European explorers of the Pacific in the 18th and early 19th centuries faced a problem -- how to describe the people they met and report what they had seen and found. From Cook onwards, a serious expedition included artists and scientists in its ship's company.
An ambitious journey of the 19th century was the third voyage of the French explorer Dumont d'Urville, from 1837 to 1840. It was just before the invention of photography, when phrenology, the study of people's skulls, was the latest thing. D'Urville chose to take on the voyage an eminent phrenologist, Pierre-Marie Dumoutier, to preserve likenesses of people by making life casts.
When the expedition returned to France, the casts were displayed, and later stored in the Musée de l'Homme in Paris, to be joined eventually by other casts from Dumoutier's collection, including those of the d'Urville and Dumoutier families. All were overtaken by photography and history. Fiona Pardington first learnt of the life casts in 2007, when a chance conversation initiated a four-year project.
It took her from Auckland to the Musée de l'Homme, as she researched and photographed some of more than fifty casts of Maori, Pacific and European heads, including casts of her Ngai Tahu ancestors. This book publishes these photographs and coincides with the opening of a major travelling exhibition. The photographs are extraordinarily beautiful, evocative and spiritually powerful images. They recover likenesses and revive the life force of Dumoutier's subjects, eliciting our empathy and fascination with a world we can never really know. This is a rich and engaging book.
With essays by leading scholars in Pacific history, art and photography, on subjects as diverse as phrenology and cast-making, the voyage, and the identity of the Maori casts, it will appeal to anyone interested in nineteenth-century encounters between voyagers and the peoples of the Pacific, or contemporary art and photography.
Dr Kriselle Baker is a freelance writer and curator. Professor Elizabeth Rankin teaches Art History at Auckland University. Previously professor at the University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, her writing has focused on retrieving the histories of neglected South African artists, and on sculptors and printmakers internationally.
2011 HB 9781877578090 £49.99
Otago University Press
Book review blog site, with some entertainment material from time-to-time.
Saturday 10 December 2011
In Search Of The Double!: Sunderland AFC 1912/13 By Paul Days & Mark Metcalf. Foreword By Gary Rowell
For most supporters of Sunderland AFC, the history of their club would probably be best represented by the names of the mid 1930s team, particularly Gurney and Carter, undoubted Wearside football legends. The name of Charlie Buchan also looms large even today in the tale of a football club whose history can be cut like a knife.
Although Charlie Buchan might still be a revered figure on Wearside, his team mates aren't and yet the 1912/13 season, which is the subject of this book, produced arguably the finest Sunderland team ever to grace the famous red and white striped shirts.
It came the closest the club has ever come to winning the double, almost became the first English football club to achieve it in the 20th century, yet the names of Albert Milton, Frank Cuggy, Jackie Mordue and the rest of Sunderland's league champions and FA Cup finalists that season have long since been cast into the annals of the club's history. Even the football club's near talismanic and perhaps finest ever captain Charlie Thomson is seemingly forgotten. The team was guided by Bob Kyle, Sunderland AFC's longest serving manager, he too also forgotten.
This book looks at the matches and the characters that shaped an immensely successful 1912/13 season. Although they were crowned league champions, perhaps an enduring highlight, although it ultimately ended in defeat, was the now legendary FA Cup final which took place at The Crystal Palace in April 1913, before a world record crowd.
For the first time in the 20th Century England's top two football teams contested for the most coveted domestic knockout cup competition in world football and what a tale it tells; an iconic match. Finally, to give the book a social context and a flavour of the times, we have captured the main news stories of the 1912/13 period which includes some momentous incidents such as the sinking of the Titanic; another iconic event.
Paul Days and Mark Metcalf are both Sunderland season ticket holders. Together they collaborated on the acclaimed 'Total Football: Sunderland AFC 1935-37' -- published in 2008. Paul is the author of 'Sunderland AFC: The Offi cial History' and 'The Sunderland Miscellany'. Mark has penned the biographies of Black Cat legends Charlie Hurley and Stan Anderson and is a prolific writer of football books.
2011 PB 9781901746822 £12.95 Empire Publications
Although Charlie Buchan might still be a revered figure on Wearside, his team mates aren't and yet the 1912/13 season, which is the subject of this book, produced arguably the finest Sunderland team ever to grace the famous red and white striped shirts.
It came the closest the club has ever come to winning the double, almost became the first English football club to achieve it in the 20th century, yet the names of Albert Milton, Frank Cuggy, Jackie Mordue and the rest of Sunderland's league champions and FA Cup finalists that season have long since been cast into the annals of the club's history. Even the football club's near talismanic and perhaps finest ever captain Charlie Thomson is seemingly forgotten. The team was guided by Bob Kyle, Sunderland AFC's longest serving manager, he too also forgotten.
This book looks at the matches and the characters that shaped an immensely successful 1912/13 season. Although they were crowned league champions, perhaps an enduring highlight, although it ultimately ended in defeat, was the now legendary FA Cup final which took place at The Crystal Palace in April 1913, before a world record crowd.
For the first time in the 20th Century England's top two football teams contested for the most coveted domestic knockout cup competition in world football and what a tale it tells; an iconic match. Finally, to give the book a social context and a flavour of the times, we have captured the main news stories of the 1912/13 period which includes some momentous incidents such as the sinking of the Titanic; another iconic event.
Paul Days and Mark Metcalf are both Sunderland season ticket holders. Together they collaborated on the acclaimed 'Total Football: Sunderland AFC 1935-37' -- published in 2008. Paul is the author of 'Sunderland AFC: The Offi cial History' and 'The Sunderland Miscellany'. Mark has penned the biographies of Black Cat legends Charlie Hurley and Stan Anderson and is a prolific writer of football books.
2011 PB 9781901746822 £12.95 Empire Publications
Fire Bubbles & Exploding Toothpaste: More Unforgettable Experiments That Make Science Fun By Steve Spangler
Parents and children who enjoyed the entertaining science in "Naked Eggs & Flying Potatoes" will love this spectacular second volume of thrilling home experiments.
Features: Easy experiments for the whole family. From the creator of the viral Internet sensation the Mentos Soda Geyser comes a second collection of astounding scientific experiments and demonstrations that will educate and entertain investigators of all ages. From Floating Bowling Balls to the Tea Bag Rocket, these experiments will turn readers on to life's small wonders; Primarily uses household items.
The author transforms the ordinary into amazing as he makes everyday items ooze, bubble, fizz, bounce, and smoke. These easy and inexpensive experiments reveal the secrets of science in unexpected ways; Abundant four-color illustrations. Over two hundred photographs accompany the step-by-step instructions, along with simple explanations that uncover the how-to and why for each activity; Created by an established science celebrity.
The author has earned his credentials as a science author, teacher, professional speaker, toy designer, and an Emmy Award-winning television personality. His first volume of experiments -- "Naked Eggs and Flying Potatoes" -- enjoyed retail success and was featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. He has established a powerful commercial online presence and has spawned over 1,000 YouTube videos.
Steve Spangler is the creator of the scientific educational powerhouse SteveSpanglerScience.com. Spangler's science-related products are carried by mass-market retailers such as Target and Wal-Mart and have been featured in the Wall Street Journal magazine, Wired, and Time magazine. The Emmy Award-winning host of NBC's News for Kids, Spangler has made hundreds of television appearances and is currently featured as a regular guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
2011 PB 9781608321896 £12.50 Greenleaf Book Group
Features: Easy experiments for the whole family. From the creator of the viral Internet sensation the Mentos Soda Geyser comes a second collection of astounding scientific experiments and demonstrations that will educate and entertain investigators of all ages. From Floating Bowling Balls to the Tea Bag Rocket, these experiments will turn readers on to life's small wonders; Primarily uses household items.
The author transforms the ordinary into amazing as he makes everyday items ooze, bubble, fizz, bounce, and smoke. These easy and inexpensive experiments reveal the secrets of science in unexpected ways; Abundant four-color illustrations. Over two hundred photographs accompany the step-by-step instructions, along with simple explanations that uncover the how-to and why for each activity; Created by an established science celebrity.
The author has earned his credentials as a science author, teacher, professional speaker, toy designer, and an Emmy Award-winning television personality. His first volume of experiments -- "Naked Eggs and Flying Potatoes" -- enjoyed retail success and was featured on The Ellen DeGeneres Show. He has established a powerful commercial online presence and has spawned over 1,000 YouTube videos.
Steve Spangler is the creator of the scientific educational powerhouse SteveSpanglerScience.com. Spangler's science-related products are carried by mass-market retailers such as Target and Wal-Mart and have been featured in the Wall Street Journal magazine, Wired, and Time magazine. The Emmy Award-winning host of NBC's News for Kids, Spangler has made hundreds of television appearances and is currently featured as a regular guest on The Ellen DeGeneres Show.
2011 PB 9781608321896 £12.50 Greenleaf Book Group
Warships Of The Bay Of Quinte By Roger Litwiller
This is the story of six of Canada's Warships: HMCS Napanee, HMCS Belleville, HMCS Hallowell, HMCS Trentonian, HMCS Quinte (I), and the HMCS Quinte (II). These histories give a unique account of the small ships that have been the backbone of the Canadian Navy during the Second World War and the Cold War.
The stories record the accomplishments of these hardworking ships as well as the mistakes. This rich and vivid account of an important part of Canada's Naval Service draws from the records of the ships, interviews with their crews, letters, diaries, newspaper articles, community libraries and photographs.
You will learn about the HMCS Napanee as she fights a five day battle against twenty-four German submarines in on one of Canada's most tragic convoy battles. Be with HMCS Belleville as she fights to rescue a torpedoed merchant ship and find out about how a German submarine sinks the HMCS Trentonian late in the war killing six of her crew.
Roger's interest in Canada's Navy began as a Sea Cadet in his hometown of Kitchener, Ontario. He later became an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve and the Navy League of Canada. Educated in Emergency Medical Services, Roger has served the Quinte Region of Ontario since 1982 as a decorated Paramedic. Other interests include public speaking and photographic artist. Roger resides near Trenton with his wife Rhonda and their six children..
2011 PB 9781554889297 £18.99 Dundurn Press
The stories record the accomplishments of these hardworking ships as well as the mistakes. This rich and vivid account of an important part of Canada's Naval Service draws from the records of the ships, interviews with their crews, letters, diaries, newspaper articles, community libraries and photographs.
You will learn about the HMCS Napanee as she fights a five day battle against twenty-four German submarines in on one of Canada's most tragic convoy battles. Be with HMCS Belleville as she fights to rescue a torpedoed merchant ship and find out about how a German submarine sinks the HMCS Trentonian late in the war killing six of her crew.
Roger's interest in Canada's Navy began as a Sea Cadet in his hometown of Kitchener, Ontario. He later became an officer in the Canadian Armed Forces Reserve and the Navy League of Canada. Educated in Emergency Medical Services, Roger has served the Quinte Region of Ontario since 1982 as a decorated Paramedic. Other interests include public speaking and photographic artist. Roger resides near Trenton with his wife Rhonda and their six children..
2011 PB 9781554889297 £18.99 Dundurn Press
Untitled Magazine Named "Hottest Launch Of The Year" From A Field Of Over 800 New Titles, Continues To Thrive Online And In Print
Untitled Magazine has been selected by min (for over 60 years, min has been serving the magazine and media community with unparalleled coverage of this ever-changing industry) and Mr. Magazine as one of the ”Hottest Launches of the Year.”
"From a field of over 800 new consumer titles, I looked over every magazine that has been published from October 2010 to September 2011," said Dr. Samir Husni, Founder and Director, Magazine Innovation Center at the University of Mississippi’s Meek School of Journalism and New Media. "It’s the vision, values and voice of these selections that deserve the honors and awards."
"Untitled captures the feel and spirit of an era where design and typography still reign supreme and text and photography still give the eye and brain something to pose about," said Husni.
Published bi-monthly, Untitled is dedicated to quality in design, fine art, illustration, photography and writing. Each themed issue brings varied and interesting discussions on its topic and is an instant conversation starter and coffee table must-have.
Untitled brings bring an unconventional and unique approach to editorial and layout. With featured columnists, thought-provoking content, and bold design choices, Untitled’s experimental attitude connects its trendsetting, avant-garde, artistic community of readers. Untitled is an escape from the traditional and offers a fresh take on art, style, pop culture, and design.
With an audience of 150,000 in print and over 7 million page views per month to the web site, the magazine seeks to capitalize on its successful first year as it moves towards 2012.
"Untitled continues to thrive and expand the brand," said Husni, "which makes it the first-ever hottest magazine launch with no name."
The next issue features a cover story on boxer Manny Pacquiao, along with stories by Mark Cuban, Liam Gallagher, Tony Bennett, Yoko Ono, Flipping Out's Jeff Lewis and many more.
www.untitledmagazine.net
"From a field of over 800 new consumer titles, I looked over every magazine that has been published from October 2010 to September 2011," said Dr. Samir Husni, Founder and Director, Magazine Innovation Center at the University of Mississippi’s Meek School of Journalism and New Media. "It’s the vision, values and voice of these selections that deserve the honors and awards."
"Untitled captures the feel and spirit of an era where design and typography still reign supreme and text and photography still give the eye and brain something to pose about," said Husni.
Published bi-monthly, Untitled is dedicated to quality in design, fine art, illustration, photography and writing. Each themed issue brings varied and interesting discussions on its topic and is an instant conversation starter and coffee table must-have.
Untitled brings bring an unconventional and unique approach to editorial and layout. With featured columnists, thought-provoking content, and bold design choices, Untitled’s experimental attitude connects its trendsetting, avant-garde, artistic community of readers. Untitled is an escape from the traditional and offers a fresh take on art, style, pop culture, and design.
With an audience of 150,000 in print and over 7 million page views per month to the web site, the magazine seeks to capitalize on its successful first year as it moves towards 2012.
"Untitled continues to thrive and expand the brand," said Husni, "which makes it the first-ever hottest magazine launch with no name."
The next issue features a cover story on boxer Manny Pacquiao, along with stories by Mark Cuban, Liam Gallagher, Tony Bennett, Yoko Ono, Flipping Out's Jeff Lewis and many more.
www.untitledmagazine.net
Rockford's Rock Opera
Rockford's Rock Opera, the best selling App story series for children, is now available on DVD.
You may not have heard of Rockford's Rock Opera, but via the web and mobile Apps, this enchanting ecological musical story is captivating millions of children and parents. And with over 15,000 schools now using the story in class, Rockford's Rock Opera, created at home in North London, is now a favourite ecological educational resource across the world.
Created by Sweetapple and scripted by Steve Punt, Rockford's Rock Opera - the story of a boy from Battersea called Moog and his Dog, Rockford - was first launched in 2009 on the web as an enhanced audio book. Combining pictures, animation and great songs the story was a unique in its format and delivery.
Writing in The Times, audiobook reviewer, Christina Hardyment said: "Rockford's Rock Opera is an amazing mix of story, songs and sound effects. It has a freshness that makes you smile as you listen and could become a cult favourite as beloved as Wallace and Gromit."
Throughout 2009 Rockford's Rock Opera built a loyal fan base among children, families and schools (so much so that lesson plans were created around the story).
Then, in 2010 launched the first part of the story as an iPhone app. Soon, with no promotion, the story became one of the most popular children's audiobooks in the Apple App Store.
Now, with top selling Apps, a stage show, video game and a film planned, Rockford's Rock Opera is available on DVD for the first time.
Matthew Sweetapple said; "The DVD delivers all the pictures, songs, words and animation available on our Apps, but on DVD. It's a great way to discover the story and, unlike a pure film, the mixed media story telling really engages children in the experience. There's also a colour booklet of the lyrics everyone can sing along with all the songs!"
More about Rockford's Rock Opera
Rockford's Rock Opera has now been downloaded or streamed on the web by over 1,500,000 people. And acclaimed by teachers, educationalists and pupils, in the classroom, its ecological story and lesson plans have reached an additional 800,000 school children across over the world.
Although principally aimed at 4 - 11 year olds and their families, via Apps the story has reached a wider audience, from pre school children to teenagers and grand parents.
Rockford's Rock Opera a new breed of 21st century, ipod friendly, audio entertainment; think of 'Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy' crossed with 'Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds', or 'Jungle Book' meets 'Jurassic Park' via Sgt. Pepper.
It's certainly not a traditional 'stage musical' with hammy songs, Rockford's Rock Opera's diverse musical inspiration can be found in The Beatles, The Flaming Lips, The Streets, The Small Faces, Genesis, XTC and works such as Roger Glover's 'Butterfly Ball', and Harry Nilssen's 'The Point'.
But really, it's not like anything else - a funny, sad, psychedelic, spell binding, thought provoking 21st Century adventure.
Rockford's Rock Opera is NOT the creation of a global entertainment company. It is the work of award winning alternative entrepreneurs, 'Sweetapple', (www.sweetapple.co.uk) and a handful of dedicated people working for the love of this amazing, original story. The project is entirely self produced and financed.
Rockford's Rock Opera is also a story with an original ecological message - a unique 'take' on the threat of extinction and the effect man is having upon life on earth. The Rockford's Rock Opera website is full of fascinating information about the story and the facts behind the fiction.
As a result, the project has been acclaimed by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
What's the Story about?
Far away in the Sea of Tranquillity lies the Island of Infinity, home to the last one of every extinct species.
Infinity has a secret for the world but Moog, a boy from Battersea in London, and Rockford his dog, are the only one who can deliver its message. Travelling to Infinity Moog and Rockford get drawn into an adventure in sound that threatens the entire human race.
For lots more:
ON THE WEB: The first hour of the story is available free as a stream or downloads, you can then buy the whole story on DVD, CD, as downloads or streamed as an animated picture book and read-along:
http://www.rockfordsrockopera.com/home
ON iPHONE/iPOD TOUCH and iPAD: Visit the Apple App store where Part One of the story is available as a free App (Parts 2, 3 and 4 are available as paid
for Apps):
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/id345554761?mt=8
You may not have heard of Rockford's Rock Opera, but via the web and mobile Apps, this enchanting ecological musical story is captivating millions of children and parents. And with over 15,000 schools now using the story in class, Rockford's Rock Opera, created at home in North London, is now a favourite ecological educational resource across the world.
Created by Sweetapple and scripted by Steve Punt, Rockford's Rock Opera - the story of a boy from Battersea called Moog and his Dog, Rockford - was first launched in 2009 on the web as an enhanced audio book. Combining pictures, animation and great songs the story was a unique in its format and delivery.
Writing in The Times, audiobook reviewer, Christina Hardyment said: "Rockford's Rock Opera is an amazing mix of story, songs and sound effects. It has a freshness that makes you smile as you listen and could become a cult favourite as beloved as Wallace and Gromit."
Throughout 2009 Rockford's Rock Opera built a loyal fan base among children, families and schools (so much so that lesson plans were created around the story).
Then, in 2010 launched the first part of the story as an iPhone app. Soon, with no promotion, the story became one of the most popular children's audiobooks in the Apple App Store.
Now, with top selling Apps, a stage show, video game and a film planned, Rockford's Rock Opera is available on DVD for the first time.
Matthew Sweetapple said; "The DVD delivers all the pictures, songs, words and animation available on our Apps, but on DVD. It's a great way to discover the story and, unlike a pure film, the mixed media story telling really engages children in the experience. There's also a colour booklet of the lyrics everyone can sing along with all the songs!"
More about Rockford's Rock Opera
Rockford's Rock Opera has now been downloaded or streamed on the web by over 1,500,000 people. And acclaimed by teachers, educationalists and pupils, in the classroom, its ecological story and lesson plans have reached an additional 800,000 school children across over the world.
Although principally aimed at 4 - 11 year olds and their families, via Apps the story has reached a wider audience, from pre school children to teenagers and grand parents.
Rockford's Rock Opera a new breed of 21st century, ipod friendly, audio entertainment; think of 'Hitchhikers Guide to the Galaxy' crossed with 'Jeff Wayne's War of the Worlds', or 'Jungle Book' meets 'Jurassic Park' via Sgt. Pepper.
It's certainly not a traditional 'stage musical' with hammy songs, Rockford's Rock Opera's diverse musical inspiration can be found in The Beatles, The Flaming Lips, The Streets, The Small Faces, Genesis, XTC and works such as Roger Glover's 'Butterfly Ball', and Harry Nilssen's 'The Point'.
But really, it's not like anything else - a funny, sad, psychedelic, spell binding, thought provoking 21st Century adventure.
Rockford's Rock Opera is NOT the creation of a global entertainment company. It is the work of award winning alternative entrepreneurs, 'Sweetapple', (www.sweetapple.co.uk) and a handful of dedicated people working for the love of this amazing, original story. The project is entirely self produced and financed.
Rockford's Rock Opera is also a story with an original ecological message - a unique 'take' on the threat of extinction and the effect man is having upon life on earth. The Rockford's Rock Opera website is full of fascinating information about the story and the facts behind the fiction.
As a result, the project has been acclaimed by the World Wildlife Fund (WWF)
What's the Story about?
Far away in the Sea of Tranquillity lies the Island of Infinity, home to the last one of every extinct species.
Infinity has a secret for the world but Moog, a boy from Battersea in London, and Rockford his dog, are the only one who can deliver its message. Travelling to Infinity Moog and Rockford get drawn into an adventure in sound that threatens the entire human race.
For lots more:
ON THE WEB: The first hour of the story is available free as a stream or downloads, you can then buy the whole story on DVD, CD, as downloads or streamed as an animated picture book and read-along:
http://www.rockfordsrockopera.com/home
ON iPHONE/iPOD TOUCH and iPAD: Visit the Apple App store where Part One of the story is available as a free App (Parts 2, 3 and 4 are available as paid
for Apps):
http://itunes.apple.com/gb/app/id345554761?mt=8
Friday 9 December 2011
A Really Raunchy Read? But That's Not Another Story by Rogeri
“Written strictly tongue-in-cheek with a large dose of poetic license coupled with pulp fiction overtones and underlying black comedy,” is how author Rogeri (his pen name) describes his recently published book.
But That’s Not Another Story is an offbeat tale of interconnected stories involving a variety of far-fetched scenarios laced with charmless characters. Each chapter’s chain of events gradually evolves, leading to the next extreme set of circumstances as a result of a telephone call.
Interspersed with sexual situations of a mixed nature (although such scenes are composed in the best possible taste!) the chapters are accompanied by an illustration for the purpose of illuminating each opening scenario.
The storyline ultimately completes a full circle, leading to the opening chapter’s character’s dire set of circumstances that result in a dramatic and conclusive ending.
Having been an avid reader at an early age and encouraged by an English teacher, creative writing in one form or another became one of the author’s prime hobbies. In the case of this novel, a sketch he made during a particular lunchtime whilst at work, as depicted in the first chapter, ultimately transpired itself into this completed and illustrated manuscript masterpiece!
An extract from But That’s Not Another Story is available to read at www.authorsonline.co.uk.
ISBN: 0755206819
RRP: £9.95
Imprint: Authors Online
But That’s Not Another Story is an offbeat tale of interconnected stories involving a variety of far-fetched scenarios laced with charmless characters. Each chapter’s chain of events gradually evolves, leading to the next extreme set of circumstances as a result of a telephone call.
Interspersed with sexual situations of a mixed nature (although such scenes are composed in the best possible taste!) the chapters are accompanied by an illustration for the purpose of illuminating each opening scenario.
The storyline ultimately completes a full circle, leading to the opening chapter’s character’s dire set of circumstances that result in a dramatic and conclusive ending.
Having been an avid reader at an early age and encouraged by an English teacher, creative writing in one form or another became one of the author’s prime hobbies. In the case of this novel, a sketch he made during a particular lunchtime whilst at work, as depicted in the first chapter, ultimately transpired itself into this completed and illustrated manuscript masterpiece!
An extract from But That’s Not Another Story is available to read at www.authorsonline.co.uk.
ISBN: 0755206819
RRP: £9.95
Imprint: Authors Online
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