No comments about Out Around Sydney, 2nd: Your Gay Travel Companion (Out Around - Thomas Cook).

3 comments about The French Polynesian Dive Guide.

1. It was an okay guide. I was looking more for fish species and other dive information.



2. This book was useful when we visited the South Seas as to what was "under" the water. It is very well presented with drawings of fish in the area as well as routes to take when scuba diving. It is limited as to the islands it covers so one should check to see if the book covers where you will be.



3. There was a brief history of the French Polynesian Islands with slightly more detailed information on the individual islands. The best thing was the wonderful underwater dive site maps. I love it!

5 comments about Mutant Message Down Under.

1. The message of the book is actually one of intolerance and racism. It is racist to misappropriate the culture of another, distort it, and profit from it. It is also racist to idealize people as "Noble Savages" capable of superhuman feats, but incapable of genetically engrained human traits (e.g., competitiveness & deception - much as we don't like to admit it, survival would be impossible without those traits). This books promotes ideas such as "racial purity" and the like in the guise of complimenting Australian aboriginal culture. It is no compliment to be idealized out of human existence. The constant drumbeat of "mutant" and misguided Western cultures is equally offensive and racist. A bad deal all around. To state that the message of the book prevails in spite of its fabricated context is to deepen the disrespect to the aboriginal peoples of Australia. If you want a true spiritual lesson, then pay heed to well-researched anthropology and derive lessons from those truths - not from a wishful projection of a never-never land. It is not theology - it is not fiction - it is a cynical, racist and poorly-executed attempt to make a fast buck off the empty, narcissistic practices that pass for spirituality too often these days.



2. An excellent read. Engaging story, compelling message. Did I feel a little deceived after a Google search turned up the controversy? Yes, so I dropped my rating from 5 stars to 4. But the reviewers giving this book a "1" rating appear to have an axe to grind. Maybe they need to re-read this book, recognizing that's it's fiction, and keep an open mind to the timeless messages contained in this book.
   
   Morgan's fuzzy intro leaves the reader unsure whether the story is based on the author's actual experience, or whether it's a novel. Sort of like H.G. Well's War of the Worlds. Smart way to get her message out IMHO, in that controversy increases the number of people that will read her message, and it's definitely a message worth reading.
   
   Morgan weaves many new age themes into a story that paints an unbelievably beautiful picture of an Aborigine tribe, leaving the reader contemplating our modern society's pitfalls, excesses, and abuse of planet Earth. Contrasting "civilized man's" ignorance is the Real People's tribe higher order view of our relationship to the universe, the creator, and to each other. The book provides thought provoking spiritual lessons, an increased respect for nature and awareness of mankind's abuse of it, and a plea to be thankful for the little things in life that we all take for granted. Very entertaining and impactful. Read it and judge for yourself, but keep an open mind to the message.



3. Mutant Message Down Under is truly one of the best books I have read in a long time.
   Great insite into the freedom of a 'walk about'.
   It is too bad that there is only one more book, by this author.



4. Is Mutant Message a true story? I don't know.
   Is Marlo Morgan lying to the public? I don't know.
   
   Did I enjoy this book?
   Every single word, from start to finish.
   It has been suggested that Mutant Message Down Under is nothing more than a rehashing of pop New Age philosophy with storyline points more in common with Native American culture than any Aboriginal truths.
   Perhaps that is so. Again, I don't know.
   
   What I do know, is that the message put forth is one of timeless truth and desperately needs to be heard... again and again, in our materialistic and compassionless world today.
   
   Set aside your doubts as well as your need for quantifiable evidence and use your own inbuilt intuition to discern the veracity of this Timeless Message from antiquity.



5. This succinct, accessible, and fascinating book is truly a journey about and of self-discovery. I read it twice within a week's time: the first was a page-turner; the second, more contempletive, thoughtful, and at an intensly slower pace. I will undoubtedly re-read it several more times, for the basic principles are pertinant to daily life and worth recalling when occaisionally smudged by "daily life." It is worth carrying with me.

5 comments about Slipping into Paradise: Why I Live in New Zealand.

1. It's not that it's a terribly _bad_ book, just hopelessly mislabeled. A better title would be "A Dull Exposition of the Flora, Fauna, and Native Peoples of New Zealand". It's not a total loss, the author gives some insight on the pros and cons of other places (e.g.: Hawaii - too confining, London - too expensive and dirty). He also gives a nice itinerary at the end of the book, even giving directions to his beach-side house.
   
   Several times he points out the tendency of Kiwi's to cut pretentious people down to size, which is especially ironic since the author appears to be pretentious in the extreme.
   
   If you're looking for a book to give solid information about emigrating to New Zealand, this isn't it. If you're looking for practical day-to-day advice from someone who has done it, this isn't it. If you want a heavy dose of whining and pontification - this is the book for you.
   
   My recommendation: "Browse" the book at a local bookstore (you can read the 1-2 worthwhile chapters very quickly) then save your money and put it back on the shelf.



2. Speaking as an American living in New Zealand (indeed, a Berkeleyite, just like Masson), this book really got under my skin, and not in a good way. Masson arrives in New Zealand with all his Berkeleyan world-explaining ideas (The Despoiling White Man, The Noble Savage, The Oppressed Native Peoples ) intact, needing only a smattering of experience to trot them out and apply them to his adopted country. There is next to no learning in this book, remarkably little writing of charm, insight or wit--just an endless litany of "I did...", "I felt...", "I was affected by..." paragraphs, interspersed with the kind of factual material that a high-school student might include. As journalism it is far too slapdash. As memoir, its self-regard and -indulgence far outweighs its meager helping of resonance. In short, I can't believe that this book had an editor.
   
   This is clearly a book that was written on his veranda, for people who already take him for an intellectual/empathetic figure of note. Not having ever read anything else of his, I found nothing here to justify that standing, which makes it only the more irritating that he is so "up himself", as the Kiwis would say.
   
   New Zealand is indeed a wonderful, wonderful places, for some of the reasons Masson describes, and for many others as well that he never notices. Even when he says something I sort of agree with, I start mentally arguing with him. GAHH!



3. But about the author himself. Obviously an intelligent and well-traveled man. You can't miss that point , as he reminds you of such every other paragrah. I do , though , actually enjoy his writing style and enjoyed the book despite him. More on the actual state of living in NZ would be called for. After reading the book , I know little of how the common Kiwi spends his day , week or year. How the children grow through school and society. The state of business and commerce. I know much much more of the author's political beliefs (Michael Moore is courageous, American Blacks are entitled to reparations etc etc) that have no connection with , or bearing on , New Zealand. I know that he and his wife are well read , well traveled , well met(oh the name dropping!) and certainly , well off. I know that, with broad brush strokes , and 'not quite right' fellings in his gut, he paints entire countries and cultures - not as inferior to new Zealand's - but as unworthy of his residence. And thus Mr. Masson's book , in it's essence, is not really more than so much of the same pseudo-intellectual fluff that he so casually , yet specifically, dismisses.



4. I picked up Slip into Paradise in advance of my first trip to New Zealand, later this year (2008), and I thoroughly enjoyed it. I was looking for something that was more than the run-of-the-mill guide book or history book (both of which I also acquired and are helpful). I was not disappointed at all with Jeffrey Masson's account of his experiences in New Zealand.
   
   This book added a third dimension to my travel preparation. I feel like I got a great flavor for what inspired his love for his adopted country, and confirmation of why I have been so interested in traveling to that country. I am not one to travel and sit in a tour bus or hang out where all of the other tourists go, and I greatly appreciate Jeff's personal itinerary that identified specific places that he found to be fun, interesting and not the local tourist sites.
   
   I experienced the book as having been written by someone who is not afraid to get out there, enjoys meeting with people in many venues, learning a lot about himself and a new place, and sharing these experiences in an engaging way. I totally recommend it and look forward to my trip to New Zealand and hope that I can experience the richness of getting to know New Zealand to the extent that Jeff has experienced. If I come away with this kind of adventure I will not be disappointed and will have stories to share with friends and family.



5. The opening passage peaked my interest yet it was not far into the 2nd chapter before I realized this book is a dud. If it was assigned in a University to a class of psychology majors I could see it being useful, but not if you really want to learn about life in NZ. My family and I are hoping to move there and I approached this book wanting to see how another transplant viewed NZ. The author has psychology training and it seems he slips into psychoanalysis mode way too easy. He tells you many things about all the other countries he has lived in and not enough about NZ. I found his conversation with Sir Edmund to be just plain bizarre. Fortunately I did not buy this book but borrowed it. So if you are thinking of reading it check out your local library or you might feel like you wasted money.

2 comments about Australia: An Ecotraveler's Guide.

1. This is an odd little hybrid, but quite useful. With beautiful photos, like a coffee table book, but small in size; with many maps, but none detailed enough to really use; with travel suggestions, but little "getting there" or "where to stay" information, it is a little bit of this and a little bit of that. What it does, more than say "Watching Wildlife," is put the flora and fauna in an ecological and evolutionary context, explaining why a particular species or area is unusual, and worth seeing. There are many sidebars with interesting natural history, and references to recent scientific studies along this line. But it is also a guide to the highlights of where to see nature in Australia.
   Bottom line is, you will need other guides to fully plan an ecotourist trip to Oz, but you will get a lot more out of the trip if you read this book first.



2. "The best guidebook [about Lord Howe island] is Australia: An Ecotraveller's Guide by Hannah Robinson," Mark Rowe, Travel Overseas, November 2005.

1 comments about Fodor's See It New Zealand (Flexi), 1st Edition (Fodor's See It).

1. This travel guide to New Zealand wins five stars for two reasons.
   
   First, this book explodes with dozens and dozens of color photographs and color maps. You cannot help but be "wowed" with the beauty of the nation of New Zealand, as well as the beauty of this book.
   
   Second, this travel guide points out--using a star system--(1.) how naturally beautiful; (2.) how kid-friendly; (3.) how historically intersting; (4.) how walkable, and (5.) how photo-friendly a whole list of cities and regions are. This information is precious because it helps you plan out your trip accordingly. (By the way, I took this book with me to New Zealand, and I found their rankings accurate and very helpful.)
   
   But this guide alone won't be sufficient for travel in New Zealand. You'll have to add another one or two guides that are far more chock-full of details and practical information than "Fodor's See It New Zealand" is. My suggestion is "The Rough Guide to New Zealand," which served as my go-to lifesaver when I was over their on my honeymoon.

No comments about A Visit to Australia (Heinemann First Library).

2 comments about Insight Pocket Guide New Zealand (Insight Pocket Guides).

1. This is a colorful book with lots of pictures about New Zealand. Its first couple of chapters include the history and culture of New Zealand are especially interesting. They were very useful for visitors to the Kiwi country. However, its lack of large street maps, area maps and detail route maps are disappointing as well as annoying. Although the front cover has an overview map of both the north & south island, I think it will improve the ease of reading and research if various level of district maps and street maps are provided, especially when a traveller was deciding which hotel/motel to book reservations and how far he/she needs to drive from one scenic spot to the next. Without this, it is disasterous for travel planning. Other things to include will be web sites for driving directions such as www.wises.co.nz etc. For a backpack traveller like me, I will even be willing to pay more if road maps/ street map of Auckland are included with the book (which some of the publishers are already doing).



2. great information on new zealand cities and points of interest,historical & commercial. excellent itineraries with photography to give you a true sense of the trip, including physical requirements. recommend it highly for a first-time visitor!

1 comments about Queensland & the Great Barrier Reef (Regional Guide).

1. My husband and I like travelling. We are used to Lonely Planet series.
   But this one has been almost completely useless. We are always careful to get the most up-to-date version, and if it hasn't been updated in the last two years we definitively don't rely on it alone, only as background information.
   On the inside of the cover, it is said this 2006 version has been lately reviewed. However EVERYTHING except some addresses were out of date.
   Furthermore the guidebook doesn't provide a lot of information or description as we were used when using Lonely Planet guidebooks for our travelling in Asia.
   We got much more and for free at the Tourist Information Office, which address it is true we had found in the Lonely Planet guidebook. But even the address of the Cairns' QWSP Office(Queensland Wildlife Bureau, where you can get park permits) was wrong. The cost of living, including restaurant were all wrong. It is NOT true that vacation is cheap there. It is definitively more expensive than the US. Indeed Queensland has learnt the value of the Great Barrier, and how much money they can get for it from the tourism. It is a real business.
   Saying that we enjoyed very much our time there: people are nice (I love their humour), landscape and 'seascape'were marvellous, food expensive but very fresh and tasty, especially seafood. It was just a pity we had to be careful over our spending because we didn't expect and so plan the local expenses.
   
   To come back to Lonely Planet guidebooks, it is the second one in few months that has disappointed us. The first one was on Kauai Island, Hawaii. May be we should only consider Lonely Planet for Asia and Latin America destinations.

No comments about Lonely Planet Vanuatu.