Tuesday, December 02, 2008

THREE NOTABLE NEW ZEALANDERS TELL THEIR STORIES

Wind Driven – The Barbara Kendall Story
Tim Shadbolt – A Mayor of Two Cities
Out of the Park – The Craig MacMillan Story

WIND DRIVEN
The Barbara Kendall Story
Wendy Kinney-Kendall – Random House - $36.99

Barbara Kendall is a remarkable New Zealand athlete, our most successful windsurfer having competed in five Olympic Games along with numerous world championships,(winning her first world crown at 20 years of age), and other international regattas.
She has dominated the world windsurfing rankings for more than 20 years. The inspiring story of an inspiring Kiwi athlete. Great cover.

TIM SHADBOLT
A Mayor of Two Cities
Tim Shadbolt – Hodder Moa - $49.99

Tim seems to have been around for ever having burst on the scene about 35 years ago with the then sensational Bullshit & Jellybeans.
This is his first book since then and largely it covers the years in between taking in the Springbok Tour, Bastion Point, mayoralties won and lost, movies, poetry tours, wives and lovers, the Paua Shell House, Dancing with the Stars, Intrepid Journey maker, and a whole. whole lot more.
Never far from controversy, these days Shadbolt is Southland’s greatest advocate, Mayor of Invercargill, columnist, entertainer, husband, father and grandfather, political lobbyist, television presenter and celebrity speaker.
He has lead an exciting and sometimes dramatic life, I for one can’t help liking him even though I have never met him; his book is an entertaining read, a slice of contemporary social history of the country he clearly loves. Good on you Tim.

OUT OF THE PARK
The Craig MacMillan Story
With Neil Read –Hodder Moa $39.99

This is the perfect title for Craig MacMillan’s story as he entertained us often by whacking the cricket ball out of the park. How we could have done with him in the Black Caps during their just completed tour when they were whitewashed by Australia.

In his book Macca, as he was known to \his friends and fans, has opened up on his remarkable cricketing life. He talks frankly about his NZ and overseas contemporaries, his relationship with coach John Bracewell and of being dropped from the Black Caps, the Karachi bombing, the series win over England on English soil, the clean sweep against Australia in the 2007 Chappell-Hadlee Trophy.
A highly readable and most entertaining story, a must-read for all cricket lovers.
Thanks for all those great matches Macca, well done with your book, enjoy your retirement from international cricket, life on those other leagues, and the extra time you now have to be with Cherie and the kids.

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