Travel Books
Discover the world through a different lense with tales of adventure, isolation and facts about countries close and far with our range of travel books.
Showing all 14 results
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
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
Guiding Lights
USD $27.99 Tax IncludedThe Extraordinary Lives of Lighthouse Women
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.
Specifications: 9781925820621 | Cased & Jacket | 229 x 152mm / 9 x 6in | 256 pages
Going by Train
The Complete New Zealand Railways Story
Railways played a pivotal part in the development of New Zealand’s economy, towns and cities, and helped shape a distinctive culture. This is a comprehensive account of our railways story, from the earliest days of the colony, through rail’s growth and golden days, slow decline and recent resurgence. Fully illustrated, and written in a very readable style, rail fans and general readers alike will enjoy its wide-ranging topics, generous illustrations, anecdotes and personal accounts.
SPECIFICATIONS: 9781775593553 |Cover & Jacket | 260 x 183 mm / 10.25 x 7.25 inches | 312 Pages | Colour
Wake of the Invercauld
USD $34.99 Tax IncludedNZ Customers Special Sale (Limited Time Offer as shown)
Shipwrecked in the sub-Antarctic: A great-granddaughter’s pilgrimage
This is the story of Robert Holding, a young English adventurer who was only 23 when he was shipwrecked with 19 others on the Auckland Islands in the sub-Antarctic Ocean in 1864. A year later he was rescued, along with only two of his shipmates. The others had perished from starvation and exposure.
It was when Madelene Ferguson Allen was researching the history of her birth family that she discovered she was Holding’s great-granddaughter. Then she learned of the existence of his account of the shipwreck and his enforced stay on the Aucklands, so she decided to retrace his footsteps. This book is an account of her journey, not only tracing the voyage of the Invercauld, but also the life of Robert Holding. Allen intersperses her narrative with extracts from Holding’s own journal, revealing an extraordinary tale of survival, in which conflict, cannibalism and cunning all play a part. The survivors’ rescue is in itself a hair-raising tale of intrigue and deception.
Wake of the Invercauld is a gripping story that will enthral anyone interested in true adventure at sea.
SPECIFICATIONS: Hardback | 260 x 186 mm | 10.2 x 7.3 inches | Colour | 256 Pages
Trial of Strength
USD $29.99 Tax IncludedAdventures and misadventures on the wild and remote subantarctic islands
The subantarctic islands circle the lower part of the globe below New Zealand, Australia, Africa and South America in the ‘Roaring Forties’ and ‘Furious Fifties’ latitudes. They are filled with unique plants and wildlife, constantly buffeted by lashing rain and furious gales, and have a rich and fascinating human history. Trial of Strength tells the compelling stories of these islands and will leave you with an appreciation for the tenacity of the human race and the forbidding forces of nature.
SPECIFICATIONS: Hardback | 260 x 186 mm / 10.25 x 7.25 Inches | Colour | 264 Pages
A Scottish Year: Twelve Months in the Life of Scotland’s Kids
USD $17.99 Tax IncludedMeet Isla, Sophie, Dominik, James and Rashida — Scottish children representing a multicultural blend of culture and race that typifies our beautiful country. They will take you through a year in the life of Scottish kids, from celebrations to traditions to events, to our everyday way of life and the little things that make childhood so memorable.
They are our Scottish childhood. A Scottish Year is a picture book bursting with national pride. It is a snapshot of who we are as a nation, blending our modern-day culture and lifestyle with past traditions and strong heritage. Its pages feature meandering text, dates and gorgeous illustrations, showcasing our five Scottish children at play, at school, at home, and enjoying the sights and sites of Scotland — from our heather-strewn Highlands to our historical cities, pristine outer islands and charming rural towns.
Download the Teacher’s Notes Here
SPECIFICATIONS: Hardcover | 245 x 255 mm / 9½ x 10 Inches | Colour | 32 Pages |
An English Year: Twelve Months in the Life of England’s Kids
USD $17.99 Tax IncludedAmelia, Tandi and George — English children representing a multicultural blend of culture and race that typifies our beautiful country. They will take you through a year in the life of English kids, from celebrations to traditions to events, to our everyday way of life and the little things that make childhood so memorable. They are our English childhood.
An English Year is a picture book bursting with national pride. It is a snapshot of who we are as a nation, blending our modern-day culture and lifestyle with past traditions and strong heritage. Its pages feature meandering text, dates and gorgeous illustrations showcasing our five English children at play, at school, at home, and enjoying the sights and sites of England — from the northern moors and breathtaking Lake District, to our pebbly seasides, bustling cities and historical country towns.
Download the Teacher’s Notes Here
SPECIFICATIONS: Hardcover | 245 x 255 mm / 9½ x 10 Inches | Colour | 32 Pages |
An Aussie Year: Twelve Months in the Life of Australian Kids
USD $14.99 Tax IncludedAn Aussie Year is a picture book bursting with national pride. It is a snapshot of who we are as a nation, and covers our modern day culture, lifestyle and traditions. Its pages feature trailing, meandering text, dates and gorgeous illustrations showing our five Aussie children at play, at school, at home, and enjoying their parts of Australia .
Meet Ned, Lily, Zoe, Kirra and Matilda — Australian children representing a multicultural blend of culture and race that typifies our beautiful country. They are taking you through a year in the life of Australian kids, from celebrations to traditions to events, to our everyday way of life. They are Australia. Charming, whimsical and inclusive. The characters and illustrations cover the complete Australian ‘experience’. Perfect for children aged 4 to 12, with a literacy level for self-reading of 8 to 9.
Download the Teacher’s Notes Here
SPECIFICATIONS: Paperback | 245 x 255 mm / 9½ x 10 Inches | Colour | 32 Pages |
A Texas Year: Twelve Months in the Life of Texan Kids
USD $17.99 Tax IncludedMeet Luis, Alexis, Christopher, Ethan, and Mia — Texan kids representing a blend of culture and race that typifies this amazing state. They’ll take you through a year in the life of Texan kids, from celebrations, traditions and events, to the everyday way of life and the little things that make childhood so memorable.
A Texas Year is a picture book bursting with state pride. It’s a snapshot of who Texans are, blending modern-day culture and lifestyle with past traditions and multicultural heritage. Its pages feature meandering text, dates and gorgeous illustrations showcasing five Texan children at play, at school, at home, and enjoying the sights and sites of this great state. From the plains and canyons of the Panhandle to the beaches and wetlands of the Gulf Coast, vibrant cities and friendly country towns, this is the Texan childhood.
SPECIFICATIONS: Hardcover | 245 x 255 mm / 9½ x 10 Inches| Colour | 32 Pages |
Remote Britain
Landscape, people and books
Remote Britain relishes the ever-changing great landscapes of this fascinating island and the people who grow out of them. And the constant surprises. Who realises how sharp are the contrasts to be found within the Isles of Scilly or the Isle of Wight, how remote it is possible to feel in Essex, or how extraordinary is ‘Yorkshire’s teardrop’, Spurn Point, way out in the Humber estuary?
As in his acclaimed Journey Through Britain to which this is a worthy successor, Mr Thomas finds remains of railways and even active steam trains in the most unlikely of places, stays in hotels to fall in love with or to hate, and is never short of people to express their own views, as he does colourfully himself in chapters such as In the Footsteps of the Queen Mother.
Here is a book to dip into, savour and refer to many times.
SPECIFICATIONS: Hardback | 234 x 153 mm | 536 Pages + 16 Pages of Colour Photographs |
Railway Season
Celebrate the days when trains were trains, individual expresses had their own character, serving their passengers in style in the restaurant car, and connecting services ran over picturesque branch lines that were a very part of the countryside they served. Railway Season captures all our railway yesterdays with panache.
This is indeed a railway book like no other, a portfolio of word portraits by an enthusiast who knows his subject intimately and is never at a loss for a telling example.
Though this is not specifically a book about the countryside, inevitably it looms large since even intercity trains run through it, as demonstrated in the chapter ‘A country journey like no other’, which also emphasises the author’s West Country background. But whatever your interest in railways and wherever your favourite part of the countryside, there is much here for you. The chapter on railways for pleasure perhaps sums it all up.
SPECIFICATIONS: Cased and Jacket | 195 x 135 mm | 192 Pages |
Journey Through Britain: Landscape, People, Books
In his ‘thinking traveller’s tour’, David St John Thomas journeys by rail and ‘Little Car’ around Britain, exploring the fascinating and diverse character of Britain today. He reflects on Britain, Britishness, the British people and how they have changed, not always for the worse, over the fifty-odd years he has known them as an author and a publisher.
Taking in places as various as beaches, mountain moors, industrial and early Christian sites, great hotels, art galleries, canals and cycleways, meeting people- famous ones, friends, gardeners, railwaymen, craftsmen, bus conductors- who enrich his journey with their stories and observations, and drawing on literature and history, he discovers the true heartbeat of the country. The result is a narrative that surprises, amuses and engages, as well as offering a treasure trove of facts, anecdotes and new perspectives on this extraordinary nation.
SPECIFICATIONS: Hardback/Paperback | 240 x 160mm / 198 x 126 mm | 700 Pages |
Untamed Coast (3rd Edition)
Auckland’s Waitakere Ranges and Heritage Area
The Waitakere Ranges and West Coast beaches are sublime jewels in Auckland’s landscape. Tens of thousands of people visit the area each year, attracted by the many walks, spectacular views, native wildlife, fishing and superb surfing beaches. In recent years the Waitakeres have been showcased internationally through films like The Piano and Memory and Desire, and television series such as Xena and Hercules.
In Untamed Coast, Bob Harvey not only describes the natural beauty of the Waitakeres, but also outlines the ancient Maori history, the more recent pioneering past, and profiles some of the area’s main characters – adding many fascinating anecdotes and stories not found elsewhere. He also includes detailed guides (with maps) to many of the recreational walks in the ranges.
This third edition has been extensively updated with new text and dozens of new photographs. A special feature of this new edition is a new chapter describing the recently opened Hillary Trail. Ted Scott’s splendid photographs add richness to the book, making this one of the finest local tourist books ever published in New Zealand.
Specifications: 9780908988679 | Paperback | 286 x 210mm | 208 Pages| Full Colour