Chapters include: the Northern War; the Taranaki War; and the Waikato War. Also included are special sections on: George Grey; Henry Despard; Wiremu Kingi Te Rangitake; Rewi Maniapoto; and Te Kooti.

The series of conflicts between Maori and Government soldiers between 1845 and 1872 are known as the New Zealand Wars. They produced many heroes - both Maori and Pakeha - and many stories, of bravery and heroism, and of cruelty and folly. The wars continue to have an impact on the shape of the country today. In this highly readable book Ross Calman outlines the main wars in this almost thirty year period and gives us an insight into the key actions and outcomes of the time.Ross Calman (Ngati Raukawa, Ngati Toa, Kai Tahu) has written, edited and translated numerous books, in English and in Maori. He is the author of The New Zealand Wars (2004) and The Treaty of Waitangi (2003), and co-author of the Reed Book of Maori Mythology (2004), the Reed Essential Maori Dictionary (1999) and the Reed Maori Picture Dictionary (2001), and revised the latest edition of the Reed Concise Maori Dictionary (2001).