News Blog @ Wellington City Libraries

This month’s recent picks showcases the variety of people who call New Zealand home, from Tāngata Whēnua to Irish immigrants to those of Jewish descent.

Stones bones steam / Philip Andrews.
“Looks at Māori myths and landforms; power of ignimbrite eruptions; early geological exploration; past discoveries of moa, mosasaur and other fossils; the man who made artificial geysers; Rotorua’s great bores versus geysers controversy; and geology in verse” – (adapted from Back cover)

Bog Irish Micks : the O’Brien family from Scariff : a family history / by Kath Woodley.
“Chronicles the families started by the five children of John O’Brien and Margaret Malone, all of whom left Scariff, Ireland for New Zealand between 1874 and 1883.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Jewish lives in New Zealand : a history / Leonard Bell and Diana Morrow, editors.
“The census tells us that 8000 New Zealanders actively identify as Jewish and it is estimated that the broader population is probably around 25,000. There has never been an authoritative history of this country’s Jewish population and yet people of Jewish descent (both secular and religious) have played vital roles in all aspects of our society throughout its history. Auckland alone has had five Jewish mayors. Jews have been prominent in New Zealand’s business, cultural, intellectual, political, medical, intellectual life and more since the 1840s, and successive waves of immigration have added to the tapestry of New Zealand Jewry. This significant book covers key sectors of activity with specialist writers assigned to each. Richly illustrated, it slots another important piece into the jigsaw of our history.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

For gallant service rendered : the life & times of Samuel Austin, NZ Cross, 1831-1903 / Barbara Mabbett.
“Samuel Austins military career began with the British army and ended with the Wanganui Native Contingent in their campaign to capture Te Kooti in 1870. Drawn extensively from Austins own diary, this is the story of his adventurous life as a soldier, settler, and family man. From his childhood in Ireland and service with the 65th Regiment, it vividly details the extensive action he took part in during the turbulent years of the New Zealand Wars, and his later life as a colonist in the growing town of Wanganui.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Bishop Monrad in Aotearoa : Ditlev Gothard Monrad’s life and his legacy to New Zealand / edited by Ian Macfarlane ; [text edited by Robin Briggs].
“Monrad cam to Aotearoa New Zealand in 1866 and for almost most three years carried out the strenuous work of being a settler, clearing the land and establishing a farm in the Manawatū. In 1869 he returned to Denmark, but members of his family continued his pioneer work in New Zealand. Before he left , Monrad gave his treasured collection of prints of etchings and engravings by masters of European art to the government and people of New Zealand. This collection is help at the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.” – (adapted from Back cover)

With the one year anniversary of the devastating Christchurch earthquake recently remembered, our picks of the recent New Zealand books this month  include a number of new books on Christchurch -  including a beautiful artist’s tribute to the buildings of Christchurch,  stories of people trapped during the earthquake, and books that tell of  the ordeal of living in the city and dealing with the aftermath of the quake. (Also included, a few extra titles – including the revised and updated New Zealand Small Business Book.)

Christchurch : an artists’ tribute / compiled by Denis Robinson.
“Denis Robinson has compiled a moving tribute to Christchurch with a collection of paintings of the city as it was before the devastating earthquakes of 2010 and 2011. Many artists returned to old sketchbooks, to discover drawings still waiting to be painted, and these new artworks sit alongside paintings completed in earlier days and others sourced especially for inclusion in this book. With a foreword from Mayor Bob Parker, this is a book that will be treasured by Cantabrians and visitors to Christchurch alike.” (Adapted from Syndetics summary)

Shaken, not stirred : family survival in a quake zone / Amanda Cropp.
“Imagine sharing a portable toilet with your neighbours for months on end, showering in a shipping container in the fire station car park, or travelling for three hours a day on six different buses to get to and from school. Such was life in post-quake Christchurch for Amanda Cropp and her family. Quake damaged roads make travel a nightmare. Yet despite all this, life carries on. The quakes have reinforced the importance of family and friends, and a sense of humour is indispensable. This book will make you laugh and cry. It is funny, provocative and poignant, and shows that living in a disaster zone brings communities together, that people do indeed step up and look after one another. This is a story about the resilience of a community suddenly struggling with the simplest of daily chores in a time of crisis.” (Adapted from Syndetics summary)

Trapped : remarkable stories of survival from the 2011 Canterbury earthquake / Martin van Beynen ; foreword by Bob Parker.
“The Canterbury earthquake of February 2011 altered landscape, history, and most importantly, human lives. Many perished and the lives of thousands were upended. In Trapped, Martin van Beynen documents with sensitivity and unerring detail the personal experiences of more than thirty quake survivors – before, during and after the event – in their own words.At once poignant, dramatic and enthralling, their stories record a defining moment in Canterbury’s history and testify to the courage and heroism of everyday people.”  (Adapted from Syndetics summary)

Magnitude 7.1 & 6.3 : the people of Christchurch, Canterbury & beyond tell their stories / [compiled by Debbie Roome].
“This book is a compilation of stories from people directly affected by the impact of the earthquakes in Christchurch. They reflect the incredible resiliance the people of Canterbury have shown throughout this devastating time. Some of the stories are poignant, some humorous, some shocking and some sad. All of them are from the heart and deserve to be heard.” (Adapted from back cover)

From crank handles to hydraulics : a history of cranes in New Zealand / by John Carter.
“Cranes of various shapes and sizes have helped shape our nation dating back from around 1840 and today rank as the most familiar item of equipment involved on construction and other sites throughout the country. This book is the first ever produced in New Zealand detailing how cranes and other lifting devices have evolved over the decades. It is an easy read for people of all ages and includes how cranes assisted in the colonisation of New Zealand via the ports and railways and mentions of some of the country’s historical events which necessitated the use of cranes.”  (Adapted from Syndetics summary)

The small business book : a New Zealand guide for the 21st century / Leith Oliver, John English.
“Completely revised and updated edition of the bestselling guide to starting, managing, and expanding a small business in New Zealand. The Small Business Book is the bestselling, hands-on guide to running your own business in New Zealand. This new edition is up-to-date, easy to understand and simple to use. New ventures are being launched in greater numbers than ever before, and the prospects for success offer hope and a sense of fulfilment to New Zealanders who want to be self-employed. The Small Business Book has been written to help you get into business, successfully stay in business and make a good living from being in business.”  (Adapted from Syndetics summary)

John Mulgan’s novel Man Alone has a special place in New Zealand literature and these first two books present collections of his letters home. Also an interesting mix with a biography on Bishop Selwyn, essays on early New Zealand photography and an insight into health and fitness in the 40’s and 50’s.

Journey to Oxford / John Mulgan ; edited by Peter Whiteford. “The ship was now drawing away from the land and pointing out across the round curve of the Pacific, behind us the last of the Gulf islands with the sun shining on its high bush hills and steep cliffs, beyond that again the blue line of the land, well down in the sea. I knew that last island and had sailed round it on a still summer day, a wild fearful place with a toll of two shipwrecks, and the break of seas on it day after day. It had been very warm and peaceful then, and the sail had hardly moved with the wind, and now it all looked very wonderful and beautiful. There are few people that have seen this country that do not want to look on it again.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

A good mail : letters of John Mulgan / selected and edited by Peter Whiteford. “The enigmatic figure of John Mulgan remains a striking presence in New Zealand culture, his sole novel, Man Alone, a landmark in the emergence of local literature. A GOOD MAIL presents a generous selection of his letters home – letters to those he cared about, but from whom he felt a permanent separation. When he left New Zealand in 1933, he had declared ‘I think I’m going to have the best year of my life’. These letters tell his story.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

A controversial churchman : essays on George Selwyn, Bishop of New Zealand and Lichfield, and Sarah Selwyn / edited by Allan Davidson.
“New Zealand’s first Anglican bishop, George Selwyn, was a towering figure in the young colony. Denounced as a ‘turbulent priest’ for speaking out against Crown practices that dispossessed Māori, he brought a vigorous approach to episcopal leadership. These essays offer new insights into Selwyn’s role in developing pan-Anglicanism, strengthening links between the Church of England and the Episcopal and Anglican Churches in North America, and his time as Bishop of Lichfield (1868–78). His place in Treaty history, as a political commentator and a valuable source of historical information, is recognised. George Selwyn left a large imprint on New Zealand church and society. This collection both honours and critiques a controversial bishop.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Early New Zealand photography : images and essays / edited by Angela Wanhalla and Erika Wolf.“We are all participants in an increasingly visual culture, yet we rarely give thought to the ways that photographs shape our experience and understanding of the world and historical past. This book looks at a range of New Zealand photographs up to 1918 and analyses them as photo-objects, considering how they were made, who made them, what they show and how our understanding of them can vary or change over time. In the course of the book, they explore a host of issues related to the development of photography in New Zealand. World War I is the end point, as it coincided with profound cultural shifts with the expansion of the mass illustrated press and the rise of consumer photography, as well as a change in New Zealand’s place in the world.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Strong, beautiful and modern : national fitness in Britain, New Zealand, Australia and Canada, 1935-1960 / Charlotte Macdonald.
“In the late 1930s and early 1940s, a wave of state-sponsored ‘national fitness’ programmes swept Britain and its former colonies. Following revelations of the Nazi enthusiasm for government-backed sports and the organisation of mass leisure, the programmes quickly foundered. They probably laid, however, the foundations for the twentieth century’s obsession with fitness – a key facet of modern life. Drawing on extensive research, and written in vivid, lively prose, STRONG, BEAUTIFUL AND MODERN is an historical investigation into the way that people and their governments think about their health and well-being, and how those historical views have shaped our modern life.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

This months recent picks from the New Zealand reference collection includes some New Zealand travel guides of interest to walkers, eco tourists and travellers who are interested in the history of the places they are visiting. There is also the Peter Wells biography of William Colenso.

A walking guide to New Zealand’s long trail : Te Araroa / Geoff Chapple. “This is the guidebook of Te Araroa Trail: The Long Pathway, a continuous trail running from Cape Reinga to Bluff, 35 years in the making, which will officially open in late 2011. The book maps the 3000-kilometre trail in 40-kilometre sections. Photographs of the trail illustrate each section. Each of the 12 regional sections opens with a stunning 2-page 3D map. This book is an accessible guide both for those who only want to walk parts of the trail and dedicated trampers who intend to walk its entire length.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Organic explorer : eco-friendly places to eat, stay and explore in New Zealand / [Leonie Johnsen]. “The first guide book to organic food and eco-friendly places to eat, stay and explore throughout New Zealand. Included in the book are over 350 listings of: * Organic food cafes, restaurants, gate sales, places to shop nationwide. * Comprehensive list of Farmers’ Markets throught the country. * Eco-friendly places to stay including straw bale, mud brick and natural timber B&Bs, homestays, selff-contained cottages as well as luxury eco-lodges. * Wellness retreats, yoga retreats, day spas and health packages. * Authentic and intimate Maori tourism experiences with a contemporary perspective. * Nature-based activities and adventures.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

A traveller’s history of New Zealand and the South Pacific islands / John H. Chambers.
“A Traveller’s History of New Zealand and the South Pacific Islands gives the curious tourist not only a modern day portrait of New Zealand and the far flung islands, their political systems and economic diversity, but also looks at the early settling of this massive area which covers about a fifth of the whole surface of the earth. When European navigators first sailed into the region, they were astonished at the exotic shared culture and language of the natives, separated in many cases by terrifying stretches of open ocean. The story of the peopling of the South Pacific Islands and New Zealand is one of the world’s great epics.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Walks to waterfalls : 100 New Zealand waterfalls / Russell Kirkpatrick.
“Highlights a hundred of the best and most accessible waterfalls in New Zealand, including those close to urban areas. Walks for all ages and states of fitness are included and access is described in detail with the routes graded according to ease of use. Ideal to take on journeys and to use when planning holidays.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

The hungry heart : journeys with William Colenso / Peter Wells. “I love doubters: of a truly honest doubter I have great hope.” Printer, botanist and missionary, William Colenso was a nineteenth-century maverick, a true original. He protested at the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, arguing that Maori did not fully understand its implications. He became a troubled conscience during the white-hot period of colonisation, maintaining his dissident voice throughout his career. Peter Wells refreshes our vision of this awkward, highly talented man, who lost his family after the church expelled him for fathering a child by a Maori woman. Rejected by church, family and friends, Colenso made botany his home and lovingly described the plants of New Zealand. At the same time he wrote a series of remarkable pamphlets that open up our past. ‘I write for future generations,’ he wrote in 1881. The time has come to welcome Colenso back.” – (adapted from cover)

The New Zealand good beach guide : North Island / [Tim Rainger].
“Includes detailed information on over 600 North Island beaches. Features maps and detailed descriptions of local conditions, including wind and swell rose diagrams, plus details of amenities, campgrounds, clubs and useful websites. This comprehensive reference, is for all beach-goers, travellers, fishers and surfers.” – (adapted from cover)

This months recent picks celebrate the iconic NZ cartoon Footrot Flats. There are also some beautiful new books featuring National parks, scenery and native trees and a travellers guide to birds of New Zealand. The last item is the new book on the Parker – Hulme murder and trial.

The art of Footrot Flats / by Murray Ball. “The Art of Footrot Flats showcases the magnificent body of work of New Zealand’s greatest cartoonist, Murray Ball. This book, however, is not simply a cartoon book. It is, as the title suggests, an art book. The Art of Footrot Flats will be different and very, very special. The cartoons will still be there, but more importantly this book will focus on the art of the strip.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

National parks of New Zealand / photography by Rob Suisted ; text by Alison Dench. “Leading New Zealand photographer Rob Suisted delivers a magnificent portrait of New Zealand’s national parks. Within these treasured parks is diverse wildlife and stunning scenery representing all kinds of unique landscapes from golden sands to snowy mountains, rainforests and rugged coastlines. With five of the parks sitting in World Heritage Areas, this is a celebration of scenic Aotearoa at its best. Alison Dench emphasises the great pride and spiritual connection New Zealanders hold for their land with an introduction to each park.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Birds of New Zealand / Julian Fitter, Don Merton ; foreword by Helen Clark. “This beautiful photographic guide is the ideal companion for travelling bird watchers and nature enthusiasts alike. Featuring all 350 species of birds you can possibly see in New Zealand, it is the only guide that anyone travelling to this fascinating region of the world will need.” (adapted from back cover)

Wanaka : earth to heaven at Whare Kea / author, Michal McKay ; photographs Kieran Scott.
Photographs and text describe the environment, geography, seasons and the outdoor activities available in the Wanaka region. Includes recipes from the Whare Kea lodge and chalet and profiles local identities.

Trees of New Zealand : stories of beauty and character / Peter Janssen & Mike Hollman. “This is a new kind of tree book, not a guide to species or simply a photographic study, it is a collection of individual portraits of the most remarkable trees in New Zealand. From the 800-year-old pohutukawa that stands at ‘the place of leaping’ at Cape Reinga to the Moriori carved ‘kopi’ (karaka) trees of the Chatham Islands but also trees that have histories that are linked to our own, such as the Gallipoli Pine at Taradale Cemetery, grown as a memorial from the seed of Gallipoli’s Lone Pine Tree.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

So brilliantly clever : Parker, Hulme & the murder that shocked the world / Peter Graham. “In this mesmerising book, lawyer and true crime writer Peter Graham tells the whole story for the first time – giving a brilliant account of the crime and ensuing trial, dramatic revelations about the fate of Juliete Hulme and Pauline Parker after their release from prison, their strange lives today and a penetrating insight into the crime using modern psychology.” (adapted from back cover)

How amazing to have a book in the collection so soon after that week when it snowed in Wellington. The other recent picks are an interesting collection featuring politics, historical characters, native plant landscape and the volcanic geography of New Zealand.

White out : the historic snowfalls of 2011.
“In August 2011, the whole of New Zealand encountered spectacular snows. Wellington was blanketed by its first snow in over 20 years. White out is a compelling tribute to these historic weather events. It showcases scenes at once funny, scenic, quirky, and simply beautiful-as submitted by everyday people right around the country” – (summary from back cover).

At the turning point : my political life with David Lange / Margaret Pope.“The old model of politics was smashed in the 1980s and a new one took shape in circumstances that are still debated today. Margaret Pope, who was Prime Minister David Lange’s speechwriter and later his wife, writes an eyewitness account of the turbulent 1980s and the brilliant, elusive figure at their political centre. The author recalls a government that was met with acclaim on its election in 1984. “The government took power with high hopes. It had many able, talented and well-meaning individuals in its ranks, yet it ended despised and discredited in 1990.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Bligh : William Bligh in the South Seas / Anne Salmond.“The story of the most notorious of all Pacific explorers is told through a new lens as a significant episode in the history of the world, not simply of the West. Award-winning anthropologist Anne Salmond recounts the triumphs and disasters of William Bligh’s life and career in a riveting narrative that for The first time portrays the Pacific islanders as key players. From 1777. This beautifully told story reveals Bligh as an important ethnographer, adding To The paradoxical legacy of the famed seaman. For the first time, we hear how Bligh and his men were changed by their experiences in the South Seas, and how in turn they changed that island world forever.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Kimble Bent, malcontent : the wild adventures of a runaway soldier in old-time New Zealand : a graphic novel / by Chris Grosz.“The adventuring life of Kimble Bent – sailor, soldier, deserter, outlaw and Hauhau slave – in a dramatic graphic novel. After signing up for the Queen’s shilling, Bent was sent to New Zealand in the 1860s, on the eve of the tumultuous Taranaki land wars. An act of defiance saw him deserting the army, and his eventual adoption by Maori tribes. A vivid portrayal of Bent’s life as a Pakeha Maori, his assimilation into tribal life and his observation of Hauhau war rites. This exhilarating graphic novel is based on James Cowan’s original book published in 1911, The Adventures of Kimble Bent.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Other people’s wars : New Zealand in Afghanistan, Iraq and the war on terror / Nicky Hager. “The ‘war on terror’ in Afghanistan and beyond has been the longest foreign war in New Zealand history, yet most New Zealanders know almost nothing about their country’s part in it. Based on thousands of leaked New Zealand military and intelligence documents, extensive interviews with military and intelligence officers and eye-witness accounts from the soldiers on the ground, Nicky Hager tells the story of these years.” – (adapted from back cover)

Native by design : landscape design with New Zealand plants / edited by Ian Spellerberg & Michele Frey ; photography by John Maillard.“In this lavishly illustrated book, 20 of New Zealand¿s top landscape architects and designers offer their wisdom and advice on landscaping with native plants. Stunning photographs by John Maillard capture the uniqueness and splendour of each location.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Volcanoes of Auckland : the essential guide / Bruce W. Hayward, Graeme Murdoch and Gordon Maitland ; aerial photography by Alastair Jamieson.“From Rangitoto to One Tree Hill, Mt. Victoria to Mangere Lagoon, the city of Auckland, New Zealand, is defined by the volcanoes it is built upon. For tens of thousands of years, they have profoundly shaped the area’s geology and geography, playing a crucial part in the lives of the Maori and, later, the European settlers. As it covers all aspects of how scoria cones, craters, and lava are formed, this record demonstrates how volcanoes can act as sites for fortified villages, sweet potato gardens, 20th-century military fortifications, as well as sources of stone and water. This is an essential guide for locals and tourists alike as they climb Mt. Eden or North Head and try to understand these extraordinary natural phenomena.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

From Short Stories to Science Fiction and Fantasy, this selection of new fiction show cases the diversification and skill of New Zealand writers.

Geist / Philippa Ballantine.
“The first in a new series. Between the living and the dead is the Order of the Deacons, protectors of the Empire, guardians against possession, sentinels enlisted to ward off malevolent hauntings by the geists. Sorcha Faris , a powerful member of the Order of the Deacons, is dispatched to an isolated village to aid a Priory plagued by violent Geist activity.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

A man melting : short stories / Craig Cliff.
“This collection of stories moves from the serious and realistic to the humorous and outlandish, each story copying an element from the previous piece in a kind of evolutionary chain. “A Man Melting” was awarded the 2011 Commonwealth Writers Prize Best First Book.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Tortolona / Thomas W. Devine.
“Seven Caribbean tourists become pawns in the struggle for ideological and political control of Tortolona when a Cuban-trained army officer, Martin Levera, seeks to overthrow the dictatorship of Mathew Duppie. When Levera lead his mutineers aggainst the rest of the Tortolonan Army all their lives are in peril whatever the outcome.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

The below country / Nicholas Edlin.
“Mae Glass is the daughter of a once famous American novelist. From New York to Auckland via post-war Korea, her colourful childhood is itself the stuff of stories. More than thirty years later she travels back to booming Seoul, which is preparing to host the Olympic Games. Accompanied by a quirky, dubious team of guides, she tries to uncover the dark secret of her father’s wartime exploits, only to be besieged by all manner of ghost from her past.” – (adapted from Book cover )

The circus of ghosts / Barbara Ewing.
“New York, late 1840s, and in the wild, noisy, brash and beautiful circus of Silas P. Swift a shadowy, mesmeric woman entrances crowds because she can unlock the secrets of troubled minds. Above them all her daughter sweeps and soars: acrobat and tightrope-walker. The mysterious woman can help so many others, but she cannot unlock dark, literally unspeakable, memories of her own. In London memories fester in the mind of an old and venomous duke of the realm. He plots, with an unscrupulous lawyer (and a huge financial reward) against the mother and the daughter: to kill one, and to abduct the other and bring her across the Atlantic to him”. – (adapted from Amazon.co.uk description)

The trouble with fire / Fiona Kidman.
“This collection of short stories range in time from the colonial period to present day New Zealand, all written with subtlety and insight. They explore how we are all touched and sometimes scarred by the flames of emotion.” – (adapted from Book cover)

The conductor / Sarah Quigley.
“In June 1941, Nazi troops march on Leningrad and surround it. Hitler’s plan is to shell, bomb, and starve the city into submission. Most of the cultural elite are evacuated early in the siege, but Dmitri Shostakovich, the most famous composer in Russia, stays on to defend his city, digging ditches and fire-watching. At night he composes a new work. But after Shostakovich and his family are forced to evacuate, only Karl Eliasberg, a shy and difficult man, conductor of the second-rate Radio Orchestra, and an assortment of musicians are left behind in Leningrad to face an unendurable winter and start rehearsing the finished score of Shostakovich’s Leningrad Symphony.” – (adapted from Book cover)

Scarlet / Leigh Marsden.
“George is captivated by Cass and who could blame her? Cass is beautiful, sexy and outgoing and she and George run riot through the bars and beds of night-time Auckland. But are George and Cass just girls having fun, or is there something more going on? As George sinks deeper into the nightlife her dark past begins to emerge.” – (adapted from Book cover)

The sweet second life of Darrell Kincaid / Catherine Robertson.
“No one knows ‘happy endings’ like romance novelist Darrell Kincaid. In the act of adding the final full stop to her ninth book, Darrell has a revelation: it’s not the ending that really matters but what comes next. Darrell now sees that when her husband Tom died she lost more than the man she loved. She lost her own ‘happy ever after’. Darrell knows she has a choice. She can stay in New Zealand and live a half-life, or she can leave in search of something, perhaps someone else.” – (adapted from Book cover)

By any means / Ben Sanders.
“Friday rush hour, Auckland city. A lone shooter fires across a packed street and kills a man. Detective Sergeant Sean Devereaux is assigned the case. He’s not complaining, his Friday nights are seldom better spent. But the inquiry is not straightforward. Witness accounts are conflicting. The dead man appears to be an unintended victim, with the true target unknown. It’s a homicide that leaves police with no initial suspects and no apparent motive.” – (adapted from Book cover)

Topics of the moment are covered in our New Zealand new book picks this month (rugby, wearable arts and Christchurch pre- and post-earthquake). To round off our selection, we also have Gareth Morgan and Susan Guthries’ book The Big Kahuna, which has generated a lot of interest since being discussed on National Radio.

Fred the needle : the untold story of Sir Fred Allen / by Alan Sayers and Les Watkins.
“Hugely anticipated biography of a New Zealand icon. Few New Zealand rugby personalities can truly be labelled legends. Sir Fred Allen, though, is one of those rare exceptions. Along with the great Colin Meads, Allen is an icon of the game, universally loved and a true New Zealand hero. For years, the man who famously captained and then coached the All Blacks unbeaten through 37 matches in a golden era from 1966-68, has resisted the urgings of writers and publishers to tell his story. That is until now.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Sonny Bill Williams : the story of rugby’s new superstar / John Matheson.
“Sonny Bill Williams: The story of rugby’s new superstar tells the story of Williams stunning transformation from one of league’s ‘most hated’ to one of rugby’s ‘most loved’.” (adapted from back cover)

Having a ball : a cartoon history of New Zealand rugby / Ian F. Grant.
“For over a century rugby has been New Zealand’s national game, an obsession that has helped define a small country and mould its people – Maori and Pakeha Having a Ball looks at the triumphs and disasters, the amateur code that morphed into the professional era, the game at the local park and internationals in huge arenas, as well as rugby’s effect on the national psyche and the agendas of politicians. It is a story brilliantly told in a short introduction and through the perceptive, telling and funny insights of New Zealand’s leading cartoonists.” (Adapted from Syndetics summary)

Eden Park : a history / written by John McCrystal and Lindsay Knight ; [foreword by Wilson Whineray].
“An illustrated history of the iconic park. Over the last century, Eden Park has been through many changes and in 2011, as it hosts another World Cup, the park carries within it the spirit of many past champion players, epic contests and enthusiastic crowds.” (Library Catalogue)

Off the wall : the World of WearableArt/ photography by Martin de Ruyter, Neil Price, Rohit Chawla and Daniel Rose.World of Wearable Art
“All new photos of garments from the last two shows, as well as new photos of some of the most extraordinary award-winning entries from the last decade”–Cover.

Gwenda Turner’s Christchurch : an enchanted journey through the garden city / written, illustrated and designed by Gwenda Turner.
“The essence of Christchurch, its elegance and charm, are captured forever by artist Gwenda Turner in this truly memorable book. Using a blend of old photographs, mementos and original paintings, this book is both a tribute and a celebration of the Garden City.” (Adapted from inside front cover)

Christchurch : a portrait of yesterdays / [Graham Stewart].
“The author spent the first week of February – two weeks before the earth moved – shooting a photographic essay of Christchurc and the suburbs to complement photographs he had taken in the early 1950’s. His colour photographs taken in February suddenly became yesterdays pictures. The photograph of the cathedral on the front cover was taken on 2 February, 20 days before the earthquake.” (Inside back cover)

Earthquake : Christchurch, New Zealand, 22 February 2011 / text by Chris Moore and Press Journalists ; images by Press and Fairfax photographers ; picture research by Jude Tewnion.
“Powerfully and movingly written by a number of Press staffers and illustrated with striking images from the Press team. DVD includes footage taken 10 minutes after the quake, many personal stories plus the incredible footage that screened at the Day of Remembrance.” (Back cover)

The big kahuna : tax and welfare / [Gareth Morgan and Susan Guthrie].
“The big kahuna takes as its base assumption that we don’t, as a society, accept that huge differences in income are acceptable and that we therefore choose to redistribute wealth. While they are generally regarded as separate, the tax and welfare systems are fundamentally both methods of doing just that – redistributing income from those who have plenty to those who don’t.” –Back cover.

Rugby fever is here, and our selection of new sports books this month certainly reflects it! Have a browse:

IRB Rugby World Cup 2011 : The Official Guide / Chris Hawkes ; foreword by Bernard Lapasset.
“Packed with expert analysis of all the 20 teams involved, from France to South Africa and from England to Russia, this fascinating guide also features detailed profiles of the star players…and the key statistics that all fans will need to enjoy the Tournament.” (Book Jacket)

A History of the Rugby World Cup / Gerald Davies ; foreword by John Eales.
“In The History Of The Rugby World Cup, Wales and Lions legend and current correspondent for The Times, Gerald Davies gives a detailed analysis of the evolution of the tournament, providing commentary, statistics and interviews with those players and coaches who have battled it out for the ultimate prize.” (Syndetics summary)

The Rugby World Cup 2011 / Jon Richards.
“Find out everything you need to know about rugby, from the players and laws of the game to the teamwork involved in winning the ultimate tournament, the Rugby World Cup” – (Syndetics summary)

How to Watch the Rugby World Cup 2011 / Spiro Zavos.
“Since the Rugby World Cup tournament began in 1987, it’s powerful players, speed-charged runs, soaring kicks, brutal scrums and controversial refereeing decisions have gripped billions of people around the world. In 2011 the tournament returns to its birthplace, New Zealand, where 20 qualifying nations will battle to win rugby’s most coveted prize.” (Book Jacket)

Ali’s Utterly Unreliable Guide to the 2011 World Cup / with James Griffin.
“This book takes a light-hearted look at the All Blacks squad members, all of the countries participating and brings to light statistics that many players would have preferred never to have seen the light of day.” (Global Books)

Rugby League Through the Decades : all the players, all the statistics– everything that’s happened in rugby league since 1907 / Ian Collis, Alan Whiticker.
“A celebration of each epoch of the game throughout Australian history. Including almost 1000 images, many never before published, rare memorabilia, season records and international details, it is completely up to the minute with chapters about recent events, new clubs and fresh controversy.” (Syndetics summary)

Rugby in Focus.
“Rubgy in Focus is a visual, historical record of the development and growth of the game, with background on more than a century of the most successful teams and the greatest matches, a players’ hall of fame, and a guide to the hallowed grounds where the game is played.” (Global Books)

Rugby Union for Dummies / by Greg Growden.
“With the 2011 World Cup coming up fast, you need to know why a haka is not someone feeling queasy and why a goose-step is nothing to worry about! Let this second edition of RUGBY UNION FOR DUMMIES guide you past the high tackles, teach you how to spot a decoy and help you avoid a yellow card.” (Syndetics summary)

Titch : Sevens Is My Game : The Gordon Tietjens Story / Heather Kidd.
“Gordon Tietjens is arguably New Zealand’s most successful sporting coach of the past 25 years. He has set the standard in Sevens coaching since taking over as national coach in 1994. Tietjens has coached the NZ Sevens team to numerous IRB World Sevens Series titles and, as well, his sides have won World Championships and four Commonwealth Games gold medals under his stewardship. His story is unique in the annals of New Zealand sporting achievement.” (Global Books)

The film festival is over but these new additions to the New Zealand collection may help to keep the post film festival blues away. The Film Archive has released the very beautiful, New Zealand film: an illustrated history. Other new additions are The Last Train to Paradise: Journeys from the Golden Age of New Zealand railways and for an interesting browse through Wellington “The Wellington Book” is a book about Wellington captured with illustrations rather than photgraphs.

New Zealand film : an illustrated history / edited by Diane Pivac with Frank Stark and Lawrence McDonald.
“The age of cinema began in Paris in 1895. Within a year New Zealanders saw their first films and in fewer than five they were making their own. New Zealand Film: An Illustrated History is the first book to provide a comprehensive overview of New Zealand film and film making from the very beginning. With contributions from 24 top film writers, historians, household names and industry insiders, this book is an entertaining narrative of more than a century of film making and an essential reference tool for students and film buffs alike.” (Summary adapted from Syndectics)

Last train to paradise : journeys from the golden age of New Zealand railways / Graham Hutchins.
“‘Last Train to Paradise’ describes the halcyon days of New Zealand rail, some of which the author was fortunate enough to experience personally. The ‘name’ trains and journeys cover a considerable period of New Zealand’s history, from the late 1800s, through the ‘golden’ era of train travel. The book includes a wide variety of fascinating and unfamiliar photographs, not just of the trains themselves but also of the characters who travelled in them.” (Summary adapted from Syndectics)

The Wellington book / Jess Lunnon … [et al.].
“This book is all about imagination. It captures the Wellington your camera can’t in 120 gloriously illustrated pages. If you would like a visually diverting and mildly educational memento, feast your eyes on this.” (Back Cover)

Yvonne Rust, QSM : maverick spirit / Theresa Sjoquist.
“Yvonne Rust: Maverick Spirit is the fascinating, richly illustrated biography of Northland’s iconic artist, pioneer potter, and inspired arts educator, Yvonne Rust, QSM. Yvonne grew up during the Depression years as the only white child in Te Hapua, in the Far North. She graduated with a Dip.FA in 1946, and went on to teach art in schools. As a painter and at the forefront of the pottery movement in the 1950s, she worked closely with such luminaries as Barry Brickell, Ted Bracey, Faith McManus, Richard Parker, Sir Jon Trimmer and Michael Trumic. She believed New Zealand had its own spirit and she sought relentlessly to express it.”(Summary adapted from Syndectics)

Karori and its people / edited by Judith Burch & Jan Heynes.
“This book traces Karori’s transition from its beginnings as a rural outpost in the 1840’s, through to the thriving community it is today – one of New Zealands largest and most significant suburbs.” (Back Cover)