To mark Canterbury's 150th anniversary, Christchurch City Libraries has published Rich man, poor man, environmentalist, thief - a historical book that portrays eight Christchurch personalities.

Launched on Friday 13 October, the start of Heritage Week, the book focuses on people who have impacted on the development of Christchurch but have been largely forgotten. "The lives of these early settlers to Christchurch make fascinating reading," said Sasha Bowers, Promotions & Publications Co-ordinator for the library. "The book looks in remarkable detail at the part these people played in shaping our city as we know it today."

The author, Richard Greenaway, considers the personalities portrayed in his book to be almost like "old friends". "The decision to publish the book was a wonderful opportunity to build on my existing knowledge of these people," said Richard Greenaway, Genealogy Librarian at Christchurch City Libraries. Rich man, poor man, environmentalist, thief is the result of extensive research into land, police, school, bankruptcy, newspaper and local body records, which revealed some extraordinary details about their lives.

Rich man, poor man, environmentalist, thief, priced at $10, is available from all Christchurch City council libraries and service centres.

Richard Greenaway is available for interview. For more information, please contact: Sasha Bowers, Promotions & Publications Co-ordinator, Christchurch City Libraries, 372 7845 or Richard Greenaway, Genealogy Librarian, Christchurch City Libraries, 379 6914.

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