Did you just call me a racist?

Kobi came home with a new book the day before yesterday, called Horrible Histories, something or rather..... Warriors....

He tells me theres stuff about Maori in it. I took it off him to read what they said... couldn't beleive my eyes.

: Mad Maori - Rowdy rebels who had a fing about flagpoles..... and further it says " The Brits gave the Maoris  Booze and Guns, the Maoris gave the Brits New Zealand."

Just like that!!! what an awesomely responsible piece of well researched writing for a childrens author of a non-fiction book.

I couldn't bear it. so I googled the author and wrote to him telling him so.



From: Emma Harford
Sent: 21 September 2009 09:29
To: twistedtales@btconnect.com

Subject: Horrible Histories - Handbooks - Warriors
Dear Terry,
I am writing to you from New Zealand, my 11 year old son received the above titled book today as a books-in-homes initiative and quite excitedly sat down with me just now to share some of the contents. He announced that there was a section on Maori Warriors in it which immediately piqued my interest as I am taking Maori studies at Auckland University. I understand that the mode of the book is fun with learning, a humorous take on historical battles but I was dismayed by what I read. I guess it doesn't help that Im also descended from the tribe mentioned in the story, Hone Heke being one of my ancestors. While the story wasn't exactly accurate... actually it was completely inaccurate, it just concerns me that we end up with books in New Zealand written in foreign countries which perpetuate myths about Maori and Maori culture.
I don't think Im being too sensitive, I really felt compelled to sit down, google your name and contact you or your publisher with my concerns. I understand this book is meant to be easy to read and fun, but its fundamentally not truthful. I also understand that you cannot expect the targeted reading age to understand the nuances of a battle between a coloniser and colonised, and the cost to the colonised. Thats all very boring for a 6th grader and takes more than 3 pages to explain. My other issue is that other parents in New Zealand like myself will have children reading this, they maybe aren't aware of the historical falsehoods perpetuated by stories like these, they end up in a kids book and further validate a selectively described history of New Zealand.
Im not enjoying writing this at all, but I felt quite sad, not entertained once I'd got to the end of the account of Maori Warriors. Theres probably not much can be done about the issue as it stands, I just wanted to be a voice that perhaps makes people aware that there are cultural inaccuracies in something as benign as a childrens book. I would hope that in future more thought could be given to this area.
Kind regards,
Emma Harford.


He replies:

Dear Emma Harford.


I’m not an historian myself, I am a children’s author, but when I write Horrible Histories I use experienced researchers who make few errors of fact. Since you have contacted the publisher I assume you will have detailed the inaccuracies you believe you have spotted and they will look into them. Future editions can be altered if there is documentary evidence to support your claims.

To suggest that only nationals should write books about their own nation is wholly unacceptable. I have come across this sort of implied racism before and would argue only what you call books “written in foreign countries” can offer the detachment necessary to give an unbiased picture.

Thank you for sharing your views and I regret I cannot agree with them.
Terry Deary



What the fuck Terry Deary...... you wouldn't know unbiased if it was a pack of 'Maoris' smashing you in the face.

Consequently the book, and the email are going to Maori Studies today to be scrutinised by my lecturer. I am hoping that department decide to rip Terry a new one.