Caitjan Gainty King’s College London Caitjan Gainty is a historian of twentieth century medicine and technology. She initially trained in public health and worked for several years in health care research before returning to academia to pursue a PhD in the history of medicine, which she received in 2012.
New Zealand’s oldest person, Ron Hermanns, a Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF) war veteran who was still living independently in his own home in Christchurch, has died. He died on Monday, just three weeks from his 110th birthday. Hermanns drew media attention in 2010 when at the age
Michael Bassett bassettbrashandhide.com Political historian Michael Bassett CNZM is the author of 15 books, was a regular columnist for the Fairfax newspapers and a former Minister in the 1984-1990 governments Whenever some unexpected global affliction hits mankind a set of instant “experts” rear up and give us their wisdom.
On July 23rd, the good ship Brothers’ Pride departed from London bound for New Zealand. On the 26th, it made its last port of call in England and the passengers waved goodbye to England as it left Gravesend. Being a ship of 1,236 tonnes, it departed Gravesend with 371
Horns. Cloven hooves. Pointy tail. Chiselled abs, goatee, red tights and pitchfork. You all know who it is. A figure as recognisable in popular Western culture as Santa Claus, Jesus or Elvis. The Devil. Previously, I’ve looked at the evolution of historical depictions of Jesus and Mary. But what
Every ethnic group has its culinary pride. New Zealand Maori tout their under-dirt cuisine called the ‘Hangi’, the English have toad in the hole, the Scots wave around their Haggis, the Germans put that look on their face with their sauerkraut and the French, apoof! (their cuisine largely exists because
It sounds like something from a Marvel movie: mysterious, lost “Heisenberg cubes” of Nazi-era science. But Heisenberg cubes are very real — they were part of the Nazis’ race to build an atomic weapon. Nearly all were lost in the chaos of the fall of the Third Reich, but scientists hope
Eliora Here are two book reviews that are very different from each other, but equally good reminders that 40 years ago a Springbok rugby tour divided New Zealand. The violence that occurred has been at times labelled as eight weeks of “Batons, Brawls, Barbed wire and Boks.” Hold The Line
As part of our drive to keep our comment section the best in New Zealand we showcase each week an example of a top-notch comment that adds value to The BFD. Today’s comment was written by Greg Moore Thank you Greg for taking the time to craft such an
Once upon a time upon a time, Mums used to make everything. Thinking back, one has clear memories of homemade bread, cakes, jams, preserves, muesli, ice blocks and even delish homemade cooked ice cream. These days one buys it all but rarely feasts on anything other than tasteless empty pleasures.
Louis T. March mercatornet.com Louis T. March has a background in government, business and philanthropy. A former talk show host, author and public speaker, he is a dedicated student of history and genealogy. Louis lives with his family in the beautiful Shenandoah Valley of Virginia. Tired of hearing about
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it,” George Santayana famously wrote. Australians, by and large, are quite ignorant of their history. They have been condemned to repeat it, in the 2020s. After 230 years, Australia has reverted to being an island prison. And, in an echo
Michael Bassett bassettbrashandhide.com Political historian Michael Bassett CNZM is the author of 15 books, was a regular columnist for the Fairfax newspapers and a former Minister in the 1984-1990 governments In the 1920s and 30s, some Labour Party leaders hoped to insulate New Zealand from the world so they
As part of our drive to keep our comment section the best in New Zealand we showcase each week an example of a top-notch comment that adds value to The BFD. Today’s comment was written by Brian Dingwall. Thank you Brian for taking the time to craft such an
