Author Caroline Paul has drawn on the real-life experience of having her moggy companion Tibula, also known as Tibby, go walkabout to produce a cute and quirky tale. Incidentally, Tibby’s feline sibling is named Fibby (short for Fibula), and it was while the author was recovering from breaking her own tibia and fibula in a […]
When we think of Anzacs and war, for most of us our minds immediately go to Gallipoli but the Western Front campaign also had a huge impact for New Zealand and Australia. Five times as many soldiers swerved on the Western Front than Gallipoli, five times as many died there and more than five times
■ REVIEW: The Western Front Diaries
Huge losses on Western Front remembered Read Post »
Leon Davidson is one of those rare authors who can write good non-fiction for young adults that makes history both real and engaging. His first book, Scarecrow Army, was about the Anzacs at Gallipoli and won the NZ Post Children and Young Adult non-fiction category in 2006. He followed that up with a book on
■ REVIEW: Zero Hour
Appeal for all age groups Read Post »
There’s no doubting Dunedin-based author Vanda Symon’s talent as a writer and I certainly enjoyed most of this book, the third to feature stroppy chick/newbie detective Sam Shepherd. However, I don’t know that a reader who wasn’t so familiar with the southern part of New Zealand would find it such an easy read: most people
■ REVIEW: Containment
Kiwi colloquialisms distract Read Post »
Steven Spielberg’s epic World War II movie Saving Private Ryan was one of those gut-wrenching stories that stayed with you long after you walked out of the theatre. The tale of the search for the fourth and only surviving Ryan brother, so he can be sent home to safety, is all the more harrowing because
■ REVIEW: Poppy Boys
Record of a generation Read Post »
We really do have a passion for Zephyrs and Zodiacs in New Zealand and I doubt there are many of us who haven’t either owned one or had parents who owned one (my dad and brother were both big fans of these classy machines). There are clubs honouring these cars all around the country and
■ REVIEW: Zephyrs and Zodiacs
A New Zealand passion Read Post »
He’s a Kiwi icon and a good southern bloke but there are probably a lot of us who still don’t know as much about Burt Munro as we really should. Munro was a bit of a maverick: he had a love of speed (and was quite fond of the ladies, too, from all accounts) and
■ REVIEW: The World’s Fastest Indian
Awesome value and in time for Christmas Read Post »
If you’re a regular reader of The Southland Times, I’m sure you’re also a regular reader of the columns of the very talented Joe Bennett. Young Mr Bennett is, without doubt, one of the funniest to grace our pages and he never fails to entertain with his weekly offerings. In fact, I’m always amazed that
■ REVIEW: The World’s Your Lobster
Joe Bennett as good as ever Read Post »
Historian Michael King died in a 2004 car crash but his work continues to have an impact on New Zealand culture. This revised edition of a book that has already been around for a good few years is still relevant and interesting. King paints a comprehensive picture of Maori culture and society, from the 1850s
■ REVIEW: Maori: A Photographic and Social History
Social history reprint still relevant Read Post »
They’re small, cool and – after starring in a cult movie classic – they’re very much a Kiwi icon. Minis are loved by drivers from all walks of life and have been popular with us Kiwis since their launch 47 years ago – more than a lifetime for some of us. And while the rest of
■ REVIEW: Mini Down Under
A classic car that’s still cheery Read Post »
