News Blog @ Wellington City Libraries

In Rugby World Cup year the New Zealand collection picks take you from grassroots rugby sidelines to World Cup fever and then mixes in a little politics in an edited collection of essays that re-evaluate the legacy of former Prime Minister William Ferguson Massey.

For the love of the game : grassroots rugby in heartland New Zealand / Gregor Paul, text & Gregory Crow, photographs. “For the Love of the Game is a celebration of New Zealand grassroots rugby and the people who make it happen. In words and stunning photographs, it tells the story of a great love affair that is pursued in every corner of New Zealand.” (Summary adapted from Syndetics)

How to watch the Rugby World Cup 2011 / Spiro Zavos. “Since the Rugby World Cup tournament began in 1987, its 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 teams from 20 qualifying nations will battle to win rugby’s most coveted prize. For players and coaches, this is the ultimate test. Will Robbie Deans bring the Wallabies to glory? Can Graham Henry’s All Blacks break their 20-year jinx?” (Summary adapted from Syndetics)

A great New Zealand prime minister? : reappraising William Ferguson Massey / edited by James Watson and Lachy Paterson.
“‘Massey’s Cossacks’ — citizens called in to help break the 1913 General Strike — have long been cited as just one of the sins of William Ferguson Massey. One of New Zealand’s longest-serving Prime Ministers, his political legacy has not always been treated kindly. However, recent work by historians suggests that a reappraisal of Bill Massey — which this book provides — is overdue. It is clear, a century later, that Massey was Prime Minister at a particularly turbulent time in its history.” (Summary adapted from publisher’s information)

Here are some new titles for June (Sports and Fitness) to inspire you to get off the couch and get moving!

Natural Horse-man-ship / by Pat Parelli ; with Kathy Swan ; photographs by Karen Parelli Hagen.
“The horse- and rider-training handbook of an internationally renowned master horseman.” (Syndetics summary)

Blood Over Water / David and James Livingston.
“SHORTLISTED FOR THE BEST NEW WRITER CATEGORY OF THE BRITISH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS 2010. On an overcast April day in 2003, David and James Livingston raced against each other in the 149th Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race. Watched by over seven million people, it was the first time for over a hundred years that brothers had battled against each other in this gladiatorial contest… In Blood Over Water, David and James tell their stories for the first time, giving an intimate insight into one of our best-loved national sporting occasions, whilst also describing a brotherly relationship tested to breaking point. It is an emotional and searching joint self-portrait that looks at the darker side of sibling rivalry and asks just what you would be willing to sacrifice to achieve your dreams.” (Global Books)

Twirlymen : The Unlikely History of Cricket’s Greatest Spin Bowlers / Amol Rajan.
“They are the masters of deception, the jokers in the pack; illusionists conjuring wickets out of thin air with nothing more than an ambled approach and a wonky grip. Not for them the brutish physicality of the pace bowler nor the reactive slogging of the batsman. Theirs is a more cerebral art. They stand alone in a team sport. They are Twirlymen. Having himself failed through a combination of injury and indolence to become a leg-spinner of renown Amol Rajan pays homage to that most eccentric of all sporting heroes u the spin bowler.” (Global Books)

Craig Revel Horwood’s Ballroom Dancing / Craig Revel Horwood ; foreword by Len Goodman.
“Whether you are an absolute beginner, a Strictly Come Dancing wannabe or simply want a fun way to get fit, Craig Revel Horwood’s guide to ballroom dancing offers something for everyone. Learn how to become a ballroom babe or a Latin lover as Craig shows you all the basic moves in a fun, lively and straightforward way…. Each section of dance provides lots of suggestions for great music to strut your stuff to, with helpful tips from Craig to encourage you to practice until you have truly mastered your moves.” (Amazon.co.uk)

The Bicycle Book / Bella Bathurst.
“A rip-roaring narrative celebration of the 21st century’s great transport success story: the bicycle. Millions of us now cycle, some obsessively, and this glorious concoction of history, anecdote, adventure and lycra-clad pedalling is the perfect read for two-wheelers of all kinds. Two wheels. A frame. Two pedals. What could be simpler than a bicycle? And yet the bike — old, and cheap, and slightly comic — continues to inspire a passionate following…Thousands now cycle to work, and more take it up every day. In trial after trial, it is the bike which reaches its urban destination faster than the car, the bus, the underground or the pedestrian…Acclaimed and prize-winning author Bella Bathurst takes us on a journey through cycling’s best stories and strangest incarnations, from the bicycle as weapon of twentieth-century warfare to the secret life of couriers and the alchemy of framebuilding.”
(Amazon.co.uk)

Healthy intelligent training : the proven principles of Arthur Lydiard / Keith Livingston.
“This book is for all serious middle distance athletes and coaches. The book is based on the proven principles of Arthur Lydiard, the Runner’s World Coach of the Century.” (Syndetics summary)

The Rugby Almanack of New Zealand.
“The Rugby Almanack is New Zealand rugby’s book of record and is widely regarded as the finest publication of its type in the world. Now in its 75th edition, the 2011 Rugby Almanack records another huge year, including the All Blacks’ remarkable Tri-Nations and Bledisloe Cup victories, the All Blacks end-of-season tour, the ITM Cup, Super 14 and a full summary of women’s rugby.” (Global Books)

This selection of Recent Picks (for Sports & Fitness) offers books on winter sports as well as summer, for those heading to warmer climates.

Skateboarder’s Start-Up : A Beginner’s Guide to Skateboarding / Doug Werner ; [technical advisor], Steve Badillo.
“Providing updated and revised chapters on safety, equipment, and basic skills, this instructional guide discusses the fundamentals of skateboarding. More than 500 new images and step-by-step instructions promise to turn skateboarding novices into experts.” (Syndetics summary)

Why We Run : A Story of Obsession / Robin Harvie.
“Where the book truly excels is in its depiction of Harvie’s internal landscape. He largely shuns training tips and inspirational advice in favour of a true memoirist’s tone, exploring the reasons why he runs – grief, ambition, boredom – with an almost brutal honesty. These passages are as moving as they are illuminating.” (Amazon.co.uk)

Surf for Your Life / Mick Fanning and Tim Baker.
“The ultimate grom’s glimpse into the life of a two-time world champion and a guide to living and breathing the surf life. Mick tells his own story of overcoming the odds to become one of the best surfers in the world while dropping pearls of wisdom gained from his life on and off the tour.” (Library Catalogue)

Swimming Anatomy / Ian McLeod.
“For swimmers, McLeod, an athletic trainer and massage therapist who has served on the US Olympic team’s medical staff, presents 74 exercises with step-by-step descriptions and anatomical illustrations that show the muscles in action, as well as how each exercise is linked to performance in each of the four competitive strokes.” (Syndetics summary)

Gotta Tango / Alberto Paz, Valorie Hart.
“Gotta Tango is your guide to the authentic Argentine tango. Master teachers Alberto Paz and Valorie Hart take you on a journey through the rich culture, history, and music of Buenos Aires that inspired the romantic passion, alluring creativity, and natural elegance of the Argentine tango dance. Book jacket.” (Syndetics summary)

Kings, Queens and Four-Legged Athletes : the Telegraph book of horse racing / [edited by Martin Smith].
“It is the Sport of Kings. And Queens. And Lords and their Ladies. It is also the sport of knaves and bounders, spivs and cheats. Horse racing, moreover, is the sport of the ordinary man: from housewives with their 50p on whichever horse Lester is riding in the Derby, to anyone who has entered the office Grand National sweepstake. It is a massive commercial industry with a multi-million pound turnover in betting, breeding and prize-money. Yet it is a fun day out, whether it be the splendour of Royal Ascot, Epsom dolled up for the Derby, Cheltenham rocking to the Irish enjoying ‘the craic’, or the homeliness of the most humble country course.” (Library Catalogue)

1000 checkmate Combinations / Viktor Henkin.
“Checkmate, the object of the game of chess, can be executed in more ways than anyone can count. This truly outstanding book, first published in Russian in the ’70s and regarded as a classic, contains one of the most comprehensive collection of checkmate combinations ever assembled. Available for the first time in English, it also sports an introduction by former world champion Mikhail Tal.” (Global Books)

Pig Huntingitis / Chris Fraser.
“Warning: PIG HUNTINGITUS is very infectious, people have been known to catch it just by reading about it. If you own an old 4WD truck with a dog box on the back, a long pointed knife, a collection of motley looking dogs and when you are talking to your mates every second sentence has the word “pig” in it at least once, don’t panic, you already have it. As for the rest of you, proceed with caution. Chris Fraser discovered pig hunting later in life. Already a successful hunter, the invitation to join a friend on a pig hunt started something that continues to this day.” (Global Books)

Classic : the Revival of Classic Boating in New Zealand / Ivor Wilkins.
“Renowned yachting writer and photographer, Ivor Wilkins, showcases the leading lights of the recent classic yacht revival movement: big names such as Waitangi, Rainbow and Ariki, treasures such as Little Jim and Rona, and the classic dinghies and launches which dot our coast. It is a tribute both to the original builders of these magnificent craft but also to their current owners and restorers, who have gone to what might seem incomprehensible lengths to bring them back to their former glory and return them to home waters. Lavishly illustrated with contemporary and historic photographs, this book tells the fascinating stories of these boats and at the same time tells a story of New Zealand’s own history.” (Global Books)

Dressage School : a sourcebook of movement and tips demonstrated by Olympian Isabell Werth / by Britta Schoffmann.
“In this fantastically detailed and uniquely organized reference, 2008 Olympic gold and silver medal-winner Isabell Werth demonstrates the what, the how, and—most importantly—the why of more than 100 dressage movements. She shows readers how each should look, explains common mistakes and how to avoid them, and then describes the benefit of the exercise and how it contributes to the dressage training scale. In addition, emphasis is placed on the horse as an individual and customizing movements and lessons to benefit any animal, with their particular physical and psychological characteristics in mind. Practical and easy-to-follow, this resource promises to take the mystery out of dressage schooling forever.” (Amazon)

Top Catch : hook up New Zealand’s top 12 species / John Eichelsheim.
“Popular fishing writer John Eichelsheim spills the beans on how and where to catch he best examples of New Zealand’s top fish species. John draws on his own forty years of experience fishing around the country to tell personal stories of his own ‘top catch’ for each species, then provides biological/ geographical information on the fish, the nuts and bolts of tackle and technique, including the peak season, and the current records (biggest fish ever caught etc.)” (Global Books)

Apollo’s Angels : A History of Ballet / Jennifer Homans.
“This is a history of ballet by a dancer turned historian and critic. It begins in the courts of Europe, where ballet was a form of aristocratic etiquette and a political event as much as it was an art.” (Global Books)

One Mountain Thousand Summits : The Untold Story of Tragedy and True Heroism on K2 / Freddie Wilkinson.
“When eleven men perished on the slopes of K2 in August 2008, it was one of the deadliest single events in Himalayan climbing and made headlines around the world. Yet non of the surviving western climbers could explain precisely what happened. Their memories were self-admittedly fogged by exhaustion, hypoxia, and hallucinations. The truth of what happened lies with four Sherpa guides who were largely ignored by the mainstream media in the aftermath of the tragedy, who lost two of their own during the incident, and whose heroic efforts saved the lives of at least four climbers. Based on his numerous trips to Nepal and in-depth interviews he conducted with these unacknowledged heroes, the other survivors, and the families of the lost climbers, alpinist and veteran climbing writer Freddie Wilkinson presents the true story of what actually occurred on the “savage” mountain.” (Amazon)

Basketball’s Greatest Stars / Michael Grange.
“Profiles of the best NBA players provide a great history of the game.” (Syndetics summary)

Fishermen’s Tales : Incredible Stories from New Zealand and the World of Fishing / Peter Jessup.
“Fishermen’s Tales is a collection of favourite stories, from the streams and coastlines of New Zealand to the rivers, lakes and seas of the world. As incredible as these stories seem, all of them are true.” (Book Jacket)

Kook : what surfing taught me about love, life, and catching the perfect wave / Peter Heller.
“Heller details the strenuous, exciting adventure of learning to surf in only six months.” (Syndetics summary)

In amongst our picks this month: a biography of Matthew Hayden, a best-of anthology of cricket writing, the Liverpudlian football story, and a guide to cricket ‘banter’. Have a browse:

Standing my ground / Matthew Hayden.
The country boy from Kingaroy rose to greatness in the cricket world. Here is the superstar batsman, the surfer, fisherman and chef in a book as bold and powerful as the man himself. Hayden delivers a characteristically direct assessment of the matches and the people that shaped his journey, and opens up on umpires, the media, superstitions, teammates and opponents with disarming honesty and humour.

My favourite cricketer / edited by John Stern.
An anthology of some of the finest writing on the sport which first appeared in the world’s number one cricket magazine, The Wisden cricketer. Includes contributions from Sid Waddell, Alan Davies, Christopher Martin-Jenkins and others.

Red men : Liverpool football club : the biography / by John Williams.
“The Story of Liverpool Football club has been a joyous and remarkable one, if one also characterized by vital moments of real human drama and occasional terrible loss. This is, of course, what makes the modern Liverpool FC precisely what it is. Come on, you Red Men!” (Syndetics summary)

Why are you so fat? : cricket’s best ever sledges / Gershon Portnoi.
“In this hilarious book, Gershon Portnoi has selected some of the very best examples of cricket sledging of all time…..this book is the laugh-out-aloud funny ultimate guide to cricket’s unique form of banter which will ensure you are never lost for words when the right insult or riposte is required.” (Book Jacket)

Cycling is a fun way to improve fitness without adding to global warming. Written for recreational riders Bicycle: love your bike: the complete guide to everyday cycling gives practical information for all levels. Questions are answered by Helen Pidd about what bicycle to buy, how to stop getting knocked off, how to stop a bicycle thief, even whether you can be arrested when cycling drunk – read and find out.

In 1531 Thomas Elyot described football as “nothing but beastlie furie and extreme violence”. How has it changed over the centuries? Beastly fury: the strange birth of British football written by Richard Sanders looks at the modern version of the most popular game in the world and answers some interesting questions. Who invented heading and who dreamed up the off-side law?

Think like a caddie, play like a pro: golf’s top caddies reveal their winning strategies by James Bartlett will benefit players and caddies alike. Inside tips and advice along with 50 colour photos produces an enjoyable book show-casing some of the world’s best golf courses.

Enjoy this mixture of sports and other titles about dungeons & dragons, pool, darts, chess and fishing in this month’s Sport Recent Picks.

How can a sporting match last for five days with no winner and strangely, the fans are still happy? Cricket enthusiasts get it but others are left bewildered. Give Lawrence Booth’s book Cricket, lovely cricket?: an addict’s guide to the world’s most exasperating game a go. It explains many aspects of this often puzzling game in a humorous manner and looks at the past, present and future of this absorbing sport.

Amy Taylor’s book Lake Taupo cycle challenge guide shows novice and experts alike how to prepare and train for this very Kiwi race. It features 16 or 32 week training programmes suitable for solo, experts and relay riders. Anyone even thinking of entering the race should read this book first to get on the right track and increase your chance of success.

My life in and out of the rough: the truth behind all that bull****you think you know about me by John Daly with Glen Waggoner. The title says it all really!

Enjoy reading more about these sports and others including Kiwi hunting yarns, junior soccer, State of origin and Guerrilla Jiu-Jitsu in this month’s Sports Recent Picks.

Read Mondo Lucha a go-go: the bizarre and honourable world of wild Mexican wrestling by Dan Madigan and find out what super head-scissors takedown, Molly-go-round and corner slingshot splash are. Beginning in Latin America this form of wrestling is now worldwide and has a large fan-base. Many of the wrestlers cover their faces and fight incognito. Why? It would take a brave person to ask. Colourful posters, cards and mementoes are found through-out the book.

Figure skating is beautiful to watch and requires grace, power and an incredible amount of courage. Steve Milton’s book Figure skating’s greatest stars is a who’s who from the 1950’s through to today’s champions. Artistic and technical boundaries will continue to expand wowing judges and public alike.

New Zealand fishing guide: North Cape to Stewart Island edited by Bruce Duncan and Mark Airey covers all types of fishing including boat, surfcasting, freshwater, diving and game fishing. Find out the best spots for marlin, snapper, kingfish and many more chosen by New Zealand Fishing News writers and other experts.

Read these books and others including boxing, soccer training, tennis, basketball and more in this month’s Sport Recent Picks.

J.M. Barrie, the creator of Peter Pan loved cricket, and although more enthusiastic than talented, he still managed to enlist the most extraordinary amateur cricket team of the time. Included was A. A. Milne, P. G. Wodehouse, Jerome K. Jerome and Arthur Conan Doyle and this only stopped when World War II began. Peter Pan’s first XI: the extraordinary story of J. M. Barrie’s cricket team is part cricket, part history and part biography.

What are you doing out here: heroism and distress at a cricket test by Norman Harris is a drama of two events that unfolded in different parts of the world. In New Zealand the railway disaster at Tangiwai killed 151 passengers from a lahar, including the fiancée of test cricketer Bob Blair. No-one expected him to take any further part in the South Africa-NZ test match far away from home, but when New Zealand was at risk of losing he chose to go out to bat. The crowd gave him a standing ovation.

What do a high country farmer, a radio DJ, a businessman, a photographer and a shoe-string traveller have in common? It is their love of cricket. Most Kiwi blokes would wander down to the local match but not for these intrepid five. They chose to go to one of the most exuberant cricket countries. Bowling through India: five Kiwi blokes take on India at cricket by Justin Brown taught them a lot about fanaticism, compassion, friendship and that cricket doesn’t need anything but a bat and a ball and keen players.

Now is the time to read something other than football with this month’s bumper-size Recent Sports and Fitness Picks – apart from those on cricket, included are books on skateboarding, triathlon, golf, poker and even books on “ripping things to do” for children.  However if you really do want to read about the Football World Cup – there are five new titles to chose from.

Wimbledon is a national institution with a multi-million pound budget and millions of followers but how does it run so smoothly? Holding court by former chief executive Chris Gorringe, known as “Clockwork Gorringe” was at the helm for 26 years so is the best person to explain the procedures, some dating back to 1868.  During his tenure he dealt with the 1973 player’s’ boycott, the McEnroe tantrums, the demands for equal prize money and the Olympic bid. No doubt he organised the strawberries and cream as well!

Thinking about running a marathon? Worried about being too old, unfit, over-weight or don’t have the time? This is the book to read. Sam Murphy’s book Marathon and half marathon: from start to finish will encourage anyone and every-one. Information is given on training, diet, clothing, running technique, avoiding injury and race preparation.

Every July a huge number of fans will arrive to watch the Tour de France and Graham Watson’s Tour de France travel guide explains how to avoid potential pitfalls. Quality hotels, reasonably priced food and the best places to watch the race are just some of the “tricks of the trade” to make the event memorable. With maps and photographs Watson’s 31 years of expertise will make this book a must for cycling fans.

Read about these sports and others including golf, cricket, hockey, football, kick boxing and ultimate diving in this month’s Sports Recent Picks.