Gallipoli, by Peter FitzSimons (Random House, RRP $57) Sydney Morning Herald journalist Peter FitzSimons takes readers into the heart of the chaotic and devastating Gallipoli campaign in this insightful and comprehensive book. On 25 April 1915, Allied forces landed on…
Tag: Random House
■ REVIEW
Our New Zealand
Plot a little out there at times – but it’s Bond
Solo, by William Boyd (Random House, RRP $38): For the James Bond fans out there, the news that William Boyd was planning to pen a followup Bond novel was probably pretty exciting and, for the most part, he has delivered…
Bookmarks: short non-fiction reviews
A roundup of short general non-fiction reviews: My Gentle Barn, by Ellie Laks (Penguin, RRP $28): This is non fiction at its best. Ellie Laks runs a rescue mission for animals near Los Angeles and this is the story of her early…
Trio of books look at NZ’s architectural heritage
New Zealand’s Lost Heritage, by Richard Wolfe (Hew Holland Publishers, RRP $50): The preservation of our historic buildings is often a topic of debate in this country, with passionate arguments for (it’s our history) and against (usually the cost). We…
Perfect blend of classic and modern
The Kill List, by Frederick Forsyth (Random House, RRP $38): It’s hard to know exactly how much of The Kill List is based on fact. The worrying part is that it could all be based on actual events, because of…
Excellent final book for Ranger’s Apprentice series
Ranger’s Apprentice – The Royal Ranger, by John Flanagan (Random House, RRP $23): Horace and Cassandra don’t know what to do with their daughter because she is so troublesome, sneaking into the forest at night to catch game. It is…
Four-legged survival stories celebrated
Quake Dogs, text by Laura Sessions, photography by Craig Bullock (Random House, RRP $35): This sweetly addictive book features the heart-warming stories of Christchurch dogs. After the devastating Canterbury quakes, we heard the many stories of survival and loss that…
Lynch delivers a fresh approach to happiness
Screw You Dolores, by Sarah-Kate Lynch (Random House NZ, RRP $30): In the first book in her “Wicked Approach to” series, author Sarah-Kate Lynch tackles the tricky subject of happiness. Life can be a bit of a roller-coaster and while…
Remembering New Zealand’s ‘Big Norm’
The Mighty Totara: The Life and Times of Norman Kirk, by David Grant (Random House NZ, RRP $45): Norman Kirk was the first politician I was truly aware of as a kid. I remember as a tender wee seven-year-old, seeing…