Biography and Personal History
Discover the stories of some of the world’s most fascinating people, from adventurers and serving military members, to the recounts of everyday people.
Showing 1–20 of 25 results
Voices of World War II
Pre-Order your copy today!
(Due for release 3rd November in ANZ)
New Zealanders Share Their Stories
In this collection of memories sent in by families across New Zealand, you will find a rare insight into wartime life across generations and vocations. Fascinating and genuine, it is both a tribute to the resilience and bravery of those who served in WWII, and a historical account which will teach younger generations about the lives of their ancestors.
Descriptions are given by a solider lying in his tent, hearing bombs land close by; young school children explain what it was like to have bomb shelter practices at school; a Land Girl meets the farmer she would work with for the first time.
This book is a visually captivating compendium of photographs and written accounts, it provides a snapshot of what life was like during WWII, from the point of view of those who lived through it.
SPECIFICATIONS 280mm x 210mm | Hardback PLC | Illustrated | 296 pages | 9781775594314
The Turning Point
USD $27.99 Tax IncludedMoments that changed lives
Due for release 6th October in ANZ / 12th October in UK/CAN / 9th November in US
Pre-order your copy now!
The Turning Point is a rare glimpse into the most important and fascinating moments of people’s lives. A collection of extraordinary entries received in an international writing competition, it contains stories about everyday people, from all over the world. Find out about the moment when love came along in a note under a windscreen wiper, when the death of a new friend inspired a teenager to live life to its fullest, and more, in this captivating insight into the human condition.
SPECIFICATIONS: 9781922539021 | Hardback | 229 x 152mm / 9 x 6in | 256 Pages
Clare Reilly
USD $36.99 Tax IncludedEye of the Calm
Due for release 6th October in ANZ / 12th October in UK/US/CAN. Pre-order your copy now!
Clare Reilly: Eye of the Calm is a celebration of artist Clare Reilly’s life and work. Reilly’s passions for coastal New Zealand and the country’s wildlife are brought to life in this beautiful collection, which explores themes of habitat destruction and renewal, grief, finding new paths, and the joyful movement of birds in flight. Experience a sense of calm and hope with this story of a fascinating life told through both words and imagery. A beautiful, meditative exploration of a life’s work.
SPECIFICATIONS: 9781775594291 | Hardback | 254 x 254mm | 10 x 10in | 144 Pages | Full Colour
Clare Reilly (Limited Leather-Bound Edition)
Eye of the Calm
Exclusive to ANZ and due for release 6th October. Pre-order your copy now!
Clare Reilly: Eye of the Calm is a celebration of artist Clare Reilly’s life and work. Reilly’s passions for coastal New Zealand and the country’s wildlife are brought to life in this beautiful collection, which explores themes of habitat destruction and renewal, grief, finding new paths, and the joyful movement of birds in flight. Experience a sense of calm and hope with this story of a fascinating life told through both words and imagery. A beautiful, meditative exploration of a life’s work.
This limited leather-bound edition is the perfect gift for art lovers and anyone who appreciates New Zealand’s stunning landscape.
SPECIFICATIONS: 9781775594307 | Leather-Bound Hardback | 254 x 254mm | 10 x 10in | 144 Pages | Full Colour
Stephen Hawking
Scientists Who Changed the World
Stephen Hawking advanced our understanding of the universe more than any other scientist of his day. His career was intrinsically tied to his impact on society, and he was a source of inspiration to many people who also fought the odds to achieve their dreams.
This beautifully designed biography will teach young readers what Hawking learned about black holes and time, why he believed that humans must live on other planets, and how his discoveries have changed our understanding of the world!
Click here to view Teacher’s Notes.
The ‘Scientists Who Changed the World’ series looks at some of the world’s greatest scientists and how their work and discoveries changed society. It takes the social and theological forces that affected scientists in each individual era and examines how their discoveries in turn helped shaped the world around them, both at the time and in the future.
Specifications: 9781925820720 | Hardback | 235 x 184mm / 9 x 7in | 64 Pages | Full Colour | EK Books
A Life of Extremes
USD $35.99 Tax IncludedThe Life and Times of a Polar Filmmaker
Max Quinn’s filmmaking career has taken him to the ends of the earth, from his native New Zealand to Alaska; Antarctica to the Arctic. A Life of Extremes is a personal account of his work, featuring vibrant text and stunning images that illustrate 20 years of adventures in polar climates. Learn, from behind the camera, about the natural history and wildlife of our world. Leave the tourist trail behind with this unique insight into life in the immensely beautiful, most extreme places on earth.
Specifications: 9781775594321 | Cover & Jacket | 260 x 186mm / 10.25 x 7.25in |
Discover more about Max Quinn Here
Celebrating Australia’s Magnificent Wildlife
USD $36.99 Tax IncludedThe Art of Daryl Dickson
Celebrating Australia’s Magnificent Wildlife is a celebration of Daryl Dickson’s beautiful work. From black-winged stilts to brushtail possums, see the variety and color of Australian wildlife contained in one wonderful book. Dickson’s passion for the conservation of wildlife and wild places has informed and inspired her work. She highlights the natural beauty of species that deserve to be saved in what is essential reading for anyone with an interest in the natural world.
The work of artists crosses borders, boundaries and language barriers. Painting wildlife does not need language to explain the essence of the beauty, landscape or movement of a creature. Witness the ancient tropical forests and majestic landscapes of northern Queensland, Australia — home to some of the world’s rarest and most fascinating species. View a lifetime of artworks, showcased in this large-format, beautifully designed book that is an essential addition to coffee tables everywhere.
Australian Women’s Weekly Christmas Issue
“Art and conservation merge in this stunning tome.”
Specifications: 9781925820607 | Cased and Jacket | 254 x 254mm / 10 x 10in | 144 pages | full colour
Fearless Footsteps
USD $17.99 Tax IncludedTrue Stories That Capture the Spirit of Adventure
Travelling the world is an exhilarating, eye-opening, life-affirming experience. But it can also be scary to even think about. There are language barriers, borders to cross, planes to fly in, and of course, the mystery of an unknown land. It can be difficult to take the chance, even when you’re yearning for adventure.
This inspirational collection of true travel stories proves that the best journeys are to be had when you feel the fear but go anyway. From a nervous flier anxiously taking to the skies for the first time to a female traveller braving the Middle East, from a death-defying hike on an Indonesian volcano to the anxious freedom of finding yourself alone on the other side of the world, these stories are certain to send you looking for your passport.
Created by the popular travel writing website, Intrepid Times, as part of an international writing competition that saw entries pouring in from across the globe, Fearless Footsteps is travel writing at both its most exhilarating and its most introspective. Covering every continent from Africa to Antarctica, these carefully selected stories get to the heart of what it means to be a traveller and see the world with courage, open-mindedness, and relentless curiosity.
Specifications: 9781925820577 | Paperback | 210 x 135mm / 8.25 x 5.25in | 240 Pages
Celebrating Australia’s Magnificent Wildlife (Limited Collector’s Edition)
The Art of Daryl Dickson
One for the collectors, this exquisite leatherette edition is limted to 100 copies only. Each book is numbered and signed by Daryl with its own unique artist mark so no two copies are the same, making this edition as rare as some of the species featured in its pages.
Celebrating Australia’s Magnificent Wildlife is a celebration of Daryl Dickson’s beautiful work and passion for conservation. The stunning animals around Dickson have informed her work for over 40 years. Witness the ancient tropical forests and majestic landscapes of Queensland, Australia — home to some of the world’s rarest and most fascinating species. View a lifetime of artworks, showcased in this beautiful, large-format book that is an essential addition for art and book collectors alike.
Australian Women’s Weekly Christmas Issue
“Art and conservation merge in this stunning tome.”
Specifications: 9781925820614 | Leatherette | 254 x 254mm | 144 Pages | Full Colour | FSC Certified
This is Us
USD $29.99 Tax IncludedNew Zealanders in our own words
This is Us is a collection of over 200 brief interviews with New Zealanders, spanning the length and breadth of the country; from Cape Reinga to Stewart Island. It was written in response to the Christchurch terrorist attack but is not about it; it is instead a representation of the New Zealand people in their own words. A celebration of the diverse, open, and inclusive communities that exist across New Zealand, This is Us inspires hope by showing the kindness and spirit of everyday people.
Each interview provides a snapshot of the subject’s life, accompanied by a photographic portrait. The joy interviewees felt in telling their stories shines from the page. Each of the interviewees has a unique story to tell, and to have them collected in one place creates an engaging and insightful reading experience that will delight anyone interested in finding out more about Kiwi society and culture.
Carter spoke with characters from a variety of professions, age groups and cultural backgrounds. From a New Zealander with a long line of Kiwi ancestors, to a person with a Māori name but Italian and Brazilian parents, this collection reflects the ethnic diversity and cultural riches of New Zealand. This is Us is a tribute to the Kiwi spirit.
Specifications: 9781775594338 | Hardback | 235 x 191 mm | 192 pages
Love and Loss
USD $19.99 Tax IncludedTrue Stories That Reveal the Depths of the Human Experience
Time gives us the wisdom to realize a mother’s sacrifice, a father’s love, a friend’s loyalty, or a grandparent’s kindness, as loss and love turn to memory. These 25 true stories of loss and love from around the world are inspiring and heartbreaking reminders of what is most important: life, love, memory, beauty. Loved ones are honoured in this gripping compilation, interspersed with quotes by diverse people like Beethoven, Abraham Lincoln and Dr Seuss for a book to connect with time and again.
The fourth and final book in a diverse series of true stories collected from around the world.
SPECIFICATIONS: 9781925820072 | Hardback | 227 x 170 mm / 9 x 6.75 inches | 240 Pages
The ‘Timeless Wisdom’ series showcases a diverse range of true stories collected from around the world, all contributed by mature writers as part of an international competition. Interspersed between the stories are memorable quotes touching on each book’s theme. The resulting books are inspiring, surprising and profoundly enriching.
Struggle and Success
USD $19.99 Tax IncludedTrue Stories That Reveal the Depths of the Human Experience
We must all start somewhere. In this collection of real-life stories, 25 people take readers on an inspiring journey through the struggles they have overcome in pursuit of success. From small personal triumphs, to large career goals or lifetime achievements, each success, big or small, offers an insight into the inner workings of lives from around the globe, highlighting one of humankind’s greatest traits — resilience.
The third book in a diverse series of true stories collected from around the world.
SPECIFICATIONS: 9781925820089 | Hardback | 227 x 170 mm / 9 x 6.75 inches | 240 Pages
The ‘Timeless Wisdom’ series showcases a diverse range of true stories collected from around the world, all contributed by mature writers as part of an international competition. Interspersed between the stories are memorable quotes touching on each book’s theme. The resulting books are inspiring, surprising and profoundly enriching.
The Wisdom Years
USD $17.99 Tax IncludedUnleashing your potential in later life
We are now experiencing one of the most significant revolutions in human life: the dramatic rise in life expectancy.
The Wisdom Years is a practical, thought-provoking and life-changing read that reveals how we can re-frame our mindset so that we live life based on our ‘functional age’ rather than our ‘chronological age’.
The result is a book that carries a unique and inspiring message: life after retirement is to be enjoyed as a new, exciting and uplifting journey of personal evolution.
SPECIFICATIONS: 9781925820232| Paperback | 210 x 135 mm / 8.25 x 5.25 inches | 248 Pages | Emotional Inheritance
Emotional Inheritance
Emotional Inheritance is a new imprint from Exisle Publishing. Capturing the wisdom of the past to enhance our future. Find out more at EmotionalInheritance.org
Fear and Courage
USD $24.99 Tax IncludedTrue Stories That Reveal the Depths of the Human Experience
We have all felt fear, whether it’s our racing heart as we make a speech or the profound awareness of our own mortality as we await medical results.
Of course, the flip-side of fear is courage, as Nelson Mandela famously said, ‘I learned that courage was not the absence of fear but the triumph over it.’
25 true stories capture the full range of the fear and courage experience in the second book of the ‘Timeless Wisdom’ Series. At times humorous, often poignant, these stories shine a light on just what it means to be human.
SPECIFICATIONS: 9781925820065 | Hardback | 227 x 170 mm / 9 x 6.75 inches | 232 Pages
The ‘Timeless Wisdom’ series showcases a diverse range of true stories collected from around the world, all contributed by mature writers as part of an international competition. Interspersed between the stories are memorable quotes touching on each book’s theme. The resulting books are inspiring, surprising and profoundly enriching.
Human Kindness
USD $24.99 Tax IncludedTrue Stories That Reveal the Depths of the Human Experience
Kindness comes in many forms and affects all of us. As Mark Twain said, ‘Kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.’ And while a kind gesture can often simply make someone feel better about their day, sometimes — as the twenty-five true stories collected here show — it can save a life.
The first in the ‘Timeless Wisdom’ Series, these stories are sourced from around the world. They are of the everyday and the extraordinary. The result is a book that explores all that is best about human nature.
SPECIFICATIONS: 9781925820058 | Hardback | 227 x 170 mm / 9 x 6.75 inches | 240 Pages
The ‘Timeless Wisdom’ series showcases a diverse range of true stories collected from around the world, all contributed by mature writers as part of an international competition. Interspersed between the stories are memorable quotes touching on each book’s theme. The resulting books are inspiring, surprising and profoundly enriching.
Panzer Commander Hermann Balck
USD $29.99 Tax IncludedGermany’s Master Tactician
A history of one of the world’s greatest armoured warfare commanders, Hermann Balck (1897–1982). During World War II, he commanded panzer troops brilliantly, and we follow his exciting journey through the fields of France, mountains of Greece and steppes of Russia. It is also the story of a cultured and complex man with a great love of antiquity and classical literature, who nevertheless willingly fought for Hitler’s Third Reich while remaining strangely detached from the horrors around him.
SPECIFICATIONS: 9781925820003 | Hardback | 234 x 151 mm / 9.25 x 6 inches | 304Pages
Key Questions in Personal History – Boxed Card Set
USD $19.99 Tax IncludedOur individual memories define us. Our tribal memories unite us. Emotional Inheritance works with psychologists, writers and historians to provide a premium interview and life story production service.
Now, this boxed set of 100 cards provides simple effective questions to help you undertake this process yourself, without an external interviewer. Questions are grouped into categories so that a structured narrative and lasting legacy can be created from the interviewee’s answers.
SPECIFICATIONS: 9781925820140| Hardback | 95 x 95 /3.75 x 3.75 inches| 101 Cards
Finding True Connections
USD $24.99 Tax IncludedHow to Learn and Write About a Family Member’s History
Our individual memories define us. Our tribal memories unite us. Emotional Inheritance works with psychologists, writers and historians to provide a premium interview and life story production service. Now, Finding True Connections clearly and simply sets out how you can undertake this process yourself, without an external interviewer. Designed as a series of double-page spreads, on the left-hand page is a prompt question, while opposite are notes on how to gain the most meaningful answers, to do yourself or to discover more about a family member.
SPECIFICATIONS: 9781925820157| Hardback | 235 x 191 / 9.25 x 7.5 inches | 232 pages
Emotional Inheritance
Emotional Inheritance is a new imprint from Exisle Publishing. Capturing the wisdom of the past to enhance our future. Find out more at EmotionalInheritance.org
Arawata Bill
USD $14.99 Tax IncludedThe Story of Legendary Gold Prospector William James O’Leary
Arawata Bill (1865–1947) was a pioneering folk hero. He spent decades in the unforgiving mountain country of New Zealand’s South Island, prospecting for gold and other minerals and making new tracks in unexplored areas. His astonishing feats of endurance and tenacity, coupled with his charming eccentricity, have captured the imagination of generations, and Denis Glover immortalised him in his famous poem, ‘Arawata Bill’. Recently, a Californian Country Rock act have added his story to their ballads. This new edition of Ian Dougherty’s landmark biography includes information about O’Leary’s life that has only recently come to light.
‘If you like the mystery of hidden gold and stories of a pioneering hero, set amidst the awe-inspiring grandeur of South Westland, you’ll like this book. The cost won’t damage your pocket too much and it’ll do your heart good.’ New Zealand Wilderness
Specifications: 9781927147535 | Paperback | 210 x 148mm / 8.3 x 5.8in | 196 pages
Godley
USD $35.00 Tax IncludedThe Man Behind the Myth
A comprehensive biography of General Sir Alexander Godley, presenting for the first time a fair and balanced look at his time as commander of the New Zealand Expeditionary Force (NZEF) and II ANZAC Corps during World War I. While Godley is generally remembered as being a poor field commander, Terry Kinloch argues that he was in fact a capable one who had little or no ability to influence the failed battles at Gallipoli and Passchendaele that he is often seen as responsible for. Kinloch also presents, for the first time, a detailed account of Godley’s long pre- and post-World War I career in the British Army. After the war Godley returned to the British Army, eventually reaching the rank of general before retiring in 1933. During his 48-year military career, he also served on operations in Rhodesia and South Africa, as a mounted infantry instructor, in the post-war British occupation force in Germany, and as the Governor of Gibraltar.
SPECIFICATIONS: Hardback | 240 x 160 mm | 9.5 x 6.25 inches| 328 Pages