Author(s): Bob Harvey

Auckland | Secondhand

When New Zealanders think about their favourite places, the odds are that most would nominate a beach. Beaches seem to encapsulate our golden moments, especially our rites of passage, and are often the setting for some of our happiest memories. In this dazzling sequel to his bestselling 1998 book Untamed Coast, Bob Harvey focuses on Karekare Beach, made famous by Jane Campion's acclaimed 1993 film The Piano and the Crowded House album of the same year, Together Alone. Rolling Thunder is an evocatively-written tribute to this special place, steeped in centuries of Maori history, and celebrated worldwide in image, word and song. Beautifully-reproduced works of art by Gretchen Albrecht, Don Binney, Dean Buchanan, Stanley Palmer, Peter Siddell and others are included. Chapters cover the history, natural history, surfing and surf-lifesaving, the artists, the guardians, and the "originals", New Zealanders with unique talents who make this place their home. 'Karekare on Location' chapter describes the feature films, TV series and commercials, fashion shoots and music recording sessions that Karekare has hosted. Rolling Thunder explores the significance of beaches in our lives, why these places seem to encapsulate our golden moments, especially our rites of passage. Bob Harvey writes with insight and passion about the place and the people, the wild weather, the wildlife and the "people of the night" who are drawn to the dunes for midnight incantations. This is one of the most unusual New Zealand books of 2001, generously illustrated with hundreds of photographs, and superbly printed on quality art paper. This is a treasure for the generations. "Probably no book more comprehensive, or more sumptuously illustrated, has ever been published about a single New Zealand stretch of sand, surf and rock." The Listener, Denis Welch ++ Finalist for the Montana Medal for non-fiction (Environment) 2002 ++