Buyers' Choice

November / December 2010

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Some featured items are linked via a book cover to enable you to read more reviews.

New Zealand glass art.
This book was compiled to celebrate 30 years of the New Zealand Society of Artists in Glass (NZSAG) The invitation to participate was offerd to artists across NZ and the result shows the wide range and variety of artistic creativity. As well as the obvious attraction of the pieces which are a delight to the eye, this represents an important record of glass art, arranged by (over 100) artist, and in most cases indicating where their work may be found. There is a short overview of the history of glass making in NZ and technical processes used to produce some of the effects.

In the name of peace : how history's great pacifists changed the world by Erin Ladd Sanders.
In the Name of Peace discusses the pacifist leaders, great and small, whose adherence to non-violence, even in the face of ruinous opposition, has changed the course of history. Pacifist leaders and their philosophies have affected societies, shaped the outcomes of conflict and enriched civilisation. At the same time, pacifist action has brought about cultural ruin, prolonged conflict, and left societies vulnerable and stagnating due to passive leadership. This book offers the compelling and dramatic stories of 17 of these leaders (including Mahavira, Jesus, Leo Tolstoy, Jane Addams, Jean Jaures, Mohandas Gandhi and Daw Aung San Suu Kyi) and provides context around how those opposed to violence have affected world culture. (drawn from the publisher's description)

Me'a kai : the food and flavours of the South Pacific by Robert Oliver ; with Dr Tracy Berno and Shiri Ram. (2010)
This fills a very welcome spot in the library collection - recipes from Samoa -- Rarotonga and the Cook Islands -- Vanuatu -- Fiji -- Tahiti -- The Kingdom of Tonga. This full colour book brings together a treasury of South Pacific cooking, arranged country by country. "The cuisines of the South Pacific island nations are noted for their sensational use of coconut cream, fresh fruit and the most delicate fish. Two years ago, New Zealand-born chef Robert Oliver, who has had a stellar career in the United States restaurant industry, went back to Fiji, where he grew up, to rediscover the art of Pacific cooking." (drawn from the publisher)

Sew eco : sewing sustainable and re-used materials, by Ruth Singer. (2010)
"A whole new generation of savvy craftsters have been dusting off old sewing machines and revving them up, but they don't want to make just any old thing. This book will guide readers through a series of 20 stylish sewing projects with a focus on sourcing and using sustainable fabrics. The projects teach different aspects of sewing, starting with making cushions from recycled shirts, old jumpers, vintage buttons and other materials, working through making simple skirts and bags, to using leather applique, working with vintage lace and peace silk, using organic fabrics for scarves and shawls and even 'upcycling' an old suede skirt or hat into something new and fabulous. " (drawn from the publisher's description)

The Great wrong War : New Zealand society in WWI, by Stevan Eldred-Grigg.
"For New Zealand, World War One was wholly avoidable, wholly unnecessary and almost wholly disastrous. Stevan Eldred-Grigg believes that the enormous cost of the war to our people was way too high - and that we still feel the effects of this cost, socially and culturally, today. This is excellent narrative non-fiction, analyzing our history in a very different way to what's been done before. It's very accessible, almost chatty but backed up with meticulous research. Stevan goes against the accepted line and gives us a facsinating look into our social history before, during and just after WW1. Why did we go to the war in Europe? Was the country united in its desire for war? What were the economic and social consequences? What has been the impact on the psyches of NZ's men? ... Back cover.

On this day in New Zealand by Ron Palenski.
This books lists chronologically, by month and day, significant events that affected New Zealand and New Zealanders - a wonderful trip down our own history. Beginning with pre-European times, it covers the colonial period, both world wars and right up to the present day. Both the great affairs of state but events that touched the lives of all New Zealanders are included. Well known author Ron Palenski has written more than 30 books in a long and distinguished career. He is currently working towards his doctorate in New Zealand history.

Inspirational gardens of New Zealand by Kristin Lammerting ; photography by Ferdinand Graf von Luckner.
The title says it all. In a country where the landscape itself is inspirational, this is a collection of gardens, shaped and trained into something to delight the eye. From 100% NZ native (Te Kainga Marire) to the rhododendrons of Pukeiti, to the Tasman Rose gardens to the Bloke's garden at Broadfields in Christchurch there is something here to inspire everyone. Most of the gardens selected are open to the public.

Eavesdropping : an intimate history, by John L. Locke.
"In this entertaining study, Locke examines the ways in which privacy has changed over the course of history. Putting the Facebook generation in perspective, he contends that a lack of privacy made our distant ancestors feel secure "because they could see each other at all times" (as is the case with animals and birds). As societies became more sedentary, we built houses, but privacy within was also limited. At times, the church urged congregants to watch one another for wickedness, and information gleaned was used at trial. As our fellow humans became increasingly hidden, gossip and the "busy body" achieved social prominence. Snooping became frowned upon and, by 1601, using ill-gotten information for blackmail was a criminal act in England. Locke suggests that our love of stories is based on a less personal sort of eavesdropping: not only do we empathize with other people but we seek to refine our knowledge of the minds of others. As Locke has proven with his book, taking a closer look at the ordinary can bring surprising insights. " (drawn from Publishers' Weekly)

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