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Bassdrum Books specialises in New Zealand Social History and non-fiction. Bassdrum Books does not accept poetry or memoirs. Please contact Bassdrum Books first before sending manuscripts. For more information see our Submissions page.
New Zealand Social History
Learn, Teach, Serve |
Compiled By Peg Cummins |
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Ardmore Teachers' College opened in 1948 to help address the shortage of teachers in New Zealand caused by the 'baby boom' after WW2. It was New Zealand's only fully residential teachers' college and during its 27 year history, trained around 8500 teachers. Standards of training were high at Ardmore and its graduates were much sought after. The closure of the College in 1974 was the end of an era and although nothing remains at the site to indicate the College's existence except for a memorial stone, it lives on in the memories of its thousands of students. They form the 'Ardmore Family' to whom this book is dedicated. Ardmore Teachers’ College has played a significant role in the social history of New Zealand. The thousands of teachers who graduated from this recognised centre of excellence have taught hundreds of thousands of New Zealanders over the course of half a century and through this, their example, expertise and ethics have been stamped on the very fabric of our nation.
This lavishly illustrated book compiled by Peg Cummins, herself an Ardmore graduate, brings out the essential ‘flavour’ of the college and will become an indispensable volume in the library of anyone interested in New Zealand’s social history, and more especially to those who taught and studied there.
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My War Years |
By Harry van Weerden |
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This small book of wartime reminiscences takes a look at the 'Japanese war' from an unusual perspective and one that is often ignored by military historians - through the eyes of a young boy interned in various Japanese prison camps with his missionary parents following the Japanese occupation of the area. Harry van Weerden, the young boy in question and now a New Zealand citizen of some 50 years standing tells us of his life in the Dutch East Indies in the period leading up to the war, the horrors of the war and his eventual repatriation to Holland prior to emigrating to New Zealand. This book is essential reading for anyone interested in the social history of the times as it throws a light on the dying days of European dominance in the East Indies and the whirlwind changes brought about by one of the most horrific periods of warfare that the world has ever known. |
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Beekeeping
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Beekeeper's Field Guide |
By David Cramp |
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This fully updated and revised version of the popular Beekeepers' Field Guide includes:
Plus NEW sections on:
Now with this guide:
A fully illustrated, practical, easy to follow field guide to the apiary which includes comprehensive trouble shooting guides to:
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David Cramp BSc, Dip. Ap, has kept bees both as a hobbyist and as a commercial beekeeper for over 15 years. He gained a Post Graduate Diploma in Apiculture at the Bee Research Unit at the University of Wales (Cardiff) and for many years he owned a beekeeping enterprise in a remote area of Spain producing organic honey and giving beekeeping courses to groups and individuals. He then moved to New Zealand as manager of a large commercial beekeeping company specialising in active manuka honey production. He has written extensively for the UK and US bee press and edits the internationally popular online beekeeping magazine Apis UK. |
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Producing Royal Jelly |
By Ron van Toor |
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Guide For The Commercial and Hobbyist Beekeeper by a known expert in his field, Dr. Ron van Toor is the most up to date and complete guide to producing Royal Jelly currently available. It doesn’t matter whether you have one hive or one thousand or more, Ron’s clear text, illustrative diagrams and colour photos will take you step by step through every stage of producing this healthy and profitable hive product. With great tips on how to increase production and store the fresh product this book is simply:
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| This book on the production of royal jelly is currently the most comprehensive text on the subject available in English. The 80 page book will appeal to all beekeepers whether they are hobbyists or commercial bee farmers, and even those who are currently producing royal jelly will find valuable information on improved methods from this expert in his field. For those beekeepers, or smallholders who have thought about beekeeping, and are looking for a profitable sideline to their mainstream activities, the production of royal jelly is just such a possibility. The clear explanations, diagrams and photographs will take the beginner through all stages of production from setting up the correct numbers of hives to selling the packed product. Only the most modern methods of production backed up by sound research are explained in this book which offers many tips on how to increase your production and profits. | |
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Downshift Abroad |
Blog about 'Changing Your Life' |
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A couple left the security of definite employment, steady salary and a weekly routine to a life without any of these. After over 10 years in such an environment circumstances forced them to up shift again, return to an 'Anglo-speaking' country, get a job and enter the world they hoped they had left behind for ever. The blog follows their life on their downshift and the subsequent up shift.
The ultimate downshifting philosopher must be the King of the Himalayan Kingdom of Bhutan who has stated that the Gross Domestic Happiness is far more important for his country and his people than the Gross Domestic Product. If you even mildly agree with this piece of ultimate wisdom then you have the makings of a downshifter in you. |
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The book will be published in 2009 and will be available for purchase through Bassdrum Books and our distributors.
Please contact us for more information. |
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