Australia & South Pacific Books - Page 3

AA Road Atlas: New Zealand (AA Road Atlases)

AA Publishing

Amazon Price: $16.50 List Price: $25.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Aa Publishing Amazon Marketplace: 24 new & used starting at $12.43

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Subjects -> Reference -> Atlases & Maps -> Atlases
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

A great help for tourists... 5 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

If you're planning on renting a car in another country to do some sightseeing, I highly recommend this series of Road Atlas. I have several of them from different countries and all of them are extremely helpful when you want to make your own route for a driving excursion. It is large scale, with excellent detail on roads and routes. A must have for driving in other countries.

Editorial Review:

Discover New Zealand's clearest mapping with this new large format atlas from the experts at the AA in association with Hema Maps. Including information on distances and journey times, map symbols, route planning, and keys to map pages, this is the perfect companion for travelling through New Zealand. Each page is titled with its geographical location so you can turn to the page you need more easily. There is additional information on more than 600 campsites, motor caravan and motorhome dump stations, 20 city maps, plus the Top 25 Places to See and the Top 20 Things to Do. The Lord of the Rings film locations are also shown on the mapping, so you can visit the set locations used for the films.

Straying from the Flock: Travels in New Zealand

Alexander Elder

Amazon Price: $10.17 List Price: $14.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Wiley Amazon Marketplace: 29 new & used starting at $6.99

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 40 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Kindle your Wanderlust! 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This is a wonderful travel narrative: entertaining, informative, fun. As I eagerly turned pages, I felt I was taking a "virtual trip" to NZ (both North and South islands), and one that provided me a sense of familiarity when I made an actual trip there in March 2008. Dr. Elder shares his quirky observations about the people, "straying from the flock" alternative lodgings like homestays and farmstays, the country's history, the local food and wine, and some key destinations on both islands. His highlights of places to see -- like Auckland, Queenstown, Rotorua -- and activities unique to each guided me in planning my own itinerary. The only aspect of the book that proved somewhat "dated" was the reported cost of everything. Clearly, when Dr. Elder made his trip, the exchange rate was much more favorable to the US$ than it is has become in the last year or so. (For example, when he paid NZ$100 for something, it cost him less than US$50. That would translate into about US$80 in today's market.)
In summary, for anyone contemplating a trip to NZ, or just curious about this faraway land, I recommend this book as an essential part of your research and planning.

Editorial Review:

An illuminating road trip through the history, life, and attractions of one of the most beautiful countries in the southern hemisphere
The beauty and grandeur of New Zealand has captured the imagination of movie-goers over the past couple of years, and the country is a dream destination for many around the world. Straying from the Flock is an intimate and personal account of one passionate traveler's visit to this incredible country, its mountains and beaches, fjords, rainforests, vineyards, and hidden eateries. Each of the fifty chapters describes one day in his travels-fishing, flying, cattle herding, befriending locals at every turn. Filled with colorful stories and memorable personalities, the book not only describes the trip of a lifetime, but captures a life-altering experience for its writer. From mountains and rainforests to cities and beaches, Straying from the Flock is both a moving memoir and personal travel guide to this amazing country.

The Rough Guide to New Zealand 6 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)

Tony Mudd, Paul Whitfield, Laura Harper

Amazon Price: $18.47 List Price: $27.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Rough Guides Amazon Marketplace: 50 new & used starting at $15.00

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 2.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

The Rough Guide to New Zealand is the essential guidebook to this spectacular destination, with exhaustive practical information, a full-colour introduction and hundreds of restaurant and hotel listings. Make the most of the astonishing variety of New Zealand, from the craggy coastlines and sweeping beaches, to the bubbling volcanic mud pools and fast-flowing rivers. More detailed than its competitors, this completely updated guide features colour sections highlighting Maori culture, adventure sports and the country’s unique ecology. Catering for every traveller, from wine buffs to Lord of the Rings freaks, The Rough Guide to New Zealand is heaving with historical and cultural detail and is packed with new maps and more photos – it even finds time to teach you the world-famous haka!

Hawaii Eyewitness Travel Guide (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

Bonnie Friedman

By: Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd Amazon Marketplace: 16 new & used starting at $16.19

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 14 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Too short, too high level 2 out of 5 stars.
9 of 12 people found this review helpful.

We own about 15 of the DK Eyewitness Travel guides, and have dogeared the pages over several trips. They are amazingly useful.

But this one is not their best effort. Hawaii is a very diverse place, and to try and "hit the highlights" in a travel guide is a mistake. This book is right at 200 pages, but almost 80 are about Honolulu, Wakiki and Oahu, leaving only 120 pages for all of the other islands. Even the pieces about Oahu (with little info about the west coast/Makaha and just a mattering on the North Shore) and Honolulu (with a few measly paragraphs on Pearl Harbor) is scant.

As I said, I love the DK Eyewitness series, it is the first travel book we get when going someplace new. But for Hawaii, there are several other books more in-depth. If you are going to Maui or The Big Island, I suggest getting Maui:Revealed or Hawaii The Big Island: Revealed (each 300 pages, pictures, maps, etc.)

Disappointing 3 out of 5 stars.
8 of 9 people found this review helpful.

I give this book 3 stars because the pictures are beautiful and they made me go and visit the places pictured in the book. But, as another reviewer wrote, you can't cover all the Hawaiian islands in 150-200 pages. Way to little info about the islands and the sights. Ok if you want a quick overview, but not ok if you want details. I usually like the DK guide books, but this one was disappointing. The Ultimate Guide and the Rough Guide are much better.

Hawaii (Regional Guide)

Jeff Campbell

Amazon Price: $14.95 List Price: $21.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Lonely Planet Amazon Marketplace: 56 new & used starting at $10.87

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 20 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Taking this back to the library 2 out of 5 stars.
14 of 27 people found this review helpful.

I could barely read any of this book. The type is so tiny and hard to read, and the maps are all grey and difficult to read as well. Everything is just scrunched in there and you have to pore over that map to figure out what the heck you're looking at. They're way too busy. They cram too much detail into one map.

Its information is segmented well, and it's good that they list operating hours and prices where they can, but I just can't squint at that little type. The lettering on some of these maps is literally as small as the head of a pin. I'm supposed to be able to whip this out of my backpack on the island and use it as a quick reference tool? This book is going back to the library; I'll just have to find another book to use.

Editorial Review:

Discover Hawaii

Abandon the beach towel and plunge into snorkeling heaven in a coral crater, p.155

Soothe your sunburn with a chilling masterpiece from the islands' shave ice gurus, p.180, p.493

Feel the heat of Hawaii's continual rebirth amidst the lava of Earth's most active volcano, p.291

Experience genuine aloha 'aina atop the world's tallest sea cliffs, p.448

In This Guide:

Six authors, 5328 miles driven, 148 beaches combed, 106 detailed maps.
All-new color sections showcase Hawaii's highlights, outdoor activities and local people.
Expansive surfing coverage and all major islands' top spots revealed by a Surfer magazine editor.
You asked for it, we researched it: more listings for outfitters, tours and sustainable travel experiences.

Bali & Lombok (Lonely Planet Travel Guide)

Ryan Ver Berkmoes, Iain Stewart

Amazon Price: $14.95 List Price: $21.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Lonely Planet Amazon Marketplace: 42 new & used starting at $13.32

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

be skeptical. 2 out of 5 stars.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

We spent three weeks in Bali using this book as a guide. For overviews of different parts of the island, we found it very helpful, and we relied on the maps to sort of get our bearings. However, I suspect we could have gotten those things from any travel guide. The Lonely Planet book in specific was recommended to us by our travel agent, and because of the witty and intelligent writing, we thought it would be well-researched and trustworthy.

Not so! We were very disappointed with a lot of places reviewed well by the authors of this book. We stayed in the hotel marked "our pick" in Seminyak and it was much more expensive, we couldn't get hot water, and we got eaten alive by mosquitos. It recommends an "art market" in Ubud that is probably worse for rabid hawkers than Jalan Legian in Kuta. It hugely understates the presence and tenacity of hawkers and touts. The authors seem unaware of Bali Belly, traveler's sickness, Montezuma's Revenge, whatever you want to call it, and there's no advice on avoiding that. It neglects to mention anything that I could find about women being barred from temples during "that time of the month" or where sarongs and sashes are required and how they're supposed to be worn.

I don't think this book works as a stand alone guide. It paints a picture of Bali as the nicest place on earth, full of charming this and breathtaking that. We followed its advice and found a version of the island overrun by tourists, rife with scam artists, with culture and history pushed aside by Bintang t-shirts and anything else that could generate a quick buck. We also found amazing places and wonderful people, but only once when we put down this misleading book and started trusting our instincts.

Editorial Review:

Scramble down rocky cliffs to find a private surf beach, then climb back up to your motorbike, tanned and supercharged, p. 79. Flip yourself over the edge of a boat while diving the blue depths off the Gili Islands in Lombok, p. 306. Dance the day's sand off your feet at Kuta's rowdy clubs or spruce up for Seminyak's sleek bars and restaurants, p. 112. Sip honey-ginger tea in a rose-petal bath, drifting back to earth after a mandi lulur massage, p. 84.

--Two great authors, 68 days of in-country research, 51 detailed maps, 133 bottles of Bintang.

--An all new outdoor activities section with detailed diving and surfing information.

--Features a Food & Drink chapter by renowned Ubud restaurateur and author Janet de Neefe.

Frommer's Hawaii 2008 (Frommer's Complete)

Jeanette Foster

Amazon Price: $13.59 List Price: $19.99 In stock soon. Order now to get in line. First come, first served. By: Frommers Amazon Marketplace: 27 new & used starting at $0.74

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

You'll never fall into the tourist traps when you travel with Frommer's. It's like having a friend show you around, taking you to the places locals like best. Our expert authors have already gone everywhere you might go--they've done the legwork for you, and they're not afraid to tell it like it is, saving you time and money. No other series offers candid reviews of so many hotels and restaurants in all price ranges. Every Frommer's Travel Guide is up-to-date, with exact prices for everything, dozens of color maps, and exciting coverage of sports, shopping, and nightlife. You'd be lost without us!

Completely updated every year (unlike most of the competition), Frommer's Hawaii features gorgeous color photos of the stunning beaches and thrilling adventures that await you. Meticulously researched by one of Hawaii's most noted journalists, this is hands-down the most reliable, up-to-date, and comprehensive guide to the islands.

Each of our candid hotel reviews is based on a detailed personal inspection. You'll find lavish beachfront resorts, intimate rain-forest B&Bs, family-friendly condos, and much, much more. Our dining reviews are simply the best in the business, whether you crave cutting-edge Asian-fusion cuisine or a hearty, affordable plate lunch.

Our author makes sure that you'll truly experience the spirit of aloha, and she'll help you steer clear of anything that's overpriced, touristy, or inauthentic. With Frommer's in hand, you'll know where to find secluded beaches; secret spots for snorkeling; the best outfitters to choose for everything from diving to deep-sea fishing; and where to find the top galleries and shops.

Inside you'll find extensive coverage of family-friendly accommodations and activities; tips on how to get married in the islands; recommendations for the best honeymoon resorts; and valuable advice on finding the best airfares and package deals. Whether you want to watch the fiery spectacle at the Big Island's volcano, play a challenging round of golf, snorkel with sea turtles, or simply kick back with a mai tai to watch the sunset, you can design the perfect trip with Frommer's Hawaii. You'll even get a color fold-out map, and an online directory that makes trip-planning a snap!

The Case for Mars

Robert Zubrin

List Price: $25.00 By: Free Press Amazon Marketplace: 60 new & used starting at $0.47

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 74 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Attack anything you disagree with 1 out of 5 stars.
2 of 6 people found this review helpful.

I was disappointed in the book. Dr. Zubrin spends far too much time faulting NASA and trying to say why we should not do anything but go to Mars. He does make good points with his theme of "living off the land". I don't believe this book will convince anyone outside those who already want to go to Mars that we need to go. I think it will give ammunition to those who dislike NASA and the space program in general.

Good ideas on how to go to Mars, but the more important question is: Why would you want to? 1 out of 5 stars.
1 of 6 people found this review helpful.

Zubrin has a very interesting plan, which appears to be sound both technically and philosophically. While he certainly presents a compelling case for *how* we should go to Mars, he fails to actually present a case for *why* we should want to go to Mars in the first place.

Of all the places to go in the solar system, why Mars? What does Mars have to offer other than dust? What is on Mars that is not more easily accessible elsewhere in the solar system? These are important question to consider if one is going to invest resources and human lives in the conquest of space.

To build a successful colony, one needs raw materials as well as abundant energy. Mars is lacking on both counts. Water? How much is really available in the ice caps and subsurface? Energy? The amount of geothermal energy is questionable, as Mars is mostly dead from a geological standpoint. Solar energy is less than 1/3 of that found on Earth, requiring large arrays that must support themselves against gravity as well as be protected from dust storms. What raw minerals are available other than iron oxide (rust)?

No, all the necessary resources, and more, are available in the Asteroid Belt and the icy moons of Jupiter and Saturn. Any additional energy expended in reaching them is far more than compensated for the fact that their wealth is not bound deep in a gravity well such as that of Mars. The reduced solar energy is not a limiting factor either, as collector arrays can be built as large as necessary when there are not constraints of gravity.

Finally, the space radiation issue is better addressed, as the Belt colony can dig itself in to an asteroid as deeply as necessary to provide adequate shielding.

Forget Mars, the Belt is where we need to go.

Editorial Review:

A leading theorist on Mars exploration discusses the Mars Direct Plan, which he developed for NASA, explaining the possibilities of Martian travel and the cultural and physical rationale for colonizing and terraforming the planet. 25,000 first printing.

Fodor's Australia 2009 (Fodor's Gold Guides)

Fodor's

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Editorial Review:

Fodor’s. For Choice Travel Experiences.

Fodor’s helps you unleash the possibilities of travel by providing the insightful tools you need to experience the trips you want. While you’re at the helm, Fodor’s offers the assurance of our expertise, the guarantee of selectivity, and the choice details that truly define a destination. It’s like having a friend in Australia!

•Updated annually, Fodor’s Australia 2009 provides the most accurate and up-to-date information available in a guide book.

•Fodor’s Australia features options for a variety of budgets, interests, and tastes, so you make the choices to plan your trip of a lifetime.

•If it’s not worth your time, it’s not in this book. Fodor’s discriminating ratings, including our top tier Fodor’s Choice designations, ensure that you’ll know about the most interesting and enjoyable places in Australia.

•Experience Australia like a local! Fodor’s Australia 2009 features information from local experts.

•Indispensable, customized trip planning tools include “Top Reasons to Go,” “Word of Mouth” advice from other travelers, and tips to help save money, bypass lines, and avoid common travel pitfalls.

•Crisp, clean maps with more depth and detail to make it easier than ever to sail in, out, and around town.


Visit Fodors.com for more ideas and information, travel deals, vacation planning tips, reviews and to exchange travel advice with other travelers.

Hawaii: The Big Island (Regional Guide)

Alan Tarbell, Luci Yamamoto

Amazon Price: $16.99 List Price: $16.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Lonely Planet Amazon Marketplace: 40 new & used starting at $0.01

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 51 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

The Big Island of Hawaii Tour Guide 2 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

When I received the, I thought one of most remarkable things about this book (compared to other tour books) was its compact/condensed size (5"x8"x3/4") which will easily fit in most purses but is a little large for some hip pockets. It is printed on glossy paper which could be hard to write notes on with certain pens/pencils/hi-liters and has a retail price of $19.99 which seems a little pricey for what you get. The book appears to have been printed for people with young/good eyes since many of the maps are very difficult to read without a magnifying glass due to the color combination of the small print and backgrounds. brown print on a light brown background / blue on light blue / green on light green / etc.

The listings for various things in the different towns/areas leaves a lot to be desired as it lists only a portion of what's available. For example, I have stayed in a very nice hotel in the Kona area that is not listed. I think they were probably trying to keep the size of the book down but they could have listed many more than the 3 hotels in Kona by putting a chart in the book (like so many tour books do) instead of the write ups. The list of B&Bs/condos is pretty good. One of the main activities in the Kona area is deep sea fishing and they list only 4 contact phone numbers. Only 3 watering holes (bars) are listed, why? I found many more inexpensive good watering holes when I was there. In the Waimea (Kamuela) area Parker Ranch does not receive the attention it deserves. Also, Koa (expensive, popular wood only grown on Hawaii) receives very little mention --- Koa is very popular with both tourist and locals, high quality boxes and furniture are made from it.

On a positive note, the book does have a lot of high quality color pictures if this is what you are looking for but I would prefer less pictures and more information.

Bottom Line: I would not buy this book. This appears to be a cross between a picture souvenir book and a tour guide. I would opt instead for one that is printed on paper that is easier to mark up and had maps that were easier for old eyes to read. Also, I would like a tour book that listed more hotels in various price ranges, more activities, more options for the most popular activities (ie: deep sea fishing) in the various areas, etc.

Editorial Review:

No wonder they call it the Big Island. Volcanoes? Mauna Loa is the biggest on earth. Stargazing? The clearest night skies in the world. Water sports? Why go anywhere else? Big? Absolutely. Adrenaline addicts, beach goers and culture buffs alike, let this guide take you deep into the Hawai'i that only Big Islanders know about.

• CONNECT with the Big Island through chapters written by Hawai'i-born specialists

• FIT FOR A KING - all the best places to catch a traditional luau and enjoy a kalua feast

• FIND YOUR WAY - with more than 50 detailed maps

• ESCAPE to all the hiking hotspots in Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park

• BE INSPIRED - discover the adrenaline junkie in you with the best outdoor activities