Sword of Kings
Bernard Cornwell
The brand new novel in Bernard Cornwell’s number one bestselling series on the making of England and the fate of his great hero, Uhtred of Bebbanburg.
As two opposing Kings gather their armies, fate drags Uhtred to London, and a struggle for control that must leave one King victorious, and one dead. But fate – as Uhtred has learned to his cost – is inexorable. And Uhtred’s destiny is to stand at the heart of the shield wall once again.
Paris Savages
Katherine Johnson
Fraser Island, 1882. When German scientist Louis Müller offers to sail three Badtjala people – Bonny, Jurano and Dorondera – to Europe to perform to huge crowds, the proud and headstrong Bonny agrees, hoping to bring his people’s plight to the Queen of England. Paris Savages brings a little-known part of history to blazing life, from award-winning novelist Katherine Johnson.
The Last Train to London
Meg Waite Clayton
A pre-World War II-era story with the emotional resonance of Orphan Train and All the Light We Cannot See, centring on the Kindertransports that carried thousands of children out of Nazi-occupied Europe – and one brave woman who helped them escape to safety.
Remarkably, no novel has been written about Truus Wijsmuller who, among many challenges, alone faced down Adolf Eichmann, then a mid-level Nazi bureaucrat in charge of Vienna after the German occupation of Vienna, to achieve her mission.
Caging Skies
Christine Leunens
Inspiring a major film, by a highly rated NZ director, this gripping novel, which examines truth and lies, and lays bare our darkest impulses, has been revised in this new edition.
Johannes is an avid member of the Hitler Youth. As the war rages on, he discovers his parents are hiding a Jewish girl called Elsa behind a false wall in their large house in Vienna. His initial horror turns to love and obsession. Both manipulating and manipulated, Johannes soon finds he is the only one aware of Elsa’s existence in the house, the only one responsible for her survival.
Christmas
Andy Thomas
In an intriguing and entertaining journey, Christmas uncovers the fascinating background to one of the biggest festive seasons. From the ancient ceremonies celebrating Midwinter to festivals of Sol Invictus and from Constantine’s establishment of a Christian festival to medieval misrule, the time around the solstice has long been an opportunity for people to come together and rejoice.
These festive traditions have developed in many directions around the world. This book tells the fuller story behind the sparkle and the merriment and shows why Christmas has survived and still has meaning for us today.
Scientifica Historica
Brian Clegg
Scientifica Historica reflects the physical results of brilliant thought manifested in titles that literally changed the course of knowledge, sometimes by increments, and sometimes with revolutionary impact.
It provides a fascinating chronological exploration of human endeavour within the context of society, politics and even the military, where the twists and turns prove it to be a much longer, messier process than we usually think. This uniquely illustrated book of books is full of inked illustrations on vellum, intricately engraved frontispieces and eye-catching antique fonts on leather covers.
Barbie Forever
Robin Gerber
Celebrating Barbie’s 60th anniversary, Barbie Forever presents a detailed, full-colour portrait of this beloved doll through all-new interviews, original sketches, vintage photos, advertisements, a foldout timeline, and much more. Explore how the doll came to be, what it takes to create one of her many looks, and how her legacy continues to influence the world.
Big Sister Little Sister Red Sister
Jung Chang
The best-known modern Chinese fairy tale is the story of three sisters from Shanghai, whose lives spanned three centuries. It was said that ‘one loved money, one loved power and one loved her country.’ Big Sister, Ai-ling, would marry China’s richest man, H. H. Kung.
The middle sister, Ching-ling – later known as Red Sister – married Sun Yat-sen, founding father of Modern China and its first president. And Little Sister, May-ling, would become Madame Chiang Kai-shek, wife to the leader of the Republic of China. A gripping story of sisterhood, revolution and betrayal, and three women who helped shape the course of modern Chinese history.
Elegance
Megan Hess
Join internationally renowned fashion illustrator Megan Hess as she explores the timeless beauty and glamour of ten of France’s best-loved designers in a stylish celebration of one of the world’s favourite fashion destinations.
Megan Hess’s love for French-style sparked her career in fashion illustration. In these pages, she unspools the threads of ten legendary designers – Chanel, Dior, Saint Laurent, Lanvin, Givenchy, Chloé, Balmain, Louis Vuitton, Hermès and Celine – to discover the origins of haute couture, prêt-à-porter and everything chic. Accompanied by Megan’s exquisite illustrations of current and archival collections, Elegance: The Beauty of French Fashion tells the story of how France’s iconic fashion houses have influenced the very fabric of design.
