New Zealand Books

A great combination of thoroughness and readability. Bellich offers insight into the makeup of a New Zealander and supports his positions with plenty of detail.

James Belich, one of the world's leading historians in New Zealand Maori history, (the other is Michael King), writes this must have for any New Zealand history enthusiast or student. I can imagine it being a bit dry if history is not your thing. If it is, however, this is a great book. Clear, concise, and masterfully wielded, the information in this book is crucial to the subject of early NZ history. Though scholarly in nature and heavily cited, it is entirely readable and is worth the price for it's bibliography alone.

Belich is the leading historian in NZ. he has previously made his name by reappraising the way we view the Maori Land wars.

Here he has undertaken to write the only general history of New Zealand. This is supposed to be Volume one, though there is no set date for vloume two to appear.

He mixes passion for his subject with a great turn of phrase - for example the way he describes New Zealand as being the product of two sets of boat peoples (Maori and Pakhier) is poingent given the way in Maori mythology Aoteroa is said to be a canoe and a fish and also given how Kiwis refer to new arrivals as "boaties".

Although somtimes this weighty book gets bogged down with lists of facts and accademic arguments, none the less, its both a great read and the seminal work of Kiwi history.

The Maori of New Zealand is an outstanding resource for studying this cultural part of New Zealand. It is kid-friendly, yet packed with pictures and information. My third graders enjoyed it immensely. The shipper, Topshelf Treasures, has been excellent in resolving an issue that arose in the shipping of the book.

Good overview, but I was hoping for more detailed information about thier culture.

I am sure I am not the only one who checked out this First Peoples volume on "The Maori of New Zealand" after being enthralled by the film "Whale Rider." Author Steve Theunisen is a freelance writer living in Masterton, North Island who has been a lifelong student of Maori and Pacific Island culture, and whose wife belongs to the Ngai Te Rangi Nui Maori tribe, so this volume has the added virtue of being written by someone with strong times to the Maori. Such ethos rarely applies to these type of books, so I like to appreciate it when it does.

The Maori are the descendants of Polynesian ancestors who first settled along the coastal regions of New Zealand about 1,500 years ago. The early Maori were hunters, fishers, and farmers who relied on the bounty of the land and water of New Zealand to survive. The arrival of Europeans resulted in a cultural integration that finds many Maori living a modern lifestyle today while keeping their heritage and centuries-old traditions alive.

This book is presented as a series of two-page spreads on topics that are devoted to both the geography of New Zealand ("Land at the Bottom of the World," "New Zealand Wildlife") along with the history ("The Great Migration," "European Contact") and culture ("Traditional Homes," "The Art of the Maori") of the Maori. Each spread is illustrated with color photography, although there are also some historic woodcuts, etchings and photographs as well. The result is a lot of information provided in a concise, colorful, and compelling way.

Other titles in the First People Series look at "The Aboriginal Peoples of Australia," "The Ainu of Japan," "The Inuit of Canada," "The Sami of Northern Europe," "The Yanomami of South America," and "The Zulu of Africa." There are about another dozen titles, and as you can see they cover all of the inhabited continents. If the rest of the volumes are as good as this one then these is an excellent series that young students can turn to for lots of information about the First Peoples of the earth.

Convicts were the first European settlers in Australia. To officials' surprise, convicts' children did not inherit "depraved" genes, but given a fair chance they thrived and became responsible citizens.

Early Australia was a rough and tumble place. In the early days when men vastly outnumbered women. There was wilderness, desert, vast expanses of country, ranches isolated by great distances. Cities grew up on the coasts: Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane.

A "fair go" was an integral part of the vision of early Australia--at least a fair go for Caucasions. Indigenous people were treated terribly, killed off, persecuted, their culture nearly eradicated as children were separated from their parents.

In the 1960's this changed, and a more humane policy was adapted towards indigenous people. At the same, Australia was absorbing millions of refugees and immigrants from a multitude of countries.

Australia's underlying premise of "a fair go" has resulted in admirable social policies: health insurance, free education, old-age pensions, and more. It has resulted in a society to which other countries can look as a model.

REVIEW FOR MULTIETHNIC AUSTRALIA by Celeste MacLeod

This is an engaging, extremely well written informative book about Australia, a country about which there are many myths, many negative stereotypes, and much misunderstanding.

MacLeod gets to the heart of the enigma that is Australia by the way she relates the beginnings of that nation to the changes that have occurred over the years. The basic strength of Australia as a parliamentary democracy lies in the concept that that there should be "a fair go" for everyone.

Without hitting the reader on the head, MacLeod shows us how forward looking policies, like a secret ballot, old-age pensions, and votes for women, all in place by 1902, plus since the 1970s, recognition of respect for different ethnicities, made it possible for Australia to grow and prosper. She does not gloss over past inequities, but she shows how positive progressive leadership leads to economic and social prosperity. I was engrossed in her description of how Australia accepted five million immigrants from two hundred and forty countries, including Asia, Africa and the Middle East after World War II, and helped them become integrated into Australian society. This is no small feat, but it worked because of a national multicultural policy that encouraged immigrants, as well as indigenous Aborigines, to retain their traditional cultures while becoming loyal Australians.

MacLeod shows the reader how the current regressive leadership of the Australian government is destroying many years of progress. It's so easy to wreck progressive social policy and so difficult to build and sustain it. She holds out hope for Australia, however, based on the unifying concept of "a fair go" for everyone.

This was so interesting that I couldn't put it down.

Rhoda Curtis, Instructor/Consultant, CalStateU-East Bay, Hayward

Multiethnic Australia: Its History and Future is essential reading for anyone interested in the history of this fascinating continent as well as those who might be considering immigration. The book covers a vast range of time and topics without being ponderous. It triggers the reader's desire to know the Australia of the future better: either in a sequel or through its amazingly diverse people, who call Australia home well into the 21st century.

A good book with lots of information on B&B's throughout New Zealand.
Also small enough to take with you.

The guide is organized geographically, even within a region, which is not especially helpful to those who don't know their way around. Properties are not listed alphabetically within a town. Alphabetically by town then name within a region would be more useful. The blurbs for each property are written by the owners so there's a wide range of value in the text. Addition of a set of ideograms to describe basic amenities would also be a great help in identifying a property meeting one's criteria.

This book was very helpfull, especially with the pictures of the B&B's, in making our desicions where to stay. We have been to New Zealand before, but this was a great help. If one is going to travel NZ on their own, I would recomend this.

definitely a must for a n.z. bound cycling adventure. this book keeps it all simple and clear without what you don't need. i cycled 4100km in n.z. by mixing and matching routes from the book and found it very useful. the only down side is the not very convenient format and the lack of good route maps which is not a big deal altogether. good luck.

Yes, I am a Kiwi [native New Zealander]and have found this book extremely valuable for planning a tour around both islands. I could find out all the information, but why reinvent the wheel?? It is all laid on here..including an insight into our customs and language.

In brief..... you want to bike around NZ??? GET THIS BOOK!!

In February '97 me, my bike, and this book covered 1300 miles of New Zealand. I used this book extensively to plan my route by mixing & matching the routes covered in the book. obtw, in New Zealand you don't need a map, you only have a couple of roads to choose from and this book covers just about everything you need. I highly recommend it and appreciate the effort Bruce put into the book.

It's a real loss that this book is not on print anymore. Deere, altough being superficial when to comes to characters descriptions (a common feature in WW II biographical fighter pilots books) has a very nice writing style. This book was first published in 1959.

This book brings the life and times of a WWII RAF pilot to life and gives the reader a feeling for the day to day struggle they faced. Mr. Deere's description of the Battle of Britain and the hours of waiting on stand by and then flying for yoiur life is thrilling. The luck required to survive (as many of his comrades did not) and the skill to advance are well represented in this book. I'd recommend it for anyone looking to understand the RAF pilots of WWII.

For a thrilling eye to eye account of the Battle of Britain particularly of the Allied evacuation of Dunkirk from the point of view of a pilot who literally experienced "Nine Lives", this book comes highly recommended.

Many non-Australians won't even have heard of Fremantle. Freo to the locals of Perth. Dowson must have expended much sweat in compiling this collection of old photos of the port of Perth. Especially impressive for the earliest photos around 1850. Daguerrotypes had only been recently invented. And Perth and Freo had so few people in the 1850s, that it is remarkable that any photos were taken, had survived, and been tracked down by the author.

It may not be readily apparent from the book, but Freo and Perth were different places, separated by undeveloped bushland, even up till World War 2. Most of the background and buildings in the photos are now absent. Except perhaps for a few buildings in the heart of Freo.

The book is also accurate in portraying the dominant Anglo-Irish background of Freo's inhabitants. Wasn't much diversity back then. The photos end in 1950. Just as a wave of immigration from southern and eastern Europe were to commence. Then, later, from Asia. Giving current Freo a strong multiethnic flavour. (Especially Italian.)

This is an exceptional book. It is a fine work of art as well as a serious photographic history of a "British empire" seaport. I would recommend it to anyone who is fascinated by the lives of people long gone and who also wants to marvel at some wonderful photography. Many thanks to the author, John Dowson, for providing such a treasure.

I gave this book five stars because I am the author. Looking at the fact that the book is rating just under the 3 millionth most popular book on Amazon, it seems like it needs some help. The problem with photographic books on small cities (Fremantle has only 30,000 people) is that it is very hard to get people outside the city interested. Pity, because any lover of old photographs would enjoy the 250 approx images in the book dating from 1850 to 1950. My favourite one is a 1919 one of an open truck full of cauliflowers, all stacked on top of each other with no net or cover. The truck has solid tyres and the driver (sitting calmly at the wheel in a coat and tie) has brought his load into town over rough limestone roads.

Cameras 100 years ago often produced better images than the technological marvels of today. This book was produced regardless of cost to the highest standards, though I did endure a struggle to get the publisher not to charge me an extra $30,000 for the special 170gsm cream paper I chose. The book won the Western Australian Premier's Prize for non fiction and the first edition sold out in weeks. What you are buying now is the revised edition, with the errors removed and 8 extra pages put in in a fit of generosity. Most of the errors were tiny ones, but there was a real beauty- one photo featured a hotel which is actually in Geraldton, not Fremantle. That was dumb, but then some clown had written Fremantle all over the bottom of the photograph and the hotel plans checked out.

The book is big and heavy- don't drop it on your toes. But still, I like it. I hope you do.

Overall the book is a great way to learn, or begin to learn, about the islands of the pacific. Although aimed at children it is still useful for readers of all ages.

i thought this was a good book for kids. it has the definition of some of the difficult words on the side of the text and has great art to complement the stories. but for someone from the islands, it was a bit dissappointing in that some of the legends were seriously augmented. granted, there are many versions of the same legends in the islands but not one that is so far from all the rest that they are hardly recognizable, save for the title. but overall, i found the book to be beautifully written and magical.

The legends and folk lore embodied in the culture and values of Pacific island peoples are showcased in Pacific Island Legends, a single, easy to read volume that is beautifully illustrated with the woodcut images of Connie J. Adams. Educators Bo Flood, Beret Strong, and William Flood have successfully collaborated to present forty-four legends from all over the Pacific, serving to provide cultural access that will be appreciated by scholars and non-specialist general readers alike. Pacific Island Legends is a highly recommended addition to any personal, academic, or public library multicultural myth, legend and folklore reference collection.

I have read a little on this subject but from what I see it is about the best now available. This book is about Pol Pot, the people, the events that affected Cambodia then.

More then Pol Pot, I found his discussions on Norodom Sihanouk (surely one of histories the great political survivors) fascinating. Sihanouk today after the Americans, Khmer Rouge, Vietnam and the so-called restoration of democracy is still king.

What stuck me was that unlike many other great mass murders Pol Pot and his people were not Marxist as such. They barely knew Marxism. It was almost an ad-hoc folk group in ideals. That is how the killings were done too. This is all different from what we saw in Stalin's Russia or Nazi Germany.

Rather then strengthening his country, Pol Pot weakened it. Add a foreign policy which his country was not strong enough to keep caused his defeat in a conflict with Vietnam. What is surprising is after this defeat how his party continued for some time as a resistance movement.

Pol Pot (a title rather than a name meaning brother number one) has the reputation of commiting genocide against his own people. After his overthrow museums were opened celebrating his infamy. This book gives his history against that of Cambodia and the region as a whole. The author Short makes the case that Pol Pot (real name Saloth Sar) rather than trying to commit genocide against his people introduced a slave state and the deaths were a side product.

Pol Pot was a person of medicore talents. He repeatedly failed his teacher training exams and came to run what became the Cambodian Communist Party because of the unexpected deaths of those above him.

His organisation was a small one which was run as a puppet organisation by the Vietnamese during the Vietnam War. The Vietnamese had a de-facto agreement with Shinouk the head of state of Cambodia that they could occupy parts of the eastern provinces of Cambodia so that they could supply their forces fighting in what was South Vietnam. For this freedom of movement the Vietnamese did not try to oust Shinouk.

Nixon the US president widened the war by bombing eastern Cambodia and then later invading it. The aim was to restrict the movement of arms and supplies to the Vietnamese forces fighting in the south and to prop up the American backed government. In addition the US supported a coup to oust Shinouk and he was replaced by Lon Nol who with US support started a campaing against the Vietnamese forces in Cambodia. The initial bombings and invasion by the American backed South Vietnamese forced the communist forces deep into Cambodia. The Vietnamese also had to fight against the attacks of Lon Nol.

The bombings led to plentiful recruits for the Cambodian Communists and the North Vietnamese armed them to safeguard their flank. Lon Nol was an incompetent leader and the Cambodian communists with huge numbers of recruits armed by the Vietnamese were able to achieve power.

Nothing in achieving power suggested that Pol Pot had any real ability. Once in power he started to show how stupid and how brutal he was. His first move was to empty the cities. Short suggests that this stupid move costs the deaths of around 20,000. This figure includes the killing of what could be seen as class enemies. Army officers, government officials. Whilst Pol Pot faced a real problem, Phnompen had been swelled by refugees and it would have been difficult to feed them his solution was moronic and the product of a simple ideology. He wanted everyone to become peasants. Short shows that aid would have been available and closing down the cities of Cambodia was simply lunacy. However lunacy followed lunacy. Money was abolished and a barter economy was put in place. All citizens were forced to work on the land and to produce rice. As there was no money this policy was backed up by brutality. If anyone disagreed they were killed. Very large numers of people died as a result.

In his second year in power Pol Pot decided to improve the rice production by a series of changes to the irrigation system. As a large percentage of the work force were digging ditches not enough rice was produced and another 500,000 or so starved to death.

Eventually Pol Pot attached the Vietnamese and they retaliated and overthrew him. It is from this time that the museums of genocide date from. Most were set up by the Vietnamese as propoganda to justify what they did. The torture centre S 21 used mainly to torture party members into making false confessions emerged as a genocide museum etc.

The Vietnamese invasion did not end Pol Pot's life. He went on to marry at 60 and to have a family dying of what could be described as natural causes. His army was supported by the United States, Thailand and China in their fight to regain power in Cambodia.

The book is one that is fascinating to read and one of its strengths is to put Pol Pot's career in the context of the history of Cambodia. Quite a lot of time is spent looking at Shinouk's career and the movement of Cambodia to indepenence. The book concludes by saying that the tragedy continues as Cambodia is now an autocracy ruled by a former Kymer Rouge deuputy governor and corruption is rife with the economy being a basket case.

This is a great book-- well researched and written by someone who has carefully studied his material. He details not only the history of Cambodia, the role of Buddhism, the influence of Cambodian culture and the impact of Marxism and anticommunism along with US and French imperialism in the rise and fall of Pol Pot, but also how useless it is to make all sorts of moral judgements about the man and his deeds (they were objectively terrible and criminal) without a great deal of knowledge about Cambodian society.Several things stand out: 1. Pol Pot and his followers had about as much to do with Marxism as Jesus had to do with the policies of Nero, 2. that both the US and China have dirty hands in all of this, 3. and that Pol Pot never thought he had ever done anything morally wrong. This book will tell you as much about the human condition as it will about Pol Pot. Read it and weep.

This book is greatly recommended for anyone who has some any remote interest in the personage of Queen Salote or who has any spark of interest in the region that she ruled.
The author, Elizabeth Wood- Ellem, takes an intricate look into the life of one of the world's last remaining monarchies. She further sheds more light on the decision making process that occurred during the late Queen's reign.
While the book is a comfortable read, it also gives the reader a glimpse into Tongan culture and the traditions that were so embellished by the Queen.

I sincerely recommend this book for all Tongans out there as well as those who are interested in discovering one of the most beloved Monarchs of our time. Queen Salote was not only a charismatic leader but also a progressive woman who brought Tonga to the forefront of the modern era by re-establishing its past. She restored the cultural pride of her people at a time when native cultures were suffering the ill-effects of Westernization.

This book will be a sweet recollection for those who were fortunate to witness her reign, and it will be a source of inspiration for younger generations who are seeking to learn about their themselves.

Truly, a remarkable book for a most remarkable person!

Tonga is a unique place in being the only Polynesian kingdom to maintain its culture and government through the colonial period that brought down similar cultures in Hawaii and throughout the Pacific. Queen Salote adds to this uniqueness by being the ruling queen of Tonga in the first half of the Twentieth Century, an era dominated by male chauvenism. This story of her life and reign provides a wonderful view into the culture and history of this island kingdom. For papalangi (the Tongan word for people of Western society) this is not an easy book because there is a lot of Tongan names, geneology, and customs necessarily involved in the biography of their queen. Yet the very things that make it difficult also make it a rewarding book to read. What makes the book most enjoyable is the portrayal of this marvelous woman who ruled Tonga for almost 50 years. She ruled without use of force during a time of dissent from rival nobles and emerged one of the most revered leaders in Tongan history. She convinced her British advisors of her ability to rule and her island adversaries that their independence depended on her rule. I can recommend this book without reservation to anyone interested in women's studies, international biography, Polynesian history, or British colonial history.