New edition of classic history returns to print ahead of Anzac Day

The Anzac Experience: New Zealand, Australia and Empire in the First World War

Christopher Pugsley

Revised edition of much-praised history examines the Great War experience of New Zealand, Australia and Canada

‘One of the best works of Australasian military history I have ever read.’ 

– Allan Converse, The Journal of Military History

 

One hundred and ten years on from the Gallipoli campaign of 1915, a new era of wars in the eastern Mediterranean obliges us to consider the role of the military in human history. 

 

To understand how New Zealand and Australia first developed their response to global conflicts, The Anzac Experience is an important primer. This gripping book captures the evolution by trial and error of their respective armies, alongside that of Canada, from the Boer War in South Africa to involvement in the First World War. 

 

It tells the story of citizen soldiers becoming professional as they learned the lessons of Gallipoli and applied these to the Western Front — earning them the status of the fighting elite in the British armies in France. 

Richly illustrated with photographs and maps, The Anzac Experience blends social analysis and military history in a compelling combination. In its research and writing, Christopher Pugsley walked every New Zealand battlefield on Gallipoli and the Western Front. 

 

This revised edition features a new cover and updates to the text. 

 

The author

Christopher Pugsley is recognised among the first rank of military historians. A retired Lieutenant Colonel in the New Zealand Army, he was a lecturer in military studies in New Zealand and Australia, and retired in 2012 as a Senior Lecturer at the Royal Military Academy, Sandhurst. Among his recent works are the fifth edition of Gallipoli: The New Zealand Story and Le Quesnoy 1918. He lives with his wife in Waikanae.

Publication: 1 April 2025  |  ISBN: 978-0-947506-00-1 | RRP $49.99

Paperback, 240 x 170 mm portrait, 356 pages, b&w

Book giveaway: Food Atlas (2018)

Our final giveaway to celebrate 10 years of publishing is the colourful, visually stunning Food Atlas.

Food Atlas guides young readers and adults on a gastronomic world tour, with a smattering of cultural and geographical information thrown in. Gorgeous maps by renowned illustrator Febe Sillani detail the typical foods of the world, one country at a time. 

First published in 2017 by Dalcò Edizioni of Parma, Italy, this large hardback quickly became an international hit, translated into 18 languages and selling over 150,000 copies worldwide. 

It includes pages on Australia, New Zealand, but was not available here until Oratia published it with some local variations in October 2018.

Anzac biscuits, beech honey, Bluff oysters and boil-ups are the first of the foods on the New Zealand map, while the Australia spread covers a wide range of foods, wines, flora and fauna. Click here to find out more.

Readers of all ages Down Under can savour the tastes of the world through Food Atlas: from avocados to sausage rolls and baklava to pineapple lumps. 

Visit our Fb Page to be in to win a copy of Food Atlas. Prize available to New Zealand residents only. 

Competition closes on Tuesday 6 August, and winner announced on Wednesday 7 August.

Putting food on the map, globally and locally

International bestseller featuring Australia, New Zealand and Fiji comes Down Under through Oratia Books ...

Publishing in Oceania on 3 October, this is a visually stunning, content-rich book that once you pick up, is hard to put down.

Anzac biscuits, beech honey, Bluff oysters and boil-ups are just the first of an array of foods on the New Zealand map inside international bestseller Food Atlas.

The Australia spread covers an array of foods and features, including Granny Smith apples and macadamia nuts, Fairy Bread and the Pie Floater, plus gourmet entries like Australian wine.   

Sampling foods and ingredients around the world, this big, beautiful atlas guides young readers and adults on an illustrated world voyage, with a smattering of cultural and geographical information thrown in.

Hand-illustrated maps show in detail the most typical fruits and vegetables, meat, fish and cheese, cereals, beverages, herbs and spices for each region. 

The contents page of Food Atlas

One country at a time, the world of food takes shape, bringing to life the gastronomical wonders of the Earth while celebrating our different tastes and creations.

First published last year by Dalcò Edizioni – which is appropriately based in the Italian foodie haven Parma —Food Atlas has already been translated into 18 languages and sold over 150,000 copies worldwide.

Peter Dowling, Publisher of Oratia Books, closed the deal for Oceania rights with Paolo Dalcò, Publisher of  Dalcò Edizioni, at the Bologna Children's Book Fair in late March (pictured).

Paolo Dalcò (left) with Peter Dowlng at the Bologna Children's Book Fair 2018

Oratia has checked all the excellent material that the authors researched for Oceania.

Author Giulia Malerba lives in Parma, where she works as an author and editor of food books. Illustrator Febe Sillani is the celebrated author of over 80 children's books, many published internationally; she lives in Trieste, Italy.

Giulia Malerba

Febe Sillani

Now readers Down Under can also savour the tastes of the world: from cloudberries to tomatillos, samosa to quesadilla, and Baklava to Bløtcake. 

Publication Date: 3 October 2018 |  ISBN: 978-0-947506-51-3 |  RRP $39.99

Hardback, 370 x 270 mm, 72 pages colour

The Anzac Experience out today

Christopher Pugsley's remarkable account of the Anzac soldier is in bookstores today.

The Anzac Experience: New Zealand, Australia and Empire in the First World War ranges from the experience of imperial soldiers in the South African war to themes like Gallipoli, discipline and morale, and the influence Australian, Canadian and New Zealand forces had on each other as they evolved into the 'Diggers' by the end of the First World War.

For more details check our Books page.

ISBN: 978-0-947506-00-1
RRP: $45.00
Specs: Paperback, 240 x 170mm portrait, 356 pages, black & white, 60 photos