A gripping novel for young adults that captures both the daring and the everyday realities of serving in the Air Force during the Second World War. Pete and Paul yelled together. 'Bandit! Nine o'clock! Bandit!' Jack spun to stare. There was the Messerschmitt on their left, streaking straight at them. Eighteen-year-old Jack wanted to escape boring little New Zealand. But he soon finds that flying in a Lancaster bomber to attack Hitler’s forces brings terro...

When of hundreds of Japanese captives arrive at Featherston POW camp, the tiny town is divided. Tensions run high and then, on 25 February 1943, disaster strikes. Three boys witness it all. A compelling new novel by an award-winning author. 'We knew straightaway that something was happening. Extra men in khaki uniforms stood at the main gates. Behind the wire, figures in blue sat on the ground. None of the usual moving around, washing up, wrestling, anything like that. Ju...

A tense, exciting war adventure inspired by the coastwatchers of Operation Pacific, from award-winning author David Hill. ‘It’s not going to be a cushy job, young Benson. You’re on your own. Japs will be looking for you. Far as they’re concerned, you’re spies. And when a spy gets captured, remember . . .’ It’s 1943, and 19-year-old radio operator Frank Benson is shipped out to an enemy-occupied island in the Solomons with two other soldiers. Their mission is to sp...

Three moments in time and three writing genre: historic fiction / fantasy fiction / futuristic fiction from one of New Zealand's favourite writers of fiction.Historical: Coming HomeThe story of Harry and his loyal horse Blaze as New Zealand rushes to support the British during the time of the war between them and the South African Dutch citizens, known as the Boer War. On the eve of departure Blaze panics and escapes. Harry has to leave alone but throughout his experiences,...

This is the story of how a struggling convict settlement grew into six dynamic colonies and then the remarkable nation of Australia. Told through the key figures who helped build it into the thriving nation it is today, David Hill once again offers up Australian history at its most entertaining and accessible.In his latest book, David Hill traces the story of our nation from its European beginnings to Federation. When James Cook landed on the east coast of Australi...

Featured on the New Zealand Listener's 50 best children's books 2013 Something in the water, a hundred yards or so away. Russell jerked the binoculars back, trying to find it again. He had to be sure; mustn't make a fool of himself. Where was it? Then he saw it through the lenses once more.His voice rang along the deck. 'Mine! Bearing 290 degrees. 100 yards. Mine!' Sixteen-year-old Boy Seaman Russell Purchas is ...

From the bestselling author of 1788.The remarkable story of the fledgling settlement that survived against the odds.Bestselling historian David Hill tells the story of the first three decades of Britain's earliest colony in Australia in a fresh and compelling way.The British plan to settle Australia was a high-risk venture. We now take it for granted that the first colony was the basis of one of the most successful nations in the world today. But in truth, the New W...

How to make a macramé lamp with "shell" pattern. This is book three in a series of three books on how to make macramé lamps. Each book is standalone. The first book is how to make a wire frame for a free-hanging lamp. The second and third books show separate patterns for the body of the lamps.

On 27 May 1989, the Guardian described one extraordinary moment at Anfield the night before. In the 92nd minute Lukic threw the ball to Dixon to set in train a series of events during which time almost stood still. Dixon's pass found Smith, who deftly controlled the ball before slipping it through to Thomas... Seldom has such collective disbelief been written on 41,000 faces.That night, forever famous, is just one part of Arsenal's extraordinary history a team of South London factory worke...

On the afternoon of 8 April 1802, in the remote southern ocean, two explorers had a remarkable chance encounter. Englishman Matthew Flinders and Frenchman Nicolas Baudin had been sent by their governments on the same quest: to explore the uncharted coast of the great south land and find out whether the west and east coasts, four thousand kilometres apart, were part of the same island.And so began the race to compile the definitive map of Australia. These men's journeys were the cul...

A 2020 New York Times notable book | One of the Chicago Tribune's best nonfiction books of 2020"Complex, turbulent, as haunting as a pedal steel solo" —Jonathan Miles, The New York Times Book Review (Editors' Choice)"One of 21 books we can't wait to read in 2020" — Thrillist | A New York Times Book Review summer reading pick | A GQ

May 1961: the Guardian reports on one man's struggle outside Tottenham's Town Hall. Crowds estimated at more than 40,000 lined the route as an open top bus carried the Tottenham Hotspurs team and the two cups it has won. At the Town Hall, as the team stood on the balconies before the cheering crowds, the Mayor tried to make himself heard with a speech of welcome. He asked for silence, and then set off the wild cheering once again when he said: 'This is a great day for Tottenham.'The 60s Bi...