News Blog @ Wellington City Libraries

One of many things that struck me on a visit to London, was how amazing the Tube is, and how many interesting aspects there are to its history — from the design of the famous Tube map (designed by Harry Beck in 1931; he also later offered to diagram the Paris Métro but his representative diagram was rejected by the French), to the fact that it was the first subterreanean railway in the world. Its history over the years is fascinating (have a look at this London’s Transport at War article from the London Transport Museum) and its many abandoned stations are fodder for the imagination (witness Neil Gaiman’s amazing Neverwhere). So, we thought we’d round up some of the items available from our collection for a slightly different and certainly offbeat take on armchair travel, as well as some snippets of intriguing history from subway systems around the world. We hope you enjoy reading about these amazing feats of engineering!

Underground London : travels beneath the city streets / Stephen Smith.
“Smith, a journalist for London’s Channel 4 News, has written a jaunty tale of London’s history from the point of view of its underground structures. His travels among palace foundations and through culverts and tunnels built for water, sewer, train, and cable, and the rich history of the uses they’ve served make for a fun and fascinating read.” (Syndetics)
“This is the first book for a very long time that I simply haven’t been able to put down. This should be compulsive reading for every Londoner! Stephen Smith has managed to bring to vibrant life the world beneath our concrete and glass city. History has never been so vivid with the sights and sounds of London gone by echoing in every page. The only down side is that it has made me aware of a whole world I am not allowed to be part of existing just a few metres beneath my feet (that and peering into every little door and window on the tube).” (Amazon reviewer)

Underground to everywhere : London’s underground railway in the life of the capital / Stephen Halliday.
“In 1900 an American financier called Charles Tyson Yerkes was placed in charge of London’s underground railways, which had been in service since 1863 and were, even then, showing signs of their age. Over the next five years he applied his business methods – which he described as ‘Buy up old junk, fix it up a little and unload it upon other fellows’ – to the construction of much of the capital’s deep-level tube system. Yerkes was one of many colourful characters who gave London its underground railway system. But the London Underground is more than a railway. In the twentieth century, under the enlightened management of Frank Pick, the Underground was responsible for some striking developments in industrial design. Bauhaus, Cubist and other innovative ideas were applied to station architecture, advertising posters and seat covers. The work of artists such as Graham Sutherland, Len Deighton and Lucie Attwell was exposed to large audiences for the first time, as was that icon of industrial design, Harry Beck’s diagrammatic map of the Underground network. Making use of extensive research in London’s archives, Stephen Halliday shows how these pioneers struggled with the problem that vexes the Underground to this day.” (Library Catalogue)

The subterranean railway : how the London Underground was built and how it changed the city forever / Christian Wolmar.
“This excellent and intelligent book charts the history of the London Underground from the early 1870s until the present day. Naturally the period of early development and expansion up to the establishment of Herbert Morrison’s London Transport in 1933 is given most space with the Victoria Line and Jubilee Extension being briefly covered. The building of the cut and cover Metropolitan and the District Railway and the intense rivalry of their respective chairmen Edward Watkin and James Forbes is most interesting. The simultaneous relating of the story of the deep line electric railways, the technological developments and the always interesting roles of the great characters and engineers involved is the strength and pleasure of this book. The complex story is related with a speed and clarity that gives the feeling of excitement and wonder that must have existed at the time. The contribution of American technology brought over by Charles Yerkes, the station designs of Leslie Green and the later Art Deco of Charles Holden, the administrative genius of Ashfield and Frank Pick who between them formed the look of the Underground system that we now take for granted as ‘naturally’ correct, are all covered with immense flair in this excellent book. Read this and then rush to read Wolmar’s ‘Fire and Steam‘.” (Amazon.co.uk)

London : a life in maps / Peter Whitfield.
(Intrigued by the Tube map? Read this title for this and more amazing maps of London)
“Like all the great historic cities of Europe, London appears to us solid and unchanging. But this solidity is an illusion, for throughout its long history London has been changing and evolving. It has been renewing or replacing the streets and buildings at its heart and has been spreading inexorably outwards. In London: A Life in Maps this dynamic process is vividly illustrated by maps that have been drawn and published over the past 500 years; and this book offers a magnificent panorama of London’s history by focusing on its maps. The link between London and Westminster; the devastation of the Great Fire; the emergence of the West End as a place of fashion: the opening of the Royal Parks; the building of the docks; the coming of the railway age; the impact of World Wars – all these processes and many more are evident in these historic maps. Approximately 100 important maps from the mid-sixteenth century to the present day are illustrated and discussed.” (Library Catalogue)

Metro : the story of the underground railway / David Bennett.
“In Metro, writer and engineer David Bennett gives a comprehensive insight into the rise of underground travel over the past 150 years.He traces the technological progress – from the risky breakthroughs in tunnelling techniques that made underground travel possible to the innovations that have made it safer and more pleasant, such as the move from coal-burning locomotives to the electrification of the line and the evolution of the first wooden carriages into the air-conditioned aluminium ones of today.He also explores the architecture of the most dramatic and inspiring stations ever built, including the clean, Bauhaus-influenced lines of Berlin’s U-Bahn, the stern grandeur of the Moscow Metro’s “socialist” architecture, and the breathtaking exuberance of the Hollywood Red Line in Los Angeles. Metro also takes an in-depth look at the cultural phenomena, such as poster art and graffiti, that have flourished on underground systems around the world.” (Syndetics)

Metrostop Paris : history from the city’s heart / Gregor Dallas.
“The name of every Parisian metro station tells a story. In Metrostop Paris Gregor Dallas recounts a series of extraordinary but true tales about the city as he leads his readers around the metro. Both the armchair traveller and the visitor will enjoy an illuminating journey in the company of a compelling storyteller and veteran of the city. The book includes visits to Paris’s catacombs at ‘Hell’s Gate’, the literary cafés and old jazz cellars of Montparnasse and Saint-Germain-des-Prés and the seventeenth-century alleys of the Marais, along with trips to the Palais-Royal at the time of the Revolution and the world of opera during Claude Debussy’s lifetime. Through the eyes of the existentialist philosopher Jean-Paul Sartre, Dallas describes the German occupation of Paris during the Second World War and the intellectual wars that immediately followed. A visit to the futuristic Cité de la Science at La Villette prompts the story of the Marquis de Morès, the French ‘cowboy’ and anti-Semite, who was eventually murdered by tribesmen of the Sahara Desert in 1896. Outside the Jesuit church of Saint-Paul Dallas tells us about Gabriel de Montgomery – forgotten ancestor of Montgomery of Alamein – who accidentally killed his king just there and, after leading the Protestant armies against Catherine de Medicis, was executed on the Place de Grève. This exciting journey through time and space concludes at the Cemetery Père Lachaise with the unknown tale of Oscar Wilde’s strange involvement in the Dreyfus Affair, the greatest legal scandal of all time.” (Amazon.co.uk)

Metro maps of the world / Mark Ovenden.
Interested in design, as well as transport? Try this one! See also the website Mapping London.

722 miles : the building of the subways and how they transformed New York / Clifton Hood.
“The New York subway was the vision of a few enlightened politicians working with a tight-knit mercantile elite who saw the potential that a high-speed underground rail system would have as a vehicle for urban development. Hood tells the fascinating story of the individuals who created this unparalleled achievement of civil engineering. This concise history describes the impact on urban life and the creation of new neighborhoods (the Upper West Side, Harlem, Jackson Heights) separated only by a nickel fare from the heart of the city. Hood chronicles the changes in the city’s political climate, from a laissez-faire mood at the onset of the century through the rise of the progressive reform movement, concluding in the big-government era of the 1950s.” (Library Journal)

Disappearing London : Suggs and the city. (DVD)
(Not the Underground exactly, but still interesting)
“Suggs, lead singer of legendary pop/ska band Madness, takes a tour of the forgotten and hidden treasures of Lond. The ever-evolving London landscape has kept the city modern, but are the buildings and ways of old being lost forever? Suggs goes on a journey of re-discovery to reveal the secrets of London’s past – why buildings were constructed, why they fell out of fashion and can they be saved from the wrecking ball? Along the way he uncovers some rare archive footage and meets Londoners for whom these places hold special memories”–Container.

Underground art : London Transport posters, 1908 to the present / Oliver Green.
“Since 1908, with the appointment of the enlightened Frank Pick as publicity officer, London Transport has been a major patron of art in Britain, commissioning posters and other artworks from such notable artists as Edward McKnight Kauffer, Paul Nash, Graham Sutherland, Man Ray and others. These posters did not merely promote travel by tube, but also encouraged people to go to plays and concerts, visit the zoo or the countryside, or move to Metroland. The resulting art collection is one of stunning diversity, comprising over 3000 original posters. The distinguished tradition of art patronage has been vigorously continued since the early years.” (Amazon.co.uk)

Websites:

• Abandoned Stations & Disused London Underground Flickr group
• Underground History
• BBC Tour through abandoned St Mary’s in East London Tube Station (video)
• London Transport Museum
• Mapping London (so many amazing maps and infographics!)
• Tunnel Vision: a history of the London Tube Map (via The Guardian)
• London Transport: designing modern Britain

Here are our picks of the new computing books for April. We’ve had a bit of a browse and come up with some interesting titles for you – including 50 digital ideas you need to know about, open source Learning Management System Moodle, a primer on Apple’s iCloud services, a visual guide to Photoshop Elements 10, and the 2012 edition of Ubuntu Unleashed. Enjoy!

Beginning ASP.NET web pages with WebMatrix / Mike Brind, Imar Spaanjaars.
“Microsoft WebMatrix is designed to make developing dynamic ASP.NET web sites much easier. This complete Wrox guide shows you what it is, how it works, and how to get the best from it right away. It covers all the basic foundations and also introduces HTML, CSS, and Ajax using jQuery, giving beginning programmers a firm foundation for building dynamic web sites.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Moodle 2.0 course conversion : beginner’s guide : a complete guide to successful learning using Moodle 2.0 / Ian Wild.
“The Beginner’s Guide approach… Clear step-by step instructions for the most useful tasks: Learn by doing – start working right away: Leave out the boring bits: Inspiring, realistic examples that give you ideas for your own work: Tasks and challenges to encourage experimentation.” – (adapted from Book jacket)

Understanding cryptography : a textbook for students and practitioners / Christof Paar, Jan Pelzl ; forward by Bart Preneel.
“Cryptography is now ubiquitous-moving beyond the traditional environments, such as government communications and banking systems, we see cryptographic techniques realized in Web browsers, e-mail programs, cell phones, manufacturing systems, embedded software, smart buildings, cars, and even medical implants. Today’s designers need a comprehensive understanding of applied cryptography. After an introduction to cryptography and data security, the authors explain the main techniques in modern cryptography.” – (adapted from Book jacket)

50 digital ideas you really need to know / Tom Chatfield.
“From malware to mashups; from spam to the semantic web; and from email to avatars, this book is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand the profound social and behavioural changes wrought by the emerging digital age.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

iCloud / Tom Negrino.
“Learn to use Apple’s iCloud services with Mac, PC and iOS devices. Easy visual approach uses pictures to guide you through using iCloud with your Mac, PC, and iOS devices and show you what to do step by step. Concise steps and explanations let you get up and running in no time. Essential reference guide keeps you coming back again and again.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Teach yourself visually Photoshop Elements 10 / Mike Wooldridge, Brianna Stuart.
“If you want practical coverage of the most important features of Photoshop Elements 10, this book is for you. Packed with step-by-step instructions illustrated with full-color screen shots, this book clearly shows you how to do tasks, rather than using lengthy explanations. Even better, the book includes an associated website with all the images in the book available for download, so you can get hands-on practice as you go. It’s an efficient, easy-to-follow way to get up to speed on the latest and best that Photoshop Elements 10 has to offer.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Practical malware analysis : the hands-on guide to dissecting malicious software / by Michael Sikorski and Andrew Honig.
“Practical Malware Analysis provides a rapid introduction to the tools and methods used to dissect malicious software, showing readers how to safely analyze, debug, and disassemble these threats. The book goes on to examine how to overcome the evasive techniques – stealth, code obfuscation, anti-debugging, encryption, packing, and others – that malware authors employ to thwart analysis attempts. Key chapters include a lab at the end, which reviews important concepts from the discussion in the context of real-world malware examples. Drawn from the authors’ extensive field experience combating malware, these labs make Practical Malware Analysis the perfect teaching tool for beginners and seasoned veterans alike.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

MacBook all-in-one for dummies / by Mark L. Chambers.
“At home or on the road, your MacBook can do it all – this book shows you how! Don’t let its slim good looks fool you; your MacBook packs the power of a desktop, and this book helps you get the most from your MacBook. Learn the basics about using and maintaining your MacBook, work with Mac OS X Lion, use the iWork and iLife productivity suites, gets apps from the APP Store, and cruise the web from anywhere.” – (adapted from Book jacket)

Pushing the limits with iOS 5 programming : advanced application development for Apple iPhone, iPad and iPod Touch / Rob Napier and Mugunth Kumar.
“Pushing the Limits with iOS 5 Programming is an expert guide for developers aiming to create unique applications for Apple′s iPad 2, iPhone, and the iPod Touch, which includes the latest version of the Apple iPhone SDK, iOS 5. This text goes beyond the basics to keep you ahead of the technology curve and spark your innovative nature to create seamless, functional, and fun apps. With a focus on advanced techniques for app development, you will learn to differentiate your apps from all the rest.” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Ubuntu / Matthew Helmke with Andrew Hudson and Paul Hudson.
“Ubuntu Unleashed is filled with unique and advanced information for everyone who wants to make the most of the Ubuntu Linux operating system. This new edition has been thoroughly revised and updated by a long-time Ubuntu community leader to reflect the exciting new Ubuntu 11.10 (“Oneiric Ocelot”)and the forthcoming Ubuntu 12.04. Former Ubuntu Forum administrator Matthew Helmke covers all you need to know about Ubuntu 11.10/12.04 installation, configuration, productivity, multimedia, development, system administration, server operations, networking, virtualization, security, DevOps, and more….” – (adapted from Syndetics summary)

We have some great new history books this month including a look at one man’s jouney through the New Zealand Wars; a history of Jewish lives in New Zealand; and the story of how a struggle between queens and kings, churchmen and explorers made the world’s oceans a battleground. Enjoy!

For gallant service rendered : the life & times of Samuel Austin, NZ Cross, 1831-1903 / Barbara Mabbett.
“Samuel Austin’s 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 Austin’s 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.” (Global Books In Print)

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.” (Global Books In Print)

1494 : how a family feud in medieval Spain divided the world in half / Stephen R. Bown.
“Historian Bown (Scurvy) offers an entertaining, though often repetitive, chronicle of intrigue, deception, and power struggles in the early modern world. When Columbus returned from the New World to Spain in 1493, Portugal’s King Joao II claimed that a series of papal decrees clearly guaranteed that these rich lands belonged to him. The Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella sent an envoy to Pope Alexander VI, and following the pope’s decree that Ferdinand, Isabella, and their heirs had exclusive rights to travel in and trade with Columbus’s newfound lands, Spain and Portugal signed the Treaty of Tordesillas in 1494. It extended an imaginary line on a north-south axis in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean; Portugal retained all lands east of the line, and all lands to the west of the line were the Spain’s sole domain. As Bown points out, both nations benefited from this treaty; Portugal quickly grew rich from its monopoly on the trade routes to India and the Spice Islands, while Spain overtook the Aztec, Mayan, and Inca empires, shipping home vast quantities of gold. Bown’s captivating study presents a fresh glimpse into the origins of the age of exploration and conquest as other nations challenged the primacy of Spain and Portugal.” (Publishers Weekly)

The first frontier : the forgotten history of struggle, savagery, and endurance in early America / Scott Weidensaul.
“Frontier: the word carries the inevitable scent of the West. But before Custer or Lewis and Clark, before the first Conestoga wagons rumbled across the Plains, it was the East that marked the frontier, the boundary between complex Native cultures and the first colonizing Europeans.
Here is the older, wilder, darker history of a time when the land between the Atlantic and the Appalachians was contested ground, when radically different societies adopted and adapted the ways of the other, while struggling for control of what all considered to be their land.”
“The First Frontier traces two and a half centuries of history through poignant, mostly unheralded personal stories, like that of a Harvard-educated Indian caught up in seventeenth-century civil warfare, a mixed-blood interpreter trying to straddle his white and Native heritage, and a Puritan woman wielding a scalping knife whose bloody deeds still resonate uneasily today. It is the first book in years to paint a sweeping picture of the Eastern frontier, combining vivid storytelling with the latest research to bring to life modern Americas tumultuous, uncertain beginnings.” (Global Books In Print) 

Autumn in the Heavenly Kingdom : China, the West, and the epic story of the Taiping Civil War / Stephen R. Platt.
“By the 1850s, China’s Qing dynasty had held power for over 200 years, with peasants more and more having to endure privation, starvation, and disease. Ordinary Chinese believed the Qing, who were ethnic Manchu, were ineffective against “foreign devils” and in the Opium Wars with Britain. Enter Hong Xiuquan, failed civil servant and a convert to Christianity who believed he was Jesus’s brother. He set off the immense and brutal civil war known as the Taiping Rebellion and established the breakaway state of the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom. Platt (history, Univ. of Massachusetts, Amherst), as his subtitle shows, prefers to call it a civil war, the most devastating in history, with over 20 million killed, with brutality on both sides. The rebels, the majority ethnic Han, had strength in their great discipline and fanaticism. They would take a city, then move to the countryside enlisting farmers to join the battle against ruling forces. The Qing ultimately crushed the rebellion with help from trading partners in the West. VERDICT Platt’s study of this era will be challenging for general audiences, but specialists and those seeking a serious study of the topic will appreciate it.” (Library Journal)

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)

Until April 22nd 2012 Te Papa is host to the exhibition Unveiled: 200 Years of Wedding Fashion from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London.

If you can’t make it to see the exhibition or you have had your interest sparked, explore our Weddings Popular Topic page, and take a look at some of collection on Wedding Fashion:

I do : 100 years of wedding fashion / Caroline Cox.
“I Do is a captivating review of wedding fashion over the last century. Chapter by chapter, the book outlines the changes from the ostentatious Edwardian wedding gowns of the early twentieth century to the knee length flapper gowns of the 1920’s, inspired by Parisian couture and the designer Coco Chanel. By the 1930’s Hollywood reigned and film-star weddings, publicised both on the silver screen and in fan magazines, brought a touch of glamour into the ceremony, which was soon to be cut short by the restrictions of the Second World War. By contrast, the war bride had to cope with walking up the aisle in ‘make-do-and-mend’ concoctions of muslin and parachute silk. Since the 1950’s romantic styles have dominated, influenced by Dior’s New Look and the American ’sweetheart’ line – despite incursions from street styles and high fashion. But the 1960’s mini – seemingly a rejection of marital bliss and a symbol of independence – was worn by few brides, and despite the effect of the hippie counterculture and feminism, marriage still survives today. A widespread subversion in the look of the bride has yet to happen, suggesting that the white wedding is here to stay.” (Amazon)

The wedding dress : 300 years of bridal fashions / Edwina Ehrman.
“From the romance of its evolution to the splendor of its design, the wedding dress is unlike any other garment, a talisman from a fantasy world, the manifestation of dreams coming true. This book draws on wedding garments in the V&A’s renowned collection along with photographs, letters, memoirs, and newspaper accounts to explore the history of the white wedding dress and the traditions that have developed around it from 1700 to today, when designers from Vera Wang to Vivienne Westwood continue to challenge the aesthetic. Paintings, drawings, and wedding photos depict queens, princesses, celebrities, and everyday women- including Kate Middleton – in their gowns. The text considers the dress in the context of the commercialization of weddings that began in the Victorian era. The Wedding Dress is not only about costume, but also about the cultivation of the image of the bride.” (Library Catalogue)

Vintage weddings : one hundred years of bridal fashion and style / Marnie Fogg ; [foreword by Bruce Oldfield].
“A visual journey through 100 years of wedding styles and dresses, “Vintage Weddings” takes a close look at the key periods, diverse styles, iconoclastic designers, significant ceremonies and cultural influences in wedding fashions. Organized chronologically, this book shows the reader how to recognize the silhouette that will best suit their body shape, identify luxurious fabrics, contrast various styles, and to source appropriate accessories, from gloves and shoes to flowers, veils, jewellery and table decorations. Throughout the book, individual pieces that epitomize the defining characteristic of each designer or decade are analyzed in detail. This book is for those interested in collecting and acquiring all aspects of authentic vintage pieces relating to the wedding ceremony, and also for prospective brides who are buying new, but are looking for sources of inspiration.” (Amazon)

Wedding dress across cultures / edited by Helen Bradley Foster and Donald Clay Johnson.
“Editors Foster and Johnson use the term “dress” for more than clothing. They include body modifications, supplements, and usage based on terminology developed by Ruth Barnes and Joanne Eicher in Dress and Gender: Making and Meaning in Cultural Contexts (CH, Dec’92). These 14 essays by international scholars in art history, textiles, anthropology, folklore, and theatrical costume provide a spectrum of wedding clothing, symbolism, and customs from traditional Swazi bridal garments, Inca sandals and tunics, the Moroccan Berber bridal Aabroq (cloth-and-jewelry headdress and face covering), and Korean embroidered whalot robes to Greek wedding crowns and Slovak bride capping. Several studies cover changes over time within cultures: contemporary political attempts to lower inhibiting dowry requirements for Rabari families (Hindu pastoralists in Kutch, western India); modern marketing through packaged elite weddings in Osaka, Japan; modifications to Alaskan Inupiaq atikluks (parka-style dresses and jackets); and the latest US playful theme weddings (e.g., Renaissance, cowboy, Celtic, Halloween, 1920s), which reject tradition and allow for the ultimate in free choice. The colorful cover might deceive readers looking for a lush coffee-table book, but this small volume, though rich in content, is limited in illustrations. ^BSumming Up: Recommended. All libraries. B. B. Chico Regis UniversityCopyright American Library Association, used with permission.” (CHOICE)

Quest for the dress : finding your dream gown without losing your sanity, friends, or groom / Nancy Di Fabbio.
“Having run a bridal gown shop for over 20 years, Nancy Di Fabbio has seen everything from botched plans for a plus-sized bride to wear a petite grandmother’s dress to knock-down, drag-out family fights over the veil. In “Quest for the Dress, ” she draws on her irrepressible sense of humor, experience, and entertaining stories to create one guidebook that helps brides find their dream dress without losing their sanity in the process. The guide includes tips on creating a game plan for the wedding before making any plans, choosing shopping companions carefully, finding the right accessories and the perfect headpiece and veil, a crash course in fashion and fabric, avoiding alteration problems, and caring for a dress after the big day. Perfect for future brides and those close to the bride, “Quest for the Dress” is an enjoyable and useful present for a shower or engagement.” (Syndetics summary)

Bridal couture : fine sewing techniques for wedding gowns and evening wear / Susan Khalje.
“Create a fantasy! Susan Khalje guides readers through the principles and techniques of designing, constructing, and embellishing wedding gowns and evening wear. Ideal for the bride-to-be or seamstress. Learn how to choose the right fabric, work with lace, and problem solve tricky construction issues.” (Syndetics summary)

The Knot book of wedding gowns / by Carley Roney.
“What’s the real difference between an $800 gown and an $8000 gown? Is Dupioni better than Duchesse? When do you need a crinoline, and what is a crumb catcher? From the creator of the #1 online wedding resource, The Knot Book of Wedding Gowns provides the answers to these questions and thousands more. The perfect gift for a bride-to-be, this lavishly illustrated book–more than 250 color photographs and illustrations–tells her everything she needs to know about the single most expensive and important piece of clothing she will ever own. The only fully comprehensive book on the subject, The Knot Book of Wedding Gowns dissects the construction of the dress; profiles the numerous styles; defines and illustrates hundreds of varieties of fabrics, laces, embellishments, and accessories; and provides straightforward counsel on which cuts work best with which fabrics, and what styles look best on which body types. In addition, informative sections explain how and where to search for a dress, how to pull everything together to achieve the perfect look, and how to care for the masterpiece when the wedding is over. Fascinating bits of history throughout unveil the traditions and significance of this most important piece of clothing. For that all-important decision of a lifetime, The Knot Book of Wedding Gowns is the ultimate book on the ultimate dress.” (Syndetics summary)

In this month’s travel picks: Johnny West journeys through the Arab Spring, Ben Frank embarks on an odyssey to discover Jewish communities around the globe, Charley Boorman explores the varied terrain of Canada on (what else?) a motorbike, Phil Harwood goes canoeing in the Congo, and Paul Carter bikes around Australia on used cooking oil. Plus, stories of life-changing trips and personal development, as well as an insight into the often-overlooked world of female explorers. Enjoy!

How to climb Mont Blanc in a skirt : a handbook for the lady adventurer / Mick Conefrey.
“Whether a seasoned adventurer or a want-away office worker, How to Climb Mont Blanc in a Skirt is an essential purchase. From using camel fat to improve your love-life to climbing Everest without oxygen, Mick Conefrey offers a vivid insight into the often-overlooked world of female explorers. Discover who dressed up as a Tibetan peasant to explore Asia and why you shouldn’t let a gorilla near your bedroom. Pairing inspiring stories of famous female explorers with hilarious tips on being an adventurer – such as what to do when attacked by a crocodile – this book is fascinating and entertaining in equal measure.” (Library Catalogue)

Drink the bitter root : a search for justice and healing in Africa / Gary Geddes.
“Internationally acclaimed travel writer Geddes confesses a long fascination with Africa, deeply affected by literature such as Joseph Conrad’s Heart of Darkness and troubling news accounts of unrest, violence, and instability. At 68, he finally realized a youthful dream to experience Africa and offers a very personal first-person diary of his travels. He begins at the International Criminal Court in The Hague…” (Booklist)

Henna for the broken-hearted / Sharell Cook.
“How far would you go to change your life? Sharell Cook is 30 years old and living a privileged life in Melbourne’s wealthy suburbs. She has it all: the childhood-sweetheart husband, the high-powered job and plenty of cash to splash. And it is not destined to last” (Syndetics)

Karama! : journeys through the Arab spring / Johnny West.
“Johnny West has lived in this area for the past decade and speaks fluent Arabic… Travelling on public buses, visiting with families, hanging out in shops and cafes, he brings out for all of us what made ordinary people erupt, what happened to them during those days and now, what their hopes, fears and dreams are, how they see us in the West, how each country is different but how they see themselves as part of a joint Arab culture, before Islamists.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Loves, kerbsides and goodbyes : a backpacker’s road / David McNamara.
“Kerbsides are backpackers’ theatres to meet, re-connect, share their lives, fall in love, say goodbye. They are their platforms to perform – strumming outside China tea houses to crowds venerating them like rock stars, gathering an international troubadour on Kuala Lumpur sidewalks to busk for drinks, or outside a 7-11 on that ultimate backpacker kerbside Kaoh San Road, Bangkok. Kerbsides are where backpackers manifest uncomplicated love – treating every day as a minute and a lifetime. It may be a farewell, but it’s no big thing. There’s no lost luggage, cancellations, reservation errors, bad wine or slighted courtesies – just toting backpack, camera and guitar.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Two feet forward : an adventure about finding love, spending everything, and seeing it all / Linda Benton & David Rule.
” Two Feet Forward will take you around the world on a wonderful journey, intertwined with a fun, light hearted love story that captures the essence of each destination through colour, taste and texture. Laced with insightful travel and budgeting tips, beautiful photography, and recipes inspired by local cuisine, Two Feet Forward will inspire you to pack your bags and jet off to the many locations brought to life through David and Linda’s warmth and humour.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

To the river : a journey beneath the surface / Olivia Laing.
“To the River is the story of the Ouse, the Sussex river in which Virginia Woolf drowned in 1941. One midsummer week, over sixty years later, Olivia Laing walked Woolf’s river from source to sea. The result is a passionate investigation into how history resides in a landscape – and how ghosts never quite leave the places they love…. To the River excavates all sorts of stories from the Ouse’s marshy banks, from the brutal Barons’ War of the thirteenth century to the ‘Dinosaur Hunters’, the nineteenth-century amateur naturalists who first cracked the fossil code.” (adapted fron Syndetics summary)

The scattered tribe : traveling the Diaspora from Cuba to India to Tahiti & beyond / Ben G. Frank.
“An odyssey to discover exotic Jewish communities around the globe. Jewish travelers have long combed far-off lands in search of the last fragments of the scattered tribe. Among these travelers is Ben G. Frank. Ben is a native New Yorker, a travel writer, and a journalist who, for more than half a century, has been traveling to far-flung Jewish communities, recording his observations and experiences and making them available for less-adventurous brethren to read. In “The Scattered Tribe,” he surveys the present, ponders the past, and even dares to predict the future of these diverse and mystic lands.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Extreme frontiers : racing across Canada from Newfoundland to the Rockies / Charley Boorman with Jeff Gulvin.
“Travelling mainly on his much-loved bike, Charley will explore the world’s second largest country – home to some of the most stunning and challenging terrain known to man. Along the way he will work with Alberta’s famous ‘Bear Whisperer’; travel with Native Canadians and learn more about their mythology and shamanic rituals; get involved in the world famous National Lumberjack competition; work with the Mounties search and rescue team and visit the world’s smallest jail in Ontario…. EXTREME FRONTIERS is vintage Boorman, packed with all the excitement, adventure – and bikes! – of his previous bestselling books.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Canoeing the Congo : first source to sea descent of the Congo River / Phil Harwood.
“Canoeing the Congo narrates the journey of Phil Harwood, who undertook an epic five-month solo attempt to canoe the Congo River in war-torn Central Africa. He faced endemic corruption, was arrested, intimidated, bullied, chased and he received numerous death threats. He also collapsed from malaria.The people were mostly friendly, however, and Phil received tremendous hospitality from a proud and brave people, especially from the riverside fishermen who helped him wherever they could.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Is that bike diesel, mate? : one man, one bike and the first lap around Australia on used cooking oil / Paul Carter.
“Green fuel, white knuckles: Paul Carter is forty years old, a successful writer, husband and father, no longer toiling on offshore drilling rigs….want(s)… to be the first guy to ride around Australia on an underpowered experimental motorcycle that runs on used chip fat…. starts on an environmentally friendly motorcycle built on a shoestring budget by students, and ends with a mad-cap plan to break the world land speed record for a biofuel-powered motorbike.” (Book jacket)

Our picks of the new science books this month feature a scientific history of the 1848 Wellington earthquake and a catalogue of botanical atrocities – including exploding shrubs, vines that strangle, and the weed that killed Lincoln’s mother. Plus, vulcanology and the Gogo Fish (the world’s oldest mother, a fossilized armoured shark discovered three years ago, complete with a perfectly preserved embryo still attached by an umbilical cord). Enjoy!

Violent Earth / Robert Dinwiddie, Simon Lamb, Ross Reynolds.
“Violent Earth” is an authoritative, stimulating, and visually arresting exploration of the dramatic forces that are constantly shaping the planet. Using powerful photography, specially commissioned illustrations, and intuitive infographics, this book explores plate tectonics, vulcanology, and seismology in unprecedented detail.” (Syndetics summary)

The visitation : the earthquakes of 1848 and the destruction of Wellington / Rodney H. Grapes.
“‘It is my most painful duty to inform your Excellency that a terrible calamity has overtaken this province. An earthquake has occurred, and the town of Wellington is in ruins.’ Lieutenant Governor John Eyre to Sir George Grey, 19 October 1848. Wellington was only a fledgling settlement of some 3000 people when it was struck by a cluster of devastating earthquakes in 1848. The fearful violence of the shocks, the destruction of property, and the frequency and continuance of the danger caused universal alarm, and it was feared the settlement and its future was ruined. But Wellington did recover, quite quickly. The British immigrants were not going to be deterred after coming halfway around the world, and in any case, most had nothing to go home to. Their direct accounts of the earthquake and its aftermath make compelling reading. Along with describing the effects of the 1848 earthquakes and the social response to them, The Visitation also explains their cause – the relationship between earthquakes and movement on fault lines, first discovered in the late 1880’s by the celebrated New Zealand geologist, Alexander McKay, following a large earthquake in North Canterbury on 1 September 1888. It also discusses the fault that ruptured during the first great shock of the 1848 earthquakes; what remains of the 1848 rupture today and its relation to large earthquakes in the past; and the geological context of the 1848 earthquakes as products of the convergence of two great tectonic plates through the Marlborough-North Canterbury area of the South Island of New Zealand; and ends with a possible scenario of a future large earthquake in Wellington generated by movement of the Wellington Fault.” (Global Books)

Hung like an Argentine duck : a journey back in time to the origins of sexual intimacy / John Long.
“Dr John Long discovered the Gogo Fish. What’s that you say? It’s a 380 million-year-old fossilized armoured shark-like fish replete with a perfectly preserved embryo still attached by an umbilical cord. The Gogo is described as the oldest mother in the world and its discovery three years ago has pretty much rewritten evolutionary history. John is one of the world’s leading palaeontologists. His find showed the first evidence of sexual behaviour in the prehistoric past. [...] So what’s this book about? It’s a scientific but engaging look at how and why animals first became “intimate” and where sex fits into the whole evolution theory.” (Global Books)

Sciencia : mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and astronomy for all / [edited by John Martineau].
“From the structure of the cosmos to that of the human body, the discoveries of science over the past few hundred years have been remarkable. Scienca spans the realms of mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology, and astronomy, offering an invaluable introduction to each. Curious about quarks, quasars, and the fantastic universe around you? Ever wanted to explore a mathematical proof? Need an introduction to biochemistry? Beautifully illustrated with engravings, woodcuts, and original drawings and diagrams, Sciencia will inspire inquisitive readers of all ages to appreciate the interconnected knowledge of the modern sciences” (Cover)

Wicked plants : the weed that killed Lincoln’s mother & other botanical atrocities / Amy Stewart ; etchings by Briony Morrow-Cribbs ; illustrations by Jonathon Rosen.
“A tree that sheds poison daggers; a glistening red seed that stops the heart; a shrub that causes paralysis; a vine that strangles; and a leaf that triggered a war. In “Wicked Plants,” Stewart takes on over two hundred of Mother Nature’s most appalling creations. It’s an A to Z of plants that kill, maim, intoxicate, and otherwise offend. You’ll learn which plants to avoid (like exploding shrubs), which plants make themselves exceedingly unwelcome (like the vine that ate the South), and which ones have been killing for centuries (like the weed that killed Abraham Lincoln’s mother). Menacing botanical illustrations and splendidly ghastly drawings create a fascinating portrait of the evildoers that may be lurking in your own backyard. Drawing on history, medicine, science, and legend, this compendium of bloodcurdling botany will entertain, alarm, and enlighten even the most intrepid gardeners and nature lovers.” (Syndetics summary)

The beginning of infinity : explanations that transform the world / David Deutsch.
“A bold and all-embracing exploration of the nature and progress of knowledge from one of today’s great thinkers. Throughout history, mankind has struggled to understand life’s mysteries, from the mundane to the seemingly miraculous. In this important new book, David Deutsch, an award-winning pioneer in the field of quantum computation, argues that explanations have a fundamental place in the universe. They have unlimited scope and power to cause change, and the quest to improve them is the basic regulating principle not only of science but of all successful human endeavor. This stream of ever improving explanations has infinite reach, according to Deutsch: we are subject only to the laws of physics, and they impose no upper boundary to what we can eventually understand, control, and achieve.” (Global Books)

Field notes on science & nature / edited by Michael R. Canfield.
“”Meticulous record keeping is at the heart of good science, and this is especially true for field scientists and naturalists,” states editor Canfield (organismic and evolutionary biology, Harvard U.). He continues by further explicating the importance of field notes and relating his own endeavors to find a way to make such notes in an efficacious, efficient manner. For this work he asked biologists in various disciplines (as well as a couple of science illustrators) to explain what they do personally to record observations in the field and what they suggest as best practices, including, for example, such practicalities as what kind of notebook or technology to use, how to use photos, how and what to draw. The contributors were also asked to supply example pages from their notebooks, which are reproduced in facsimile and offer an intimate and practical view of the incredibly important activities of looking, seeing, and recording.” (Syndetics summary)

Designing audio power amplifiers / Bob Cordell.
“Cordell (electrical engineer, audio test equipment designer) offers what is more than a “cookbook,” as he puts it. His instructional guide is intended to teach the reader how to think about audio power amplifier design and to appreciate its concepts and nuances, and to analyze and take advantage of the possible variations. While the book covers advanced topics, it also contains enough introductory material for readers relatively new to the field to use it. The text is divided into six parts: the basics, advanced design techniques, real-world design considerations, simulation and measurement, topics in design, and class D amplifiers.” (Syndetics summary)

In this month’s pick on new history books you’ll find ‘The Twitter Year’, a look at 2011 through the medium of social media. Ever wondered where your name comes from and how it relates to your family history?  Take a peek at ‘Surnames, DNA, and Family History’.  ‘The good, the bad & the unlikely: Australia’s prime ministers’ shows us that maybe our lot aren’t that bad after all; and Michael E. Smith has an up-to-date revisionist look at the history behind the interesting Aztec peoples.  Enjoy! 

The Twitter year : 365 days in 140 characters / compiled by Kate Bussmann.
“The first ever social-media almanac presents 12 months as witnessed by the 100-million-strong tweeting community. It captures a dramatic year in news, culture and sport, from the death of Osama Bin laden to the Royal Wedding – all told through tweets, graphics and fascinating facts. Distilling from the 230 million tweets that are now sent each day, this is history through a lens.” (Library Catalogue)
In the year the social network celebrates its 5th birthday, Twitter continues to grow at an incredible rate. There are now over 200 million accounts across the world, including Lady Gaga, the British monarchy, Lord Voldemort and a lot of pets. A Twitter Year gathers some of the funniest and sharpest tweets to bring you a unique celebration of the way we talk now. (Global Books In Print)

Surnames, DNA, and family history / George Redmonds, Turi King, and David Hey.
“This book combines linguistic and historical approaches with the latest techniques of DNA analysis and show the insights these offer for every kind of genealogical research. It focuses on British names, tracing their origins to different parts of the British Isles and Europe and revealing how names often remain concentrated in the districts where they first became established centuries ago. In the process the book casts fresh light on the ancient peopling of the British Isles. The authors consider why some names die out, and how others have spread across the globe. They use recent advances in DNA testing to discover whether particular surnames have a single, dual or multiple origins and whether various forms of a name have a common origin. They show how information from DNA canbe combined with historical evidence and techniques to distinguish between individuals with the same name and different names with similar spellings and to identify the name of the same individual or family spelt in various ways in different times and places. Clearly written and illustrated with hundreds of examples, this book will be welcomed by all those engaged in genealogical research, including everyone seeking to discover the histories of their names and families.” (Global Books In Print)

The good, the bad & the unlikely : Australia’s prime ministers / Mungo MacCallum.
Good drinkers, bad swimmers and unlikely heroes. Since the nation’s birth in 1901, twenty-seven politicians have sat in Australia’s driving seat. Their time at the top has ranged from eight days for Frank Forde to eighteen years for Bob Menzies. Whatever the length of their term, each prime minister has a story worth sharing. Edmund Barton united the bickering states in a federation; Billy Hughes knocked US president Woodrow Wilson down a peg or two. The unlucky Jimmy Scullin took office days before Wall Street crashed into the Great Depression, while John Curtin admirably rose to the challenge of wartime leadership. The much-loved Ben Chifley refused to wear a dinner suit to meet the king, and Jolly John Gorton’s partying lost him the job. With characteristic wit and expert political knowledge, Mungo MacCallum brings the nation’s leaders to life on the page. THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE UNLIKELY tells the fascinating tales of the men and woman who’ve had a fair crack at running the country. It is a wonderfully entertaining education. (Global Books In Print)

The Aztecs / Michael E. Smith.
“Smith provides a compelling reinterpretation of the standard history of the Aztec empire. Based upon archaeological research conducted during the past 15 years, rather than on subjective chronicles recorded by conquering Spaniards, this revisionist analysis offers a fresh perspective on the political, cultural, and social institutions and mores of the Aztecs. Detailed accounts of the Aztec approach to government, design, urban planning, economics, science, religion, the arts, and literature are also included. In addition, the author offers both an examination of the inevitable destruction and demise of the Aztec empire and a dynamic overview of the modern impact of the Aztec legacy. A significant contribution to the history of an impressive society of Native Americans. –Margaret FlanaganFrom Booklist, Copyright (c) American Library Association. Used with permission.” (Booklist)

Here are some more highlights of the new non-fiction books this month. Ans Westra’s Washday at the Pa has been republished after forty-seven years. Plus, People Magazine’s 1000 biggest moments in pop culture for the last thirty-five years, and the true story of a CIA interrogator. Have a browse!

The new golden age : the coming revolution against political corruption and economic chaos / Ravi Batra.
“Bringing his signature insight and expertise, the controversial economist Ravi Batra takes on a host of problems facing the world economy, including the oil and housing bubbles, falling minimum wages, corporate scandals, gross ethical lapses, the rise of celebrity economists at the Federal Reserve and elsewhere, and political crises of all kinds. He is unflinching in his criticism of the global economic elites and the suffering and deprivation they have caused in the lives of ordinary men and women.” (Adapted from Syndetics summary)

Uncompromised : the rise, fall, and redemption of an Arab-American patriot in the CIA / Nada Prouty.
“Prouty came to national attention when she was accused of giving information to Hezbollah and dubbed Jihad Jane. She now makes her case as a former Middle East agent for the CIA who fell victim to Islamophobia. More than a story of international intrigue, Prouty’s personal narrative is grounded in a brutal childhood in a conservative Lebanese family, where the word patriarchy takes on a vicious meaning….” (Booklist)

Prisoner of conscience / Frank Wolf with Anne Morse.
“What’s a congressman from Virginia doing in places where bullets fly and babies starve? Thirty years ago, Frank Wolf was elected to the U.S. Congress to address local transportation issues. Fueled by a faith that made him believe he could do something about it, the congressman grew to champion human and religious rights around the world…. Eventually, he became a key proponent of opposing radical Jihadists and creating a National Committee on Terrorism. As Wolf visited some of the most dangerous places in the world, he saw firsthand the need for members of Congress to speak out for persecuted people around the globe.” (Adapted from Syndetics summary)

Ko Aotearoa tēnei : te taumata tuarua : a report into claims concerning New Zealand law and policy affecting Māori culture and identity.
“This report address the Wai 262 claim concerning New Zealand law and policy affecting Māori culture and identity. It is divided into two levels, a shorter summary layer subtitle “Te Taumata Tuatahi,” and a fuller, two-volume layer subtitled Te Taumata Tuarua” (Back cover)

Washday at the pa / photographs by Ans Westra ; with text by Mark Amery.
“Brings together a selection of images from the two editions published in 1964, together with photographs taken of members of the “Washday” family in 1998.” (Library Catalogue)

1000 biggest moments in pop culture : 1974-2011 / [editor, Cutler Durkee].
“It’s everywhere and everything — TV, movies, music, advertising, sports, fashion. From “yada yada” to the Rachel hairdo, Michael Jackson’s moonwalk to E.T.’s quest to phone home. “People 1,000 Greatest Moments in Pop Culture” looks back in wonder at the scores of movie scenes, quick fads, and unforgettable moments that defined American culture for the past 40 years.” (Syndetics summary)

The interrogator : a CIA agent’s true story / Glenn Carle.
“This book is Carle’s affirmation that only the truth can lead us from the dark. He had years of training and experience leading up to his encounter with the captive who the CIA believed might hold the key to finding bin Laden. This was his apotheosis as a career spook in the Directorate of Operations, yet Carle immediately struggled to reconcile his orders to make his captive talk with the oath he had sworn to uphold the letter and the spirit of the law. Furthermore, as the interrogation began and he built rapport with his subject, another problem started to gnaw at him. This man wasn’t who he was alleged to be; he was low level at best…. ” (Library Catalogue)

Together : how small groups achieve big things / Henry Hemmings.
“Together is about the extraordinary revival of small groups in Britain today. What happens when a room full of people decide to work towards the same dream? Why is it that when we come together in small groups we are so much more than the sum of our parts? From druids to bingo-clubbers, eco-warriors to flash-mobbers, historical re-enactors to bee-keepers, books groups and knitting circles, W.I.s, Young Farmers and the fan-owners of a football club, Together reveals the true story of modern Britain…..” (Publisher’s description)

In our selection of the new crime books this month: stolen artworks and the detective story behind their recovery, books that look at the Casey Anthony and Schapelle Corby cases, a new title from Ian Wishart, and a story from inside Venezuela’s notorious Yare prison. Have a browse!

Art theft and the case of the stolen Turners / Sandy Nairne.
“In 1994, two paintings by J.M.W. Turner were stolen from a German art gallery while on loan from Tate Britain. Both important paintings by one of Britain’s most famous artists, they were valued at £24 million. Nairne (former director, Tate Britain; current director, National Portrait Gallery, London) was directly involved in the search for the paintings and the negotiations for their ransom and return. With its cast of colorful characters and intrigue, this true-crime story should be riveting…” (Library Journal)

Inside the mind of Casey Anthony : a psychological portrait / Keith Ablow.
“The trial of twenty-five year old Casey Anthony for the death of her daughter Caylee was the most sensational case in America since O.J. Simpson’s — with a verdict every bit as stunning. After being acquitted in July 2011, Ms. Anthony instantly became one of the most infamous women in the world. Dr. Keith Ablow distills tens of thousands of pages of documents he has obtained, his behind-the-camera, one-on one interviews, and his decades of experience in the world of forensic psychiatry to make sense of a woman whose defense attorney described as an innocent victim of childhood sexual abuse, but the state insisted was a cold-blooded murderer….” (Publisher’s summary)

Sins of the father : the untold story behind Schapelle Corby’s ill-fated drug run / Eamonn Duff.
“A reckless father, his dark past, an Adelaide drug trafficker and the Gold Coast beauty school dropout who kept her mouth shut. This is the explosive untold story of Schapelle Corby and how she took the rap for her father’s drug syndicate. The result of a three year investigation, Sins of the Father returns to the beginning of Australia’s most famous drug case, to a time when nobody had ever heard the name Schapelle Corby. Finally, the missing pieces of the jigsaw fall into place as we are led, step by step, through the important weeks, days and hours leading up to her dramatic arrest. Shedding new light on her long-held claims of innocence, this is the book Schapelle’s army of supporters do not want you to read.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Banged up abroad : hellhole ; our fight to survive South America’s deadliest jail / James Miles and Paul Loseby.
“When James Miles and his best friend Paul Loseby were caught smuggling ten kilos of cocaine out of Caracas, Venezuela, they couldn’t deny their guilt. Young and naive, the lads had thought the one-off drug mule job would be a passport to a better life. But in reality it was a ticket to hell … They were sentenced to thirty years and flung into the world’s deadliest prison system, ending up in the notorious Yare. A place where drugs and weaponry are currency and the rules are: there are no rules.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

Out of calamity : stories of trauma survivors / Roger Rees, preface by Norman Swan.
“All the people in these stories are unsung heroes. Their stories are true. To honour their privacy, most of the individuals profiled bear fictitious names; a few are composite characters. They have suffered severe trauma, the consequences of which have affected every aspect of their lives, as well as those of family and friends. They demonstrate great, if not superhuman, courage and resilience and never seek or expect applause…. ‘Out of Calamity’ stories and portraits are told in language that is realistic but also poetic, and demonstrate heroic dimensions even when people appear overwhelmed. Superbly crafted writing that is often raw but also eloquent, spare and affecting, these stories are gems replete with insight and compassion.” (adapted from Syndetics summary)

The hunt : a Kiwi mum, her kidnapped babies and a 30 year worldwide search / Ian Wishart & George London.
“She was a former New Zealand fashion model and diplomat’s wife. He was the British WW2 fighter ace-turned-criminal who seduced her. She attended garden parties with the Queen. He got her pregnant, then kidnapped her children. It’s the case that made world headlines, that captured the attention of Sir Richard Branson, and which forced changes to child abduction laws in Britain.” (Book jacket)