Olympic Legends
The Book of New Zealand's Olympic Medallists - Topical but of enduring value
This book contains original signatures of 97 New Zealand Olympic medallists from Helsinki 1952 to Athens 2004. Every medal winner who was alive in 2005 has signed (with the exception of two medallists who declined to participate - can you guess who they were?).
It's packed full of fascinating information about all our medal winners including such greats as Yvette Williams, Peter Snell, John Walker, Murray Halberg, Russell Coutts, Mark Todd, David Tua and many many more household names. The illustrations are superb and tell their own story through the many photographs.
Did you know our first medal was in 1908 at the London Olympics where Harry Kerr won a bronze in the 3500m walk or that Rob Waddell spent a year in Japan where he learnt Japanese and got a black belt in judo or that Yvette Williams had to sew her own shorts to compete in? Read this book and you will know all this and a great deal more.
This is "a truly awesome book" said Hamish Carter, gold medalist in the 2004 triathlon.
Great Religions of the World
There is understandable interest these days in learning more about the great religions of the world.
The six volumes in this series present the major religions of the modern world and explain their meaning, their traditions, and their contemporary significance.
Each volume contains a selection of the most important writings of the religious tradition. These writings are accompanied by the editor's comments and interpretations elucidating meaning, beliefs and practices.
Read about the teachings of Buddha and the basic philosophy of Buddhism. Explore the world and many facets of Islam and the way of life of the Muslim. Learn of the historical evolution of Hinduism and its roots in the Vedic tradition. Study the meaning of Judaism and the Jewish spirit. Clarify for yourself the different Christianity found in Catholicism and Protestantism and how it came about.
Each volume is written by an expert in the field and is informative, educational and highly readable.
Breaking news: To live longer, just pick up a book (Yippee)
New research from Yale University
A new survey just released by Yale University states that the more time you spend reading books, the less likely you are to die. 30 minutes a day of reading books leads to a 23% lower risk of death (compared to those who don't read). They report that certain cognitive processes are engendered by reading books which lead to greater survival.
Whether you believe the survey results or not, reading books is definitely therapeutic. It is relaxing, enjoyable, good for your mood, good for your mind and good for your general health.
This is great news so rush on in to your nearest Hard to Find Bookshop and pick up a few books and get started. If you are not lucky enough to be near one of our shops, then order something from our online stock and start your journey to eternal life right now before it is too late!
Attention all budding writers
You want to write a novel but think you might need a bit more help than given above by Lewis Carroll. You have an idea for writing about your life. Perhaps the idea of a romance is germinating in your brain. Maybe a bestseller or a potboiler is what you have in mind. You would like to write about travel. Whatever it is you plan to write, we have a marvellous selection of books to help you get started.
You can read about getting from the germ of an idea to the finished product. You can learn about developing plot and characters. Find out how to edit and proofread. Get some practical advice on getting your project published. Look for some hints on what to do when writer's block strikes.
Get some clearcut examples of what works and what doesn't. Try out some ideas on choosing a title. Have a go at some of the invaluable exercises recommended in these books. Who knows - with a little inspiration, insider insight, and your own creativity, you may be the next big thing.
The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy
Douglas Adams: his trilogy in five parts
The Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy / The Restaurant at the End of the Universe / Life, the Universe and Everything / So Long, and Thanks for All the Fish / Mostly Harmless
This hardcover edition includes all five parts of the Douglas Adams classic comedy science fiction 'trilogy', which is perfect whether you are a die-hard fan or whether you are reading it for the first time. You will undoubtedly want to read all the books so you might as well have them in one volume. You can immerse yourself in tales of Arthur Dent, Ford Prefect, Trillian, Marvin the Paranoid Android, and Zaphod Beeblebrox.
This was originally a BBC comedy radio series so once you've read this book, you can treat yourself to a date with the original broadcasts. You could aim to become a Hitch Hiker's Guide bore!
What on earth is it?
A delightful tea set? A charming sake server? A vehicle for warmed schnapps? A sambucca sipper? An unusual gift for that friend who has everything? You can decide what it is. Please let us know what you settle on.
It's a delicate ensemble with glorious gold decorative markings and gold handles and edging. The porcelain has a delicately marbled sheen which is a lovely detail. The set comprises a serving platter, five cups, and the crowning glory of the elephant pot with attractive domed lid.
Whatever it is, you've got to have it. Pop on in to our Dunedin shop and buy it now. Be quick as it will surely be snapped up in no time at all.
The Miles Kelly Book of Lists (and answers to yesterday's quiz)
The Miles Kelly Book of Lists
This little book is a very useful item. No household should be without one. It's exactly what you need for so many things. You can effortlessly organise fundraising quiz nights for months and months. You can run team competitions in the classroom without the usual planning or preparation. You can drive your friends and family to distraction for weeks on end. You can make the average car journey really unendurable and ruin many a quiet family evening in front of the tele!
On the plus side, it's a very attractive little book and it really is packed with interesting facts and fascinating trivia. It is a goldmine of information and is very easy to use. You could while away many a happy hour just dipping into it.
Answers: 1) Tatooine 2) 29 3) Gordon Sumner 4) Melbourne 5) Frank Bruno
6) Christian Science 7) Tiffany 8) Edouard Manet 9) Robert Kennedy 10) A parliament
Facts, Statistics and Trivia
See how you get on with these questions:
- What is the name of Luke Skywalker's home planet?
- How old was Marc Bolan when he died?
- What is the full name of Sting?
- What was the capital of Australia before Canberra?
- Whose autobiography is called 'From Hero to Zero"?
- What religion was founded by Mary Baker Eddy?
- What's Richard Gere's middle name?
- Who painted A Bar at the Folies Bergeres?
- Who did Sirhan Sirhan assassinate?
- What is the collective name for a group of owls?
This book is stuffed full of fascinating lists of facts and statistics and trivia covering just about every subject imaginable from tv and film to sport and geography, and from the bizarre to the unimaginably dull.
See you all tomorrow then.
