Travel to New Zealand

Straying from the Flock: Travels in New Zealand

Format: Paperback
Author: Alexander Elder
ReleaseDate: 25 April, 2005
Publisher: Wiley
Rating:

Great read
It is a story of one person's trip, where he went, the sights he saw and, best of all, the homestays and people he met. This is not a normal travel guide. We plan to go to New Zealand next year & I'd like to do it just the way Alexander Elder did! .

Made Me Want To Go
Elder always knows when geography or history or personal anecdotes are appropriate. Alex Elder has the rare ability to combine history, culture, cuisine, geography, and adventure with the personal involvement and insight of an experienced, thoughtful person. From how to get to a glacier by helicopter or where to find the best fishing guide, Elder's book is full of timely information. But some of ther best reading comes when Elder tells of his excursions and his meals and his interactions with New Zealanders. Some chapters read like suspenseful popular novels. It is rare to find such an informative trove so well written. You will want to travel to New Zealand after reading STRAYING FROM THE FLOCK. .

Not all that
It is a nice quaint little story, but not helpful in the least if one is traveling to NZ. I bought this book in preparation for a move to NZ for three years. I agree with the other reviewer about the whiny tone of the book. Apparently, Dr. Elder, like most Americans (unfortunately), feel that the world is theirs for consuming. I don't think that the book gave an accurate account of the people of NZ, nor the changing NZ culture in the face of rampant globalization, which is what I had hoped for given the author's expertise. One positive aspect of the book, however, is the historical introduction that it provides. It is well-weaved into the story and does provide a useful framework for learning more. .

Related products:
click image or link for details on these New Zealand travel books.

	Lonely Planet New Zealand
	The Rough Guide To New Zealand - 4th Edition
	Frommer's New Zealand (Frommer's Complete)
	The Rough Guide to New Zealand Map (Rough Guide Country/Region Map)