Difference between revisions of "Frontiers: A Colonial Dynasty"
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By [[Best Simon|Simon Best]] | By [[Best Simon|Simon Best]] | ||
| + | '''2013 Steele Roberts 432pp ISBN 9781927242216''' | ||
From the [http://www.steeleroberts.co.nz/books/isbn/978-1-927242-21-6 publishers website]: | From the [http://www.steeleroberts.co.nz/books/isbn/978-1-927242-21-6 publishers website]: | ||
| − | The story of | + | The story of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Barnard_Rhodes William Barnard Rhodes], Mary Ann Rhodes, [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Barnard_Rhodes-Moorhouse William Barnard Rhodes-Moorhouse VC] and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/William_Henry_Rhodes-Moorhouse William Henry Rhodes-Moorhouse RFC]. |
Two airmen of Maori descent lie buried together on a hilltop in Dorset, England. They are the grandson and great-grandson of a whaling captain who entered New Zealand waters in 1835, and who became one of the leading pioneers of European settlement in Wellington. The story’s main thread covers the four generations involved, and touches on early whaling off New Zealand and in the Pacific, European trading along the East Coast, the settlement and expansion of Wellington, the Thames gold rush and the first sheep stations in the Inland Patea. In 1883 the whaler’s natural daughter, her mother a local Maori, inherited her father’s wealth and moved with her husband to England, living in some of the country’s grand houses. Her eldest son became one of the world’s first aviators, winning a posthumous Victoria Cross over France in 1915. His son, also a decorated pilot, was killed at the height of the Battle of Britain. | Two airmen of Maori descent lie buried together on a hilltop in Dorset, England. They are the grandson and great-grandson of a whaling captain who entered New Zealand waters in 1835, and who became one of the leading pioneers of European settlement in Wellington. The story’s main thread covers the four generations involved, and touches on early whaling off New Zealand and in the Pacific, European trading along the East Coast, the settlement and expansion of Wellington, the Thames gold rush and the first sheep stations in the Inland Patea. In 1883 the whaler’s natural daughter, her mother a local Maori, inherited her father’s wealth and moved with her husband to England, living in some of the country’s grand houses. Her eldest son became one of the world’s first aviators, winning a posthumous Victoria Cross over France in 1915. His son, also a decorated pilot, was killed at the height of the Battle of Britain. | ||
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* 35-odd (very odd) years as an archaeologist in New Zealand and the Pacific. | * 35-odd (very odd) years as an archaeologist in New Zealand and the Pacific. | ||
| − | === | + | ===Admin's (Totally Biased) Review=== |
| − | This book brings together almost a decade of research into the history of one family whose story stretches across the oceans, from Britain to the Pacific Islands | + | This book brings together almost a decade of research into the history of one family whose story stretches across the oceans, from Britain to the Pacific Islands to New Zealand and back again. It combines Dr Best's archaeological knowledge of New Zealand, passion for the history of the RAF with archival research and field work both in New Zealand and the UK. Full of stories and richly illustrated. |
| + | Order it here: [http://www.steeleroberts.co.nz/books/isbn/978-1-927242-21-6 publishers website]. | ||
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[[Category:2013_Books]][[Category:Historic]][[Category:Books]] | [[Category:2013_Books]][[Category:Historic]][[Category:Books]] | ||
Latest revision as of 12:11, 22 October 2013
Frontiers: A Colonial Dynasty
By Simon Best 2013 Steele Roberts 432pp ISBN 9781927242216
From the publishers website:
The story of William Barnard Rhodes, Mary Ann Rhodes, William Barnard Rhodes-Moorhouse VC and William Henry Rhodes-Moorhouse RFC.
Two airmen of Maori descent lie buried together on a hilltop in Dorset, England. They are the grandson and great-grandson of a whaling captain who entered New Zealand waters in 1835, and who became one of the leading pioneers of European settlement in Wellington. The story’s main thread covers the four generations involved, and touches on early whaling off New Zealand and in the Pacific, European trading along the East Coast, the settlement and expansion of Wellington, the Thames gold rush and the first sheep stations in the Inland Patea. In 1883 the whaler’s natural daughter, her mother a local Maori, inherited her father’s wealth and moved with her husband to England, living in some of the country’s grand houses. Her eldest son became one of the world’s first aviators, winning a posthumous Victoria Cross over France in 1915. His son, also a decorated pilot, was killed at the height of the Battle of Britain.
Here is a family that lived on frontiers — of colonial exploration and commerce; of cross-cultural encounter; of speed and danger on land and in the air — both in peace and war. Theirs is an extraordinary story.
About the Author
Simon Best lists his main life occupations, in chronological order, as follows:
- Two years National Service in the RAF (as an erk),
- a year contract fencing in the Wairarapa and another in Northland,
- two years as a New Zealand Forest Service hunter,
- one year as a New Zealand Broadcasting Corporation copywriter,
- four years as a crocodile shooter in North Australia, and
- 35-odd (very odd) years as an archaeologist in New Zealand and the Pacific.
Admin's (Totally Biased) Review
This book brings together almost a decade of research into the history of one family whose story stretches across the oceans, from Britain to the Pacific Islands to New Zealand and back again. It combines Dr Best's archaeological knowledge of New Zealand, passion for the history of the RAF with archival research and field work both in New Zealand and the UK. Full of stories and richly illustrated.
Order it here: publishers website.
