Unopened, uncut, half cut, and a butterknife ‘To introduce Wordsworth into one’s library is like letting a bear into a

Every now and again you need to go back and read a Trollope book or two. They are unexcelled for

Bookplates, recording the previous ownership of books that might stretch across centuries, are not perhaps the most obvious of objects

In the 1790s you could distract yourself from the French Revolution across the Channel, and all its threats, by indulging

When you read old books, you often come across things that have a strong connectivity. Often what seems to be

In the later 1860s, the age of European discovery in New Zealand has taken a turn. There is a war

Occasionally when reading early literature, you come across a common word which seems to have a new meaning, though in

Frederick Edward Maning leaves you rather breathless. A tall, rangy Irishman, he arrived in the Hokianga in 1833 from Hobart,

William Curling Young (1815-1842) was part of a family heavily involved in colonial policy and initiatives. In the end he

In the late 18th and early 19th centuries, going to prison, if you had some means, was not necessarily the

When you read early literature, you frequently come across things you would like to share. The personalities of those who

On the first trip back to China since Covid, I climbed (on the escalator) to the Mid Levels in Hong

There is a recording out of a very fine song and performance, The Huia and the Magpie, performed by Tāmira

Diaries and journals are often attractive for their attention to the mundane. This seems to humanize the writer. But then

While reading about Thomas Gilbert and his refusal to serve in the Taranaki militia during the first war there in

There has been a new post (read more), of four books that arise from, or have an interest in, the

Amidst the rampant militarism of the 19th century empire, we don’t hear much about those who objected to serving in

Another piece on early New Zealand books has been posted (read more). This covers the main books published between 1856

I was on the phone the other day talking with a University of Auckland psychology student, who was drumming up

As you read through the early books on New Zealand (read more) the narratives of missionaries, early visitors and traders, settlers

More writing on early New Zealand Books has been posted (read more). This time the period covered is 1843 to

There is a new piece now posted in Early China books (read more) on the seven French Jesuit priests recruited

Early New Zealand books, 1840-1843 More writing on early New Zealand Books has been posted (read more). This time the

I guess there is nothing unique in setting up a personal website, but it does raise the issue of just