The Dwarf Who Moved And Other Remarkable Tales From A Life In The Law - Peter Williams QC

The remarkable title comes not from so me sordid tale of gnome stealing, although I'm sure Williams has probably defended a fair few of drunken, pilfering students in his day.  No, the tale is of an attempted murder on a circus performer, by his wife no less.  A tale of intrigue, with humorous twist, trials and tribulations.  This is the lighter side of the anecdotal memoir of one of New Zealand's most pre-eminent criminal barristers. Like Mike Bungay and David Baragwanath Williams looms large in the public mind.  And rightly, too.  In his time in criminal defence Williams has seen it all and everyone. From early days when abortion, homosexuality and even fortune telling were offences to the more sensational cases of wrongful imprisonment and police corruption, Williams has witnessed the defining moments in our legal evolution. This is William's chance to spill the beans on some of his biggest and most public moments with a rich and wise collection of memoir, anecdote and forensic analysis of the trials of Ronald Jorgensen, Arthur Allen Thomas, Mr Asia, James K Baxter, Winston Peters and many more cases (both celebrated and obscure).  Whilst he was always fearless, astute and compassionate, Williams does not shovel the proverbial muck.  The temptation to draw a line, now he's retired, and to slash out at our legal system or reveal the real truth behind might be there but its kept in check.  Williams, ever the gentleman, fading slightly as his battle with cancer perhaps takes some of the edge off the blade but still fair.  This is more an insight into our past more than a Nicky Hager style assault.  In a country as small as New Zealand it would be hard to get away with a true Legal Babylon anyway, and who would read it?  Williams leaves a legacy of anecdotes that remind us why we need lawyers like him - fair and fearless.  From a tale of a stolen red bicycle, his student days boarding, a mysterious fist through the Judas hole, and dynamiting of the High Court in Wellington there are some tall and true. In some cases truth is stranger than fiction, so an open mind also goes a long way. 

Williams, now 79, has a keen legal mind but also empathy for justice, for all.  He questions the growing length of sentences and to what end they will be.  He writes about the erosion of restorative justice in favour of the conservative hard line that faces up the serial criminals with the first timers and asks how this will rehabilitate anybody.  Behind the wig, Williams has trod the same streets as us and he thinks like us, although his gaze has come across many sights more unseemly than we should bear, and he wonders if we are becoming dehumanised to the aims of our justice system.  Perhaps we are more agnostic or complacent or dismissive.  "My fond hope in writing this book is that it may have at least a tendency to humanise its readers by granting a deeper understanding of the legal process and the characters involved."  It's not Rumpole of the Bailey, but it is a good and thoughtful read.  Court adjourned!

The Target - David Baldacci (Will Robie#3)

The mission is to enter one of the most secretive countries and extract the adopted family of an America-friendly North Korean General.  Meanwhile an equal adversary, an assassin borne and bred in the much feared labour camps of that country is plotting to take out the members of the First Family.  Enter into the mix CIA agents Will Robie and Jessica Reel.  Mix in some Southern White Trash Neo-Nazis and a disgruntled CIA high-Chain of command and you've got yourself an overcomplicated spy thriller packed with good 'ol cartoon violence, exaggerated egos and a ridiculously large amount of unnecessary blood and gore.  Of course only the baddies die.  There are a few unresolved issues pertaining to previous books (this is #3 in an on-going series) but in reality this one is still self contained.  There's not much I can add other than it's a story for the moment.  I was never on the edge of my seat - but it did entertain me during those train journeys to and fro to my much more mundane day job.  I can fantasise a little, can't I?  Here's the blurb :

The President knows it’s a perilous, high-risk assignment. If he gives the order, he has the opportunity to take down a global menace, once and for all. If the mission fails, he would face certain impeachment, and the threats against the nation would multiply. So the president turns to the one team that can pull off the impossible: Will Robie and his partner, Jessica Reel.
Together, Robie and Reel’s talents as assassins are unmatched. But there are some in power who don’t trust the pair. They doubt their willingness to follow orders. And they will do anything to see that the two assassins succeed, but that they do not survive.
As they prepare for their mission, Reel faces a personal crisis that could well lead old enemies right to her doorstep, resurrecting the ghosts of her earlier life and bringing stark danger to all those close to her. And all the while, Robie and Reel are stalked by a new adversary: an unknown and unlikely assassin, a woman who has trained her entire life to kill, and who has her own list of targets—a list that includes Will Robie and Jessica Reel.

“Baldacci has been on a hot streak for the past few years, and ‘The Target’ continues the trend. This isn’t a garden-variety thriller or even a garden-variety Baldacci. It’s among his most exhilarating books yet.”
–Richmond Times-Dispatch
“Baldacci knows how to get readers to turn the pages, and he’s in top form here.”
–Associated Press
“Many scenes in this tale would be unreadable, were it not for Mr. Baldacci’s brilliant use of language, his vivid supporting characters and numerous sudden and unexpected plot twists…[Baldacci] doesn’t let the action sag at any point…In [Chung-Cha], Mr. Baldacci has created one of his most memorable characters…”
–Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
“As ever, Baldacci keeps things moving at express-train speed…the one will whet appetites for the next appearance of his agent hero.”
–Daily Express (UK)


More at:  http://davidbaldacci.com/book/the-target-will-robie-3/

David Baldacci published his first novel, Absolute Power, in 1996. A major motion picture adaptation followed, with Clint Eastwood as its director and star. In total, David has published 28 novels; all have been national and international bestsellers, and several have been adapted for film and television. His novels have been translated into more than 45 languages and sold in more than 80 countries; over 110 million copies are in print worldwide. David has also published four novels for children. He has received numerous accolades for his writing; most recently, he was inducted into the International Crime Writing Hall of Fame and received the Barnes & Noble Writers for Writers Award.

A lifelong Virginian, David received his Bachelor’s degree in political science from Virginia Commonwealth University and his law degree from the University of Virginia School of Law, after which he practiced law in Washington, D.C.

While David is involved with several philanthropic organizations, his greatest efforts are dedicated to his family’s Wish You Well Foundation®. Established by David and his wife, Michelle, the Wish You Well Foundation supports family and adult literacy in the United States by fostering and promoting the development and expansion of literacy and educational programs. In 2008 the Foundation partnered with Feeding America to launch Feeding Body & Mind, a program to address the connection between literacy, poverty and hunger. Through Feeding Body & Mind, more than 1 million new and gently used books have been collected and distributed through food banks to families in need. 

David and his family live in Virginia.

Speed of Light – Joy Cowley

There’s no question that any novel by Joy Cowley will make you think and suck you in.  She’s not only a great story teller but a clever narrative architect.  A simple tale of a boy whose life is surrounded by chaos is visited by a mystery, only he doesn’t comprehend the meaning or the rationale.  Not yet initially.  It’s that classic building of layers on layers until the tensions explode. 

Jeff is a boy from a privileged household. But his family are not perfect.  His brother is holed up in a Thai prison for drug smuggling.  His loving, but promiscuous sister is constantly blurring the lines and pushing the boundaries, despite looking out for her little brother – when it suits her.  His father is the archetypical rich dad – grumpy, business obsessed with a real estate deal that goes foul, and blind to what’s happening in his own world – to his own family.  His mother works, if only to escape boredom of a rich captive lifestyle. 

Jeff can’t rely on anything – except mathematics.  Numerology and mathematics are the only truths he knows.  That interplays with a mysterious woman who appears in his garden during a storm.  She reappears again and again.  She passes on strange messages, indicating that she is not who she appears to be.  Everyone else passes her off as a strange deluded old lady but Jeff is not so sure.  Is she an angel?  Or something else? 

Cowley’s interplay between the false façade of adult authority and a child’s interpretation of reality is highly imminent here.  It’s wonderful to see how, as the story plays out, the adults all fall over each other as the main character, Jeff, remains true to himself to pull it all together.  It’s a story that will appeal to boys who don’t necessarily want to blow everything up.  Perhaps they might want to spend some time dealing with the complications of growing up without the puberty blues.  In many ways this tale is very real and ordinary.  To mean that gave it more authenticity.  I also enjoyed the bus trips and walks that Jeff took around the city of my childhood, Wellington.  I particularly enjoyed the tiny insignificant details and that breathe life into this story and inflate it just enough to carry it along.   It’s a delightful understated story. 

Underlying is the morals of hope, when adults are too obsessed to understand their children.  It’s not an original theme but it’s one worth revisiting.  If boys, who notoriously shun any emotive, sensitive literature can be encouraged to pick up this book then there is some hope of getting through and perhaps changing a destiny or two.  Perhaps there is something.  So how do we make that happen?

Adventures of the CoffeeBar Kid Rattle Special

Link here to listen to the show :  http://youtu.be/PVbsHyjZlxg

This is a special show featuring new releases from Rattle Records. 
Established in 1991, Rattle continues to be the pre-eminent art-music label in Aotearoa/New Zealand. Our aim is to provide an inspirational platform for the extraordinary diversity and quality of musics unique to this country, and to bring this rich sound-scape to the wider world. Our carefully curated catalogue is generously dotted with award-winning albums, and all of our releases have garnered high praise from critics and music-lovers the world over.
Not limited to classical, world or jazz, Rattle albums transcend boundaries of time and place. This is new music for open ears, music to engage the head as well as the heart.
Go to www.rattle records.co.nz

Link here to listen to the show :  http://youtu.be/PVbsHyjZlxg

Reinventing Mother? The Groove Book Report: Modern Classics by Simon Gault

'The dishes that made it into this book are quite simply the ones every cook should have in their repertoire.'  In Simon Gault Modern Classics you'll find a modern take on culinary favourites from around the world. Traditional dishes such as Italian risotto, roast leg of lamb and seafood paella are updated with Simon Gault's signature five percent magic. Favourite desserts such as crème brûlée, apple pie and cheesecake are reinterpreted with unexpected and irresistible fresh new flavours.
Learn to cook the perfect steak and soufflé, be inspired to try new recipes from different cuisines, and master an array of timeless dishes that promise to become your new go-to classics.

This is Master Chef, Euro owner, Food Emperor Gault reinventing classics with pretty much no fanciness - just a bit of nous.  He does the mushroom omelette - is that actually a recipe? - and Pizza Magarita, Croque-Monsieur, and naughty Macaroni Cheese Chips (big in Canada), Peach Melba (my Mum's dinner party show off dish), Cornbread (a movie staple), Spaghetti Carbonara, Potato Gnocchi, and a 'Japanese Rissoto' (is that a classic.  Anyways, there are all the faves here, even good ol' bread and butter pudding.  Can I say these appear better than the originals our mothers taught us?  Well that comes down to a number of things:  Did your mother teach you to cook?  If she (or your day) did, then you don't need this, save your money.  But if se/he didn't then you could pick up a few tips.  Or maybe there's the opportunity to re-educate yourself or be reminded how to make Spag Bog the proper way! Not like your flatmate john does.  On, the whole it's a good idea.  But is it worth forking out large sums of bread for what is a well photo's Edmonds Cookbook with a celebrity endorsement?  Mmmmm Juries out on that.  I'll head back to the kitchen and try a few more recipes before I can answer that one!

New Man Food. The Groove Book Report: Smoked: How to flavour, cure and prepare meat, seafood, vegetables, fruit & more - by Jeremy Schmid

Following the success of Bangers to Bacon Jeremy Schmid takes it a step further with Smoked and demonstrates the wide scope of this age-old art of preserving food. The enticing aroma of wood smoke is hard to beat but you don’t necessarily have to cook outdoors to create that sweet salty smoked flavour. Smoking units can be created for the stove-top, in a barbecue, or in a cabinet outside. Jeremy describes the difference between hot and cold smoking, explains wood fuels and spices to blend and balance the right level of smoky flavours and uses step-by-step photos to show the process. Individual sections on meat, fish and seafood, fruit and vegetables, dairy, eggs and nuts begin with technique and lead on to showcase delicious recipes Jeremy has developed using smoked foods. Make your own mouth-watering pastrami, or try Smoked Snapper Pie, Beer-crusted bread with Smoked Butter and Roast Apricots with Smoked Mascarpone for dessert.

There’s a receptive calmness about chef Jeremy Schmid that is almost disconcerting in an age of bad tempered, tantrum-throwing wanker chefs like Gordon-Fucking-Ramsay and his Hell's Kitchen 'Ristront'!  I hate the tense, nervousness he creates around his food and his style.  Everything is rush-rush.  Schmid's smoked cuisines are all about slowing down a little and enjoying the concept of crafting your mean, and respecting the ingredients and the people you are serving to.

Schmid's a traditionalist to the extent that he cures his own small meat products and salmon on the premises, when he cooks at his cafe's and good on him for that.  In Smoked he takes us (and I mean you and mean, the novices) through all the steps of hot and cold smoking and curing.  I'm sure you've seen people whip up green-tea smoked salmon with wasabi butter and truffle poo.  Well Schmid is not the one to pull out that muck.  He's all about basics done well. He does chicken, salmon game but also cheese too and plenty of vegetables.  And all you need is space in the garden and a halfway decent BBQ.  Yum.  Summer here we come!!!

The CoffeeBar Kid Interviews The very Fast Food Truck Man (Michael Van de Elzen

We interview Mike at a café in Wellington.  Mike was in town to promote Fast - his new book on good 'ol family cookin'. 

 

Fast: Good Home Cooking - A fantastic new collection of easy everyday meals by much loved chef Mike Van de Elzen

 

Foodies knew how terrific his food was when he owned the award-winning restaurant Molten in Auckland’s Mt Eden. TV viewers in their thousands discovered what fun he was and how inspirational and clever his cooking style is when they tuned into the three high-rating series of The Food Truck.
Now Mike is back with his fourth book, which showcases the food he cooks at home for family and friends, including his young daughters, Hazel and Ivy.
This sparkling collection of over 80 recipes covers everything from food for babies and toddlers to barbecues, Italian, Asian and Indian dishes, roasts, brunches and tempting cordials and drinks.

They’re straightforward to make, they’re healthy, they’re bursting with flavour — and, best of all, you can get them on the plate fast! 

 

Check out more at his website http://vandeelzen.com/