Great Tales from New Zealand History

Gordon McLauchlan

Bateman - RRP: $29.99 |12 September 2014

Gordon McLauchlan tempts our imagination with 46 little-known tales from New Zealand’s past. Here you will discover:

·         that Auckland applied twice to the Colonial Office to be a separate colony from the rest of New Zealand

·         more about the man who wanted to be James Cook

·         when drinking beer legally became an ‘art’ on the West Coast

·         whether Kupe was man or myth

·         how Hawera seceded and became a republic

·         when and why the Americans planned to invade New Zealand

·         which aviation heroine was called a ‘naughty girl who deserved a spanking’

·         why a posse of politicians committed suicide . . . and more.

This collection of tales explores these and many more questions and issues which have fascinated New Zealanders and filled many a page in many a history book over the years. Gordon McLauchlan brings a fresh perspective on some old and often vexed periods in New Zealand’s history.

About the author:

 Gordon  McLauchlan is a well-known journalist, author and social commentator, a media commentator not afraid to speak his mind.

 His previous books include: The Life and Times of Auckland (2008); The Saltwater Highway: The Story of Ports and Shipping (2012); The Passionless People (2012); and A Short History of New Zealand (2014).