{"title":"Chris Taylor","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eChris Taylor\u003c\/strong\u003e offers a diverse range of engaging works that span from the thrilling world of aviation history to the rich tapestry of global culture. Readers can immerse themselves in captivating biographies, insightful art and culture explorations, and adventurous travel narratives that bring far-flung experiences vividly to life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eBeyond storytelling, Taylor’s work also appeals to the culinary enthusiast with inventive and approachable recipes that celebrate modern cooking. Whether delving into memoir, cuisine, or cultural discovery, his books invite readers to explore the extraordinary in everyday life.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"how-star-wars-conquered-the-universe","title":"How Star Wars Conquered the Universe","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eHow Star Wars Conquered the Universe\u003c\/em\u003e by Chris Taylor is a comprehensive exploration of the cultural phenomenon that is Star Wars. Spanning four decades of galaxy-spanning adventures and monumental influence, this book delves into the fascinating journey behind the iconic franchise. From George Lucas's early drafts and brainstorming sessions to the intricately orchestrated world that has captivated millions, Taylor examines every phase of this intergalactic saga with meticulous detail.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhy do people from all walks of life know what an Ewok is, even if they haven't seen \u003ci\u003eReturn of the Jedi\u003c\/i\u003e? How did Star Wars action figures come to proliferate until they outnumber human beings? How did 'Jedi' become an officially recognised religion? And when did the franchise's merchandising revenue start to rival the GDP of a small country? Taylor deftly tackles these questions and more, revealing the profound and surprising impacts of the Star Wars universe on popular culture and everyday life.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eTracing the birth, death, and rebirth of the epic universe built by George Lucas and hundreds of writers, artists, producers, and marketers, Taylor immerses the reader in the process of creative engagement and evolution. He jousts with modern-day Jedi, tinkers with droid builders, and even gets inside Boba Fett's helmet to understand the essence of Star Wars mania. Through interviews, anecdotes, and insightful analysis, \u003cem\u003eHow Star Wars Conquered the Universe\u003c\/em\u003e unveils the secrets behind the enduring allure and inspirational force of the Star Wars saga.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIndeed, it's impossible to imagine a Star Wars fan who wouldn't love this book. Critics and fans alike have praised Taylor's work. As \u003ci\u003eBooklist\u003c\/i\u003e (starred review) puts it, \"There are plenty of books about Star Wars, but very few of them are essential reading. This one goes directly to the top of the pile.\"\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you've been a Star Wars devotee since the original 1977 release or you're a newer fan enticed by the latest instalments, \u003cem\u003eHow Star Wars Conquered the Universe\u003c\/em\u003e promises a rich, immersive experience that deepens your appreciation for this legendary cinematic universe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Allen \u0026 Unwin","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45702878691564,"sku":"9781784970598","price":32.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781784970598.jpg?v=1726744464"},{"product_id":"fabulous-modern-cookies-by-paul-arguin-9781682686591","title":"Fabulous Modern Cookies","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOne of NPR's \"Books We Love\" 2022\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDo we need another cookie book? As far as I'm concerned, the answer is always \"yes.\" Here we have the classic cookie food groups (bar, drop, rolled, slice-and-bake, etc.), but they've been wickedly turbocharged with unique flavour hacks. Why wouldn't you insinuate a layer of ganache into your black-bottom lemon squares? Why wouldn't you powder freeze-dried raspberries for your sugar cookies? And for heaven's sake, why wouldn't you add milk powder to your browned butter for the world's most insanely malty chocolate chip cookies? Prepare your secret-stash cookie jar, folks – you're gonna need it. \u003cstrong\u003e- T. Susan Chang for NPR\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDelicious and dazzling...for cookie fanatics, this one is sure to be a hit! \u003cstrong\u003e- Publisher's Weekly, starred review\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eChris Taylor and Paul Arguin bring a fresh perspective and heaps of creativity to everything they bake. Now reinventing America's most traditional handheld dessert—the cookie—they offer 100 reliable and exciting recipes that are sure to impress. From Pumpkin Snickercrinkles to Black-Bottom Lemon Squares, and Coffee Bean Crunchers to Bronze Butter Chocolate Chip Cookies, these are next-level cookies.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eCombining their passion for serious baking with their professional backgrounds as accomplished scientists, Taylor and Arguin apply new methods and modern ingredient pairings to develop novel base recipes with innovative techniques. In these pages, they share what they've learned in lively tips and tricks for every recipe and style of cookie. Complete with mouthwatering photos, options to make ahead, decorate, or infinitely adapt, these outside-the-box recipes are the very definition of fabulous.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46998072262892,"sku":"9781682686591","price":47.99,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/2569183482787.jpg?v=1763207385"},{"product_id":"national-geographic-a-divers-guide-to-the-world-by-carrie-miller-9781426220920","title":"National Geographic A Diver's Guide to the World","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFilled with compelling stories, expert advice, and stunning National Geographic photography, this comprehensive guide features extraordinary destinations for divers who like to travel, divers travelling with non-diving companions, and travellers who are passionate about the ocean.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDive travel experts Carrie Miller and Chris Taylor travelled to 50 inspirational locations around the world—spending more than 250 hours underwater—to bring you this one-of-a-kind guidebook. In these rich and inviting pages, you will find travel stories and practical tips to make the most of your next adventure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eMarvel at manta rays and dragons in Komodo; explore the hiking and diving paradise of Saba in the Caribbean; dive in with white sharks and whale sharks in Australia; discover shipwrecks and sand dunes in North Carolina's Outer Banks; learn martial arts and shore-dive in Okinawa, Japan; linger in the land and sea gardens of Bormes-les-Mimosas, France; road-trip around the marine reserves and coastal towns of New Zealand's North Island; and so much more!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThere is a purpose to these extraordinary travel experiences—conservation through exploration. To that end, each location highlights a global issue—from the necessity of protecting remarkable ecosystems like coral reefs and mangroves, to sea turtle and shark conservation—and suggests ways you can learn more and get involved.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eWhether you're dreaming of your next dive holiday or looking to travel the world a little differently, this guide will inspire you to get out and explore—above and beneath the surface!\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Penguin Random House NZ","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47072316129516,"sku":"9781426220920","price":65.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/21805153482695.jpg?v=1765094597"},{"product_id":"how-star-wars-conquered-the-universe-by-chris-taylor-9780465049899","title":"How Star Wars Conquered the Universe","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn 1973, a young filmmaker named George Lucas scribbled some notes for a far-fetched space-fantasy epic. Some forty years and £37 billion later, \u003cem\u003eStar Wars\u003c\/em\u003e-related products outnumber human beings, a growing stormtrooper army spans the globe, and \"Jediism\" has become a religion in its own right. Lucas's creation has grown into far more than a cinematic classic; it is, quite simply, one of the most lucrative, influential, and interactive franchises of all time.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eYet incredibly, until now, the complete history of \u003cem\u003eStar Wars\u003c\/em\u003e, its influences and impact, the controversies it has spawned, its financial growth and long-term prospects, has never been told. In \u003cem\u003eHow Star Wars Conquered the Universe\u003c\/em\u003e, veteran journalist Chris Taylor traces the series from the difficult birth of the original film through its sequels, the franchise's death and rebirth, the prequels, and the preparations for a new trilogy.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eProviding portraits of the friends, writers, artists, producers, and marketers who laboured behind the scenes to turn Lucas's idea into a legend, Taylor also jousts with modern-day Jedi, tinkers with droid builders, and gets inside Boba Fett's helmet, all to find out how \u003cem\u003eStar Wars\u003c\/em\u003e has attracted and inspired so many fans for so long. Since the first film's release in 1977, Taylor shows, \u003cem\u003eStar Wars\u003c\/em\u003e has conquered our culture with a sense of lightness and exuberance, while remaining serious enough to influence politics in far-flung countries and spread a spirituality that appeals to religious groups and atheists alike.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eControversial digital upgrades and poorly received prequels have actually made the franchise stronger than ever. Now, with a savvy new set of bosses holding the reins and Episode VII on the horizon, it looks like \u003cem\u003eStar Wars\u003c\/em\u003e is just getting started.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eAn energetic, fast-moving account of this creative and commercial phenomenon, \u003cem\u003eHow Star Wars Conquered the Universe\u003c\/em\u003e explains how a young filmmaker's fragile dream beat out a surprising number of rivals to gain a diehard, multigenerational fan base, and why it will be galvanising our imaginations and minting money for generations to come.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Hachette Aotearoa New Zealand","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47742019076332,"sku":"9780465049899","price":65.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9780465049899-how-star-wars-conquered-the-universe.jpg?v=1781430166"},{"product_id":"experimental-test-pilot-by-chris-taylor-9781399048859","title":"Experimental Test Pilot","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"book-description\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAn autobiographical, readable, and humorous account of ten years as an experimental and military test pilot at MOD Boscombe Down. Chris Taylor has had a highly successful career as a Royal Navy officer, helicopter pilot, test pilot, instructor, and as an internationally acclaimed civil certification test pilot. His first book, \u003cem\u003eTest Pilot\u003c\/em\u003e, concentrates on anecdotes and incidents from the most recent phase of his career. \u003cem\u003eExperimental Test Pilot\u003c\/em\u003e is the prequel, detailing his account of ten years' service as an experimental test pilot from 1994 until 2004 at MoD Boscombe Down, the UK's tri-Service home of military aircraft testing and evaluation.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eIn this book, Chris explains what led to his passion to be a test pilot and how, with tenacity, he played the cards he was dealt as well as he could. The story captures the difficulties and challenges associated with being selected for the single annual place at the Empire Test Pilots' School (ETPS) and the dedication required to complete the very demanding twelve-month course.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eChris was one of only three helicopter experimental test pilots posted to the Experimental Flying Squadron (EFS). There, he worked with scientists from the Defence Research Agency (DRA) at Bedford and Farnborough on several cutting-edge technologies, specialising in ship\/helicopter interface testing. In addition to flying the Westland Wessex, Lynx, and Sea King, Chris acted as an evaluation pilot in the Hunter, Jaguar, Andover, Hawker Siddeley HS748, and the Comet.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eDuring his time as an active test pilot, EFS was merged into three platform squadrons, which gave Chris the chance to play a full part in conventional 'release to service' activities in a wide variety of rotorcraft. Asked to take on the role of a flight test instructor (FTI), Chris served at ETPS, where he made sweeping changes to the syllabus, acquired a new helicopter type, and had to deal with several students who could not cope with the rigours of the course. In his first year, he experienced a 'flame out' in a Hawk jet, an engine failure during his first flight in the twin-engine Basset, and crashed the school's Westland Scout helicopter—all of which are fully discussed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eFollowing four successful years teaching helicopter flight test, Chris was recruited to manage the ETPS short course portfolio. This required the design, sale, and delivery of numerous flight test courses while introducing innovative teaching methods and the use of civil registered aircraft. In this new, exciting, and rewarding role, Chris taught both fixed-wing and rotary-wing students. The book explains the difficulties of learning the additional skills and flight test techniques required of a fixed-wing test pilot.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eThis autobiography explores the military flight test career of an individual who is arguably one of the best qualified and most experienced test pilots working today anywhere in the world.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eAUTHOR:\u003c\/strong\u003e Having wanted to be a pilot for as long as he can remember, Chris Taylor gained his private pilot's licence at the age of seventeen. He joined the Royal Navy while studying for a degree in Electrical Engineering and, after serving as a Navigation Officer on numerous ships, went on to operate Wasp and Lynx helicopters, flying in all weathers from frigates deployed worldwide. After five years instructing, he became an Experimental Test Pilot and flew all manner of experimental aircraft for research and development purposes before returning to the Empire Test Pilots' School as a Flight Test Instructor.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\n\u003cp\u003eHaving served at Boscombe Down for ten years, he joined the UK Civil Aviation Authority as an aeroplane and rotorcraft test pilot. With the closure of the CAA's Flight Test Department, he formed Dovetail Aviation Ltd and has continued to test fly a wide variety of aircraft ever since. Chris has flown over four hundred different kinds of aircraft, is a Fellow of the Society of Experimental Test Pilots, and is a licensed Category 1 Test Pilot and Flight Test Instructor for both aeroplanes and helicopters. This arguably makes him one of the best qualified and most widely experienced test pilots working today. Additionally, he finds time to be a Helicopter Examiner and Instructor for helicopters, aeroplanes, and autogyros when not playing with his grandchildren.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Unknown","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":47900350873836,"sku":"9781399048859","price":100.0,"currency_code":"NZD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0705\/7784\/8556\/files\/9781399048859-experimental-test-pilot.jpg?v=1783402093"}],"url":"https:\/\/bookhero.live\/collections\/chris-taylor.oembed","provider":"Book Hero","version":"1.0","type":"link"}