New Zealand Books

...but if you want a good lesbian book that will absorb you into someone else's life and make you feel something, try Bett Williams' _Girl Walking Backwards_ instead. I read this one quickly but it didn't really stay with me. I thought from the reviews here that it would be better than it was.

I LOVE this book! I can't say it enough. It's the first book on the subject I've ever read but it is still the best out there. Even if you ignore the lesbian theme, the book would still stand out among other young adult books.
Sometimes, the line 'if she had asked me to jump on the path of a jumbo (jet), I would have gladly response: "Front or back?" ~ just a paraphrase, mind you.
With the 32% discount off of the list price, this book is a steal. You can't find it use in Half Price's and other such used bookstores since everyone I know that has read it consider it a Keeper.

I wish I could give this even fewer stars. It is despicable that there are authors peddling books to our children that encourage not only premarital sexual behavior, but perverse behavior at that. Shame on Paula Boock.

Dare Truth Or Promise took be no mroe than 2 days to read...I couldnt put it down. It touched me on so many levels; through the two girls meeting to their falling in love to every other aspect of the book. It was beautifully written and had me either smilijng or in tears for most of it depending on the part. well worht the money and deffinatly worth the time to read.

THE best EVER lesbian/questioning book I have read so far. You fall in love with the characters instantly and it is easy to find yourself lost in the beautiful love story of this book. I loved it so much and couldn't put it down, that I read it in one night. I first got it from the library near where I live and after reading it, I loved it so much that I simply HAD to buy it. Beautifully inspirational. You will never find a story quite as true and good as this one. Everything about it is absoltely BRILLIANT. A MUST READ for lesbian or questioning teens.

At twelve years old, Alex begins thinking that she might be a good enough swimmer to represent New Zealand in the Olympics in 1960, when she is sixteen. Juggling high school, other extracurricular activities, and competitive swimming is tough, though. It becomes especially tough when Maggie, who has been competing since she was two, moves nearby and begins training at Alex's pool. Maggie has an overbearing mother and an absolute dedication to swimming that means she mostly wins her events against Alex. Alex remains certain that she will be able to come out on top at the Olympic trials, though.

As that time comes closer, Alex becomes less and less certain of herself, and she finds herself getting more and more overwhelmed by the events in her life. Will she be able to set everything aside in order to focus on what may be the most important swim of her life?

This was a decent story about swimming and about the pressures of high school, which haven't really changed all that much in the last forty years. However, I was disappointed by the predictability of the storyline with Andy. On the second page of the prologue, before we had even officially met him, I already knew exactly what happened. It was a letdown when my suspicions ended up being true.

I read this book over and over again. It's well-written and handles emotions more complex than most books for this age group.

I was at the secondhand bookstore, reading a book about greatbooks for girls, and it mentioned one I thought I'd seen whilebrowsing the shelves earlier. I went and picked it up, 259-page"In Lane Three, Alex Archer" and decided to get it - itsounded good and was only ... anyway. I spent the next three daysreading little parts of it at a time, and could barely put itdown. The epilogue was especially good, and after finishing it Iimmediately wrote out a new Favourite Books List - there was a new onein first place.

I loved this book! It is an excellent read and is well written. The story is beautiful and the characters are believable. It's a story an girl can relate to, no matter their age. The emotions and trials of Alex are very real; it's hard to put it down until you're done! I recomend this book to anyone. Not only does it talk about growing up a teenage girl, but it describes things such as the personal struggles of competiting in a way that is different and refreshingly honest. Buy this book today!

This book was a great book. If you are a swimmer you can relate to all the training and the time you have for everything else. If you have ever dreamed of going to the Olympics this book shows you what you have to need and go through. Alex shows courage and faith in this book. The book also gives examples of a swimmer's friendships and dreams. "In Lane Three, Alex Archer" is a really good book, it tells the story of a swimmer's life when she is training and trying to have fun.

This book has it all,what can I say :"It Sizzles"
Fantastic recipes,great tips and directions for the not so seasoned outdoor chef,it will bring grilling and outdoor cooking to a whole new level for you,you'll love it.

Finally a barbeque book with gorgeous pictures that actually look like the food coming off the grill. Simple recipes with a New Zealand twist make for a perfect barbeque. Now I look forward to firing up the Weber...

Crab Cakes! Bruschetta! Even Pancakes! OK, I always thought I was decent on the BBQ. But that was with the basics. These recipes put a whole new twist on what you can cook on the BBQ. I would have never thought to make Bruschetta or Garlic Bread on the grill. Some personal favorites include Crab Cakes w/Cambodian Dressing, Asparagus Prosciutto Wraps, Pots of Gold, Devilled Chicken Wings, Coconut Fish Cakes, Mussels in Lemon Grass Broth, Breakfast Tomatoes and my number one favorite, Blueberry Pancakes! The BBQ tips section is very useful. Truly unique ways of cooking on the BBQ.

If you believe you eat first with our eyes... then you will consider "SIZZLE - Sensational Barbecue Food ", by Julie Biuso a virtual feast. The photography alone is worth the price of this book! If you're a fan of the simple, easy to prepare, yet delicious recipes found in the Barefoot Contessa series of cookbooks by Ina Garten, then you need to order SIZZLE today.

SIZZLE was originally published in New Zealand. But when translated for the American market... it revealed the origins of "California Cuisine". Dishes prepared with the freshest of ingredients, simply prepared and seasoned with a veritable fragrance and spice tour of the Pacific Rim Nations.

This book celebrates the ideal of summer: friends and family gathering together to share sun filled days and warm nights delighting in the "chit-chat and laughter", while enjoying amazing food, with cold beverage in hand and a reminiscence of BBQ smoke lingering in the air. To quote Julie; "barbecuing should be fun". When done properly, barbecuing is the quintessential manifestation of fun with food. "SIZZLE" is now the barbecue handbook for my summer. Enjoy!

I absolutely cherish my new cookbook by Julie Biuso. My husband and I both love to barbeque and try new recipes. Julie has given us some of the easiest, yet tastiest recipes of all. To top it off, the book is immensely helpful in providing new ways to display the food--makes me look like a gourmet chef! This book is quite an achievement to say the least.
I read in the book that Julie received a World Cookbook award--ditto on that honor!!

A wonderful look at someone surviving and overcoming an overwhelming tragedy. Thank you Hester for telling the Sleavin story so well.

Riveting--couldn't put it down. Heartfelt and respectfully written. How can you not live each day on this planet as if it were your last after reading Judy's story?

According to Virginia Woolf, "A masterpiece is something said once and for all, stated, finished, so that it's there complete in the mind, if only at the back." Initially I was hesitant to read this book thinking I might not be able to enjoy it (based on the subject matter). However, the book proved to be nothing of the sort. Let it be known that Dr. Hester has crafted a masterpiece here, expertly weaving the details of Judy Sleavin's story into a captivating, awe-inspiring and significant read that offers as much in content as it does a message about life.

Ten Degrees of Reckoning by Hester Rumberg is a haunting yet heartwarming book that is difficult to put down while you are reading it and even more difficult to forget once you have finished the last page. The injustice of the events pervades your very being and yet Judy Sleavin's persistence in living demonstrates the power that love can have one one's life. A must read.
Sondra Pearlman

This is a story about survival against enormous odds. In reading this story I experienced the full gamit of emotions. Through Hester's descriptions, insights, detailed & factual research, I felt as if I were alongside Judy through the trauma and the re-building of her life. Thank you Hester for taking on such a huge challenge and bringing the full story to light. Excellant reading for both experienced, novice, & armchair sailors.

First saw this Prayer Book at an Anglican church in Taupo while on vacation. Especially like the format and the multitude of voices, the Daily Devotions, and the clean, twenty-first century English.

great liturgy, eloquent wording, a must for all who worships in the anglican tradition, this is highly recommended by priests in the episcopal church, a change from the book of common prayer, this is rich with beautifully bound prayers.

The 1989 English translation of the canticles and psalms in the New Zealand Prayer Book are a work, of which Archbishop Cranmer would be proud. I've seen and used the NZPB canticles printed in other, unofficial prayer books. The settings for Morning and Evening Worship, (to be used mainly by small groups and individuals), are organized by day and time. In addition, these "abbreviated" services mark a return to the cathedral office, which was superceded by the monastic office about 1500 years ago. The New Zealand Prayer Book includes several settings for Eucharist, (Holy Communion), as well as a treasury of traditional and contemporary prayers. One caveat; if you prefer traditional English, the 1662 English Prayer Book, or the current American Prayer Book, ( Rite 1), this Prayer Book will most probably not interest you.

I purchased this book as a gift for my husband, who was impressed by its contemporary version of The Lord's Prayer. Once we received it, however, we found has much more value than just one expression.

While we don't speak the Maori language, we're delighted that the New Zealand Prayer Book, for the Anglican Church in New Zealand, includes translations of many worship resources in Maori. It's also instructive to read such things as the list of saints whose lives are observed in the church calendar. And the black-and-white ink drawings that illustrate the sections are evocative and intriguing.

What we find most important, however, is the beauty of the language. It took nearly 25 years of consultation to produce this prayer book, and in our reading it was worth every minute. Rarely do we find humanity's spiritual longings, along with its praise to God, so masterfully composed. It's a delight simply to read the prayer book, and even more to use its resources in one's spiritual observance. We highly recommend it.

The language is fresh and really makes the Book of Common Prayer come alive. Even though it is written for the New Zealand Church and I am American, I find it very useful with extremely beautiful wording. I love how the words, "Eternal Spirit, Living God" is used. In the evening prayers, one of the prayers is:

Eternal Spirit, living God,
in whom we live and move and have our being,
all that we are, have been, and shall be is known to you,
to the very secret of our hearts
and all that rises to trouble us.
Living flame, burn into us,
Cleansing wind, blow through us,
fountain of water, well up within us,
that we may love and prase in deed and in truth.

Simply beautiful! Buy it, you won't regret it.

One Good Run: The Legend of Burt Munro
Anyone who has seen the movie "World's Fastest Indian" must read this book. I couldn't put it down -- tremendous

I have seen The worlds fastest indian eleven times now and read both books.If you are really into bikes you must do both the film and the books.Burt was a genius and a real character and I wish I had met him.Watch the film and read the book.If you love bikes and a good laugh,you will enjoy both.

Tim Hanna, the author, has nailed the essence of both Burt Munro and late '60s hot rodding. This book is delightful in its exposition of what it's like to follow a dream, even into old age. It's a treatise on just being yourself, without pandering to society. It's about learning to talk to people to win them over. It's about doing with your own hands what "the experts" say can't be done.

If ever there was an opposite to "chick lit" this is truly it.

Covers his full life and details his relationships w/ the character in the film, as well defines his incredible determination and personality and lust of life

An awesome insight into the life of this brilliant man, warts & all. The detail of machines, races & records as well as his personal nuances makes very easy reading. Anybody who had heard of Bert or the film based on his record run will find this book gives life to the details!

This book is the best Xena book I have read, maybe even better than the official one. It contains their biographies and a complete script of one of Lucy and Renee's conventions. It also lists the most websites and groups. The episode guide was very informative. It contained some mistakes that the author found with the show. This book is worth every cent!

I was one of the people Nikki Stafford interviewed for this book. Sadly, the fan survey she conducted had to be cut from the final version, but a great deal of information was still included. Nikki's research into the show, its stars, and the fans who built an international community around Xena: Warrior Princess in the early years is unsurpassed.

Some other books have since come out which seemed to me to be nothing more than blatant attempts to capitalize on the success of one of the most popular syndicated television shows in history. This book always struck me as something different. But maybe that's just because the author took the time to see what the fans thought and cared about.

One thing in this book that stands out from the others is that Nikki bothered to comment on the different episodes. This is better than the official book!! I like the way that there is a personal voice in the comments, and the way that the author dared to criticse it, and add some suggestions as well. Brilliant work!!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. It was very informative and by most accountants accurate. I would suggest this book to any Xenite! :) BATTLE ON!!

this book is great.it has every thing you need to know about xena.it has a chapter on the broodway production of grease that lucy was in.what lucy and renee were like as kids.it also has two or three pages of comics.if you love xena you'll live this book.

This is a superb look at the nitty-gritty world of selling. Although the author does fill it with case studies, they are all useful and thought-provoking. My favorite bit of advice concerns what happens to all top salespeople: they get their territory cut. Why? To keep them from getting complacent, of course.

Joe has gone out of his way to cut to the chase. There is no self esteem building and you can do it rah rah rather Joe's frank honest and what it takes to stay on top, remain on top and what to do when you are caught in a no win situation. As an MBA this type of book should be a mandatory read but the reality of tenured professors that are effectively running a union job do not understand how duplicitous and unethically the real business world can be. I finish this book in a few hours and the insight will last me a career. It is also refreshing from the standpoint that Joe has a soul and is interested in seeing the world and some great sales jobs he has had launched that opportunity. If you surf this book is especially cool(which I do and I can relate to the author on many levels.) Another reviewer was turned off by some profanity of which I do not remember so don't focus on issues of crass.

Anybody. I repeat anybody who sells, or wants to become a sales person, has to read this book. This book will keep you in the "game" longer, by playing corporate business model to your advantage. All successful companies value their sales force. But most Sales Managers make you feel like a zero. By reading this book you can change that number and pave a brighter future. Read and Prosper.

This book is a "must have" for the new graduate or anyone who is considering a career or taking on an adventure in sales.

Finally, a fun-to-read book on sales with valuable and positive insights on getting-in, finding the right company, and getting-out when your company becomes the "wrong company."

Joe T has real-life examples and experiences that show you how to work for yourself and enjoy the adventure. He teaches you what to expect in sales and get the most out of your job and keep your sanity. Rather than providing, rehashed "supposedly new", methods of achieving one time sales success, this book provides a "big picture guide" that helps a salesperson's lifelong career. HIGHLY ENTERTAINING AND RECOMMENDED!!!

I went to B-School, got my MBA, and gained valuable education on the theory and practice of managing a successful business. What I was disappointed by, were the unexamined assumptions around the "corporate dream", which I found pervasive at all levels of the curriculum. Too complex to go into here, but essentially...

Most business schools are in the business of selling the corporate dream and training future managers in the arts of profit maximization, organizational efficiency, competitive advantage, and market penetration. Rarely do they ever address the human reality of corporate downsizing, except as economic data points relevent to the afore mentioned topics.

The Sales Adventure Guide is a practical manual on how to cut through the corporate BS, understand the true meaning behind management-speak, and know how to cover your butt when your job is on the line, through no fault of your own. It uncovers the tactics, often unethical and sometimes illegal, that HR and upper management will use to make you go away, meekly, without costing the company a penny.

The Sales Adventure Guide will help you probe underneath the company's glossy exterior and public face, by showing you how you can ask the right questions and find out important information about the organization you will be contracting your time to.

This book will teach you how to protect yourself, play the corporate game with finesse, and enjoy your life, rather than feel browbeaten at the company's ingratitude towards the days, months, years of your life you gave them - which you will never, ever get back.

Corporate loyalty is a myth, most companies will lay you off without a second thought. Read this book, understand that we are all contractors now.

This book is well-written, displels a lot of strange myths about native Pacific navigation, and provides a lot of interesting details useful to modern navigators when they run out of batteries in the middle of the ocean.

For most of us, sailing across 2000+ miles of open ocean from Hawaii to Tahiti (or vice versa) would be daunting enough even with using every modern navigation device such as a GPS. Consider that in 1927 with compasses, sextants, radio, etc, in the Dole Air Race from Oakland to Honolulu (the same distance as Tahiti to Hawaii) 3 out of the 5 planes that started out were lost at sea. Then consider that a thousand years ago the Polynesians in 50-foot twin-hulled canoes were regularly making such voyages without any kind of instruments, and that crossing 50 or 100 miles of ocean was thought almost trivially easy.

That a primitive (by European or American standards) people were skilled at ocean navigation was thought absurd. Kon-Tiki was an attempt to show that Oceania could be populated from South America by drifting on rafts and sheer luck of landfall. But it is now established that there was skilled and purposeful exploration and colonization--including Rapa Nui (Easter Island) which is 1000 miles from the nearest other habitable island. We, the Navigators is a fascinating look at "primitive" navigation techniques, and the author himself sailed from Hawaii to Tahiti using only these ancient techniques.

So you'll see how the Polynesians used the sun, moon, and stars to achieve accurate navigation. They also used the ocean swells (as distinct from waves): islands reflect and deflect swells, so by careful observation, you can get a sense of direction to landfall. Land also changes cloud patterns. Birds were watched intently. New Zealand was one of the last places found and peopled--from 1600 miles away from the northeast, perhaps by watching birds migrate in that direction. Different kinds of birds travel different distances from land--some travel 40-50 miles, others 20-25 miles: by observing at dawn where the birds came from, and observing which direction they went towards sunset, and seeing what kind of bird it was, you could tell that there was land, and what direction it was, and how far away it was as well. On leaving land, backsights would be taken to help establish currents and drift. The book has lots of drawings and illustrations--it's a real treat!

This book is written by an academic. I don't necessarily mean this in a negative sense. The author has done a very thorough research on the topic and presented his findings. The effect is a book that can be called a comprehensive treatment as far as it can be done given that the practictioners are disappearing fast.
The downside is that it can send you to sleep as the author systematically compares how the navigational techniques are practiced in the various island groups.

The strength of the book is not only its thoroughness but also the fact that the author is a skilled sailor who has gone on trips using these techniques. This makes the material so much more authentic, because the reader can relate how effective these skills are and yet how much practice they require.

The author provides commentary on many practices and relates them to our modern day knowledge. An example was their ability to recognize the impact of sub surface currents, something that is today a rather specialist piece of knowledge not available to the everyday sailor.

The most complete study of early navigation I have come across. The author does a fantastic job of comparing the different styles of landfinding as used by the Pacific islanders. Lewis brings the knowledge and experience of an accomplished western sailor and navigator to his studies, and in doing so is able compare and contrast ancient and modern techniques. A scholarly study of primitive navigation, the book is not always an easy read, however for the reader looking for a complete comparison this is the volume to have.

David Lewis has zig-zaged the Pacific in modern yachts and traditional canoes. His broad experience and long resarch, using his own and many schoolars data, has made this a good analysis and documentation of the extremly impressing and interesting phenomenon of ancient and present voyaging in the Pacific. Others, specially anthropologists fieldworking in the Central Carolines of Micronesia, had written about the presently used Micronesian voyaging system, others less throughly about the forgotten polynesian,but Lewis mangage to give a synthesis of the technologies and some of the social aspects of traditional voyaging in the Pacific

If you are planning on doing any driving in New Zealand this is the atlas for you. It is rather large but it makes it easy to follow the roads. I have a friend that lives there; she begged me to leave it for her.

The AA Zealand map/guide is an excellent source for all your driving & touring needs in New Zealand. Highly recommended.

This is an excellent detailed resource for travel in New Zealand.

This is the equivalent of the Rand McNally Road Atlas for New Zealand. I highly recommend it if you are planning a road trip through New Zealand. It helped tremendously with our trip planning. It also includes a table of distances between major cities and towns and estimated drive times.

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.