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Antony Pleace

Reviewed in Australia on 15 November 2018

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

A story of endurance and determination. Whether you're an adventurer or not this book explores the limits of one womans journey of self discovery. From beautiful beaches to dancing on hilltops Anna tests her physical and mental ability to achieve something only very few would achieve. A very inspirational and insightful read. Highly recommend.

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rubysmum

Reviewed in Australia on 5 June 2018

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Really enjoyed this book - I wasn’t sure if it “was my thing” when I first started reading but after a few pages I really got “in to it “- I admit I am partly biased as I am an ex pat Kiwi runner but I think it is an enjoyable adventure read for a non - runner as well.

One person found this helpful

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S Robinson

Reviewed in Australia on 22 March 2019

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

The author's narrative of an amazing, epic journey through time, terrain and self knowledge. Ever doubted your own ability to achieve something? Then read of Anna's adventure and try on "The Pants Of Perspective" for yourself. Congratulations Anna.

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Rachel

Reviewed in Australia on 25 February 2019

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

It was such a long trail and could have been a book 3 times longer and I still would have enjoyed it! Such honesty, endurance, believability. I really felt transported.

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hannah chapman

Amazing and inspiring adventure.

Reviewed in Australia on 10 June 2019

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Loved it! Thank you for taking me along on our amazing adventure! Engaging and humorous, well worth a read!

Can't wait to hear about your next adventure.

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Barb Boyle

Reviewed in Australia on 11 June 2019

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Great read, gritty, honest, inspiring.
Written in a clear flowing style. I wondered about this track and how it might be to walk it. Now i know. Thanks.

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Amazon Customer

Loved the story and the courage.

Reviewed in Australia on 28 October 2018

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

An ordinary person achieving something extraordinary. Not an elegantly told story but compelling nevertheless. Definitely worth reading, especially if you run.

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Amazon Customer

Reviewed in Australia on 21 September 2019

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I loved everything about this book. It’s beautifully written, easy to read but fascinating and enthralling. What an amazing woman.

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Top international reviews

Charliecoffee

If you read one runner travelogue, make it this one.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 29 July 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I read lots of running related books, a fair few mountaineering books and "adventurer travelogues". They vary considerably. Anna's account is of her ridiculous solo running journey from Southern tip of the South Island to the lighthouse at the furthest extent of the North Island. Having travelled to New Zealand (both islands) and got engrossed in the country myself 3 years ago, I can honestly say that Anna has captured the country and the people that I remember quite superbly. Not only this, but the book has a great flow (not as easy as it seems in a diarised account), and the parts where Anna "loses it", reminds you of her vulnerability, or bares her soul for a page or two creep up on you and humanise the story perfectly. So bravo, Anna, not just for having the sheer nerve to finish such an epic journey, but also for making such a great job of your first book.

11 people found this helpful

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Fiona johnstone

Transported!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 11 October 2018

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I picked this book as a was in need of something different to read. I do not follow any kind of sport and had never heard of Anna McNuff. I also have no real interest in running as a rule as my legs are for display only.... I read the sample and found myself captured by her ability to describe her feeling and places she saw on her mighty travels. It's a rare thing that a person can paint such a picture with such clarity and not boar the pants off you. The fast pace of her writing almost made you feel like you were running with her. She is witty and honest. I unexpectedly thoroughly enjoyed this book. I feel like I have been to New Zealand with her. The book gave me vivid dreams about forests and running, not in a horror movie kind of way! Anna possesses a level of cheer when faced with a challenge that I can only imagine. It would seem that she has a level of determination that is quite astounding. Please read if only to remind yourself that there is a whole world out there doing its thing, and if nothing else you got to know what such an undertaking is like without having to do it yourself!!

4 people found this helpful

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Joanna Gawn, Author of The Lazuli Portals

Really Enjoyable

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 February 2018

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I have a close family member in New Zealand, who tramps regularly, and through Anna's book I feel I have a better understanding of what it's like to be out in the bush there. Anna's tale of struggle, vulnerability, self-reliance, dogged determination, and personal growth, was a joy to read. She has an easy, storytelling style which meant her account was never dry or boring.

Thanks Anna, for putting this part of your life onto paper so that people like me - who for one reason or another may never manage to get to the wonder that is New Zealand - can live vicariously through your adventures. Good luck with your future challenges.

3 people found this helpful

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Anne Duff

Interesting and inspirational

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 23 October 2019

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I found that this got off to a good start but about a third of the way through I started getting bored. I usually only use reviews as a guide but I came back to check them to help me determine whether or not to keep reading. The overall review score was 4.9 so I kept on reading and I'm glad I did. The pace picked up and Anna's descriptions and experiences became more interesting. This book renewed my desire to complete a 630 mile hike that I'd been interested in a few years ago so, in that respect, this book has been very inspirational. Overall, I liked it.

One person found this helpful

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chris garfield

Interesting and uplifting

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 5 December 2018

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

A very enjoyable book. It's very hard, I would imagine, to write a book about basically doing the same thing everyday (Ie: running from point a to point b) and to keep it interesting but this book manages to do that. I think a good idea for anyone about to read it (and I wish I'd done this) would be to follow the route on google maps as the places Anna was running through did tend to blend into one another and it would have been good to see exactly where they were on a map. That's just a little gripe though as I found the book very interesting and uplifting in equal measures.

2 people found this helpful

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K. Allen

McNuff Delivers.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 17 August 2017

Verified Purchase

Excellent book, well written (especially as it's a first novel). Good balance of human interest, scenery, mental challenges and running. I have followed Anna for a while, since her cycle journey across the USA, and really enjoy her enthusiasm for life and positivity. This book is a fantastic insight into the reality of a long hard adventure. Social Media feeds are a good highlight reel but the book gives depth and insight into the real highs and lows of the journey. A great first book, I look forward to more.

5 people found this helpful

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Piyadhammo

Determination to win can often produce the goods

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 25 July 2019

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Well what a brilliant piece of writing; but even more so what a fantastic trial of determination by Anna McNuff, how could your average young woman cope with all of these almost daily trials, ( BUT opp's ) Anna is no average woman; she's out to prove to the world that with pure guts and determination anything is possible. Anna, your a star shining for women power worldwide. I've just downloaded your trip on the "pink bike" across the U.S.A. what a story to look forward to next eh?? Brill, read these books, if your disappointed you must be DEAD!!!

One person found this helpful

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travelbug

Amazing.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 10 December 2019

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I don't normally feel moved to review books, but for this one I'm making an exception. I became aware of Anna and her exploits fairly recently, and followed her Barefoot run down the length of Britain with amazement and admiration. Having watched her on-line posts and videos, I got the Kindle version of this book. And was absolutely blown away.
I have read many, many "adventure" type books, from mountaineering, cycling, adventure racing, sailing etc but few have enthralled me in the way this did. From Anna's slightly, eh, "casual" and naive initial approach to her route planning through the whole adventure of the journey, this had me gripped from beginning to end. The searing honesty with which she describes her emotional ups and downs made you want to reach out and deliver one of her trademark hugs to help her on her way. The closing chapters in particular, as she describes her inner journey, were hugely engaging and a joy to read. Read this. You will feel better for it. And you will want to visit New Zealand. Thank you for this Anna.

One person found this helpful

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MetteArleth

How can struggles of such an adventure feel so relateable?

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 21 September 2018

Verified Purchase

Stories of other peoples adventure can put you in awe of their courage, stamina or willingness to through themselves into challanges they are not at all prepared for. The best stories of adventures are told in a way, where you as the reader not only get the "wauv" feeling, but also are able to recognise the basic learning and reflections the adventurer communicate. I love the fact, that even though I will never run the length of New Zealand, I found so many things in this book that spoke to me. How can the adventures of such a person as Anna McNuff feel so relatable? One answer is, that many of these struggles are basic struggles of our lives, and we can easily recognise the fear, vulnerability, doubt and also the triumph (when an obstacle is succefully passed). The book is fun, lively, very well written.

2 people found this helpful

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Gaius Calvus

A captivating read!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 26 October 2018

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

A travel book with a difference: the author describes her feelings a lot while writing about her run from the south to the north of New Zealand. Some authors could not have done this without getting too sentimental or falling into the trap of over romanticising a long journey on foot. I walk my journeys rather than run, and I am old enough to be her father, but I still have much the same feelings. I was greatly relieved to learn that she could not get her camping kit down to 7.5kg as she claimed early in the book: a set of scales revealed her pack to weigh 15kg, which I can believe.

I am looking forward to her next book.

One person found this helpful

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kerrie

Funny, honest and the perfect book to make you think about having your own adventure!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 9 December 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Anna McNuff talks about inner cheerleaders in this book, but honesty I think she's a cheerleader in her own right! She's honest, funny, hugely likable and has an enthusiasm for adventure that makes you want to go out and have your own. She also makes you wish that she was one of your buddies! I love her energy but mostly I love that we get to share all the emotions throughout this book. An unexpected bonus about reading this book, was that I fell back in love with NZ a little bit more. I moved from NZ to the UK nearly 20 years ago and few things make me homesick now, but Anna's beautiful descriptions of the land and its people definitely made me think about one day going back to explore my own country more. I have followed Anna on social media for a while now and I hope that one day I will have the opportunity to hear her speak in person...because I thinks she's proper ace!

3 people found this helpful

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Tina

You MUST buy this book

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 4 December 2017

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

Anna you are so bloody amazing woman. Your book was so inspirational, how you ran all those months i will never know wow you are strong. Dont just put this book on your wish list this is a MUST BUY N READ next time i try running to the end of the road and i quit sayibg its too far i will think of Anna. If she can do it we all can. Cat wait for your next adventure. 🏃🏃

3 people found this helpful

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Mr. J. A. F. Cameron

Something missing, but highly recommended.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 31 January 2018

Verified Purchase

I enjoy travel/adventure books, particularly about areas We have visited. A very enjoyable read, easy reading, informative, funny so why only four stars? I know it is being picky, but the book lacks s couple of areas to bring it to five stars for me, I could hazard a guess at their omission may have been too costly, and you can see what is missed via social media. In my very humble opinion the book lacked photos ( OK social media may be available if you use it and see them their ), likewise a few maps to see the trail as it was crisscrossing the islands, these would enhance the reading experience, but are available elsewhere. I would have liked to have read about the costings in an appendix, But, hey, just niggles in a very enjoyable book.

One person found this helpful

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Partridge

Entertaining read throughout.

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 2 October 2018

Format: Kindle EditionVerified Purchase

I found this a very entertaining and human book, I think it comes fairly close to explaining in an understandable way why Anna looks for adventure challenges. It's nice when it stops, and a way of generating reserves of satisfaction. The most meaningful bit for me was Anna's description of feeling content on completion of the run, contentment is massively underrated in our society and I often think people are fooled into looking for elated happiness which although "high" is short term rather than the quiet sustainable reserves from contentedness.

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Rebecca Sutton

Brilliant inspirational read!

Reviewed in the United Kingdom on 24 January 2019

Verified Purchase

I brought this book to inspire me to keep running and it absolutely did that! It is unlike any book I have read before- a hugely entertaining account of one woman epic run across New Zealand. It is very enjoyable and easy to read- the author writes as if she is chatting to you- but in a really warm fun and encouraging way. I found it hard to put this book down in places and it has defiantly inspired me to push myself and keep running. I loved it

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