Reviews (2)

Good book, not quite Paul Caffyn, though...
This is a nice book about a great journey around Australia. Mark and Sue set out in 1986 on a 16' catamaran which basically consisted of two double sea kayaks rigged together. One motivation of this trip was to visit the America's cup races in Perth in 1987. Taking this rather small craft around Australia within two years is a tremendous achievement, even though they hitched a couple of rides along the way when their schedule gets tight or their boat needs repair. The book is well written and has a couple of color pictures inside that make the adventure come to life. I wished Mark had spent more of the twelve or so years between the trip and the publication of this book with an editor, because there are lots of typos and some paragraphs are in here twice. What I found particularly odd, is that there is hardly any of Sue in this book - not a single picture of her, no romance, no fighting, no other point of view. This point is pretty much completely omitted by Mark, and that even though (or maybe because?) they married later on (and then divorced even later on). I found that weird, but I did not regret buying it, because it is very inspiring to read about what some people dare to do with very small boats...

Unique Sailing Adventure
Anyone who has ever sailed, or dreamt of a sailing adventure, has no choice but to read this book. Mark Darby has completed an awesome task, tantamount to a dare, by sailing a small boat through some large seasaround a huge continent! His adventures have been well crafted with vividword pictures and a descriptive action style which put me in the boat withhim and Sue. I can still clearly see the beautiful Australian coastline,the memorable people they met and the first reading has left me with asweet salt water taste in my mouth and wanting more.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1957-    2. Australia & Oceania - General    3. Darby, Mark Stewart,    4. Sailing - Narratives    5. Sports & Recreation    6. Tom Thumb (Catamaran)    7. Travel    8. Voyages and travels   

Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - General    2. Cosmopolitanism    3. Europe    4. Europe - General    5. Europeans    6. History    7. History - General History    8. History: World    9. Travel    10. Travelers    11. World - General    12. History / World    13. Travel writing   

Reviews (2)

Fantastic guide to Guam!
I originally bought this book just for reading material, but when I found out I was going to Guam I broke it out and read it in earnest.I found the guide to be very well written with many color photographs, cave descriptions, topo maps (which helped with general navigation as well as hiking), and many other sections such as diving, hiking and kayaking.After going to Guam and actully using the book as a field guide I was even more impressed with how well the book is laid out, the accuracy of the descriptions and the depth of information.The spiral binding and plasiticized pages make it ideal for use on the trail and it will stand up well to being tossed in a backpack on a regular basis.I highly recommend this book for anybody interested in the geology, history and/or recreation available on Guam!

Excellent Book - I have one in my library.
Field Guide to Caves and Karst of Guam by Danko Taborosi is an excellent contribution to Guam's history. It accounts for the caves and karst of the island, in a way that is academic, scientific and yet a helpful guide for all who want to explore the island's natural features. Outdoor activities should be encouraged but not at the expense of safety, and this book conveys the inherent dangers associated with exploring the Island's dangerous but exciting outdoors; characteristics unique to islands. However, it admonishes the importance of calculating, planning and well thought out approach with emphasis on the significance of special training and numerous precautions when exploring vertical caves, deep dives and naturally developed karst areas. I was amazed with the natural beauty of the Island that Danko's photos reveal, something I've not seen although Guam has been my home since birth, 50 years ago. Through his work I have been introduced to a Guam I had no familiarity with and can now learn to appreciate. His devotion to exploration and work over the year that he gathered the material for his book is a wonderful gift to the Chamorro people. D�ngkolo na Si Yu'os Ma'�se (Thank you very much) Danko. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Caves    2. Guam    3. Guidebooks    4. Hiking    5. Karst    6. Natural Resources    7. Nature    8. Nature/Ecology    9. Reference - General    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Travel - General    12. Active outdoor pursuits    13. Places & peoples: general interest   

Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - Australia    2. Maps    3. Maps & Road Atlases    4. Reference    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Australia    8. Travel / road maps & atlases   

Reviews (1)

Especially for those seeking more depth than the usual Australia-wide coverage can offer
There's a lot to do in South Australia: so much that it deserves a book of its own separate from just a generic travel guide to the entire country - and Adelaide & South Australia serves just this purpose, allowing the visitor to focus on the region's many offerings. Excellent small maps accompany clear descriptions of accommodations, eating, sightseeing, and natural wonders. With its information-packed pages, it's a 'must' for any destination-oriented traveler planning a visit to the region; especially for those seeking more depth than the usual Australia-wide coverage can offer.
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Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - General    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Australia    5. Places & peoples: general interest    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (1)

Diver Dan
This book is a color, well-written, no-nonsense look at the many Bali sites by two Bali veterans. Rock is a veteran Indo-Pacific photojournalist who published Bali's first guidebook back in the late 1980s. Hinderks is a professional instructor and divemaster who has worked in Bali and Indonesia for years. A good combination that allows thoughtful insights to each site and the choice of many locales to dive. Bali is covered well from east (places like Sanur, Candi Dasa, Padang Bai, Tulamben) to west (Pemuteran, Menkangen, etc.). Nusa Lembongan, Ceningan, Nusa Penida and the wonderfully laid back Gilis in Lombok are also included.Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Australia & Oceania - General    3. Scuba & Snorkeling    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Water Sports    7. Indonesia    8. Sub-aqua swimming    9. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Australia    2. Australia & Oceania - Australia    3. Australia & Oceania - General    4. Photo Techniques    5. Photographs: collections    6. Pictorials    7. Travel    8. Travel - Foreign   

Reviews (3)

A fantastic Portrait of Australia
This book offers a fantastic opportunity to view some of Peter Lik's best known work - panoramic images of Uluru (Ayers Rock), Twelve Apostles, the Great Barrier Reef, and other Australian icons.To view the full range of Peter's books and posters visit PortraitAustralia.com.au

breathtaking
i just got this book as a present, and we're getting ready to go. very reminiscent of galen rowell's work (high praise) with lots of dawn/evening atmospherics. but this one is full of double page panoramics - nothing is lost in the crease - of the incredible australian landscape. get another book if you want people, animals or cities.

Incredible!!
If you want to go or have ever been to Australia this is a must have book.It will intise you to visit or will remind you of all the natural beauty this amazing country has to offer.Peter Lik is a truley amazing photographer I have been to his galleries in Cairnes and Port Douglas in Australia and his work is breath taking.www.peterlik.com Also you can see what an amazing deal this is here at Amazon.com, this book usually retails for $70 US.Wonderful Masterpiece Peter!! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Photo Techniques    2. Photography    3. Subjects & Themes - Landscapes    4. Subjects & Themes - Plants & Animals    5. Subjects & Themes - Travel - General    6. Subjects & Themes - Travel - World/Australasia    7. Techniques - Color    8. Travel - Foreign   

Reviews (11)

There are no emus in New Guinea
I am no native English speaker, but I spent some time in New Guinea. And I know that there are no emus in New Guinea, but cassowaries. Apart from that, a rather good account of contemporary New Guinea, although too superficial for my taste.

Uninformed tripe
From the very start of the book, this author has gone out of his way to slam the missionaries working in Papua New Guinea.In doing so, he has thrown out some "facts", startling mostly in their complete inaccuracy.For the record, the Summer Institute of Linguistics does NOT forbid all books but the Bible; there are no books.The whole point is that they are working to create a written language where one did not previously exist.There ARE no written texts in the languages with which SIL work.
I couldn' put it down
This was a great book, it read like a novel.It was fascinating and honest, Edward Marriott weaves a mystical story of the indigenous tribespeople of New Guinea, the Liawep.It at times seems too fantastic to be true, but the amazing thing about it is, that it is true.I hope he will write a follow up if he ever goes back!He's a great writer, never lingering too long on any episode, just enough to keep the reader interested.I read a lot of non-fiction and I must say that I recommend this one highly!An amazing book! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Americas (North Central South West Indies)    2. Australia & Oceania - General    3. Australia & Oceania - South Pacific    4. Australia/Oceania - South Pacific    5. Essays & Travelogues    6. History    7. History: American    8. Primitive Society    9. Special Interest - Adventure    10. Travel - General    11. Travel / Adventure   

Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - General    2. Australia & Oceania - New Zealand    3. Australia/Oceania - New Zealand    4. Essays & Travelogues    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. New Zealand    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Travel / Australia & Oceania   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Industries - Hospitality, Travel & Tourism    5. Business & Economics / Hospitality, Travel & Tourism    6. Tourism industry   

Reviews (3)

Local Knowledge makes this the Best Guide to NZ
A plug for the "local talent" !!I just took a couple of weeks off to travel from Auckland down to and around the South Island, using Peter Mitchell's book "Great Escapes" as part of my routing. Three trips to New Zealand on a motorcycle.
Three trips to New Zealand on a motorcycle. First two without "Great Escapes" and 15,000km, saw a lot. Using an American authors book was just barely ok. The third trip this last time for 10 weeks, did 12000km. Using the "Great Escapes" book I experienced New Zealand up close and personal.It's a GREAT book and an absolute must in order to get "inside" what I consider one of the great countries of the world!!

Don't leave the USA without this. . . .
Peter Mitchell, in his GREAT ESCAPES, motorcycle touring guide to New Zealand has raised the bar in the domain of motorcycle tour guides.I should know.Read more

Subjects:  1. Motor sports    2. Motorcycles: general interest    3. New Zealand    4. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (2)

Why "Little bit father"?
When author Jennie Gunn wondered why Bett-Bett "shutim eye quickfella" in the presence of her uncle Goggle-eye, Bett-Bett explained, "Him little bit father belong me."In the 1920s that was as close as Gunn dared come in print to acknowledging that, among the Aboriginal tribe on her husband's acreage, a wife was automatically sexually available to all of her husband's male relatives.By Gunn's time, the fact that a child had only a single father was known.The "little bit father" status of all of her mother's intimates was a holdover from a much earlier time when it was still believed that children were jointly fathered by every man who had deposited his sperm into the child's mother.
The Good, The Bad, and The Boring
Two novels in one.Read more

Subjects:  1. 1870-    2. Australia    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Children's 9-12    5. Description and travel    6. Frontier and pioneer life    7. General    8. Gunn, Jeannie,    9. Northern Territory   

Reviews (1)

A thoroughly detailed guide to over 400 fishing spots
Now in a fully updated and significantly expanded fifth edition, Trout Fishing: A Guide To New Zealand's South Island by conservationist and expert angler Tony Busch is a thoroughly detailed guide to over 400 fishing spots and some of the best trout waters to be found. General tips and tactics for seasoned fishermen, black-and-white photographs, maps, and in-depth knowledge and love of the fine trout fishing waters to be found on New Zealand's South Island characterize this handy and expertly written resource. As enjoyable to read for armchair fishermen looking to experience an impression of New Zealand's waters as it is for dedicated enthusiasts who live or plan to vacation there.
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Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - New Zealand    2. Fishing - General    3. Sports    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Travel - Foreign   

Reviews (2)

Evans & Harland Highly Recommended
The Voyager 1 & 2 missions launched in 1977 revolutionised our knowledge of the outer solar system. This book summarises the missions, how they were planned and executed, what when wrong and what worked better than expected.
Higly recommended!
This book, as was to be expected from a volume in the excellent Springer-Praxis series in astronomy and space sciences, is absolute quality. Although I haven't read its American `competitor' Voyager's Grand Tour by Henry C. Dethloff, I cannot believe that it could be done better than this. Especially if you're interested in the scientific aspects (planetary science, that is) of the Voyager missions, you won't be disappointed. It's all very well covered,extensively, with lots of interesting details and totally up-to-date (Galileoresults are included in the discussions and there's a preview of the Cassini and JIMO (to Jupiter's moons) missions). The author may not be a planetary scientist himself, he is definitely an excellent science writer, offering an approach that's technical and detailed (and `problem-conscious') enough to satisfy even professional astronomers while he's writing in such a way so as to convey the sheer excitement of solar system exploration in every sentence. Very readable also, nowhere dry or dull.
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Subjects:  1. Astronomy - Solar System    2. Australia & Oceania - General    3. Exploration    4. National Aeronautics and Space    5. National Aeronautics and Space Administration    6. Outer space    7. Physics    8. Science    9. Science/Mathematics    10. Travel - Foreign    11. United States    12. United States.    13. Voyager Project    14. Astronomy    15. Science / Astronomy    16. Space travel & exploration   

Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - Australia    2. Maps & Road Atlases    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Australia    5. Maps, charts & atlases    6. Melborne    7. Melborne (Australia)    8. Reference    9. Travel / road maps & atlases   

Reviews (1)

An entertaining ramble...
It's difficult to write travel books with a "twist" but Polly Evans has a pretty good try here in a book that has two on the go at the same time. First, a lady with no previous motorbiking experience passes her test in the UK and, only a couple of weeks later, hires a 500cc road bike to circumnavigate the whole of New Zealand. Brave or stupid, her gradual mastery of this "monster" provides an engaging backdrop to the journey and results in a series of hilarious problems. Second, she sets out not only to see the country but to discover whether the traditional Kiwi male - the pioneer who could mend a clapped out tractor with a rubber band - still exists. A quest which allows her to include some fascinating facts about New Zealand's development, takes her to places that most tourists miss, and gives her the opportunity to ruminate on the issues facing a traditionally male dominated society in the process of change.
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Subjects:  1. Travel    2. New Zealand    3. Travel writing   

Subjects:  1. Biography: general    2. Papua New Guinea    3. Travel writing    4. c 1980 to c 1990   

Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - Australia    2. Australia & Oceania - General    3. Reference - Guides (General)    4. Special Interest - General    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel Guides    8. Australia    9. Consumer guides & advice    10. Retail sector