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Quake: The big Canterbury earthquake of 2010 with photographs by David Wethey and text by Ian Stuart

Christchurch Press photographer, Dave Wethey was amongst the first on the scene following the big quake in Christchurch on September 4th 2010. He captured the destruction it caused, the initial disbelief that an earthquake of such magnitude could happen in an area not previously known as being so close to a fault line and the amazement that no one lost their life during the quake and the days afterwards. . It is a pictorial exploration of the destruction, of people pulling together and of the huge effort taken to get the city and surrounding towns back on their feet.

Working with veteran reporter, Ian Stuart, Wethey has published this wonderful photographic record of the disaster and the days following it. This is not a definitive coverage and both admit that to do that would be impossible, as everyone in the region has their own stories (and often photos as well). This book does give those who weren’t in the region or city of Christchurch a view of what it was like though, and also gives people who were in the quake pictures of the places they might not have been allowed visit and see for themselves.

It is clear that Christchurch has a long way to go to rebuild, not to mention surrounding towns like Kaiapoi, and with aftershocks still making their presence felt, there will still be more stories to be told. Quake doesn’t attempt to explain how or why it happened, but instead presents a visual time capsule of a city changed forever in the most expensive natural disaster ever to hit this country.

This fascinating book filled with great photographs is a fantastic keepsake and a wonderful reminder of the force of nature. It will be a welcome addition to any school library or home. Many of the booksellers selling this book have also agreed to donate a percentage of the proceeds to the relief fund set up to help those most affected by the quake.

RRP $29.99
Published and distributed by HarperCollins publishers
 

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