{"product_id":"famous-times-photographic-history-of-hawkes-bay-book","title":"Famous Times photographic history of Hawkes Bay - book","description":"\u003cp\u003eIn this review of Famous Times the reviewer finds a quietly authoritative photographic chronicle ideal for readers interested in rural history and historic preservation. The book focuses on the Gordon family's woolshed-turned-museum and the wider Hawkes Bay sheep farming region, and its single biggest reason to buy is the way the photos and short historical notes preserve visual evidence of architecture and landscape that shaped a farming district for over 160 years. This is a review for someone who values images as historical record rather than a technical agricultural manual.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eKey Features\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eHistoric woolshed focus:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book uses the Gordon family woolshed, built in 1886, as a lens to explore the region and anchor the reader in a tangible historical site.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePhotographic journey:\u003c\/strong\u003e A sequence of photographs carries the reader through valleys, plains and coastline to illustrate how geography influenced settlement and sheep farming.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLocal context:\u003c\/strong\u003e Narration links images to the greater Hawkes Bay area, tracing how early settlers bought large blocks of undeveloped land and built the estates and woolsheds that followed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMuseum connection:\u003c\/strong\u003e Coverage of the converted woolshed museum and its auditorium gives readers a sense of preserved social history, including shearing and dog shows as living traditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eArchitectural interest:\u003c\/strong\u003e The book highlights how prospering sheep barons invested in large, often ornate woolsheds, useful for readers interested in historic preservation and rural architecture.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eWho It's For\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eThis book is best for readers who appreciate visual storytelling tied to regional history: photographers, local historians, and enthusiasts of agricultural architecture will find the images and contextual notes particularly rewarding. The emphasis on the Gordon family's woolshed makes it a good pick for visitors or researchers focused on New Zealand's rural museums.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt is not aimed at readers seeking a technical guide to modern sheep farming or a comprehensive socio-economic study; those looking for detailed farming data or contemporary industry analysis should look elsewhere. This is a photographic and historical record rather than an operational manual.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003ePros \u0026amp; Cons\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePros\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcellent photographic documentation that preserves views of landscape and architecture for future reference.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClear local context linking the Gordon woolshed to Hawkes Bay settlement patterns and sheep farming history.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStrong appeal to heritage and architecture audiences through attention to preserved buildings and their uses.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCons\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cul\u003e\u003cli\u003eLimited technical detail about sheep farming practices, so it may disappoint readers seeking agricultural instruction.\u003c\/li\u003e\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch2\u003eSpecifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003ctable\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eTitle\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eFamous Times\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAuthor \/ Curator\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eAngus Gordon\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePrimary subject\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eGordon family woolshed and Hawkes Bay sheep farming\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eHistoric focus\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eWoolshed built in 1886\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eContent type\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003ePhotographic journey with historical notes\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eRegional coverage\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd\u003eValleys, plains and coastline of greater Hawkes Bay\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\u003ch2\u003eOur Verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003eFamous Times is a thoughtfully assembled photographic record that will appeal to anyone interested in rural heritage, museum preservation and agricultural architecture. It provides clear visual and contextual value for visitors and local historians, offering good value as a regional photographic history even though it does not cover modern farming techniques.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch2\u003eFrequently Asked Questions\u003c\/h2\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDoes this book focus on a single site?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eYes, the Gordon family woolshed built in 1886 is the central site, used to explore the wider Hawkes Bay region.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eIs the book mainly photographs or text?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is primarily a photographic journey supplemented by historical notes and context rather than long academic chapters.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWill it help with practical farming advice?\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eNo, the book documents heritage and landscape; it does not provide contemporary farming instruction.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Angus Gordon","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48232650277083,"sku":"1499099169","price":51.77,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0724\/1043\/1707\/files\/71VkjW7iRjL._SL1360.jpg?v=1770831546","url":"https:\/\/gearmusthave.com\/products\/famous-times-photographic-history-of-hawkes-bay-book","provider":"GearMustHave","version":"1.0","type":"link"}