Fans of Jane Austen know her characters inside out, yet are often left wondering: who was the person behind the pen? Designed like a personal journal, Jane Austen’s Notebook is a full, detailed account of Austen’s life, exploring how she felt about being published and examining her amazing legacy. Exquisitely designed and illustrated, the book brings to life one of the most revered novelists in the English language and will be a delightful addition to the collections of Jane Austen fans everywhere.
Specifications: Hardback | 208 x 155mm | 160 Pages | approx. 200; full colour
A beautifully written and deeply affecting account of a woman raised in the Australian Outback, who then returned there as a doctor in the Royal Flying Doctor Service. It explores the beautiful and harsh realities of providing life-saving care in extreme conditions, as well as the quiet moments of seeing a patient’s bravery, gaining their trust, and being inspired to become a better doctor. A fascinating story about courage, human connection, and the people and places that shape us.
Women have a long history of keeping the lights burning, from tending ancient altar flames or bonfires to modern-day lighthouse keeping. Yet most of their stories are little known. Guiding Lights includes stories from around the world spanning two millennia, as we discover the physical and mental risks of isolation, the heroism of the female keepers, how they came to be hired (especially in the 19th century), and the mysteries and legends that are inextricably part of lighthouse history.
The Story of Croats in New Zealand through publications
The book gives an insight into the life of Croats in New Zealand throughout history, providing a systematic presentation of publications, cultural societies and communication on social networking sites.
The life of the early Croatian settlers was not easy – working all days in the gumfields with no knowledge of the English language, and no money to return to their homeland. Newspapers were an important source of information, not only about their old, but also about their new country.
Specifications: Paperback | 229 x 152mm | 380 pages
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)
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
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
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
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 is a new imprint from Exisle Publishing. Capturing the wisdom of the past to enhance our future. Find out more at EmotionalInheritance.org
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
How 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 is a new imprint from Exisle Publishing. Capturing the wisdom of the past to enhance our future. Find out more at EmotionalInheritance.org
The 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
‘In Her Own Words: The writings of Elizabeth Macquarie’ is a beautifully presented volume containing the annotated letters and journal of Elizabeth Macquarie, wife of early colonial Australia’s planning visionary, Lachlan Macquarie. This publication is historically significant as until now, very little has been in print about Elizabeth Macquarie and her influence in the shaping of our nation.
SPECIFICATIONS: Hardback | 270 x 250 mm | 264 Pages |
A mother’s story of hope, courage and determination
Paper Cranes is the moving story of Cheryl Koenig, a Sydney mother whose son Jonathan was left brain-damaged after an horrific car accident, and the amazing sense that together with persistence, determination, family and love, almost any challenge can be faced and conquered. Jonathan has defied the odds and lives a rich and fulfilling life.
SPECIFICATIONS: Paperback with Flaps |234 x 153 mm | 256 Pages | 8pp Photographs
Few people can appreciate the joy that being owned by a cat brings better than David St John Thomas — the latest in a long line of publishers and authors to pay homage to the very special cats who have entered their busy lives.
This is a book for everyone who really cares about cats. Vividly written, sometimes serious, sometimes light-hearted, anyone who has fallen for a cat, however much against their better judgement, is bound to find it uplifting. While cat people are nice (Hitler couldn’t stand them!), the real heroes in this book are naturally the cats themselves. A rich portfolio of feline characters — including the author’s own cats — step off the page, of perhaps lie curled in seductive curves on it, so vividly that you can feel their fur and hear their purr!
Rich in entertaining anecdotes and asides, For the Love of a Cat will enhance every cat owner’s understanding of their feline friend and remind them again and again just how lucky they are to share their lives with this most fascinating of creatures.
Specifications: 9781921497360 | Paperback | 190 x 135mm / 7.5 x 5.3in | 248 Pages
This is a story of an ordinary girl from Germany who became caught up in the inner workings of the Nazi war machine. Louise Fox had grown up while the Nazis steadily took full control of the country and like so many of her age group Nazism was considered to be just normal. As a teenager she was first involved in the effort to provide anti-aircraft equipment for the Luftwaffe and to kit out Rommel for the North African campaign. She was a hard worker and was promoted to the rank of captain in the Luftwaffe’s supreme command headquarters in Potsdam, near Berlin. She caught Hermann Goering’s eye when he awarded her a medal for bravery in the capture of a downed British airman, and was sent to work in the Air Ministry making appointments and assisting Goering. As the war intensified on two fronts Louise was transferred back to Potsdam to manage the huge task of securing appropriate ammunition supplies for the Luftwaffe, a job she held for the rest of the war.
She married an airman who three weeks later was killed in action. Louise was posted with her colleagues to the Eastern Front and escaped with them all in Hitler’s “strategic retreat” ahead of the Red Army. In the last few months of the war she was captured and imprisoned by the Americans. She escaped and began an event-filled 1,000-kilometre hike to the safety of relatives. Life was difficult after the war and Louise entered the black market and was imprisoned. She eventually found a pen pal in Tasmania and much to the amazement of friends migrated there – selling Volkswagens to make a living.
Specifications: 9780908988655 | Paperback | 234 x 153mm / 9.2 x 6in | 232 Pages
In 1999, idealistic 23-year-old Registered Nurse Sharon Bown left her comfortable family life in Tasmania and joined the Royal Australian Air Force with the aim of providing humanitarian aid to the world.
Through her 16-year military career she deployed on three operations, barely survived a helicopter crash, struggled to return to military service, mixed in political circles in Canberra and around the world as Aide de Camp to the Minister for Defence, and commanded a combat surgical team during some of the most intense fighting in Afghanistan.
From teaching East Timorese orphans to learn English to tending to wounded Coalition soldiers choppered into her surgical team from deadly battles on the Afghan dust, Sharon’s story is that of a sheltered civilian RN becoming a military Nursing Officer and a commander.
Her military service was unique, varied and far-reaching but came at the cost of her physical and mental health. A broken back, shattered jaw and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder are the price she has paid for a remarkable and inspirational career in the Royal Australian Air Force.
SPECIFICATIONS: Paperback | 229 x 152 mm / 9 x 6 Inches | Approx. 30 Colour Photographs | 248 Pages |
The book Purple Dandelion is the true story of Farida Sultana, an extraordinary Muslim woman and single mother, whose remarkable life began in Bangladesh when as a young girl, she found herself in conflict with her traditional family values and the Islamic culture that prevents girls and women from learning music and arts. Later her arranged marriage to a doctor at the age of 18 took her to war-torn Iran with her husband and young daughter, then to the UK, and finally to New Zealand. Her personal journey included episodes of domestic violence as she sought to find herself and her true role in the world.
Purple Dandelion brings to life the experiences and struggles of some of these courageous women. In recent years Farida has been working in Asian and Middle Eastern countries encouraging women to condemn violence and claim their human rights.
SPECIFICATIONS: Paperback | 234 x 153 mm / 9 ⅕ x 6 Inches | 256 Pages |
