Touchstones

His writing is masterful, his attention to detail and his ear for long-ago conversations extraordinary. Most of all, he writes with an emotion that touches the spirit.

Carroll du Chateau, Weekend Herald

As a first-time reader of McNeish, Touchstones was a superb introduction to the autobiography of this iconic New Zealand writer, blending narrative with photographs, diary entries, and selections from his other publications. It left me wanting to read more.

Amanda Witherell, Capital Times, Wellington

This is James McNeish's 26th book, and the voice in which it is written - compassionate, humorous, knowledgeable, sane, wise - has been distilled out of a lifetime of action and commitment, an engagement with the real world, a conviction that writing isn't something that exists for itself but as a tool with which we can make change happen. Such voices are rare and now, more than ever, we need them - as much as we need the very air we breathe.

Martin Edmond, NZ Books

It is fun, it is witty and the writer's philosophical musings mean it lingers in the mind. It is, you might say, a touchstone.

KDW, Gisborne Herald

By the time I was two pages into the book I was hooked. Touchstones is full of personality and personalities; it has a rich descriptive writing style and displays a deep respect for humanity . . . Touchstones is a very enjoyable read, satisfying in a way that only real life stories can be. The book itself is a pleasure to own, the cover, bindings and paper are first class and I always appreciate the ribbon bookmark. Here's a book to read and treasure on many levels

Deborah Walton-Derry, Saturday Express

a book to read, think about and enjoy

Dorothy Alexander, Manawatu Standard