The Smell Of Powder: A History Of Duelling In New Zealand

Description

It's hard to imagine it but it's not long ago that some people in NZ were sorting out their feuds with duels. Yes duels - mostly using pistols but occasionally swords. The last one recorded was in 1935 in Auckland. These duels were fought because of too much wine; quarrels over money; casting a slur over another's character; defending a young lady's honour, throwing an orange at someone's head; and there was even a literary duel between a poet and a newspaper editor!
With illustrations by the inimitable David Elliot, The Smell of Powder: A History of Duelling in New Zealand is a gorgeous history and gift book all in one stunning package.

Author description

Auckland educated Donald Kerr has worked with rare books collections for eighteen years. Prior to that he was a teacher, and worked in publishing. He is passionate about books and enjoys long term projects in book history, especially the history of collecting and the formation of private libraries. Married to a nutritionist, and with one son, he enjoys the easy life of Dunedin. He is currently Special Collections Librarian at the University of Otago. He does not duel.