Rating: 
- Makes New Zealand come alive!
Dr. Elder has written a fine travel memoir that made New Zealand come alive for me prior to my trip there. The title is a great metaphor for the book. New Zealand is far away, physically and psychically, from his home in New York. Dr. Elder enriches his adventure with historical background on the places that he visited such as the biographical sketch of Captain James Cook which is part of the chapter (titled "Meeting Captain Cook) about the Marlboro Sounds.
Some reviewers have called this book a "guide book," and it has a great deal of useful information, but I consider it fine travel writing. I suggest that those interested in New Zealand read this book first and then get a copy of the Lonely Planet guide when they're ready to go.
Rating:
- Good for information
Dr. Elder definitely describes the places he visits in New Zealand adequately and the book gives some good information for people who are planning a trip in the future.
However, I took many of his impressions about the people he met with a grain of salt. Dr. Elder seemed much more forgiving of people who may have erred if they had a good bottle of wine. He seemed harshly judgmental and impatient many times which made me regret purchasing the book, especially since the majority of the text deals with the people he met along the way.
Rating: - Trying to impress you
I was very disappointed in this book as it really said nothing about NZ. Rather it is an attempt of one arrogant New Yorker's idea of how to impress you with how well he can judge people and wine.
I couldn't finish it. This is rare for me as I am a compulsive reader. I don't usually review books....but if you want to know about NZ this is *not* the item.
Rating:
- Inspires to visit NZ, but without the author
I purchased this book because I enjoy reading personal accounts of travel as a jumping off point to plan my own trips. The best of these books inspire you to visit the described locations and wish that the author could travel with you.
Although I enjoyed the descriptions of New Zealand and the Kiwis, the tone and attitudes of the author made me hope that I would never meet him, in New Zealand or elsewhere. Because of this limitation, I am extremely unlikely to re-read this book. Once is enough time of my life to spend with Mr. Elder.
If you are looking for an entertaining travel book from an author you may still like as a person at the end of the book, I strongly recommend In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson. I've read this book cover to cover at least twice and will occasionally pick it up just to read a chapter at random. I find it funny and informative at the same time.
Rating:
- Book review
Reads well. Good insight into the ins and outs of staying at homestays and farmstays.
- Makes New Zealand come alive!Dr. Elder has written a fine travel memoir that made New Zealand come alive for me prior to my trip there. The title is a great metaphor for the book. New Zealand is far away, physically and psychically, from his home in New York. Dr. Elder enriches his adventure with historical background on the places that he visited such as the biographical sketch of Captain James Cook which is part of the chapter (titled "Meeting Captain Cook) about the Marlboro Sounds.
Some reviewers have called this book a "guide book," and it has a great deal of useful information, but I consider it fine travel writing. I suggest that those interested in New Zealand read this book first and then get a copy of the Lonely Planet guide when they're ready to go.
Rating:
- Good for informationDr. Elder definitely describes the places he visits in New Zealand adequately and the book gives some good information for people who are planning a trip in the future.
However, I took many of his impressions about the people he met with a grain of salt. Dr. Elder seemed much more forgiving of people who may have erred if they had a good bottle of wine. He seemed harshly judgmental and impatient many times which made me regret purchasing the book, especially since the majority of the text deals with the people he met along the way.
Rating:
- Trying to impress youI was very disappointed in this book as it really said nothing about NZ. Rather it is an attempt of one arrogant New Yorker's idea of how to impress you with how well he can judge people and wine.
I couldn't finish it. This is rare for me as I am a compulsive reader. I don't usually review books....but if you want to know about NZ this is *not* the item.
Rating:
- Inspires to visit NZ, but without the authorI purchased this book because I enjoy reading personal accounts of travel as a jumping off point to plan my own trips. The best of these books inspire you to visit the described locations and wish that the author could travel with you.
Although I enjoyed the descriptions of New Zealand and the Kiwis, the tone and attitudes of the author made me hope that I would never meet him, in New Zealand or elsewhere. Because of this limitation, I am extremely unlikely to re-read this book. Once is enough time of my life to spend with Mr. Elder.
If you are looking for an entertaining travel book from an author you may still like as a person at the end of the book, I strongly recommend In a Sunburned Country by Bill Bryson. I've read this book cover to cover at least twice and will occasionally pick it up just to read a chapter at random. I find it funny and informative at the same time.
Rating:
- Book reviewReads well. Good insight into the ins and outs of staying at homestays and farmstays.