Trainland by Neill Atkinson
Trainland looks at the ordinary New Zealander’s experience of rail and the ways in which railways have shaped our country – from everyday working life and holidays to the place of rail in our literature and art.
Dry Gardening by Jonathan Garner
Drought-proofing your garden simply requires improving your soil and choosing water-efficient plants that are suitable for your climate. Whether you have a formal garden, or a rambling cottage garden, Dry Gardening will help you to reduce your water consumption and become a smart, water-efficient gardener.
Vile Crimes: the Timaru Poisonings by Peter Graham
In 1886 a well-known and well-connected local businessman was arrested for attempting to murder his wife by poison. Vile Crimes is a riveting and fast-paced examination of one of New Zealand’s most sensational court cases, a case which was a major scandal in colonial New Zealand.
William Pitt the Younger by William Hague
William Pitt the Younger was one of the most extraordinary figures in British history. After becoming Prime Minister at the age of 24, he went on to dominate the political scene for 22 years. An extraordinary man in an extraordinary time.
Cultural Amnesia by Clive James
A lifetime in the making, Cultural Amnesia is the book Clive James has always wanted to write. Organised from A-Z, it’s the ultimate guide to the twentieth century and its key characters from Louis Armstrong to Ludwig Wittgenstein. Each entry is written with James’ inimitable wit and style.
The Big Picture by Hamish Keith
The Big Picture written by Hamish Keith with his brisk personal text will force readers to refocus what they think about our cultural history. Based on the six-part TVNZ series, The Big Picture, and with over 300 illustrations, this book is an indispensable survey of New Zealand’s remarkable artistic heritage.
Looking Flash: Clothing in Aotearoa New Zealand Offering a fresh look at the role of clothes in New Zealand history, Looking Flash examines what we wear and what we have worn – from the shrinking bathing suit to the black singlet – over the past three centuries.
James May’s 20th Century by James May
James May’s 20th Century explores the iconic themes of the last century: cars, flight, space, television, skyscrapers, and many more. Packed with surprising statistics and intriguing facts, this is the ideal book for anyone who wants to know how stuff works and why some stuff didn’t make it.
Tail-End Charlies by John Nichol
Night after night they flew through the flak and packs of enemy fighters to drop the bombs that helped demolish the Third Reich – and they died in their tens of thousands. The airmen of RAF’s Bomber Command were heroes that defied Hitler. But with war over they were forgotten and some of their actions are now seen as crimes.
Sticks, Stones, Mud Homes by Nigel Noyes
Whether you are constructing your dream home or making small-scale renovations, sustainable approaches to building are now more important and more achievable than ever. Inspirational and practical Sticks, Stones, Mud Homes will help you find natural ways to create your perfect living space.
Lost in New Zealand by Craig Potton
Lost in New Zealand is an evocative and memorable collection of photography, a book that will endure for anyone who has been touched by New Zealand’s remarkable landscape.
Soundtrack: 118 Great New Zealand Albums by Grant Smithies
Soundtrack is music reviewer Grant Smithies’ marvellously passionate, insightful and entertaining tribute to New Zealand music. Smithies has written about 118 albums he loves, ranging from Flying Nun guitar bands to Polynesian hip hop. Soundtracks is a significant book about New Zealand modern music.
The Berlin Wall by Frederick Taylor
During the night of 12-13 August 1961, a barbed-wire entanglement was hastily constructed through the heart of Berlin. It grew into a structure that would symbolise the insanity of the Cold War. This is the definitive account of a divided city and its people.
Cartographia: Mapping Civilizations by Vincent Virga
A richly illustrated exploration of maps and mapmaking, Cartographia celebrates the work of those who have mapped the world from the dawn of civilization to the present. The maps are models of time, diaries of intrigue, and illuminating works of art.
The Penguin Guide to Recorded Classical Music This new, completely revised edition of the Penguin Guide surveys the major classical recordings issued and reissued over the past five decades. More comprehensive than ever before, it indicates key recordings on CD, as well as DVDs and has all the information you need to select the finest classical music available.
Speeches That Shaped the Modern World by Alan Whittaker
This is a collection of the most important speeches given since 1900. There are speeches about power and equality; of hate and hope; of compassion and sorrow. What they have in common is the rhetoric – the power of persuasion.
Antonio Carluccio’s Italia by Antonio Carluccio
Antonio Carluccio’s Italia takes you on a fascinating gastronomic tour through Italy. Antonio explores Italy’s varied regions and conveys his extraordinary knowledge and personal impressions of his mother country.
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Where Shall We Go For Dinner? by Tamasin Day-Lewis
Part memoir, part love story, Tamasin and her American boyfriend travel the world to experience different foods and different cultures. Tamasin lives to eat and tell the story and travels to the ends of the earth in search of the perfect dinner.
Passage to Torres Strait by Miles Hordern
Miles Hordern has crossed the Pacific four times under sail, but his most dangerous and evocative expedition was crossing the stretch of water between New Zealand and the Indian Ocean, guarded by the Torres Strait. This is a thrilling single-handed voyage to the point where past meets present, messages from the past bobbing in the wake of Hordern’s yacht.
The Girlo Travel Survival Kit by Anthea Paul
Thinking about travelling? Going away with friends or family on a big trip? ‘The girlo travel survival kit’ is your guide to the crucial travel must-haves, must-sees, and must-dos before, during and after a trip.
To Hellas and Back by Lana Penrose
When Lana’s gorgeous Greek-Australian boyfriend, Dion is offered his dream job in Athens, it seems like the perfect opportunity to share an unforgettable experience abroad. But this is one travel adventure that doesn’t go quite to plan.
The Power and the Glory by David Yallop
From the first moment of his election, John Paul II sought political influence and a role on the world stage. Promising a renewed church, John Paul II became the first “media pope”. This book is a bold and unflinching look at the career of a man currently being fast tracked to Sainthood.
Life in Cold Blood by David Attenborough
Frogs and toads, turtles and tortoises, crocodiles and alligators, lizards and snakes. Dinosaurs apart they are the great survivors. Of all animal groups, surely the reptiles – so different from ourselves – deserve our better understanding. Sir David offers that, and great enjoyment along the way.
Don Merton: the Man who Saved the Black Robin by Alison Ballance
Don Merton is recognised world-wide as a passionate pioneer in the conservation of rare birds. During a remarkable 50-year career he has led extraordinary efforts to bring endangered birds back from the brink of extinction, both in New Zealand and overseas. A stirring account of Don Merton’s remarkable life story
Nelson and Marlborough Foothills and Coastal Regions by Pat Barrett
‘Nelson and Marlborough foothills and coastal region’ draws together many of the most notable and accessible walking tracks, huts and tramping routes of the area. Each walk outlines the walking time, and includes grade of walk, standard access information, details for the best route etc. An indispensable guide book to the walking tracks of the Nelson and Marlborough region
How to Watch a Bird by Steve Braunias
Prize-winning journalist Steve Braunias decided he wanted to know more about birds. This book is a wondrous personal journey into the amazing world of birds, and the people ensnared, captivated and entranced by them: the passionate tribe of bird watchers and twitchers.
Hunger for the Wild by Al Brown
Based on the award-winning television series, ‘Hunger for the Wild’, this book follows Wellington restaurateurs Steve Logan and Al Brown as they travel to the far corners of the country to chase down some of New Zealand’s finest, freshest and tastiest food.
Kate’s Klassics by Kate Camp
In her monthly Kate’s Klassics sessions with Radio NZ National’s Kim Hill, Kate Camp takes a fresh look at classic literature. Here she discusses ten of the world’s most famous books, from The Old Testament to Wuthering Heights. Do the classics stack up in the text-message millennium?
A House in Fez by Suzanna Clarke
When Suzanna Clarke and her husband Sandy McCutcheon bought a dilapidated house in the Fez Medina, their friends thought they were mad. But restoring the house was only part of their immersion in the rich and colourful life of this ancient city.
Towards Aotearoa by David Eggleton
Award winning reviewer David Eggleton offers a highly readable and entertaining introduction to twentieth century New Zealand art. Focusing on key artists, he discusses their background, their work, and the materials and techniques they used, and the ways they have shaped the story of New Zealand art.
The First Emperor by Anthony Everitt
One of the most influential men in history, Augustus was surrounded by a host of colourful characters. This biography also brings vividly to life the Roman people in all their sensuousness, political ambition and murderous glory.
Memories, Dreams and Reflections by Marianne Faithfull
A decade after the publication of Faithfull, an acclaimed rock autobiography, Marianne Faithfull is back. A wry observer of her slightly off-kilter world, Marianne muses nostalgically about a wide range of experiences and encounters.
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