Rating: 
Summary: funny, insightful, a really good read
Review: After reading his previous book, Annapurna Circuit, I was curious to read what the author would write about New Zealand. Having been to NZ nine times myself, I was almost reluctant to read this book, thinking it would be a disappointment. I mean, how could it live up to my own experiences in New Zealand? It was better than my expectations. Kiwi Tracks is a travelogue based on four months trekking. Lovely descriptive passages of tramping through the rainforest, some funny scenes where you laugh out loud, and some personal insights that keep you turning the pages. So many of his experiences I could relate to. Although there are criticims he makes, he captures the country and people with insight. I loved his Annapurna Circuit and this book is definitely not a disappointment.
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful personal diary of a New Zealand vacation
Review: Andrew Stevenson has successfully accomplished what very few others are able to do.
He has written a travel guide that is actually enthralling to read. From its pages you will gain a wonderful sense of the flora, fauna and people of "The Land of the White Cloud."
Although the title suggests it to be a book on hiking... it is not. It is a personal account of his time in New Zealand, where he spends 4 months marching through some of the most beautiful places on earth.
The casts of characters that he introduces us to are not "over the top" hard to imagine people, but... simply the everyday folks of New Zealand and the foreigners that are vacationing there too.
I look forward to reading all of Mr. Stevenson's works.
Andrew... if you ever need a hiking buddy... drop me a line!
Rating:
Summary: A wonderful personal diary of a New Zealand vacation
Review: Andrew Stevenson has successfully accomplished what very few others are able to do.
He has written a travel guide that is actually enthralling to read. From its pages you will gain a wonderful sense of the flora, fauna and people of "The Land of the White Cloud."
Although the title suggests it to be a book on hiking... it is not. It is a personal account of his time in New Zealand, where he spends 4 months marching through some of the most beautiful places on earth.
The casts of characters that he introduces us to are not "over the top" hard to imagine people, but... simply the everyday folks of New Zealand and the foreigners that are vacationing there too.
I look forward to reading all of Mr. Stevenson's works.
Andrew... if you ever need a hiking buddy... drop me a line!
Rating: 
Summary: is there a genre problem here?
Review: As a travel book, Kiwi Tracks is hindered somewhat by the author's personal problems. He had ended a relationship prior to going on his journey and he keeps reflecting back on his solitude and loneliness. This sort of put a melancholy tone on what should have been an enjoyable trek. As a personal odyssey book, there didnt seem to be much spiritual growth. The specifics of the great NZ tracks were OK, and if one has been on a trek in NZ one would probably want to read this book and include it on his bookshelf. If, however, one has not been to NZ and would like to learn more about the tracks ("Just the facts, ma'am") one would be better served by one of the hiking guides. For a more upbeat look at the country from a personal journey standpoint, the reader might want to keep an eye out in the used bookstores for Edward Kanze's "Notes from New Zealand".
Rating:
Summary: Exciting Country, Depressing Author
Review: Being that I am preparing to spend the next two years of my life in school in New Zealand, I have been looking for books that can help to prepare me for what my experience in the country will be. That said, I found this book a valuable read. The author presents a good picture of an outsider's view of New Zealand, at least from a traveller's perspective. I think the overall picture, of a beautiful country with an old fashioned mindset, is an interesting one, and I'm looking forward to experiencing it for myself. His descriptions of NZ's natural offerings are the strong point of the book.Unfortunately, the author is leaving behind a life in Norway that was apparently, in his mind, quite tragic, and he drags the reader through his problems. He's gone to NZ to think about his life, and apparently tramping alone through the wilderness doesn't perk him up much. Reading about how depressed and lonely he is becomes an annoyance from the first chapter, and negatively impacts the entire book. The country he describes sounds beautiful in itself, but with his constant crying, you can't help but feel down about the whole experience. It's like taking a vacation with a friend who's going through a rough divorce. Overall, the book was good when it stuck to any issue other than the author's relational troubles. I'd recommend it if you can pick it up secondhand, or at the library, as I did.
Rating:
Summary: Exciting Country, Depressing Author
Review: Being that I am preparing to spend the next two years of my life in school in New Zealand, I have been looking for books that can help to prepare me for what my experience in the country will be. That said, I found this book a valuable read. The author presents a good picture of an outsider's view of New Zealand, at least from a traveller's perspective. I think the overall picture, of a beautiful country with an old fashioned mindset, is an interesting one, and I'm looking forward to experiencing it for myself. His descriptions of NZ's natural offerings are the strong point of the book. Unfortunately, the author is leaving behind a life in Norway that was apparently, in his mind, quite tragic, and he drags the reader through his problems. He's gone to NZ to think about his life, and apparently tramping alone through the wilderness doesn't perk him up much. Reading about how depressed and lonely he is becomes an annoyance from the first chapter, and negatively impacts the entire book. The country he describes sounds beautiful in itself, but with his constant crying, you can't help but feel down about the whole experience. It's like taking a vacation with a friend who's going through a rough divorce. Overall, the book was good when it stuck to any issue other than the author's relational troubles. I'd recommend it if you can pick it up secondhand, or at the library, as I did.
Rating: 
Summary: Unattractive
Review: Every now and then I like to read a book and see how folks from overseas percieve my homeland. I also enjoy travel writing as well, so this one seemed like a good read. It isn't. The Author spends a lot of time ruminating on how he left some bimbo in Norway, and how this has spoiled his trip to NZ. How sad. A lot of space is devoted to this, and waters down much of the description of the countryside and more imporatntly the people. Much of the people he meets are cliches and stereotypes. For example, he is tramping and runs across a guy who is trying to abandon the ghosts of Vietnam by being in NZ. Right, and of course how can we forget the cliched surfer? He in many areas has a smarmy attitude, treating the locals as naive and foolish. For example, when at a race the PA announces that a sum of money has been found and if it is yours, you can claim it. he thinks this is highly amusing- I am glad I live in country where that happens. He seems appalled at Adventure tourism, and the bush and forests should somehow be kept only for trampers. Well, if it gets people out of the house, whats the problem with it. He spends a lot of space bemoaning the fact that hunting introduced animals is a popular past time here. For example, the fact the possums are generally shot in the millions- yet does not grasp that is a ligitamite and enjoyable outdoors recreation, and is alos preserving the native bush. ... Not recommended.
Rating:
Summary: Unattractive
Review: Every now and then I like to read a book and see how folks from overseas percieve my homeland. I also enjoy travel writing as well, so this one seemed like a good read. It isn't. The Author spends a lot of time ruminating on how he left some bimbo in Norway, and how this has spoiled his trip to NZ. How sad. A lot of space is devoted to this, and waters down much of the description of the countryside and more imporatntly the people. Much of the people he meets are cliches and stereotypes. For example, he is tramping and runs across a guy who is trying to abandon the ghosts of Vietnam by being in NZ. Right, and of course how can we forget the cliched surfer? He in many areas has a smarmy attitude, treating the locals as naive and foolish. For example, when at a race the PA announces that a sum of money has been found and if it is yours, you can claim it. he thinks this is highly amusing- I am glad I live in country where that happens. He seems appalled at Adventure tourism, and the bush and forests should somehow be kept only for trampers. Well, if it gets people out of the house, whats the problem with it. He spends a lot of space bemoaning the fact that hunting introduced animals is a popular past time here. For example, the fact the possums are generally shot in the millions- yet does not grasp that is a ligitamite and enjoyable outdoors recreation, and is alos preserving the native bush. ... Not recommended.
Rating: 
Summary: Tramps in New Zealand
Review: First off, I loved this book. I have a great desire, if not budget, to see New Zealand. This has only increased my longing to visit this country. Stevenson's writing is very subtle in its humor. I laughed more reading this book than any other travel book I have read before. I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in travelling and especially in New Zealand.
Rating:
Summary: I'm not a fan of travel writing, but ...
Review: I found this to be an interesting book. If you want to learn all about New Zealand, its flora and fuana, or great "tramps" (hikes, for you and me), this isn't the book for you. However, it is an enjoyable light read, giving the reader interesting snapshots of life in NZ. Stevenson meets some interesting people along his journey and I found the way in which he shares their stories much more engaging than most of his descriptions of his walks in the woods. Yes, at times the book strains credulity and some of the characters may seem a bit cliche, but I, too, stood in wonder of many of the situations he encounters. Ultimately what comes through is that New Zealand is a land both unlike any other and exactly like home, too.
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