Gordon McLauchlan is a well-known journalist, author and social commentator. He is a seasoned media commentator not afraid to speak his mind. His previous books for Bateman include: Great Tales from New Zealand History (2014, originally published 2005); The Saltwater Highway: The Story of Ports and Shipping in New Zealand (2012); The Passionless People Revisted (2012); and A Short History of New Zealand (2014). He was also editor-in-chief of The New Zealand Encyclopaedia (Bateman, 1984, revised 1987, 1991, 1995) for ten years.