John Robert Godley, Edward Gibbon Wakefield, James Edward FitzGerald - these are the names that usually come to mind as the founders of Canterbury. But there was a fourth vitally important individual, arguably equal in importance to FitzGerald, whose story remains largely unknown. William Guise Brittan led the first Canterbury Pilgrims, chaired the Society of Canterbury Colonists and controlled the Land Office in early Christchurch. The 'bell-wether man' of the Canterbury project, he was the first to pay for land land in the settlement, inspiring others to follow his example. William Guise Brittan was also known as 'the Father of Cricket' in Canterbury and established three churches in Christchurch. The city's cathedral was built with stone from his Halswell quarry. His elder brother Joseph, who joined him in 1852, had a significant influence on local politics, as a provincial secretary, and was expected to follow FitzGerald as superintendent, though he lost the 1857 election. A former newspaper owner, he also founded the "Canterbury Standard" in 1854 as a rival to the "Lyttelton Times". He too, was a cricket enthusiast. The Brittan brothers were leading figures in the Canterbury settlement, and made substantial contributions to the province, yet they were unpopular, both their careers ended in failure and disappointment and they have been mostly forgotten. This timely and fascinating account seeks to explain why, exploring their work and family lives (and their bank accounts), and along the way providing a richly detailed panorama of life and politics in early Chistchurch.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 350

Dimensions: 155 x 228 mm

Publication Date: 20-08-2015

Malachi's life is dull,dull,dull. Dad's always busy and school is dreary, especially science. Then Malachi finds a mysterious bottle on the seashore, and things start to get exciting. What he discovers inside the bottle sends Malachi on the journey of his life. But pirates, smugglers, police and a grumpy pig soon have Malachi regretting his thirst fir adventure. There are battles to be won, and the only one who can fight them is Malachi. Can he save himself and the bottle? And what about the pig?

Bind: paperback

Publication Date: 01-06-2015

In "Subway Adventure Guide: New York City," residents and tourists alike gain access to off-the-beaten-path adventures in a compact guidebook format and see the New York City that's not featured on postcards sold all over Manhattan. Each of the roughly three dozen end-of-the-line destinations spread out over New York City's five boroughs included in this easy-to-use guide, from restaurants and bars to landmarks and museums, are highlighted in great detail by authors Kyle Knoke and Amy Plitt--what to order, what to see, and how to get there. For even better exploring, each destination is organized by the more than 30 subway lines that run through the city, including handy maps with street names. From delighting in a little-known ethnic restaurant to admiring a local landmark, each adventure contained in this photo-packed pocket guide reveals a new hidden gem of the city. Van Cortlandt Park. Far Rockaway. Bay Ridge. Flatbush Avenue. "Subway Adventure Guide: New York City" takes you away from the tourist traps and closer to a genuine New York City experience.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 208

Dimensions: 140 x 188 mm

Publication Date: 01-05-2015

For more than 20 years, the internationally acclaimed interior design magazine OBJEKT©International has shown us outstanding architecture, luxurious interiors, and artistic masterpieces. Now this visually stimulating reference for designers, homeowners, and art collectors is also available as an impressive coffee table book. Alongside diverse interiors from all over the world, the owners and their personal stories are also taken into focus. OBJEKT©International’s founder, Hans Fonk, has a knack for keeping up on the latest developments in design, art, and architecture and photographing and presenting the material in an appealing manner—making this opulent book a must-have for any design enthusiast.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 224

Dimensions: 250 x 320 mm

Publication Date: 20-03-2015

A completely irresistible collection of knitting patterns for utterly cute baby clothes. These patterns will give great delight both to the knitter and to all who see the results on tiny new babies.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 112

Dimensions: 217 x 280 mm

Publication Date: 31-05-2015

The designs include many species of orchid, rhizomes, gingers, heliconias, bird of paradise, anthurium, bougainvillea and many more. A comprehensive introduction covering all the essential information on materials, tools, techniques and basic recipes is followed by a section taking each featured cake in turn. For each cake, easy-to-follow instructions are given on how to construct and build-up individual flowers, foliage and fruit and then how to arrange these individual elements into an arrangement that can be used either to decorate a cake or on its own as a table centrepiece, for example. Finally, instructions are given on how to make each cake and secure the arrangement, if you choose to use it in this way. If you're looking for the ultimate guide to making exotic and tropical sugar flowers, this book won't fail to impress.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 144

Dimensions: 213 x 255 mm

Publication Date: 29-05-2015

The world's leading whittling expert teams up with the world's most popular pocketknife in this fun new book! Chris Lubkemann reveals his award-winning whittling secrets in dozens of simple step-by-step projects. Published in collaboration with Victorinox® AG, makers of the Original Swiss Army Knife.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 136

Dimensions: 154 x 230 mm

Publication Date: 20-05-2015

Follow these simple instructions and your puppy should develop into a delightful, obedient and devoted member of your family. He will bring you great companionship and happiness for many years to come. There are many puppy-training books available today, but none so clear and coherent as this one. There is a strong logic to Fiona Baird's method which gives confidence to both owner and puppy. She makes training fun, simple and very straightforward. Fiona Baird has trained countless puppies professionally, and has many devoted clients. She is truly is the Mary Poppins of puppy training.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 136

Dimensions: 129 x 198 mm

Publication Date: 31-03-2015

Barking Mad, with outstanding illustrations by Nicola L Robinson, taps into the British passion for dogs by bringing together a unique collection of extraordinary, touching and sometimes bizarre but true stories covering sporting dogs (and hounds), military mascots, eccentric companions, war heroes and Royal dogs. Many of the best and most intriguing stories, some of which date back to the early 19th Century, have been discovered in long-forgotten books and magazines, but all reflect our enduring passion for man’s best friend. Stories include everything from the Labrador that saved its master from drowning to the hound that spent years travelling unaccompanied across England by train to the pooch that carried a penny to the local bakery every day to buy its own cakes.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 208

Dimensions: 138 x 216 mm

Publication Date: 20-06-2015

The perfect gift for the imperfect Shot! A very humourous collection of experiences, faux pas and misdemeanours in the shooting field with anecdotes and tales of many light-hearted incidents from throughout the world. It gives some novel excuses for pickers-up who have failed to find their quarry. In similar vein, during the author’s years as a gamekeeper, it was often necessary to think on the hoof and deliver a plausible reason as to why a particular drive didn’t go exactly as it should. Sometimes the explanations were so outrageous as to be laughable – which often diffused a potentially difficult situation – and on occasion, caused a comment such as, ‘I’ve never heard that one before… how did you think that one up?’ To which the author inevitably replied; ‘The Gamekeeper’s Book of Excuses… page 58’!.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 224

Dimensions: 189 x 246 mm

Publication Date: 26-06-2015