Wits End Before Breakfast

Emma Robertson Lothian books
225 pages, $24.95


ALL working mums know trying to juggle kids with a career is an emotional rollercoaster.
Many could write a book on the experience, but it probably wouldn’t be as honest or humorous as the confessions of this brave mum.
Wits’ End Before Breakfast is a riotous journey of motherhood as first-time author Emma Robertson balances raising two lively daughters under the age of five, with working in the public service, studying a masters’ degree and writing a book. With two young daughters of my own, I could easily relate to Emma and her struggles, despite my family life being quite tame in comparison.

– Cpl Simone Liebelt

Trafalgar: the untold story of the Greatest Sea Battle in History.
Nicholas Best Weidenfeld and Nicholson
400 pages, $49.95


IT’S unfortunate that this book on the famous sea battle 200 years ago has been tagged the “untold story” because there’s really nothing new to be found in it.
English writer Nicholas Best has manfully tried to write an engaging and lively account in order to explain the significance of the battle while bringing to life both Lord Nelson’s final days and the lives of the men, English, French and Spanish who fought, died or survived on October 21, 1805.
But the question remains, given the extensive bibliography he has included, was it necessary to have yet another book on the battle?

– David Sibley