Disputed Histories, by Tony Ballantyne and Brian Moloughney (Otago University Press, $49.95): While there is growing interest in New Zealand’s history there are few genuine debates about the topic. This book brings together leading historians seeking to disrupt conventional reading…
Category: NZ books
Interesting look at not-so-well-known NZ history
The Bookmen’s Dominion, by Chris Hilliard (Auckland University Press, $34.99): Taking a look at an almost forgotten chapter in New Zealand’s history, The Bookmen’s Dominion focuses on the activities and networks of historians and literary critics during the 1920s and…
Not worth the $20
Trade Me Your Ultimate Guide by Juha Saarinen; foreword by Sam Morgan (Penguin, $19.95): The Trade Me phenomenon doesn’t show any sign of slowing down so it’s no surprise that there are now how-to books on the market covering the uniquely…
Broken but not beaten
Losing Face, by Kathy Torpie (HarperCollins, $30): In 1994, Kathy Torpie’s world changed forever. Driving home she had the misfortune to meet up with a drunk-driver and in an instant, her body was broken and the face she had seen…
Spotlight on Ron Roycroft
Up to Speed: The Roycroft Years in New Zealand Racing, by Scott Thomson (Steele Roberts): New Zealand motorsport legend Chris Amon once described Ron Roycroft leading the New Zealand Grand Prix in 1957 as one of the five most significant…
Sir Peter Blake’s message lives on
The Last Great Adventure of Sir Peter Blake, edited by Alan Sefton (Penguin, RRP $30): Genuine, true blue adventurers aren’t exactly a dime dozen but here in New Zealand we seem to have more than our fair share. There was Sir…