Angela Wanhalla

This is a physically weighty book, due to the paper needed to support so many high-quality illustrations. And though each individual chapter - about 6 pages each on a historic object - is easy to read, that physical weight seems to reflect the sheer quantity of history crammed in as well.

Individual chapters cover objects as diverse as a pūtorino, a cannon involved in the Taranaki Wars, William Colensoe's composing stick, a feeding bottle included in a mother-and-baby portrait - which, poignantly, was probably responsible for the same baby's death - a Noah's ark toy, Katherine Mansfield's bone hei tiki necklace, the "Smiling Boys" health stamps of 1931, and many more. For each one, a photo of the object is included, along with other images contextualising its time, and its story is told.

I didn't read all the chapters and some I just skimmed but it was an incredible insight into the sheer quantity of history in our country that we don't really learn or talk about.… (altro)