Julie Brown Books

"Lord of the Flies" is Golding's fascinating novelistic expression of the theory that human beings are born violent savages, requiring adult supervision and training to moderate and tame. I find "Lord of the Flies" excellent both artistically and conceptually because, in part, because I am in agreement with Golding.

In the story, children marooned on an island, without adults, quickly revert to the savagery from which they sprang. One group even develops a crude religion to explain things they cannot see and to justify their use of brutal power. Some of the children are more 'civilized' and it is through their eyes that we regard the reversion of others with an equal measure of alarm and distaste. The young savages hunt, stage wild parties and make offerings of pig's heads to their newfound God. They finally murder. It is only with the arrival of adults that total chaos is prevented.

Ron Braithwaite--author of novels--"Skull Rack" and "Hummingbird God"--on the Spanish Conquest of Mexico

This is a great book to read! Very interesting and intense. Great reading material.

OK now that I have the conch I have a few things I'd like to say about this book. First if you don't know what the conch is all about then you'd better pick up this book and read it. Secondly if you think you know who the Lord of Flies might be without reading this book your wrong. Third and lastly do yourself a favor anyway and pick up this book, it's a fun, quick read. I liked this story of young boys stranded on a island having to fend for themselves and at the same time trying to keep some sort of organization among themselves as they wait for a possible rescue. But therein lies the problem as their little world begins to turn up-side down as different personalities begin to clash. I felt as though I too was on the island with these kids as I read along. I've said enough now, who wants the conch now?

What an incredible first novel, a story of civilization, how humans create it and how easily it can be destroyed. It deals with fear, and the atrocities it can make people commit. Golding wrote often about the connection between humanity and civilization. Does civilization make us human? This story can mean many things to many people, making it wonderful fodder for literature classes and idle pondering.

This is the worst book I ever read. From the first time I read it 40 years ago, I could not imagine why it had not been banned. The viewpoint of mankind presented is so degraded and ugly that it should be. There is NO REASON to expose our young people to such negativity. No wonder they have so many psychological problems! Please, teachers, read positive works with your young students. The world is not like that, and it is our job to give them positive views for their future and ours!

The Great Gatsby is a book that you will appreciate for a long time after your done with it. I couldn't put it down from the second I started reading it. The characters are finely crafted and the storyline a hit as you meet Nick and Gatsby and the different lives they lead until one day they are both wonderfully and tragically intertwined. I found myself saddened to both the book ending and the outcome of the story but I have a greater respect for both F. Scott Fitzgerald and the 1920's because of reading it.

This is a master piece in literature and should be read not only by student but everyone who enjoy a good written book. It is richly set in the jazz era and portraits the life and shallowness of Gatsby the main character. An impossible love and the empty life he lives in pursue of this undeserving girl. A great work of art.

Anna del C.
Author of "The Elf and the Princess"
and "Trouble in the Elf City"
The Elf and The Princess: The Silent Warrior Trilogy - Book One (The Silent Warrior Trilogy)

F. Scott Fitzgerald's timeless classic is evocative, stirring and unsettling. I had not read this book in thirty years and decided to re-read it while looking for another book at the library. I can now understand why leading experts believe this is one of the best if not the best American novel in the last one hundred years. It has it all: lost love, class struggle, deceit, betrayal and murder. Fitzgerald's descriptive prose is exquisite. His imagery shines every step of the way. I highly recommend reading this great American novel!

Surely everything has been said before. BUT, I shall point out that if you like Gatsby, you will probably love Fitzgerald's short stories as well. Also, there are several interesting books written about F.Scott Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda--two truly compelling people who lived somewhat reckless rock star lives long before we watched rock stars burn out on MTV reality shows.

The Modern Library declares that this is the 2nd greatest novel of the 20th century?

Are you serious? Above Lolita.

and let's not forget the novels the list completely disregarded, that trample all over Fitzgerald's poorly dated morality tale:

Gravity's Rainbow
V.
The Crying of Lot 49
White Noise
One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
Journey to the end of the Night
Naked Lunch
Blood Meridian
The Stranger
The Old man and the Sea

Seriously, Fitzgerald just was no good, and pales horribly in comparison to the true giant of 20th century American literature; Hemingway

This book changed my worldview, and I think someday, it will have changed my life. I've read it easily five or six times, and I always come back to it every few years or so. Thus far, I have yet to actually implement Quinn's ideas in my own life, but I can never look at the world and our culture (of which I now have a better perspective and understanding) in the same way. It's through the looking glass, it's Neo discovering the Matrix, it's looking up at the puppet show. I can see the strings now, and I can hear the whispers we've all lived with our entire lives, the ones that never quite sounded right, could never entirely make sense, and always seemed unsatisfying, inconsistent and contradictory. Even if I wanted to return to my old way of thinking, I don't think I could, now. And I'm glad of it. When the opportunity comes to embrace these new values and these new ideas, I'll be ready to make the leap, wholeheartedly.

I'm not going to tell you whats going on in the novel, as many other reviews from the book start.

Ishmael is a great book. I don't read, at all. But I have read this book with ease and found it hard to put it down. And it inspires me to read more books, and I will.

This book, teaches us somethings of life, but not everything, its does not give an exact explanation, of how to save the world. It does explain in ones own philosophy of 'how thing came to be the way the are' and it's marvelous.

Whether you like the book it or not, or even if you have not read it, chew on this.

I think Quinn knows that we can't just up and crawl into the wild. Basically, its to late to do anything like that, well, because there is to many of 'us'. Period. There is no room to put all the garbage that we have created. Those of you who fail to see, without using something other then a human to be the teacher, wouldn't have worked in the slightest bit, and gorillas are cool, you could have used anything other then a human, and who cares about figuring out WHY.

But instead of going back to a primitive life(crawling back into the wild), we need to advance for the better. We, all of us, black, white, indian, oriental... ALL of us have one thing in common, were all human, we all came from the same place. The religions of the world basically cancel each other out. Think about it, There is only ONE way we all got here correct. Ok good, then tell me how is it possible that there are so many different religions and theorys. Look at the big picture, only one can be right, if one is right at all. We are all blinded from ourselves, from our ancestors, from Human beings. What I am getting at is we have NOTHING to look back upon, because frankly no one is right. Until our culture, not America not China or Russia, or Europe, but Humans can understand where our origins came from, we follow a blind path.

I'm not against the 'characters' or philosophy's of the books that religions have written down, I just simply won't accept it. Because how do I know that it's right and the others or wrong. The same thing can be said from another point of view.

When you read Ishmael, instead of plunging your head into it and dissecting everything about it and its statements, sit back and look at the big picture, what has been discussed is our root problem. If something has gone bad at any point, what do you do? You go back to where things were working and find out where things went wrong then fix it. Were not able to go back and fix things because to be frank, its to late to do anything like that, well, because there is to many of 'us'. Period. There is no room to put all the garbage that we have created.

All we have, is to move forward. What we can do is put a wall up. From the time man starting destroying the world we can put a wall up, and in this day and age we can put a wall up. And everything after the wall now would be action's that we've learned from our mistakes. And everything in the middle of those walls, would be the mistake. Harsh, but true anyway you look at it. Get real. I by no means have the resources or brains to do such a thing, nor does anyone else on this earth. But we can all do it together, for we have conquered the earth and we have control over it, just due to our sheer size in numbers.


As far as reviewing Ishmael this is my review, this is a little something that I have chalked up in my head after reading it. Who cares about the grammar or the literature of Ishmael, the points that are not valid, if they aren't at all. If you feel you care about those things, then you are just falling in the hands of 'Mother Culture' or whatever you want to call it, and that is the problem, LIFE IS SIMPLE. We have just made it extremely hard on ourselves. These generations living now might not have, but, all were doing is passing on the tradition of what we know, because all we know is what we have been taught, I don't care who you are; that's a fact.

So if you have not read Ishmael, I recommend it. If you can agree with what I have laid on the table here then you know what to do, read it. If you don't agree, maybe you will after you read it. If if you don't agree then you're entitled to that opinion. I'm nobody, I'm just another 'Alan Lomax', that cares. These are some my thoughts and feelings, and they were before I read Ishmael, there just more clear to me now after I have read Ishmael.

After I read this book, I bought it for all my friends for Christmas. Definately a book you want to pass along. Powerful message.

The bulk of Ishmael is dialog, and while I do feel I learned from the book, much of it was boring and I found it difficult to finish. There was no real storyline to grab my attention and I thought a lot of the dialog was pretentious.

Go into this book to expand your knowledge - but don't expect "an adventure of the mind and spirit" as the title suggests. As another reviewer suggested, if you treat it as a work of non-fiction (in that you will be absorbing mostly straight history and philosophy) you will probably enjoy it more.

If you are looking for a good story that will change the way you look at life, I would recommend reading The Alchemist by Paul Coelho.

Ishmael by Daniel Quinn *****

Ishmael is a stunning narrative on the way things came to be. A story of awareness and philosophy; the way things are and the way things could be. A wonderfully heart-warming, and heart-wrenching tale of acceptance and tolerance.

Ishmael is a Gorilla, who can communicate with humans. Those who want to communicate with him anyway. Sounds a but Peter Pan I know but it really isn't. After Ismael places an add in the paper looking for "A willing student who wants to save the world" he meets his sixth subject. As Ishmael tells his theory of how things came to be the way things are in the world he divides the world into to groups, the takers and the leavers. Telling who each is would ruin the book. The ending is both uplifting and tyrannical making it among the strongest endings in literature.

The story is easy to follow along with despite it's complicated subject matter. Ishmael is never dull and always an interesting read, and one I will soon make mandatory reading for my class.

This is the first time ever using Amazon. com, I must say I am very pleased with the quality of the book purchased. The book was was in excellent condition, and was delivered as promised. The website was also very easy to navigate. I am amazed it took me so long to use this website.

This book is simple yet very effective in helping the novice or the seasoned teacher. I read it, took notes, and am applying what I learned.

I thank God someone advised me to read this book. I would not have been prepared. This is a must have for every teacher and anyone contemplating teaching.

This is one of the first books I purchased in preparation for my first year of teaching. It has already proven itself to be a valuable resource, from effective classroom management techniques to long-term professional development advice. This book has exceeded my expectations in its comprehensive coverage of typical first year teacher issues. I foresee using this book throughout my teaching career as a resource and a reminder to use and expand upon its recommended techniques and habits so that I can continue to grow as a professional educator.

While the Wongs have created a well-written, nicely-detailed and generally-helpful how-to for teachers, especially new ones, the book also can be maddeningly frustrating as well.
The book, as other critics have noted, is focused on the elementary school teacher, not the middle/junior or high school teacher. Some of the strategies and techniques do, indeed, work at the upper levels.
For example, all teachers, regardless of grade level, need to use a seating chart, an attention-getting signal and a daily "do-now" exercise. And the Wongs outline these ideas effectively.
But the Wongs have, unfortunately, based many of their ideas on the assumption that a teacher has his or her own room, to do with as he or she pleases. Such is not the case with most upper-level teachers.
I used this book during my first year of teaching, which wasn't that long ago. I still use it today. I found it helpful back then, and still find it helpful now. Taken with the proverbial grain of salt, there is much here that will be helpful for the beginner as well as for the novice.
Still, as other critics have noted, there are several cheaper, better books out there. For beginners, I recommend "Rookie Teaching for Dummies" -- yes, it's part of the now-famous "Dummies" series. There's good stuff there, and not just for the beginning elementary school teacher.

I ordered this book for an ethics class I'm taking, but so far it's an excellent read! The chapters are informative and easy to read - definitely something I would enjoy away from class.

A wide spectrum of analogy and comparative findings.
The study of the origins and development of religions throughout the centuries is quite impressive.
Well researched.
Recommended to all those who are interested in the history of religions, and their social influences on various communities.

One of the hot-button subjects in both the world and the United States - and maybe even the biggest - is religion. When we get U.S. generals declaring that Islam worships some sort of strange, alien god or gods, it shows not only bigotry but ignorance as well. Perhaps it would help to read a book like Huston Smith's The World's Religions to get insights into other faiths.

What The World's Religions isn't is around as important as what it is. It isn't a comprehensive look at all the religions of the world; instead, Smith focuses on seven principal religions in terms of adherents and influence. It doesn't favor one belief over another but looks favorably on all of them. It isn't a history text: there is only the minimum amount of history necessary to explain a religions ideology. It isn't interested in the negatives of a religion: if you're looking to bash Christianity or Buddhism, go elsewhere.

What the book does do is explain the basic ideas behind a septet of faiths: Hinduism, Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Islam, Judaism and Christianity. These can be divided into two basic groups of Western and Eastern religions. The Eastern religions are more exotic to the majority of Westerners (such as Americans) with a greater inclination to introspection and less of an emphasis on the divine (in fact, Confucianism seems more like a philosophy than a religion). Unlike the Western religions (of which Islam can be included as it has both similarities to Christianity and Judaism and shares common roots), the Eastern ones are not fully exclusive: it is possible to be both a Taoist and Confucian. The Western religions, on the other hand, place more emphasis on history.

What the book also does is show the difference between theory and practice. These religions are often very high-minded, but they practiced by people who will often put their own personal interests ahead of everything else and pervert the meaning of their faith.

When volumes - and sometimes whole libraries - can be dedicated to just one aspect of one of these religions - it's hard to really capture seven faiths (plus a little chapter on "primal" religions) within 400 or so pages, and Smith is wise enough to not even try. This is an introduction and an overview of these religions and you'll find much lacking if you expect greater detail. And while some of the ideas expressed in this book may be new or complicated to a general reader, Smith does a good job of laying out these ideas in as basic a manner as possible. It's not a perfect book, but I think it fits in the category of "must-read"; this is one small way of removing ignorance from the world.

This book is great if you are looking for knowledge on several major religions. It offers history, origins, comparisons, and numerous other aspects of each religion. I feel personally that I now have a greater understanding of questions I previously had. Even though I consider myself a Christian, I have new found respect for those who are not. Another great point is that I noticed no personal bias of the author. I really like this book, yet I only give it 4 stars due to the style of writing. There were many areas the writer could have used more layman terms with out diluting the topics at hand.

I purchased this book on behalf of a friend who is thrilled with it.

I have not read the book.

Sincerely,
George J. McClelland

60 Million Frenchman is split into three sections (1) French history (why certain events helped make the French the way they are). (2) French system (detailed analysis of almost every aspect of current--as of 2000--French life). (3) Projections for the future.

I liked part one a lot. I think the chapters on the Algerian War and World War Two were particularly apt in explaining how the French mindset has been shaped in recent decades. Part two was good in spots, and reeeeally boring in spots. For example: first there's a whole chapter on grands ecoles, then, because that was apparently not enough, there was a whole chapter devoted exclusively to ENA. I liked some of the chapters on the political stuff though, and how different the French ideas of judicial and executive power are from the American.

Part three was relatively short, a beautiful quick read after slogging through part two. It basically paves the way for what they discuss in their other book (The Story of French). All in all, it's an informative, mostly well-written, detailed look at French history, language, culture, technology, and politics--a perfect read if you're a Francophile, or if you're just wanting to learn more about the French mindset.

Sixty Million Frenchmen Can't Be Wrong...
They could have left the title at that. This book does a great job of explaining cultural differences, history, education, politics, attitudes toward food, dating and many things we anglophones are curious about. There was no need to add the snarky "Why we love France but not the French". Was that to sell more books during a time of anti-French sentiment? It took me 3 more years to buy the book, which is after all, quite good. Bad title! I have many friends in France, speak it fluently and agree with the authors that there is much more to learn than words. More to selling books than naming them too, it would appear!

This book really delves into why the French are the way they are, as cliche as it sounds. The authors do a great job in explaining how French history has shaped the psyche of the people and the government of today. I am still reading this, so I'll probably have more to say once I'm done. I am totally dumbfounded by the all encompassing power the State (French government) has over its people. All roads run to Paris, literally, kind of like how the Arc de Triomphe is situated. I've always had many questions about the French culture, that my French husband has never been able to adequately answer and this book does the trick!

I only wish someone had written this book and given it to me 32 years ago when I came to live in France!! For having lived only 2 years in this country, the authors got it right most of the time.

Sixty Million Frenchmen Can't Be Wrong often times feels like a Francenstein's (spelling deliberate) monster. It begins well enough, offering insight into the "spirit" of French society, and indeed gives highly valuable information, especially regarding the French ideas of personal vs. public space, which every visitor should know. However, as the reader nears the middle of the book the work takes on a text-book quality, which becomes dry and redundant. To boost, what the writers pass as an anthropological study seems to be more or less notes taken during conversations with a few of their French friends. Add to this a few glaring inaccuracies, particularly in the last chapter, and by the end one is left wondering what exactly the point of the work was, or who exactly the audience is that it was meant for. Neither assumption of the book's subtitle was addressed in any sort of clarity. Some more rigorous editing certainly would have strengthened it. I left the book knowing more than I cared to about the ENA, and not enough about the essence of what it means to be a Frenchman/woman.

Keeping You a Secret is an amazing and riviting book. The author has brillantly captured the pressure and issues of teens today in such a tight society. An amazing story of love and extremely accurtate account of the feelings involved with coming out and finding love for the first time.
I highly reccomend this book to anyone. People will easily find a piece of themselves in the pages of Keeping You a Secret.

I needed this novel for a class assignment. It was in great shape and I received it right on time.

I dont know what it was but to me the story wasnt what i was expecting. To me it was missing something. It needed more detail.

This book was purely one of the best GLBTQ books I've ever read! I definitely give it two thumbs up! I recommend it to anyone who loves Peter's other books or anyone who is thinking about buying it! The storyline is great and the characters are very well-written and believable. This book got me into reading Peter's other books and so far every book I have read of hers, I couldn't put it down! A definite MUST READ.

I first read this book in the 10th grade when I was finally coming to terms with my sexuality. I loved it so much and am glad it was my first lesbian/gay book that I read. It was very realistic and a great read for someone who is just coming out whether or not you are still in high school. I'm now a sophmore in college and I have to say this is still my favorite book to read. It's easy to get attached to the characters in this book and you feel for them and want to know what happens to them after the story ends. Just wonderful, 5 stars!

The book is helpful, but just when I think it's going to explain in further detail, they move on to the next problem. I was hoping for more detail. I guess it's a little too simplified for me.

This book is excellent for taking care of everyday repairs by those who never took "Shop," and who are not talented or particularly knowledgeable in mechanics or electronics.

My colleague must have taken a hint from the scratch on my forehead, the bags under my eyes and the black-and-blue mark on my shin. Or maybe she knew that a centuries-old house would be fraught with things that needed to be repaired. Whatever the reason, she showed up at my house with Dare to Repair and it was the perfect housewarming gift. I was too knee-deep in the cosmetic stuff--removing wallpaper, sanding floors, installing countertops and light fixtures--to get to some of the things in the book. Frankly, some of the others I just hadn't thought about. I had already completed some of the tasks in this book - replacing electrical switches, cleaning a stove's grease filter (ugh!), disengaging an electric garage door opener, locating the main water supply valve, finding contractors. But this book reminded me of the things that I hadn't gotten to yet - bleeding the hot-water radiator, creating a circuit map, adjusting the garage-door closer. And it educated me on the things that I hadn't considered--fixing a dishwasher, repairing a slow-filling washing machine, replacing a round doorknob with a lever, winterizing the plumbing. (I wish I had this book before I broke a locked door open.) Hats off to the posters who found little use for this book: I know more than a few people of both genders who haven't completed many of the tasks in Dare to Repair. I've completed more complicated tasks than the ones in the book and still found the book useful. (My contractor offered me a job as his assistant.) Even if you complete just one task in the book, you will have recouped your investment.

Takes you step by step through home basics-repeat-basics, like lighting the pilot light on a heater, patching a nail hole in a wall, etc. Fun, easy to follow and great for the timid!

Except for the girl power cover art and the fun, feminine little anecdotes that precede each section ("If you can paint your nails, you can do this repair. Just don't get the enamels mixed up!"), there isn't much that deciphers this book from any other general home repair guide...and that's not necessarily a bad thing.

"Dare to Repair" bills itself as "a do-it-HERself guide," but the information in this book is useful for both men and women alike. The material in the book is well-organized and easy to understand. The authors explain how different things in the home work, from sinks to refrigerators to door locks. Each task is detailed in easy-to-understand language and is accompanied by helpful illustrations. As a new homeowner, I find this book very helpful and refer to it quite often. I'm sure it will end up saving me a lot of money down the line! (There's also a "Dare to Repair" book about auto maintenance, and I'm going to buy it because the home repair guide is so good.)

I really enjoyed this unique story. Sometimes the worst characteristics of people were highlighted but it was done in such a comic way that you could not really dislike those characters - and in the end they all showed their positive sides. The protagonist is a 63 year old grandmother, juggling more things than I would have the energy to handle and trying to find time for the love of her life, her Romeo.

I sure hope there are more books from this author Jeanne Ray involving these same delightful characters and amusing stories. I was sad to have this book end.

As with her previous book this one is fun and entertaining. As in "Julie and Romeo", the main characters seem to be thwarted at each turn by their crazy family. But by doing so the characters grow and learn more about each other.

Julie Roseman and Romeo Cacciamani, who fell in love with each other in "Julie and Romeo", are still in love, but don't get to spend much time together. Romeo's 93 year old mother lives with him as does his son Alan, Alan's wife and their three children. Julie's daughter Sandy and her husband and two children live with her. Naturally, they are thrilled to find themselves alone at Julie's house one day, but Romeo overdoes things, hurts his back, and ends up stuck in Julie's house, flat on his back, for weeks. Adding to the crush of people living in Julie's house, is her daughter, Nora, with a medical problem. On top of everything else, Julie's eight year old granddaughter is convinced she can win the lottery and is having every adult possible buy her tickets. Will everyone's dream come true?

Part screwball comedy, part fantasy, "Julie and Romeo Get Lucky" is a fun, if lightweight read. Julie and Romeo are a delightful couple and it's a pleasant change to read about a couple in their sixties that have fallen in love. The book is full of realistic, slightly eccentric characters, especially Julie's daughters, Sandy and Nora, who still suffer from sibling rivalry even though they are adults. Sandy's eight year old daughter, Sarah, obsessed with both Willie Wonka and winning the lottery, is in many ways the center of the novel and at times lovable and at other times a spoiled brat. There are many laugh out loud moments and some nicely sweet moments. This is a feel good book and everyone indeed does live happily ever after.

"Julie and Romeo Get Lucky" is a good book to read when you need to escape from the real world.

Julie and Romeo Get Lucky by Jeanne Ray is the sequel to Julie and Romeo. Jeanne Ray's writing is so spot-on accurate, sometimes I swear she must be recording people in their home and then simply transcribing it! But she's so much funnier and sweeter than real life. Romeo throws out his back carrying Julie up her stairs and ends up an invalid in her bed. Nora, Julie's oldest daughter, is pregnant and on bed rest, so she moves home too. Sarah, Julie's granddaughter, is obsessed with Willie Wonka & The Chocolate Factory, and so the story goes from there. Julie can't grab a spare moment to herself when everything is falling apart. Ray has a unique talent for describing physical comedy that few writers can manage. I found myself laughing and gasping out loud at poor Romeo. I wish life was as sweet as it is in Ray's world, and I treasure the moments I get to spend there. Read her other books as well; they're all winners.

Just came back from a recent trip to New Zealand with the Lonely Planet in tow. My husband and I were very disappointed with the most recent version of the Lonely Planet. We found lots of errors - the LP recommended restaurants that no longer existed, recommended holiday parks that I wouldn't stick my big toe in, and were consistently wrong on pricing from the cable car in Wellington to ferry rides across the Cook Strait. I think you would be just as well off buying the old version. It seems to be the same. It seems the LP writers didn't do their homework this time around.

I just went on a month-long trip from Auckland to Christchurch, and this book was very helpful. Apparently a new version is going to come out soon. Definitely get the new one as some of the information was starting to get old.

You don't absolutely have to get a travel guide before going to NZ (especially if you're on a tour like Kiwi Experience), but if you are going to get a travel guide, I couldn't imagine a better one than the Lonely Planet.

I've found this guide to be decent. It has tidbits of information, but I find myself wanting to know more about places outside the cities that just aren't covered. I know a new one is coming out in a few months, so I would wait to get that one or get a different brand guidebook if you can't wait. The prices in the the 2006 book are WAY off. I use my BBH hostel guide almost exclusively for finding accommodation. I also found a lot of the restaurants and nightlife listed in the book to be inaccurate or no longer operating. Still using it, but definitely supplementing with internet, BBH accommodation guide, and visits to iSites.

Lots of good information. Will be bringing it on our trip. Print is very small. Needed my extra strong readers.

For years I have relied on Lonely Planet guidebooks as one of my primary travel sources for information. After returning from a self-guided 2 week car trip through New Zealand's north and south islands, my wife and I were both in agreement that this guide was not up to par and disappointing compared to other LP guidebooks. Restaurant information in Christchurch and other towns was already outdated. Hotel information was not comprehensive and I found better information for planning our lodging on the internet before we left home. Things to see and do in towns besides nightlife and museums was sparse, and excursions to interesting places off highways was sketchy. We finally put the book away and stopped referring to it since we were better able to explore on our own. New Zealand has one of the world's best tourist information systems throughout the country which helps travelers find or plan lodging, activities, transportation, virtually anything that would be helpful to the tourist. Offices are located throughout the country under the "i" signs for information, even in the smallest towns. Maps are freely available everywhere, as are also helpful free booklets and brochures for each region you may visit. For general information, this guidebook will answer many of your basic questions, but I would suggest looking at several other books for planning your journey and guiding you along your way in New Zealand.