Many New Zealand families were affected by the 1918 influenza pandemic. In the space of about six weeks, over 6400 Pakeha died and an estimated 2500 Maori. That equals nearly half the total of New Zealand soldiers killed in the First World War. Yet these were civilians, dying in the first month of peace. This was New Zealand's worst-ever public health disaster. The whole country seemed to shut down for several weeks in November 1918. Because the victims' bodies turned black when they died, many believed it was the plague. Could it happen again? The risk of another major influenza pandemic is even greater now, thanks to international jet travel. Global flu surveillance should give us better earning, and we now have anti-viral drugs and antibiotics to deal with the secondary pneumonia that was the real killer in 1918. But do we have the systems in place to deal with another massive health crisis? This book shows how we coped back in 1918 - the response of public health officials, how the sick were nursed, how thousands of convalescents were fed and the lessons learned that may still be useful today. It is an inspiring and fascinating story that all New Zealanders need to know about.

Pages: 96

Dimensions: 210 x 265 mm

Publication Date: 20-09-2017

The perfect subject for a graphic novel, Frida Kahlo’s brief life was dramatic and romantic, tragic and painful. In this illustrated “biography”, Vanna Vinci captures the spirit of Kahlo’s world in boldly colored, minutely detailed illustrations. Blending facts and history with dreamlike and surreal sequences, Vinci creates an intimate portrayal of an artist who incorporated her life experiences into her art. Burning love and crushing loss, incredible joy and deep despair—these were all part of Kahlo’s life and part of the paintings that are some of the most celebrated art of all time. Filled with images that populated Kahlo’s work—monkeys and parrots, traditional clothing and lush gardens—Vinci imbues her text and drawings with an artist’s perception and sensitivity. The result is an evocative, fittingly passionate tribute to a legendary figure.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 160

Dimensions: 200 x 260 mm

Publication Date: 15-09-2017

This book follows the best-selling publication Canterbury Country Houses series and is a collection of seventy-six heritage houses, most of which have been preserved following the Canterbury Earthquakes of 2010 and 2011 This is the second book of Christchurch Heritage Houses, personally selected by artist and author Rodney Wells, showcasing the domestic architecture that is still a rich part of Christchurch's heritage.

Bind: paperback

Dimensions: 220 x 280 mm

Publication Date: 31-08-2017

This synthesis of Solomon Island archaeology draws together all the research that has taken place in the field over the past 50 years. It takes a multidisciplinary theoretical and methodological approach and considers the work of archaeologists, environmental scientists, anthropologists and historians. At the same time this volume highlights the results of the authors’ own considerable field research. This fascinating and very readable book is written for an archaeological audience but is also designed to be accessible to all readers interested in Pacific archaeology, anthropology and history. Featuring more than a hundred maps and figures, Archaeology of the Solomon Islands represents a ground-breaking contribution to Pacific archaeology.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 200

Dimensions: 210 x 280 x 20 mm

Publication Date: 21-08-2017

Ancient Sites of Southeast Asia is the first comprehensive guide to the ancient sites and archaeological ruins of Southeast Asia. Designed to assist the adventurous visitor to the region, the book is also an armchair traveler’s introduction to many of the most historic and visually engaging monuments across seven nations: Indonesia, Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar (Burma), and Malaysia. In addition to background on and descriptions of individual sites, the guide provides essential tips for travelers and an extensive reading list and glossary. The result of over twenty years of research and site visits by the author, archaeologist, and architectural conservator William Chapman, Ancient Sites of Southeast Asia provides a succinct overview of the region’s many historic ruins and related sites. Over 450 illustrations and 150 maps bring these many sites to life.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 312

Dimensions: 170 x 232 mm

Publication Date: 29-09-2017

Twelve years since the amazing account of Peter Vacher’s discovery in India was originally published, Grub Street is thrilled to bring readers the updated story of Hurricane R4118. Since the restoration of this magnificent aircraft to flight in 2004, Peter Vacher continued to research its history, and more stories of R4118’s origins are told, including the extraordinary tale of how this aircraft shot down a friendly Whitley bomber before it was assigned to a RAF squadron. With brand new photography and sources, including wartime letters from Bunny Currant, this book is essential reading for all Hurricane enthusiasts.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 192

Dimensions: 170 x 240 mm

Publication Date: 31-08-2017

Place names have great linguistic and cultural significance, vivifying the landscape and giving it deeper character and interest. Banks Peninsula, Lyttelton Harbour and the Port Hills of Christchurch offer a wonderfully diverse and a kaleidoscopic array of names that speak of the areas's Maori and colonial history and the people who have lived and worked there. Back in 1927 prolific author Johannes Andersen published his classic and important "Place-Names of Banks Peninsula", but much has changed since then: names have dropped out of use or been superseded, spellings have altered, knowledge of origins has improved and large numbers of new names have been added. Award-winning historian Gordon Ogilvie, who has a deep knowledge of this part of New Zealand, has written a comprehensive, fascinating and much-needed successor to Andersen's book. The coverage of names extends to the Heathcote and Halswell rivers and includes suburbs like Halswell and Tai Tapu. Engagingly written, brimming with information and enriched with black and white photographs and stunning colour plates, this substantial volume is an important addition to Ogilvie's popular and acclaimed histories of Banks Peninsula and the Port Hills. The intriguing background he provides for the place names of this region will delight all those who live there, those who visit and anyone with an interest in New Zealand's past.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 320

Dimensions: 210 x 280 mm

Publication Date: 20-07-2017

Wairarapa soldiers, like thousands of New Zealanders in the Great War, enthusiastically added newly-available small cameras to their personal kit. During their service at home and overseas, they took large numbers of photographs to record the years which, for many, would be the most dramatic and dangerous of their lives. A Rifle and a Camera shows, for the first time, 300 photographs from eight private collections held at Wairarapa Archive, giving a new perspective to a world war which shaped the 20th century.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 128

Dimensions: 260 x 210 mm

Publication Date: 09-04-2017

Feminism is a hot topic. The battle for gender equality is being fought by everybody from politicians to indie social media campaigners, celebrities to school girls. But how did we get here and who paved the way for today’s badass women? Fight Like a Girl profiles 50 fearless women – both the historical icons and the unsung heroes – such as Mary Wollstonecraft, Frida Kahlo and Roxane Gay. Each extraordinary life story is accompanied by a stunning portrait, along with eye-opening sidebars on their hard-fought causes and iconic quotes. Be inspired by their stories, arm yourself with their knowledge, get active and FIGHT LIKE A GIRL.

Bind: paperback

Pages: 224

Dimensions: 153 x 234 mm

Publication Date: 14-09-2017

Great British Cars celebrates the cars commonly seen on the nation’s roads during a golden age of motoring. From the 1950s to the 1970s, Britons drove such models as the Ford Zephyr, Hillman Imp, Triumph Herald, Ford Capri, Vauxhall Viva and, of course, the Morris Minor 1000. While rarely seen now on our roads, the 40 models described here still have a special place in many drivers’ hearts. Join Stephen Barnett on a nostalgic road trip back in time, in this beautifully illustrated celebration of classic cars.

Bind: hardback

Pages: 128

Dimensions: 246 x 186 mm

Publication Date: 12-10-2017