.

"The House of Packer" goes back to Jamie's great-grandfather, R C Packer, newspaper and magazine proprietor in Sydney in the inter-war years, then on to R.C.'s son (later Sir) Frank Packer who started the Australian Women's Weekly and, later, TV Channel Nine.

It is a company history rather than a group biography, so there is information on union disputes, the introduction of new technology, Federal election campaign coverage, competition with other media companies and so on.

But it is the larger than life characters, so typical of journalism in the early to mid-twentieth century and so lacking today, which give the book its human interest. Along with the bold and vigorous writing.

The book concludes with Sir Frank's death and his son Kerry (Jamie's father) taking over the reins. It is an absolute must for people interested in media studies, economic history, political intrigue or just plain power.

There's no way to descern from the title and cover page that there are really eight delightful stories in this one little book. My main problem is that they all had to end! They should be expanded and rewritten into their own complete novels. I am a big fan of British writers and this catchet of little ditties proved to be BRILLIANT!

Written by Gavin McLean (senior historian at the Ministry for Culture and Heritage) and illustrated with a handful of black-and-white photographs, How To Do Local History is a step-by-step guide for would-be local history writers. From how to handle "difficult" or touchy issues in local history, to formulating the right questions to ask while doing research, to investigating both online and offline historical resources, and considerations to keep in mind when publishing - whether just publishing on a website or printing up a book - How To Do Local History is a seminal primer ideal for genealogists, church and institutional historians, thesis writers, and the people who commission them. "Develop an economical writing style in which you 1) tell the main story and ignore most of the historical sidetracks; and 2) cut the waffle. Compression requires self-discipline and hard work, but the results are worth it. Use your computer's word-counting tool... Rewriting is the key to successful writing. And the key to rewriting is reduction." Though written especially with a New Zealand audience in mind, How To Do Local History is packed cover-to-cover with practical tips, tricks, and techniques sure to prove useful regardless of the reader's background.

Howard's War is a book about Australian politics and how it works behind the scenes. It's goals, objectives and strategies. It fits nicely into world politics by providing facts about our relationships with other countries and our place in the world.

The book's approach is to question, show supporting facts and then to analyse and consider the implications. A standout theme throughout the book is "blowback".

It outlines Australia's reasons for involvement in the Iraq war and takes the reader on a journey behind the scenes, providing a level of coverage and detail that they may not have received at the time. By relating to history, politics, decision making, culture, reported facts and implications, Alison Broinowski provides a wake up call for Australians.

The title undersells the content but over delivers on fact. A methodical journey of insights, facts and questions. Structured into four main sections, an introduction to the topic and a chapter allocated to Australia's involvement, America's involvement and the "blowback"

I found the book easy to read and intriguing. The books message had a new and timely meaning when one currently watches the news headlines around the world (July 2006). First time readers of the book would now enjoy the benefit of a second read.

Professor Good has written a timely and brave book. It is honest, clear and full of the detached passion of Orwell's incisive wit. It is indeed readable and concise in its just over 100 pages of careful prose. The mumbo-jumbo that has pervaded English departments in North America in the guise of so-called literary theory is the bane of clarity, intellectual growth and analytical rigour. It is, as Professor Good claims, anathema to the freedom of the individual and independent thought: precisely what a good liberal humanist education should aim for. What we have is ideology masked as education where seminar rooms have been turned into indoctrination sessions in which any attempt to be different through providing an argument against a vacuous idea by Derrida, a mystically misplaced one by Focault, or the Geertzean-induced glaze of Greenblatt is deemed 'reactionary' etc. In other words conform, or you're out. It is time for all clear thinking people to take a stand and fight for the right to be different as a responsible individual in society. Professor Good's book, though polemical, provides arguments in a systematic manner as to why that time is now. My only caveat to an otherwise excellent book, is at one point a slightly simplified portrayal of Nietzsche's ideas occurs. True, Nietzsche could be read as being misogynist, or anti-democratic etc, but he did say a lot of things to upset people: that was his style and part of his radical individualism. For in his inconsistencies and contradictions (deliberate or otherwise) Nietzsche provided an original view of the individual who could be strong by defying the norm, and those norms would include those set up as sacrosanct by the high priests of Theory today. But one can see why the simpler version of Nietzsche's thought was used in this instance, as it is an antinomy probably used as a rhetorical device to make more effective the stance against the Theorists' misappropriation of Nietzsche as defender of ideologically driven 'oppressed' people, genders and those of differing sexual orientation of the world, some of whom (I stress, some) have decided to again reinvent and misuse Nietzsche's dictum "the world is the will to power and nothing besides". The last group of people with a grievance who did the same thing were the Nazis.

An interesting critical look at the novels of Janet Frame which focuses on the allegorical aspects of her fiction. Frame herself stated that this study was "the result of extensive reading and scholarship... I thank Judith Dell Panny for noting that, far from being a random explosion or outburst, my books are the result of 'patterning and purpose'" (King, p.510).

I found this book eminently readable. It shows that the author has a good grasp of the subject which she has analysed in an inteligent manner. Unlike the majority of books that try to put across a view that contradicts the prevelent thinking of the day, this book has convinced me to change many of my beliefs concerning the area of history covered.I would love to have the oppertunity to discuss the book further with the author.

'In My Father's Den' is a 1972 novel by Maurice Gee, but also a splendid 2004 film of the same name both set in New Zealand. I luckily own a copy of this book with a movie cover. I really wouldn't be without it now. It was the obvious dark history of the characters, the film hints at, that drew me to the book. With 175 well written pages, and covering a lot of the same ground the film did, which make both book and film worthy of your attention. For younger readers the lapse in time and language between then and now isn't an issue. 'In My Father's Den' instantly drew me in and kept me enthralled throughout. The alternating shifts in time of the chapters is a brilliant way to learn about one important character, teacher Paul Prior's past, and family history as well as other's who have populated his life in memorable or undesirable ways, to turn him into something of a loner. Recorded in present tense, the narritive is never dull, but full of vivid descriptions it's difficult to dislike. It is in Paul's father's secret sanctum, that a world of books awaits, and emotions run strongly for a girl called Joyce Poole. Joyce first met Paul on a bridge that is lovingly stored in my mind now thanks to this book, as well as many other worthy scenes. There is a vital poem with the name Celia in it that Paul shares with Joyce when they're together, both unaware how it would affect their futures. It is at a party that the girl of Paul's dreams is whisked away from him, by Charlie Inverarity. Years of trouble might have ensued had it not been for a girl called Celia Inverarity who Paul eventually takes a vested interest in with a number of motives. One is to help with her studies. The other is to find out about Joyce Celia's mother the girl he loved. Yet Charlie's ever watchful, wondering keen eyes on his daughter threaten to cast a dark brooding cloud over the pair and shatter a blossoming friendship. A murder takes place in Wadesville and Celia is the victim. It is here that the story begins and what follows retraces the events leading up to this act of senseless violence. 'In My Father's Den' is only one book of many around. I highly recommend it for it's tender and thrilling moments. It's everything you could possibly desire in one book. I doubt you'll be disappointed. 'In My Father's Den' is worth finding.

Scottish blacksmith Hamish Miller, and well known New Zealand historian and author Barry Brailsford, team up in SOUTHERN SERPENT, combining their talents to create a novel and fascinating insight into some of the many sacred spaces within New Zealand, and their role in myth and in legend.

Peppered throughout with illustrated maps, magnificent colour photographs from over dozens of people, and light-hearted story telling, SOUTHERN SERPENT is a must buy sequel (or prequel for that matter) to the SUN and the SERPENT; the equivalent journey in the northern hemisphere.

If coming to New Zealand, or simply interested in understanding more about natural earth energies and how one's consciousness can actively interact within sacred space, you can't do better than to purchase SOUTHERN SERPENT. Some of the many sacred sites touched on are Tokatoka, Castlehill, Temple of the Four Winds, Kaimanawa Wall, Navigator Rock, and Punakaiki.

This is a wonderfully whimsical book of verse about Australian mammals. The verse ranges from humour to serious conservation messages. The book is magnificently illustrated throughout with Pamela Conder's paintings and line drawings.

Pamela Conder is reknowned as a painter of animals, with a unique style that captures the essence of the animal. Her line drawings are precise, while her paintings are full of life.

As well as verse about Australia's more well-known animals, such as the koala and kangaroo, the book also features many lesser known species such as the planigale and antichinus. A final indication of the humour within this book is the title itself, which is a play on the title of Ronald Strahan's more well known book "The Complete Book Of Australian Mammals".

While this book is listed as having being written for children, it is highly recommanded for all ages.