Landmarks of the Bay of Islands - Past and Present

Raupo / Penguin Group, Auckland, 2008, 143 pages. Faded spine, minor wear to cover along bottom edge, review copy, with sticker on front end paper.

This highly illustrated regional history examines the noted landmarks, architecture, natural features and personalities around the Bay of Islands, a popular tourist destination in Northland. This picturesque area, dotted with headlands, bays and offshore islands, was the stage for early meetings between Maori and non-Maori, and plays an important role in New Zealand's history. In each of the 16 chapters, Marios Gavalas takes a feature of the landscape and gives a lively narrative on its history, comparing archival documents and images with contemporary photography and interviews with local residents, business owners and historians. Whether sitting in your armchair or venturing to the landmarks yourself, Landmarks is a passport to understanding the past behind today's landscape. And for visitors interested in learning more about the living history of this region, it offers a guide to local museums, historic sites and places of significance.