Books - New Releases

New Zealand is a golf-lover's paradise and this is the definitive guide to the country's most interesting, beautiful, challenging and exhilarating golf holes - the ones that will linger in your memory long after the games are over and the scores forgotten.

This striking book, with full colour photographs and contact details for every featured course, is the perfect golfer's gift. It includes fabulous holes at Cape Kidnappers, declared by the UK Telegraph in 2008 to be No 1 of the 'World's Top Ten Golf Courses'.

A bike ride that began with 26 friends in 1977 is today New Zealand's premier cycling event. Covering a scenic course on 160 kilometres of sealed road around beautiful Lake Taupo, it caters for riders of all abilities, and attracts around 12,000 entrants, with numbers increasing every year. In 2007 it was named one of the best rides in the world by the International Cycling Union.

Whether you're riding for fun or competitively, this book contains all the information you'll need to prepare for the event and have a great ride on the day.

"An excellent publication, perfectly written for novices and experts alike. This guide will be useful not just for the Taupo ride, but for any medium- to long-distance road race."
JONATHAN KENNETT, author of RIDE: The Story of Cycling in New Zealand

At the age of 23, Edinburgh-born James Hector struck out for the wilds of southwest Canada on the daring Palliser expedition, was nearly buried alive at Kicking Horse Pass, and returned to Britain a hero. In 1862, at the age of 28, he sailed to New Zealand to take up a job as Otago provincial geologist. In less than eight years he founded all New Zealand's major scientific institutions, which survive to this day - the Colonial Museum (now Te Papa), the NZ Institute (now the Royal Society) and the NZ Geological Survey (now GNS Science).

In this superb collection of essays, scientists, historians and Hector's descendants tell the remarkable story of James Hector's life and work.

"Enthralling story of an unsung hero"
- TV3 News

WINNER, MONTANA NEW ZEALAND BOOK
AWARD FOR CONTEMPORARY CULTURE

A special new hardback collector's edition of this enduring book.
o Beautiful new design by Sarah Maxey
o Striking jacket and case binding
o French folds
o 24-page colour section

BEST ART BOOK OF THE YEAR - New Zealand Listener and The Press

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS OF THE YEAR -
The Dominion Post

For a decade Steve Braunias's articles and columns have captivated, amused and enraged readers of first the Listener and then The Sunday Star-Times. His blend of opinion, wit and personal revelation has made him one of New Zealand's most talked-about writers, and he has won more awards than almost any other journalist. This book is his personal selection of columns from the past two years.

This landmark book will excite readers of all ages about the extraordinary scientific breakthroughs made by New Zealand scientists. The stories, mainly by the scientists themselves, range from early naturalists' observations of birds and insects to physicists' discoveries about atoms and DNA, and the 21st-century unveiling of extra-solar planets.
If you think science is too hard, think again. This book is brilliantly accessible, and many of the pieces read like detective stories.

'I could not put down this wonderful collection of writings by remarkable people, many heroes and several geniuses'
PROFESSOR GERRY GILMORE, Institute of Astronomy, Cambridge University

'A compelling read ... I was so absorbed I didn't put it down until I had finished it'
JOHN GARDNER, The Weekend Herald

In 2007, journalist Steve Braunias embarked on a series of 27 interviews, one a week, profiling New Zealanders famous and infamous, both publicity-seekers and those rather keener to hide from the spotlight. The startling survey of the national psyche stirred controversy, hilarity, and even animosity.

'Braunias proves that he is our best newspaper feature writer'
Warwick Roger, North & South

'A funny, touching and smart little package, well worth the asking price. Recommended'
Sam Finnemore, Craccum

This brilliant personal finance guide will change forever the way you think about money. Financial planner Liz Koh reveals that each of us has hidden attitudes that strongly influence our ability to create wealth. Uncover your true money per-
sonality and move into a new chapter in your life.

'Over my business lifetime I've read hundreds of books on motivation, business procedure, financial success etc. I wish I'd had access to your book first. It would have saved me a decade of searching.' A personal endorsement from Alastair, who attended one of Liz Koh's recent money seminars.

'An insightful read that will help you become smarter with money and invest better'
ROB STOCK, The Sunday Star-Times

Click here to watch Paul Henry interview Liz Koh on TV1's Breakfast Show

A young man arrives to teach English in Japan under the JET programme, but what has he got himself into? We absolutely guarantee you will love this warm, funny, wonderful story of adventure, education, home appliances and how not to choose a girlfriend.

'Hamish Beaton's spirited sense of humour, self-deprecating eye and easy writing style make this book a terrific read'
MARINA SKINNER, The Dominion Post

'Highly entertaining and often hilarious - this is travel writing at its best'
GRAEME LAY, author of The Miss Tutti Frutti Contest

SHORTLISTED FOR MONTANA BOOK AWARD 2008

On 8 June 2004, the planet Venus moved across the face of the sun. This historic event - visible from most parts of the world - was rare: the last transit of Venus had happened 121 years before.

In this superb book, acclaimed scientists and historians write captivatingly of the amazing history of the quest to observe successive Transits of Venus, starting in the 18th century, and the role of these expeditions in expanding the 'known world', and revealing the astonishing seafaring abilities of Polynesian peoples.