"...the author writes beautifully fluent prose which is constantly enlivened by flashes of wit... Written specifically for Southern Hemisphere conditions, the book has especially good, comprehensive advice on the vexed question of selecting cultivars." - David Burton, The Evening Post
"...gives a beginner everything he or she needs to get started. The book is easy to understand, gives step-by-step guidelines, and includes ideas for experimentation given the many regional variants of climate in New Zealand." - The Press
"...this book is full of practical advice, told with humour and an easy style. It advises the reader on everything from how to taste olive oil to how to plant the grove, bury the irrigation pipes, how to prune the trees, and how to admire your handiwork at the end of the day with a glass of red wine." - The Canberra Times
"The book really has something for olive growers at all stages of their grove development and I found it to be informative and with a RRP of $39.95, a well priced reference for your library." - Olive News
"The Olive Book is entertaining and informative... very well researched and beautifully presented... I thoroughly recommend it." - The Olive Press
"...Renowden takes the reader on a journey of discovery about this fascinating subject through chapters on the history of olives, and their cultivation around the world, and using and tasting olive oil. Then he gets down to the not-so-romantic nitty-gritty and essential information of how to go about getting started with your own olive grove... a reference book that is full of extremely practical "how to" information that would be valuable to any wannabe olive grower... " - The Nelson Mail
"The Olive Book is very much a hands-on growing guide... This book is chatty and one feels one is having a conversation with the author - he is answering your next question before you get it articulated. Renowden gives down-to-earth, well-illustrated, practical advice in one readable volume." - Southland Times
"The book is superbly illustrated, with colour photographs and diagrams, and contains a wealth of information - for the commerical and amateur grower alike." - The Northern Advocate
Gareth Renowden was a British magazine publisher before emigrating to New Zealand in 1996. He has established an olive grove and truffiere in the Waipara wine district of North Canterbury. He has worked as an editor, journalist, photographer and broadcaster, and has been involved with magazines such as What Hi-Fi? and Gramophone. Among many projects as an independent consultant, he created the concept for the award-winning Gardens Illustrated and worked on the launch of London Museums & Galleries.
