Straying from the Flock: Travels in New Zealand | 
 enlarge | Author: Alexander Elder
Publisher: Wiley
Category: Book
List Price: $14.95
Buy New: $8.35
You Save: $6.60 (44%)
Avg. Customer Rating:  39 reviews
Sales Rank: 32032
Media: Paperback
Number Of Items: 1
Pages: 288
Shipping Weight (lbs): 0.7
Dimensions (in): 8.9 x 5.8 x 0.9
ISBN: 0471718637
Dewey Decimal Number: 919.3044
EAN: 9780471718635
ASIN: 0471718637
Publication Date: April 25, 2005
Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Shipping: International shipping available
Condition: BRAND NEW
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| Editorial Reviews:
Product Description
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.
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| Customer Reviews: Read 34 more reviews...
 Interesting tale October 6, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I had expected more out of this book than I got. I suppose it was a bit off putting to be reading about a wealthy guy's travel when I couldn't afford most of what he did. I did appreciate some insights about places even though I'd have to visit them on a lower budget.
 A Magic Journey June 30, 2008
1 out of 1 found this review helpful
I wish my armchair grew wings and flew me to New Zealand, with the book's author as an engaging, enchanting guide! I followed his journey across that country and was transported into landscapes and homes he so vividly described.
 Just so-so June 17, 2008
0 out of 1 found this review helpful
I'm off to NZ in a few weeks and was excited by the other reviews of this book. It sounded like a magical tour through a magical land. And while the stories were somewhat compelling, I found myself constantly waiting for something deeper, more profound, more passionate. The descriptions and especially the emotions in the writing were very superficial. Eventually I got tired of reading about all the wine and food and put the book down. Each day is it's own 2-4 page chapter which leaves the book with an unsettled feeling. Yes, I appreciated getting to know a little about a lot of things. But all in all, I thought the book was flat.
Kindle your Wanderlust! May 14, 2008
2 out of 2 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.
A New Zealand Travel Novel April 30, 2008
2 out of 2 found this review helpful
I bought this book because it was the first novel I have ever seen about New Zealand. Basically every other book has been a travel guide, some of which are useful, but none of which are a narrative of a person's experience in New Zealand. Alexander Elder is a frequent traveler to New Zealand and he relates his story of traveling from the south tip to the northernmost tip of the country over the course of eight weeks (with a few days in Fiji and Australia). He meets new people and visits old friends along the way.
I really enjoyed this book, my only issues were that I couldn't completely relate to his way of traveling. He travels in a style where laying down several hundred dollars to get a guided trip a few times in a week is no issue. I tend to be on a much more restricted budget. He also has a bit of a different attitude than myself, more strict about superb service and attention than I probably would be, but it's his story not my own :)
He does give a good impression of the hospitality that is present in most New Zealanders as well as the beauty of the land itself. I often felt like I was right along side of him during his trip.
This is a good read for anyone interested in New Zealand, especially being a tourist there. He also provides a link to his website where he posted the photos (non-professional) that he took during the course of this trip, a nice little addition to enhance the story.
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