Editorial Review :

A profoundly powerful and inspirational memoir.

In 1993, Judith and Michael Sleavin and their two children set out to live their dream: to sail around the world. But one night, a freighter off the coast of New Zealand altered its course by a mere ten degrees. And changed everything. After surviving forty-four hours in the water, with a back broken in several places and paralyzed below the waist, Judith miraculously survived. Doctors would later say she suffered one of the worst cases of post-traumatic stress syndrome ever documented. News of the collision made headlines around the world, but, distraught, Judith never talked to the press. Her body was broken, and so was her soul.

Twelve years later, Judith turned to her best friend, Hester Rumberg, and asked her to write what was too painful for her to write. The result is a gripping, unbelievable yet true story of one family’s love, of profound loss, and of a remarkable woman who decided to live when others might have decided otherwise. But always it is a stunning account of survival, a meditation on the strength of friendship and community. It is a universal tale of how any of our lives might be unexpectedly altered, how we might have to change what we hope for, and how we can move forward in times of tragedy.

Judith Sleavin now divides her time between Portland, Oregon, and New Zealand.

Customer Review :

Very suspenseful

Ten Degrees of Reckoning has all the elements of a good story: the forces of nature, man's inhumanity to man, love of family and friends, the will to survive and psychological trauma.

The book is suspenseful and well worth reading. It is a short book and will not take much time to read.
I would have like to hear more directly from Judy, the subject of the book.


Rating :

Great book - important subject

My husband and I were at a sailboat show last weekend, and we met the author - Hester Rumberg. We casually discussed her book, and frankly, mostly because it was on the Kindle (which is how we read most of our books), and to support a sailboat show vendor, we bought the book. I'm a huge reader - and very picky. Shame on me, but the truth it, I didn't really expect to be impressed. I thought if there was a great sailing book out there, I would have read it.

Boy was I wrong.

Without giving away too much about the book or the author (because that relationship is a key piece of what makes this book work), the writing is good. The subject is engrossing. There are few 'stops' in the book - it flows easily from one element to the next. It is overwhelmingly sad at points, full of hope at others. I laughed, I cried, I was moved.

I find myself replaying parts of this book over and over. I am drawn to the subject, and now I want to learn more about international maritime law. Isn't that the hallmark of a great book? I am so lucky to have stumbled upon this great author and book. Definitely a great read.

Rating :

Heartbreaking Stuff

Ten Degrees of Reckoning is very heart-breaking stuff. The book would have received five stars instead of four if the author had actually been able to write better. The author is not really a writer, which becomes apparent as she just jumps around the events willy-nilly, not actually linking the important points together. On the lack of good writing, I completely agree with a two-star review from Andy written March 31, 2009. The only reason I bring up the bad writing is that it interferes with what is a compelling, tragic tale.

A few thoughts came to me as I read about the family's struggle to survive in the open ocean water (after their boat was destroyed). One, and this may not sound charitable, is that humans are simply not meant to be out on the open ocean, at least not in small craft. Think about it. Can we drink salt water and survive? Can we swim for days at a time? We are not fish, sea turtles, whales, dolphins, or sea lions. We are land animals, and that's where we belong (you can tell I care not for the ocean). I'm sorry the family suffered so much, but as humans, we are completely out of our element on the open ocean (I'm sure sailors would disagree). The second thought I had, is after I talked to a polyurethane foam salesman, I found out there is a requirement for small craft to have enough polyurethane foam built into their structure (hull?), that even if the boat is cut in half, it would still float. Why didn't the Melinda Lee float longer than a minute or two? Was it an older construction? If they had a vessel with unsinkable polyurethane foam in the hull, maybe they could have held onto it - we will never know.

At any rate, my heart goes out to the family of this tragedy. I think the survivor may have been better off asking Sebastian Junger, author of "The Perfect Storm" to write the book. It probably would have become a best seller, and then the maritime safety foundation the survivor started would have more money to help prevent this sort of tragedy in the future.



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Wow, what a story

This book had me in tears the majority of the time. It was really well written and I think raises awareness about things that most people have no idea about. I really did like this book.

Rating :

A survivor

When telling a co-worker about this book and how it had affected me, she asked, "Why are you reading it--it sounds so depressing." "Because Judy Sleavin survived," I replied, and being totally in awe of how she did it.

I found myself actually not breathing a few times while I was reading Ten Degrees of Reckoning. To say that it is a riveting story cheapens what is in fact a horrendous real-life event. Ms. Rumberg does an excellent job of laying out the facts. Yes, she is obviously a good friend of Ms. Sleavin, but this does not at all detract from the facts of the disaster, and the appalling lack of accountability from the Pan Ocean Shipping Company (and, as an aside, Senator Slade Gorton, page 217, who should also be ashamed of himself).

Everyone should read this book to revel in the truly amazing depths the human spirit can go through in order to survive, the humanity that can be shown by caring individuals (Pan Ocean Shipping and Senator Gorton excluded), and also to become aware of how the Death on the High Seas Act can affect anyone who travels on a plane or ship in international waters.

Five stars--no question.


Rating :

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1. ISBN13: 9781566919821
2. Condition: NEW
3. Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Editorial Review :

Customer Review :

South Seas Photography review

Awesome book, well written and very insightful.
South Seas Photography uses all these Moon South Pacific books and the Fiji Book for all our travels throughout Polynesia.
Easy to use, perfect for detailed information, easy to carry and share.

Karl Meinhardt
www.SouthSeasPhotography.com


Rating :

Buy this book if you are going to Fiji !

We travelled to Fiji (winter 2008-2009, but summer there) and we are so happy that we studied this book before we went. We travelled on the Yasawa Flyer (ferry) up the chain of islands and started our stay near the Blue Lagoon. The information about the differnt island resorts was invaluable and helped us make very good decisions on where to stay. We stayed at three different resorts, sort of back pack style and Coral View was the best with Bounty a close second. Fiji is a beautiful country with beautiful people and reading this book before we went made our trip that much better. We will look for more of the Moon handbooks for our future travels. Moon Fiji (Moon Handbooks)

Rating :

Best resource for Fiji travel!

We've been talking about going to Fiji for years, and have looked at other books, but this book trumps them all. It's very thorough, with excellent descriptions that make us wish we could pack our bags and go today. Author David Stanley obviously loves Fiji, and his passion comes through in his writing. We also appreciate the way he doesn't sugar coat the less than perfect. This seems like a book you can really trust. And the history sprinkled throughout (great stories of Capt. Bligh, for instance), the interesting boxes full of fun information, and the very useable maps make it easy to get educated in all things Fijian. We also love the beginning section with beautiful color photography. It would be nice if all photos could be in color, but we'd happily trade the excellent info in the book for color pictures.

This book provided us with our new dream adventure vacation: A stay on the Yasawa Islands, where there are no motorized land vehicles or roads. You can stay in a thatched "bure" and make a vacation exploring the island chain via a catamaran line that offers a kind of "Eurail Pass" for island hoppers. Who knew such a place still existed?!

Rating :

Moon Fiji-don't leave home without it!

The 8th. Edition of David Stanley's Moon Fiji handbook continues to be the essential guidebook for travelers to Fiji. And whether you are a seasoned Fiji traveler or an eager first-timer, you will find Stanley's book critical to getting the most of your Fiji visit.

Compared to the earlier editions, this one is totally revamped and redesigned. It's compact, attractive, and very usable. Information is easily located and details are ample. Every section is updated and expanded to include current relevant information, insofar as any destination guidebook can be anyway.

Each geographical region of Fiji is fully detailed covering related visitor attractions, accommodations, dining options, activities, recreation and more. Specific recommendations make each section extremely valuable. Stanley pulls no punches in both his criticisms and compliments to vendors of accommodations, restaurants, activities and others. Descriptions and explanations are quite trustworthy.

Detailed maps and interesting photography makes for a well laid-out book. Placement of the Background reference section to the back of the book make the tome usable. The opening section with such things as "The Best of Fiji," and "Island-Hopper Special," plus "Culture and the Real Fiji" and others get the reader quickly immersed in Fiji and offer practical ideas for getting the most of a Fiji visit.

The book's regional Fiji sections provide all the detail and information needed for planning a visit to these storied and historic South Pacific islands. Whether you see one area such as Nadi and the Mamanucas, or take in Suva, the Coral Coast, Lomaiviti, the Yasawas, Taveuni, or the "Friendly North" of Vanua Levu, you'll find Moon Fiji a fine and very useful traveling companion. Like the saying goes, don't leave home without it! As a veteran Pacific Island traveler, I'll have my copy of Moon Fiji along on my next Fiji stop.


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Packed with useful stuff

I bought this book as a guide before my honeymoon. I had already looked around a couple of eco-tourism web sites and booked a couple of hotels; in one case, I changed my mind because of this book and ended up canceling a booking. It's a well-organized guide with astonishing clarity and frankness. Some off-hand tips include who to talk to (first names) at travel agencies/resorts/etc. for tips and deals, what times of day and/or days of the week you should avoid certain activities, what environment to expect at a hotel or resort (Partying backpackers? Couples only? Family-oriented? Rich lazies?), which buses leave early/late or stay overnight, how to deal with hagglers, general Fijian pronunciation tips and cultural guidelines (including an apparently conservative dress code in the villages that I would have regretted not knowing beforehand), where and how women will feel safe, and of course, which restaurants and accommodations offer the best deals. You're probably also well-off to visit www.lonelyplanet.com/thorntree for first-hand travel tips, but the Moon guide book is a great buy.

Rating :

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1. ISBN13: 9780731409808
2. Condition: NEW
3. Notes: Brand New from Publisher. No Remainder Mark.
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Editorial Review :

Sydney Day by Day is the perfect answer for travellers who want to know the best places to visit and the best way to see the city. This attractively priced, four-colour guide offers dozens of itineraries that show you how to see the best of Sydney in a short time -- with bulleted maps that lead the way from sight to sight. Featuring a full range of thematic and neighborhood tours, plus dining, accommodation, shopping, nightlife, and practical visitor info, Sydney Day by Day is the only guide that helps travellers organise their time to get the most out of a trip. Inside this book you'll find:

• Full colour throughout with hundreds of photos and dozens of maps
• Sample one- to three-day itineraries that include tours of Circular Quay and the historic Rocks area, the city's best architectural sights, Sydney Opera House and Sydney Harbour Bridge, and more.
• Star ratings for all hotels, restaurants and attractions clue readers in on great finds and values
• Tear-resistant foldout map in a handy, reclosable plastic wallet
• Foldout front cover, with at-a-glance maps and quick-reference info 

Customer Review :

Best book for a quick visit to Sydney

The is the best book I found for a quick visit to Sydney. If you are going to be in the city for a few days, I highly recommend that you take this with you. It is compact and can fit in your purse. The best part is that it is filled with information, maps, sample day walks around the city, and directions for taking day trips outside the city.

Rating :

A Very Good Pocket Guide to Sydney

FROMMER'S SYDNEY DAY BY DAY hits the most of the highlights the beautiful city of Sydney has to offer. In addition to providing brief, but informative accounts of various city attractions including restaurants, shopping sites, and accommodations, the Frommer guidebook offers "sixteen smart ways to see the city" in three categories: "the best-full day tours, "the best special interest tours," and "the best neighborhood walks." Recommendations for tourists are on-the-mark, and are consistent with what the locals will tell you (e.g., taking the inexpensive Manly Ferry as both an outstanding ride and a wonderful way to see the city). The book is easily portable, and contains a removable, easy-to-read map of downtown Sydney.

The neighborhood maps in SYDNEY DAY BY DAY are superb, but unfortunately--unless I am somehow overlooking it--there is no key, such as an index map, that shows you where the neighborhood is located in relation to the rest of the city. As for other shortcomings, they are few and far between. I would note that it is a bit skimpy in identifying good accommodations and restaurants, but it is after all a pocket guide. Also, the section on excursions away from the city, such as a day trip to the lovely Blue Mountains, serves to provide no more than suggestions. But one can easily find further information on such excursions after arriving in Sydney. (With respect to the Blue Mountains, I would suggest to the traveler, contrary to the "Practical Matters" section on p. 147, not to take the Blue Mountain Explorer Bus unless you are really going to make use of it either by making numerous, quick stops here and there on its circular, one-way route or by staying more than a day. Otherwise, the Trolley Bus is a better value and goes in two directions. If you do decide on the Explorer Bus, consider buying a joint train and bus "Explorer Pass" at Central Station in Sydney.)

Sydney is a marvelous city; FROMMER'S SYDNEY DAY BY DAY will help you make the most of your visit.


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Editorial Review :

Make tracks across the spectacular range of New Zealand landscapes. The deep valleys of Fiordland and Mt Aspiring beckon, the Marlborough Sounds call, the volcanoes of Tongariro are steaming ... explore on foot the natural wonders of this country from coast to Cook. foreword by New Zealand adventurer Peter Hillary 53 detailed trail descriptions for trampers of all levels colour section on the Great Walks of New Zealand two-colour contour maps for all featured tramps essential accommodation and transport information expert advice on equipment, health and environ- mentally responsible walking

Customer Review :

A book for the planning Tramper

This edition is far better than the previous editions. It's new organization and additional information sections are a marked improvement. A new section on Flora and Fauna gives a highlight of any New Zealand tramp. This book acts as an excellent reference book while tramping. Of course, if the book contained every piece of required information, (i.e. highly detailed maps and every step of the way instructions) it would require 1000's of pages. The authors surmount that difficulty by including instructions on how to obtain additional necessary information. The book is perfect for those that are looking into or planning a backpacking trek to New Zealand.

Rating :

Great reference guide

By far the best guide available about tramping opportunities in NZ. The track guides are pretty accurate and provide a good overview of what to expect.

Rating :

Limited day hiking info; good for multi-day treks

If you are going to New Zealand to hike the multi-day tracks called the Great Walks, this is a pretty good guide to them, but is somewhat dated (over 4 years old). What really surprised us on our recent trip is that for the most part you can't do a day hike on many of the famous Great Walks such as Milford, Kepler, or Heaphy. The trails are designed to be one-way multi-day hike trails with a designated start and end spot for backpackers who want to camp or stay in the huts.

There are a couple of locally written hiking books that have good information on 2-8 hour day hikes in New Zealand that let you sample some of the Great Walks that are not one-way routes. One of the most useful is "Day Walks in New Zealand" by Shaun Barnett. It has 100 day treks on both the north and south island with some amazing two dimensional maps and beautiful photos. We used the book on a two week trip to the South Island and found some wonderful hikes from the book in the Milford Sound area that let you stay at nice hotels and lodges and still experience the back country and beauty of New Zealand. For example, the book highlights the hike to Lake Marian near the Hollyford Track and the day hike to Key Summit which is part of the Routeburn Track. It also has wonderful short hikes in Abel Tasman National Park using the water taxi services, several hikes in Mt Cook National Park, and multiple tramps in Mount Aspiring Park as well. The book is produced in New Zealand but is listed on Amazon so you should be able to buy it before you leave.

Another great resource for shorter hikes is the New Zealand Department of Conservation website: [...] It has a lot of useful planning information to supplement any books you purchase on Amazon to help in your trip planning.

Rating :

Great book with all the basic info you need

The book had all the basic info. you need for hiking in New Zealand. It's easy to read with a couple of nice pictures. Enjoy!

Rating :

Absolute Must for Tramping tourists

I bought this book about a year ago and I'm not going to NZ until 2010, but I just wanted to get to know the tramps and the areas around them. Once Again, lonely planet delivers a 5* guide. This is an absolute must if you travel to NZ for the sake of tramping.

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1. ISBN13: 9780618658985
2. Condition: USED - VERY GOOD
3. Notes:

Editorial Review :

Customer Review :

Travel log

Again, Paul Theroux has done a magnificent job of combining his travel experiences with a truthful look at the verious islands' population characteristics and the social, political, financial, and governmental issues of each area he visits. This book has provided me with a much deeper look into areas I formerly saw only as romantic getaways of beautiful beaches, lush mountains and valleys, and a low-key and stressless lifestyle. Mr. Theroux's writing is engaging, honest, and educational -- and I'm enjoying every page! Again, I'm not fond of some of the language used, but all in all, it's a great book. I heartily recommend it.


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Really helpful

I can understand how this book would offend some people from Oceania, as there are lots of unflattering descriptions of people Mr. Theroux encountered on his journey. There are, however, lots of lovely and interesting people and places described. In any event, I had the opportunity to take a trip to Tonga and I heard some negative things about it from several people. One man told me that his brother had been and didn't feel safe and thought it would be really unsafe for women. I was surprised, but went back to reading my Lonely Planet guide with a more critical eye. I found the statement, "While the threat of rape does exist"... taking precautions like not walking around alone on empty beaches, etc, should keep women safe. That it even needed to be mentioned seemed telling to me. So I bought this travel book to get a more thorough description from someone opinionated and a little cranky, like me (I read Dark Star Safari and respect his opinion) and I found it really enlightening. Yes, it's slanted, but it's slanted from the point of view of an American who isn't used to the more unfortunate and seemingly common aspects of some Pacific Islands' cultures, with their stealing, with their often nasty treatment of outsiders (jeering and insults), and with the threat of violence. Of course, in the wrong neighborhood almost anywhere in America, these things occur, but that's not the point here. These kinds of things are really useful for an outsider (especially a female) to know going in and I really appreciated being able to read this book and radically readjust my naive idea of the Happy Isles as looking and feeling like a Gauguin painting. I recommend this book.

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Unapologetically Direct

A terrific read, Theroux has the courage to be politically incorrect in an age where Americans fear speaking the truth of their own experience.
As a travel writer myself, I am always astonished when someone is angered because my travel experience does not mirror his own, as is the case with other reviewers here.

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Living on a happy island...

I just finished this book and I loved every chapter!
I read Darkstar Safari over the summer and loved it too.
I plan on reading another Paul Theroux book next. I just love the
way this man writes! He is able to shed light on an experience
I would never be brave enough to venture on but I don't mind
reading about his travels (I don't think I could kayak all alone
in the ocean!). I have been living on an island for
three years now and its time to go. P.T. has been right on the money in his descriptions of Oahu. I love this place and it will be forever in my heart.
I think this has been the
perfect book to read as my island living experience comes to an end.


Rating :

Interesting

This book is certainly interesting. While the author does his fair share of whining, as previous reviewers have mentioned, I think it is important to remember how he traveled. He chose to see the islands of the Pacific by kayak - certainly not an easy task, and probably a task which colored some of his views. Having said that, his descriptions of the islands I've been to were right on. I can't speak for all of them, of course, but I can say I did enjoy the book. I especially liked his account of his time in Tonga.

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