We were thrilled to have two books shortlisted for the 2019 Ockham New Zealand Book Awards: With Them Through Hell, by Anna Rogers, and Wanted: The search for the modernist murals of E. Mervyn Taylor, by Bronwyn Holloway-Smith.
While we didn’t come away with a win on the night, we are hugely proud to have these books recognised at New Zealand’s premier literary awards.
The judges commented on the high production values, engaging writing and the books’ focus on often overlooked areas of New Zealand history:
Wanted: The search for the modernist murals of E. Mervyn Taylor
Thoughtfully designed and beautifully presented, the creators of this book about the murals made
by artist E. Mervyn Taylor in the 1950s and 1960s have paid considerable attention to both content and production values and the result is impressive. The writers are diverse, the text engaging, and with the aid of well chosen illustrations the book delivers texture and context to a group of important and often overlooked public art works. It also makes a significant contribution to the broader understanding of artistic and cultural activity in mid-century New Zealand.
With Them Through Hell: New Zealand medical services in the First World War
In this exquisitely produced book, Anna Rogers introduces us to the little-known story of New Zealand’s medical services during the Great War. Ambitious in scope, and engagingly written, all dimensions of the medical effort are covered, as are the significant challenges the doctors, nurses,
stretcher-bearers, ambulance drivers and pharmacists faced in treating the traumatic impacts of war on the bodies and minds of soldiers. A remarkable history told with skill, compassion and empathy.
