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Captured By Maori – White Female Captives, Sex and Racism on the Nineteenth-Century New Zealand Frontier, Trevor Bentley

Penguin
Reviewed by Chris Hick (Courtesy of Taranaki Daily News)

I must start with a confession. My knowledge of New Zealand history is like a George Bush speech – superficial, very selective and lacking any real depth. However, as a recent migrant (five years) to this green and pleasant land I try to enlighten myself as often as possible on the history of all things Kiwi.

Full review here

Catch Me If You Can (M)

Director:   Steven Spielberg
Starring:   Tom Hanks, Leonardo DiCaprio

Reviewed by Elaine Pickford

Most people spend their teenage years trying to figure out what they want to do with their lives.   Not so, Frank Abagnale Junior (DiCaprio). He's been a doctor, a lawyer and an airline pilot, all by the time he's 19!  

Full review here

Connections//Stories of Taranaki

Published by Puke Ariki in association with Westgate Transport
Reviewed by Peter Watt (Courtesy of Taranaki Daily News)

Puke Ariki is a tribute to generations of Taranaki people who have seen historical value in everyday things.

It grew mainly out of a need to better house and display the old Taranaki Museum's vast collection of objects. A little over a year on from the museum/library/information centre's opening, the old museum is fading fast in the memory.

Full review here

Country New Zealand – A Culinary Journey, Ian Baker

New Holland
Reviewed by Lindsay Wright (Courtesy of Taranaki Daily News)

Cook book authors should be portly and pleasant – and Ian Baker shows he fills both requisites quite cheerfully, thanks.

It must have been a dream assignment; touring New Zealand clicking scenic shots of the countryside and appetising portraits of meals. The scenery is stunning and the food intriguing, though you can't help but wonder how the eateries were chosen.

Full review here

Cross the River to Home, Kaye Kelly

Black Swan
Reviewed by Sheila Forbes (Courtesy of Taranaki Daily News)

Here is another story set on the west coast of the South Island in the 1870s. An attractively presented book, it tells of the love between a young Englishman and a Chinese girl at a time when inter-racial marriage was decidedly taboo.

Full review here

Cross Tides, Lorraine Orman

Longacre Press
Reviewed by Tess Novak, 14, (Courtesy of Taranaki Daily News)

Imagine that at 16 you were lost in a bet, married off to a whaler with an unruly reputation and taken to the distant land of New Zealand.

Full review here