Book reviews

Republicanism in New Zealand

Chair — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 03:16:01 +1200

This is a very informative book on republicanism in New Zealand, but it can be uneven. The book is also very academic, and not very accessible to readers.

Building the Constitution

Chair — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 03:13:08 +1200

Building the Constitution was a conference organised by the Institute of Policy Studies, Victoria University of Wellington. 7 - 8 April 2000.

An Australian Republic - The Options

Chair — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 03:10:45 +1200

The report of the Republic Advisory Committee - Two Volumes. Canberra: Australian Government Publishing Service.

The Reluctant Republic

Chair — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 03:07:40 +1200

This book, by the former Australian Republican Movement Chairperson, goes over the history of republicanism in Australia but mainly focuses on what needs to be done to create a republic.

Bring Home the Revolution - The Case for a British Republic

Chair — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 03:02:50 +1200

Britain does not seem the natural home for republicanism but Freedland puts a strong case to bring home the American revolution and create a new political system in Britain.

The Captive Republic - A History of Republicanism in Australia 1788-1996

Chair — Sat, 09 Aug 2008 02:59:22 +1200

Republicanism is not a creature of the last ten years, but it has a long history of people who believed in democracy.

Fighting for the Republic

Chair — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:07:45 +1200

The Australian republic debate provides New Zealanders with a rich resource of polls, ideas and experiences. Fighting for the Republic documents the 1999 republic referendum campaign, and is a useful insight for New Zealand republicans.

The Governors

Chair — Sat, 12 Jul 2008 18:03:59 +1200

The Governors is an excellent book on the little known office of Governor and Governor-General in New Zealand.

King and Country - Monarchy and the future King Charles III

Chair — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:30:09 +1200

In his 2006 book King and Country - Monarchy and the future King Charles III, Robert Blackburn takes a pragmatic pro-monarchy stance. Blackburn reveals the difficult legal route for Prince Charles' second marriage, the powers of a future King, the attitude of Prince Charles to the title "Defender of the Faith" and the future of the succession law and the possibility of Prince William succeeding the Queen. Significantly, Blackburn also looks at the issue of republicanism in Great Britain.

New Zealand Republic

Chair — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 20:31:56 +1300

Authors: Alan Whelan, Barrie Cook
Publisher: Niu Pacific Limited
Copyright: 1997
ISBN: 0-473-04780-2
Pages: 84

New Zealand Republic is a good read and helps bring the republican issue to life. Get it free when you Join the Republican Movement.

New Zealand Republic is a quick guide to the issues of New Zealand becoming a republic and republicanism in New Zealand. It's an excellent starter for those interested in the topic. This book has a populist approach with a good mix of history, nationalism, political analysis and solutions. At 84 pages it is a quick read and is an easy book to pass around a group of friends. Its main fault is a lack of detail on Treaty of Waitangi issues associated with republicanism.