There’s a lot more to uber-genius Stephen Hawking than a big brain and a debilitating illness, and this memoir offers a glimpse into what makes the man tick. This is the first book Professor Hawking has written entirely on his own since the groundbreaking A Brief History of Time back in 1988, which managed to […]
■ REVIEW: My Brief History
Behind the speech synthesiser, a wit Read Post »
My Notorious Life was inspired by the true story of 19th century New York midwife and abortionist Ann Trow Lohman, better known as Madame Restell; a woman once labelled “the wickedest woman in New York”. At the age of 13, young Axie Muldoon was living a hard life as an Irish immigrant in New York
■ REVIEW: My Notorious Life by Madame X
True midwife drama drawn from history Read Post »
I’m done some travelling over the years but it’s fair to say that Mongolia wasn’t high on the list of destinations. Not for any particular reason, it’s more that it’s hard to imagine there being too much to see and do outside the cities. It seems as though it’s a country of epic landscapes. In
■ REVIEW: On the Trail of Genghis Khan
Author follows path laid out by Khan Read Post »
The subject of this biography is an important figure in the settlement of Canterbury. He was the province’s first superintendent, a politician, a watercolourist and founder of the Christchurch Press. He was ahead of his time with such forward thinking ideas as plans to help the famine sufferers in Ireland, ideas for successful colonization, and
Winning the Victoria Cross requires actions beyond what most normal men or women would ever consider undertaking. There was nothing in the young Mark Donaldson’s life to suggest he would become anything other than an Aussie larrikin. There was the drinking, surfing, snowboarding and a bit of trouble-making, along with a significant attitude, but nothing
■ REVIEW: The Crossroad
Fascinating tale of underdog making good Read Post »
No figure in world sport has fallen as far, or as hard, as Lance Edward Armstrong. Tiger Woods might have lost much of the esteem the world held him in following revelations of his truly epic sexual adventures, but Armstrong had transcended his sport to become a beacon of hope for cancer sufferers and survivors
■ REVIEW: Cycle of Lies
Uncovering the Armstrong ‘miracle’ Read Post »
There’s no doubt that Prime Minister John Key is a polarising figure in New Zealand politics. There really seems to be no middle ground: people either love him or they hate him, which means it’s unlikely he’ll be one of our “forgotten PMs” like Bill Rowling or Jim Bolger – both of whom many Kiwis would
■ REVIEW: John Key: Portrait of a Prime Minister
Insight into NZ’s head honcho Read Post »
It would take a special type of person to criticise this book. The front cover sums it up – a surfie-looking guy smiling into the camera, fit and tanned, standing on two prosthetic legs. Damien Thomlinson was an Australian Special Forces soldier whose life changed irretrievably while on patrol in Afghanistan. One minute he’s your
■ REVIEW: Without Warning
Author doesn’t let injuries define him Read Post »
I grew up with Sesame Street and later the Muppets and it has to be said: Jim Henson was a genius. This biography of the ultimate puppet-master, written by award- winning writer and biographer Brian Jay Jones, is a truly comprehensive read about the legend that was Jim Henson and has been compiled with unprecedented
■ REVIEW: Jim Henson: The Biography
The man behind the muppets Read Post »
Whatever your politics, you’ll find it hard not to have a giggle at a few of the offerings in this little book. Columnist-author-publisher Paul Little has added captions to a selection of photographs of Prime Minister John Key as he goes about his daily duties as leader of our patch of paradise. Some of them
■ REVIEW: 50 Shades of Key
50 shades of political humour Read Post »
