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 28 results

Secrets of Great Botanists

USD $24.99 Tax Included

And What They Teach Us About Gardening

Due for release  in October 2024  


Welcome to the lives of 35 botanists from our past and present, driven by an insatiable desire to learn and discover, whose study of plants revolutionised the scientific world and increased our understanding of the importance plants have on our survival. Illustrated with beautiful period botanical watercolours and vibrant photographs, this inspiring and practical guide delves into the qualities that brought them success and shows what ordinary gardeners can learn from their legacies

Specifications: Paperback | 230 x 170mm  | 224 Pages

The Antipodean Express

USD $39.99 Tax Included

A journey by train from New Zealand to Spain

Due for release  in May 2024


A railway adventure tracing a journey from the author’s home in New Zealand to its exact antipodes in rural Spain. The narrative recounts 89 consecutive days of travel with 33 trains through 19 countries. It describes most of the great trains of the Eurasian hemisphere, from New Zealand’s Northern Explorer to the Eurostar and everything in between. Full of people, memories, history, and places – anyone interested in travel, trains, food, music and cultures will love taking this armchair journey

Specifications: Paperback | 235 x 155mm / 9.25 x 6.25 in | 296 Pages

Island Girl to Airline Pilot

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A story of love, sacrifice and taking flight

This is the life story of Silva Mcleod, the first Tongan woman to become an airline pilot. She’s still one of only a handful. Told by Silva with frankness and wit, it’s quite a story. Silva takes us on a journey of cultural change from her beginnings as a poor island girl to her marriage to an Australian. The challenges of pursuing a flying career and its impact on her family are set against the backdrop of the love story of her life with her husband and his battle with cancer.


SPECIFICATIONS:  Paperback| 229 x 152 mm  | 320 Pages | approx. 30 photographs (Color)

Voices of World War II-Flexibound

Download Teacher’s Notes

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 | Flexi-Bound| Illustrated | 296 pages

The Turning Point

USD $27.99 Tax Included

Moments that changed lives

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:  Hardback | 229 x 152mm / 9 x 6in | 256 Pages

Clare Reilly

USD $55.99 Tax Included

Eye of the Calm

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

ALSO AVAILABLE AS A LEATHER BOUND, SIGNED AND NUMBERED LIMITED EDITION

Clare Reilly (Limited Leather-Bound Edition)

USD $199.99 Tax Included

Eye of the Calm

Exclusive to ANZ

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 Included

Also available in Audiobook | eBook


The 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: Cover & Jacket | 260 x 186mm / 10.25 x 7.25in

Discover more about Max Quinn Here

Celebrating Australia’s Magnificent Wildlife

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The 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

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True 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 Included

New 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

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True 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

 

Timeless Wisdom

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

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True 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

Timeless Wisdom

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 Included

Also available in Audiobook | eBook


Unleashing 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

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True 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

Timeless Wisdom

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

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True 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

Timeless Wisdom

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.

Key Questions in Personal History – Boxed Card Set

USD $19.99 Tax Included

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, 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