Reviews (86)

A lovely, lovely find...
I heard this book discussed briefly earlier this year on the Today Show and decided to order it since, at the time, I was in the throws of my own divorce.Ms. Gilbert chronicles her international journey of self-discovery with such amazing detail and tenderness and humor that I recommend this book to anyone who has found him or herself in a place or state that he or she would like to change or leave (I imagine, that's everyone!).The story is engrossing and the writing is skillful.I couldn't put it down, and I feel more empowered to follow my own dreams and heart after finishing the book.That's 5-star material if I've ever seen it.

Surprise - you are in control of your life....
A re-count of the author's year spent in Italy, India, and Bali in the wake of a difficult divorce.This book is easy to read and enjoyable.The author does an excellent job of providing her outlook on the variety of experiences she has + how they relate to her dealing with her "life issues."She eventually comes to the self-actualizing realization that she is in control of her life (as opposed to anybody else) and takes steps to make herself happier.

Boring
Just another self indulgent autobiography.It was too boring to read and had not much to say.If you are in for light reading, go for it.Do not expect too much from this one or you might be very disappointed. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1969-    2. Adventurers & Explorers    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography And Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Description And Travel    9. Gilbert, Elizabeth,    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Travel    12. Travel writers    13. Travelers    14. United States    15. Women    16. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Reviews (47)

a genuine journey of discovery
This is a fascinating book, a well told tale, and a genuine journey of discovery. Stewart combines a physically demanding expedition with cultural exploration and, in the process, achieves genuine insight into lives most of us will never have the faintest conception of. Some reviews of the book (e.g. Washington Post) miss the critical element of the journey that sets it apart from books that are entirely expeditionary in nature (like mountains climbed and rivers rafted) - and that is the Muslim cultural proclivity to welcome / shelter / feed travelers no matter how desperately poor they may be (and most in rural Afghanistan are very poor indeed).A critical talent that allowed Stewart to achieve this (besides his keen wit and prodigous writing skills) is his linguistic diversity, which allowed him to do what he did without getting killed or dying in the process. When the British Special Forces declare him a f'g nutter I found myself smiling along with Stewart at his formidable achievement.

A little shy of cultural insights
I would actually give this book a 3.5, but that's not an option.I think I was expecting a broader range of cultural insights from this book.The first half got a bit tedious and sometimes read more like an itinerary than an elucidating journal.The second half perked up for me; I admit this could be because the actual terrain improved and people themselves were more colorful and friendly.In the end, I did take away something from this book and do have a better idea of what Afghanistan's mountain region is about.I passed the book on to a friend this weekend as a suggested read.But the fact that I did this is a testament to my reaction to the book, for I never give away books that I love.Perhaps one day I'll come to regret it!And I can say, I don't regret having read this book.

Five-star rating for Stewart's experience; three stars for his writing of it
Try as I might, I couldn't quite enjoy "The Places In Between," Rory Stewart's travelogue from his walk across post-Taliban Afghanistan.Stewart is an amazing young man, brilliant and courageous, and his trek is an ambitious, noble effort.But his writing was so dispassionate, so resolutely matter-of-fact, that I quickly stopped caring.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Afghanistan    2. Asia - Central    3. Description And Travel    4. Essays & Travelogues    5. History    6. History: World    7. Middle East - General    8. Middle East - History - 20th Century    9. Modern - 20th Century    10. Social life and customs    11. Stewart, Rory    12. Travel    13. Travel - General    14. Travel / Middle East / General   

Reviews (21)

He doesn't deserve that Nobel.... It was a political decision!
He doesn't deserve that Nobel.... It was a political decision!

Roller Coaster Ride

A river through time
Pamuk spans the distances of time and memory in this novel as he searches for the meaning of the melancholy, or huzun as he calls it, of the city of Instanbul.Born into a wealthy Turkish family, Pamuk slowly watches his family's fortune dissolve in the hands of his father.He recounts his memories as his family moves from one quarter to another, interspersing personal accounts with various literary observations.Through it all we experience the uneasy balance between Islamic and Western forces that have shaped the city over the centuries.He explores through the writings of Europeans, how foreigners perceive the city, and how Turkish writers have attempted to respond to these views.Pamuk has such an elegant way of writing, with many undercurrents, like the Bosphorus which he so much loves.I particularly liked his literary chapters, like that of the four melancholy writers of Istanbul, and their attempts to forge an identity for the city.These attempts may have fallen short of their grand expectations, but the books became treasures, and helped to define modern Turkish writing.There are also his amusing observations on Flaubert, Nerval and other French writers and painters, who became absorbed in the city and to whom he felt modern Turkish writing owes a substantial debt.While Pamuk tries to escape this melancholy in his painting, ultimately finding a muse on which to hang all his hopes, he can never fully escape it, as he too becomes absorbed in this great city, which proves to be his literary release. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Description and travel    2. Essays & Travelogues    3. Europe - Baltic States    4. Istanbul (Turkey)    5. Middle East - Turkey    6. Travel    7. Travel - General    8. Travel / Essays & Travelogues   

Reviews (17)

More helpful than maps found in travel guides
I was very reliant on the Tokyo City Atlas and the maps found outside train and subway stations. The level of detail in the maps on the City Atlas is helpful if you're one of those people who need to check every two minutes if you're heading in the right direction.
Good, but NOT Great
You are kind of stuck.You need a map like this to navigate Tokyo, and this is the only map of its kind on the market.In other words, you pretty much have to buy this book.
Excellent Book for self-guided travel
Just like most of the reviewers, I agree that this book is an excellent source for self-guided travel. The Map is so easy to use and accurate.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Japan    2. Maps & Road Atlases    3. Reference - Guides (General)    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Japan    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (1)

Creative, engaging and edgy
This is a fascinating look into an aspect of Japanese culture I never knew existed.Joan Sinclair got incredible access -- access not only to the actual establishments, but access to the inner lives of some of these women and men whom she portrays with honesty and integrity.She has a fresh, exciting lens which comes through not without a revolutionary edge.This is an original.The intro by Farrer is also excellent. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - General    2. Cultural And Social Anthropology    3. Human Sexuality    4. Japan    5. Nightclubs    6. Pictorial works    7. Psychology    8. Sex customs    9. Sex-oriented businesses    10. Social Science    11. Sociology    12. Art / Popular Culture    13. Erotic art    14. Photographs: collections    15. Pop Culture; sex; travel; Japan   

Reviews (21)

Choppy, Hard to Follow, and Random - No Connection
I am a big fan of modern day China and literature that delves into the people, places, and turmoil of current circumstances in the country.I think Hessler may betrying to give us a taste of the everyday people in China today, but he fails to engage the reader and keep our interest with this book. It is too choppy - with random incidents, rather than stories about real people - that were difficult to connect and often bored me, instead of drawing me into their lives. I couldn't connect with the characters and relate to them because there wasn't time in the short blurbs Hessler recorded, and reported in such a random style.I prefer more depth, as in his previous, River Town, or other books on current Chinese experiences, like Shanghai Baby by Wei Hui, that get the the heart of one or two people's lives in modern day China, than just a smattering here and there.The book is not put together clearly and is confusing.I am a fanatic of Asian Modern Lit, but I didn't even finish this one!!

A Series of Chinese New Yorker Profiles
Oracle bones, the scapulas of oxen and plastrons of turtles were the crystal balls of the late Shang, the first Chinese dynasty, ruling three to four thousand years ago.They span a period of less than two centuries, ending in about 1045 B.C.Hessler uses their discovery, recognition and exposition along with the people involved to tie China's ancient history to the recent past and the conditions that persist in China today. He originally went to China ten years ago in the Peace Corps to teach English.He stayed to work as a press clipper for the Wall Street Journal. He is now the New Yorker's correspondent in China, and is a facile writer who captures the color and mood of human interest stories.They are what we have come to expect in the New Yorker.But he is no better at this than Lovell, whose description of Wang Yirong's, discovery of the oracle bones and his subsequent purchase of the pharmacists entire supply in The Great Wall is superb prose.And Hessler's constant interspersion of the Wall Street Journal newspaper clipping categories, devised during his earlier job is disconcerting.
A Random Though Insightful Glimpse of China Through Its People
Understanding China through its people rather than its politics is the agenda author Peter Hessler, the New Yorker's correspondent in China, has in mind as the thesis of his fascinating though somewhat meandering new book. The title refers not to some economic indicator from the renowned multinational corporation but rather to actual bones made of cattle shoulder blades and turtle undershells. In ancient times, they were heated until they cracked, the sound of which apparently bespoke of long-departed ancestors. Hessler uses them as metaphorical touchstones for the stories he tells and the characters he so meticulously introduces to us. Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - China    2. China    3. Civilization    4. Description And Travel    5. Essays & Travelogues    6. History Of Civilization And Culture (General)    7. Travel    8. Travel - Foreign    9. Travel / Asia / China   

Editorial Review

From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you're going there chances are Lonely Planet has been there first. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides are guaranteed to calm the nervesof first-time world travelers, while still listing off-the-beaten-path finds sure to thrill even the mostjaded globetrotters. Lonely Planet has been perfecting its guidebooks for nearly 30 years and as a result, has the experience and know-how similar to an older sibling's "been there" advice. The original backpacker's bible, the LP series has recently widened its reach.While still givinginsights for the low-budget traveler, the books now list a wide range of accommodations anditineraries for those with less time than money.Read more

Reviews (39)

Great Resource
Best overview on India.If you want more in depth you need to buy books related to a particular subject.This book gives an overview on everything Indian.Really important resource for a traveller in India.

AS MUCH ABOUT TOURISM IN INDIA AS CAN BE PACKED INTO A BOOK
It is almost a crime to try to fit a great country such as India into a one volume guidebook.However, being such the understandable proposition -- tourists are unlikely to want to carry many guides -- this guidebook does a very nice job of putting it all together.
Strongly recommended to anyone planning to visit any part of this remarkable country either for business or for pleasure
This expanded and updated eleventh edition of India is the result of considerable research and study by Lonely Planet's expert staff including Sarina Singh and ten associates. India is an comprehensive and highly portable 1140-page paperback guide to the diverse country of India. Introducing travelers to a significant grasp of Indian culture and land, India offers readers a "user-friendly" reference for best accommodations for budget, historical information, lesser known locations such as national parks, remote tribal villages and serene secluded mountain treks, comprehensive understandings of Indian cuisine, and transportation information with over 200 precise maps. India from Lonely Planet is very strongly recommended to anyone planning to visit any part of this remarkable country either for business or for pleasure.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - India    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. India    5. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Asia - General    2. Asia - India & South Asia    3. Civilization    4. Description And Travel    5. Essays & Travelogues    6. Mishra, Pankaj    7. South Asia    8. Travel    9. Travel - Foreign    10. Western influences   

Reviews (6)

Can pay for itself
We took a cruise that stopped at 5 islands listed in the book and found the information provided helpful to interpreting the cruise line's descriptions and deciding which land tours to take.We were able to by-pass several expensive tours yet see the major sites on our own.

Love the DK travel guides!
The DK books are my favorite travel guides and even though I've never been to Greece (yet!) I still like to page though the book. The pictures and diagrams are gorgeous and I like how the authors always bring the culture and history of the area into the discussion.

A beautiful, classy, picture journey!
This is a portable, soft cover, coffee-table book!It is beautifully crafted, with exquisite pictures, maps and diagrams of ancient buildings and modern towns. The book takes you on a cultural journey through Greece and its history.If you haven't visited Greece, it's a motivator.If you have, it brings back wonderful memories.This book is a broad sweep, you will need supplemental information, but it is unique in providing a visual overview of a beautiful and enchanting land! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aegean Islands (Greece and Turkey)    2. Europe - Greece    3. General    4. Guidebooks    5. Ionian Islands (Greece)    6. Travel    7. Travel - Foreign    8. Travel / Europe / Greece   

Reviews (13)

A must have for your travel book library
As someone who's outgrown Lonely Planet and Let's Go guides, I found Fay's book to be an excellent guide for those looking for more in-depth perspective and history than simply finding a hostel or looking for the next watering hole. Pictures are gorgeous and one can easily tell a good deal of money went into the exquisite design.A great writer and guide, Kim is someone I wish I had along with me in my South East Asian travels!

Don't understand the fuss
I bought this based on the reviews here on Amazon - and I'm sorry that I did. It doesn't contain any valuable information and the organization is odd for a guidebook. I just don't see the point of this guidebook.

Dreadful guide book
Badly organized, can't find anything quickly...most of the tips can be found in lonely guide for the various counries....in the end was totally useless on our trip to cambodia, laos, and vietnam... ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - General    2. General    3. Reference - Guides (General)    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel - General    7. Travel / General   

Reviews (9)

"THAILAND FEVER"
WOW!!"THAILAND FEVER":Now I understand.What a GREAT culture.I'm speechless.

A book to read carefully
Khun Vitida Vasant has written an excellent book on Thai culture.
Very Insightful
Great book for anyone who would like to learn about Thai vs. Western values concerning dating, marriage, and family. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Thai (Siamese)    2. Thailand    3. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: Languages    2. Computers    3. Computers - Languages / Programming    4. Internet - General    5. Programming Languages - Java    6. Computers / Languages / Programming    7. Computers / Programming Languages / General    8. Computers / Programming Languages / Java    9. Hibernate, Persistence, Java, SQL, object/relational mapping, ORM, Java Persistence, EJB, EJB 3.0, EJB3, Query, Cache, Persistent Object, Database, Data Management, Data Objects, Data Access Objects, DAO    10. Java & variants   

Reviews (12)

Good intro guide
I used two tour books to plan my trip to China: Eyewitness for the general details of the itinerary, and Lonely Planet for the logistical details. The Eyewitness guide has a massive amount of beautiful photographs and illustrations that help give the traveler an idea of the sights he or she can choose from, which is very important--unless you have a year or so to spare, planning a trip to China is as much about choosing what NOT to see as it is choosing what to see. I could also see this being the perfect guide for the more casual traveler; someone in a tour group or someone accompanying a designated "navigator."
Great
We travel a lot and find some information books better than others.For China, we would recommend the Eyewitness Travel Guide. It is excellent. Very thorough; great photos; wonderful information and helpful, too!

DK China
This DK travel guide - like all of DK publications - is an excellent source of travel information on China.We always look for a DK guide when visiting a new city or country. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - China    2. China    3. General    4. Guidebooks    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Foreign Language Study / Spanish   

Editorial Review

Read more

Reviews (1373)

Fast paced, educating account of extreme mountaineering
Mr. Krakauer's account of the deadly trip to the top of Mt. Everest has a credibility to the story that many other action filled, non-fiction works have.Due mostly to the fact that Mr. Krakauer was a reporter who was there, a member of a team who witnessed the way the disaster unfolded in one of the most unforgiving environments in the world.His book is a chronicle of the things that went wrong with the expedition, things that were red-flags to those there but were not heeded.Some of the book deals with the commercialization of Everest, where if you have the money, you can find a guide that will risk your life, his life and others lives to get you to the top.Some of those who died were Everest guides, people who knew the signs of things going wrong, yet they still made the fateful decision of pressing on for the summit.Part of the book, about Beck Weathers is amazing and does give some hope to the extents and abuse the human body can take with a certain frame of mind.Albeit, it cost him his hands and part of his face, the fact that he survived is amazing none-the-less.
Read "The Climb," too...
I give "Above Thin Air" 5 stars because it is a magnificently written work about Everest, but Krakauer's venom towards Anatoli Boukreev was and is inexplicable when the facts of that night are laid bare.
Non-Fiction at Its Best
I couldn't put this book down. To be honest with you, I rarely enjoy non-fiction, yet the way with which Krakauer creates tension - something that most likely is not that difficult as Everest on its own is a formidable place - is as effective as some of the best fiction writers out there. I was also impressed with how he was able to situate the expedition and the characters involved within the rich tradition of Everest mountaineering. His descriptions of Hall and Fischer are remarkable and he has immortalized them for the general public as they have been immortalized with climbers for years. I also like the way with which Krakauer is honest about what he is and is not sure about concerning his account. Being above 26,000 ft. makes it very difficult to be sure of what took place. Overall, I was quite impresed with this book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. Essays & Travelogues    3. Everest, Mount (China and Nepal)    4. Krakauer, Jon    5. Mountaineering    6. Mountaineering accidents    7. Mountaineering expeditions    8. Specific Groups - General    9. Sports    10. Sports & Recreation    11. Sports - General    12. Sports & Recreation / Mountaineering   

Reviews (10)

Buy another book
I have used LP books for a lot of my travels throughout Southeast Asia and usually am pretty satisfied with my experience.This LP book on Vietnam though, does not live up to the standards of other LP travel books!
"Rather good" rated by evietnamese.net
I read Lonely Planet of Vietnam and Korea and I found that it's not bad at all. Don't understand why people around here mostly don't like it. Useful informations, many times updated, rather good.
Beware of border information
I used this edition on a bicycle trip across northern Vietnam from Laos to China. The authors confused the new Na Maew/Na Meo crossing between Laos and Vietnam with another crossing farther south. Na Maew/Na Meo is the northernmost international crossing between the two countries, and wasn't described at all. (Note to Lonely Planet: Please restore the UPDATES feature on your website!)
Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel & holiday guides    5. Vietnam   

Reviews (3)

A nice comprehensive travel aid
This is a reasonably comprehensive travel guide to Turkey. All regions of the country are well covered, with lots of good information on local sites and amenities. It is small enough for travel and is up-to-date. It also includes good basic maps.

Lavishly Illustrated
DK's Eyewitness Travel Guides are perfect for your next vacation or they can be illustrated journeys into new worlds you wish you could visit. These guides help me to understand the world and the 1,200 photographs, illustrations and maps in the Eyewitness Turkey Guide are stunning in beauty. I loved the two page spread of the Library of Celsus (one of the most famous Roman sites in Turkey) that is still standing after an earthquake.
Scrumptious photo feast for your eyes, makes you want to go!
I'm a fan of DK publications in general, and their style is well suited for these 'big picture' Eyewitness travel guides. The maps, photos, illustrations and contexts excel at giving you the bird's eye view of what is outstanding in Turkey.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - General    2. General    3. Middle East - Turkey    4. Reference - General    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Reference works    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Travel / Europe / General    10. Turkey   

Editorial Review

From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you're going there, chances are Lonely Planet has been there first. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides are guaranteed to calm the nerves of first-time world travelers, while still listing off-the-beaten-path finds sure to thrill even the most jaded globetrotters. Lonely Planet has been perfecting its guidebooks for nearly 30 years and as a result, has the experience and know-how similar to an older sibling's "been there" advice. The original backpacker's bible, the LP series has recently widened its reach.While still giving insights for the low-budget traveler, the books now list a wide range of accommodations and itineraries for those with less time than money. Read more

Reviews (19)

Tries to do too much...
China is such a massive country with a rich culture that it is a formidable task to really explore it in one book, even if it is very thick! I used this during a 2 week trip to Eastern China and found that many of the sights that we really enjoyed and seemed to attract a fair amount of tourists were really shafted in this guide book. Maps of the subway system was useful to have, but the stations themselves are very well marked. Really didn't use this as much as I have used my LP books on trips in the past.

Hope it's good!
Appears to be chuck full of info.However, won't know the accuracy until I use it next month.

Best for the Backpacker
Overall, "Lonely Planet" remains the best travel guide for the backpacker. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - China    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. China    5. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (9)

Not practical for serious travel
I bought this book before moving to India, hoping it would make traveling in the country easier. I was disappointed. There is no practical information in this book. Train times, bus fares, budget hotels, and more useful information is completely ignored. The only plus to the book is sometimes helpful information is given on art history and monument history, but overall I would only recommend the Lonely Planet guide for those looking to really see and experience India.

A thing of beauty - A joy for ever
Just been to Goa and this book was a great reference for the places to visit.
Beautiful Book
This is a beautifully done book. The pictures are amazing and very well done. This simply stands out. Great work guys! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - India    2. Guidebooks    3. India    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel / Asia / India   

Reviews (18)

better than Frommers, Lonely Planet, etc
A travel buddy recommended this for our upcoming trip to Japan this fall and I was very pleased with the content and layout. It's well worth the $16 investment ... lots of interesting cultural factoids and clear pictures ... plus the usual list of hotels, shops and restaurants. Will update this review when I get back from Tokyo.

A good start to plan your trip to Japan
My wife and I enjoy to travel and we have been to many places and we have used the DK Eyewitness Guides a number of times (see my homepage). We bought the Japan guide to start planning our trip to Japan in May 2005 and we found the guidebook useful (as usual). We used it to find out where to buy tickets for a sumo match in Tokyo, we used it to navigate around Tokyo, we used it when we came to a restaurant in Kyoto where the two old people behind the counter didn't speak any English etc. We also found it very useful when we went to the castle at Himeji and found out that there was no guided tours in English. The book has lots of pratical information in my opinion or maybe it is just me that are getting used to this style in guidebooks. I do find the DK Eyewitness guides to be far more interesting that e.g. Lonely Planet, Frommer's etc

Beautiful Guide to Japan
This is a great and fascinating guide to Japan. Every page is full of captivating illustrations and interesting information on arts, culture and history around Japan. However, although this is an excellent book to look through and read before going to Japan it is not advised to take this book and this book alone on a trip to Japan. The information on accomadation, restaurants and language is rather vague and sketchy therefore it is best to get a more detailed travel guide on such matters. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - General    2. Asia - Japan    3. Guidebooks    4. Japan    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel / Asia / Japan   

Reviews (1)

Devoted fan of Rough Guides
I should begin by saying that I traveled around India with the fourth edition of the Rough Guide.Though I cannot comment on how updates and revisions may effect the utility of this particular version, I feel quite confident in recommending the Rough Guide over any other guidebook in the market.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - India    2. Guidebooks    3. India    4. Reference - Guides (General)    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel Guides    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Travel / Asia / India