Reviews (1)

Fodor's isTOPS!
My daughter & I are traveling to Thailand - and doing our own research.I have obtained many travel books - and Foder's is TOPS.It has so much more information - down to those small details that can make or break a trip.I will certainly travel with Fodor's on my next trip, too! ... Read more

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

Reviews (8)

A disappointment
I generally like the Lonely Planet Guides and have used them in many countries.This particular guide became a running joke.It is difficult to get a bad meal in Japan, but the worst meals we had were at places recommended in the Guide.If the Guide recommends a restaurant, I would stay away.Just use the maps to wander around a neighborhood, look at the food in the windows, find something that looks good and you will enjoy your trip much more than if you depended on this book for culinary recommendations.

Much like everyone said - the best general guide for Japan, but that doesn`t make it good
It`s not a bad guide, but it fails on many fronts.
Our Japan travel "bible!"
I find the other reviews of this book interesting.Maybe it's b/c going to Japan was the first trip out of the country on our own (so we don't have any other LP guides to compare to), but my boyfriend and I found this book invaluable for our trip.A day didn't go by when we didn't pull this book out and look at its maps or information about where we were at in Japan.In fact, one day we left the book in our hotel room--and we regretted every minute of it.
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Subjects:  1. Asia - Japan    2. Guidebooks    3. Japan    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Editorial Review

The Mekong region, which extends south from China through Laos and Thailand to Cambodia and Vietnam, offers extraordinary food. Read more

Reviews (31)

Wonderful
This was given to me by a good friend.I love to cook, and over the years have struggled with South East asian, Thai in particular, cooking.But this book lays it all out in such a way, and has such clear instructions that, in combination with an asian grocery store, it is foolproof.As a bonus, the travelogues and side bars are wonderfully interesting. Even if you don't cook, you will be taken away on a wonderful culinary journey through the region.

Some issues with book
Pondering on whether to return book or not. Purchased for Cambodian recipes, having a hard time finding a Cambodian cookbook, this was the best bet = and it does have dishes for things we ate like Khmer soup, pumpkin curry and a similar version to Amok.(oddly i have the amok recipe in my New York Cookbook, a favorite standby)
Very Good Coffee Table Book. Good recipes, but expensive
`Hot Sour Salty Sweet' by husband and wife team, Jeffrey Alford and Naomi Duguid is a troublesome book to evaluate. Its biggest problem is its relatively high list price ($45) for no more than average culinary content. Much of that inflated price is based on its oversized heft and the fact that it mixes cooking content with comments on culinary regionalism and pure travelogue in text and pictures.
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Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Cookery, Southeast Asian    3. Cooking    4. Cooking / Wine    5. History    6. Regional & Ethnic - Asian    7. ASIA    8. COOKING / History    9. Cooking / Asian    10. National & regional cuisine    11. South East Asia   

Reviews (10)

Good Guide!
Normally, I look at tour books for the following things:
Maps could be better
But overall, very good book, wouldn't expect less from LP. However, I feel they should really make a stronger statement about the scams in Bangkok. I mean, it makes it sound like you 'may' be approached by people claiming temples are closed, etc. ... This happened every single time we left the hotel! The details on the sights were very good. The maps sections left a lot to be desired, they often skipped large sections of streets and more than once we got a bit lost...

New Cover, Same Content
If you have never owned a copy of this book, then buy it. It has a lot of practical info on where to stay, where to eat and what places to visit. I can't say the reviews are all unbiased, but like other Lonely Planet titles, it's a bible for the independent traveller. Generally, following their advice won't get you into serious trouble.
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Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Guidebooks    3. Reference - Guides (General)    4. Thailand    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Editorial Review

In 1996, 26-year-old Peter Hessler arrived in Fuling, a town on China's Yangtze River, to begin a two-year Peace Corps stint as a teacher at the local college. Along with fellow teacher Adam Meier, the two are the first foreigners to be in this part of the Sichuan province for 50 years. Expecting a calm couple of years, Hessler at first does not realize the social, cultural, and personal implications of being thrust into a such radically different society. In Read more

Reviews (134)

A fascinating, insightful account of a Westerner living in Sichuan in the 1990s
I first stumbled across Peter Hessler's River Town about a year ago. At the time, a busy schedule prevented me from reading more than the first chapter or so. But I resolved to get through the book once I had the chance. Fortunately, this is one resolution I managed to keep. I enjoyed River Town and believe it achieves exactly what it aspires to do: record the life of an outsider living in a specific place in China during a specific, albeit brief, period of time.
insigtful
If you want to get an understanding of what life in China is like this is the perfect book. A very detailed book nicely written Would have given 5 stars if there had been pictures!

very interesting even for someone with little interest in China
I started reading this book for my book club and before I started it, I was sure it would be one of those books I would struggle with and never finish.China has never been high on my list of interests, I've always been fairly apathetic about Asian history.But Peter Hesslers storytelling swept me up and managed to keep me engrossed enough not to want to put the book down.It also peaked an interest for me in the culture of another huge country on the other side of the world from me.I think it is a huge gift for a writer to open a reader's eyes to a new interest. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th Century Description And Travel    2. Asia - China    3. China - History - 20th Century    4. Essays & Travelogues    5. International Relations - General    6. Travel    7. Travel - General    8. Travel / General   

Reviews (2)

Virtually essential
Virtually essential when travelling to Japan for business (or visiting relatives) and extremely helpful for the casual tourist. In spite of its brevity, it covers nearly all of the essentials and provides a weath of historical and cultural background for many of the customs. Even though this is the only one I have read so far, I would imagine that other books by De Mente are well worth reading.

the authors time tested phonetic system is great
the authors time tested phonetic system is great and I think he should write a complete English-Japanese and Japanese-English dictionary using romaji and true Japanese characters.a complete dictionary with all four systems:english, romaji, japanese, and the authers phonetic system. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Japan    2. Etiquette    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Cultural studies    6. Etiquette & entertaining    7. Japan    8. Korea    9. Travel & holiday guides   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (77)

A Delightful Journey
The reader will travel with the author throughout the Middle East, following the steps of the patriarchs through the beginnings of the conquest by Joshua, in source of a connection with history and ultimately a divine spark. This author is very easy to read and provides colorful descriptions of his surroundings that allow the reader to be there. Throughout the book is an undercurrent of "Why can't we just all get along!"
A Wonderful Guide to the Lands of the Bible for People of all Faiths
I've been a fan of Bruce Feiler's writing after watching him on C-Span's Book TV talk about his first book about Abraham. This must have been about four or five years ago now. I went out to purchase ABRAHAM and discovered a treasure. Feiler brings many gifts and talents to writing, particularly religious writing. First of all he writes about issues regarding faith from the point of view of one who practices his faith. Like many of his readers, his journey to faith has not been a straight path which seems to give him a good perspective on the questions people are asking. He also has a fluid writing style and is able to weave personal memoir, always interesting and at times moving stories, geography, history, and theology together to create a great read.
Succeeds despite itself...
Walking the Bible is not among the better travel writing I've read primarily because it focuses more on the author than the locations he visited.Feiler did get around:from Turkey to Egypt, from the Negev to the Sinai, from Jerusalem to Jordan, but he minimizes the narrative elements one typically associates with good travel writing for a seemingly endless array of personal epiphanies. Despite it's subtitle, Walking the Bible is more a journey by catharsis through Bruce Feiler's mind than a journey by land through the five books of Moses.Thus, beyond his ubiquitous food metaphors, a descriptive presence is often found wanting.
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Subjects:  1. Antiquities & Archaeology    2. Bible    3. Bible - Study - Old Testament    4. Bible.    5. Description and travel    6. Feiler, Bruce S    7. Feiler, Bruce S.    8. Geography    9. Middle East    10. Middle East - General    11. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    12. O.T.    13. Pentateuch    14. Religion    15. Travel    16. Travel - General    17. Journeys    18. Religion / Antiquities & Archaeology    19. Essays & Travelogues    20. Judaism - History   

Reviews (7)

Great Book
We went to Turkey and this book was the best guide for us. We had a very short time to get ready and this told us everything we needed to know. Culture, food and the way to dress in a Muslim country.Plus,the must see sights. Remember some Mosque and palaces are closed one day a week.

difficult to please
Although on the heavy side, I have bought a number of the "eyewitness travel guides" because they are easy to use, and have great pictures - which is very important to me indetermining which places I want to visit, what food I would like to try and so on.The maps are ok, but do not include all the sites in the book.I tried to get the "streetwise" map for the trip because they are awesome, but they don't publish any of Istanbul.Although the guide isn't perfect it is better than the competition - I recommend it.

Istanbul (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
This book is a travesty, not a travel guide.I found it really lacking in substance.Mostly pictures, not much text, lots of platitudes designed to dazzle you, and made of heavy paper that is a drag to carry around. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - General    2. Guidebooks    3. Istanbul (Turkey)    4. Middle East - Turkey    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel / Europe / General   

Reviews (45)

get this book if you plan to spend more than 2 days in Mumbai
I've been living in Mumbai for about three weeks now (on a 6 month stay) and I began reading this book once I arrived in India.I just finished a coupleof nights ago.Thanks to this book, I can read the local section of my daily newspaper from politics to crime to Bollywood, and the intersection of all three, and actually understand a bit more about what is going on (sadly, justice is so slow here that the people being tried for the 1993 bombings are only just now being sentenced).I can see a slum or pavement dwellers and have a better sense of the stories of the people.I can comiserate with everyone else stuck in traffic, and soon, once the monsoon ends, with everyone else breathing the dirty air.
couldn't put this one down
Read it in a single stretch on a transatlantic flight, and did not once lose interest. A must read for every Bombayite and highly recommended for everyone else. Fearlessly investigated and meticulously researched, while at the same time capturing the heart and soul of the city.

If you're on a Hindustani tip...
...the Suketu Mehta's MAXIMUM CITY -- a book about Bombay and its colourful characters -- is definitely for you!
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Subjects:  1. Asia - India    2. Bombay    3. Bombay (India)    4. Description And Travel    5. Essays & Travelogues    6. India    7. Mehta, Suketu    8. Social History    9. Social Science    10. Sociology    11. Sociology - General    12. Travel    13. Travel - General    14. Social Science / Sociology / General   

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Travel & holiday guides    6. Travel / Asia / Southeast    7. Vietnam   

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 (5)

tour guide
we were in nepal in recently and found this guide to be very useful and informative; will recommend it to anybody who is travelling to a new country.

Paperback Sherpa
The first time I traveled to Nepal I was on a limited budget, was alone, had no idea where I was going to stayand there was a riot going on in Kathmandu.
Here's another book to get in addition to L.P. Nepal
This book is great!I like to travel and not be a "typical american", and this book really helped me in that effort of knowing the culture and the land.I spent 5 weeks in Nepal and was more educated about the country/traditions/culture than any tourist I ran into.I spent a week in Kathmandu, 3 weeks trekking the Annapurna Circuit, and 1 week kayaking the Seti River.I used the medical section of this book (almost everyone gets sick), but should have bought a little medical book available in the bookstores in Kathmandu.Also, the trekking information in this book is good, but it's not great.If you want the BEST guidbook for trekking the Annapurna Circuit or Everest, then go to yetizone.you know what.It's a good site and the webmaster publishes his own guidebook for cheap!It's the best darn guidebook out there without question.Everyone I ran into in Nepal that looked at my book, and I mean EVERYONE, wanted to buy it or make copies.Also, it's not really a book, it's more like a little spiral bound pamphlet, so it weighs practically nothing, and I could keep it easily accessible in my cargo pocket.
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Subjects:  1. Asia - India    2. Asia - Southwest    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel Guides    6. Nepal    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (30)

Superlative work of art
Delhi is a city of many flavors. Some can be tasted, some viewed, some just felt and still others which are just to be believed......just taken for granted.
"City of Djinn" and "Age of Kali" -
A master's student of Asian cultures at the University of Pennsylvania, I first began reading William Dalrymple's books in the winter of 2003, just prior to my first trip to Asia.I found a beat up copy of "The Age of Kali" in my neighborhood's library when I was working a soul-killing desk job.The book was, in many ways, my introduction to India.It would not be an exaggeration to say that this book changed my life.
A masterpiece!
This book was published in 1993 and I got the chance to read it in 2005 and I must say no other book,author or historian has portrayed Delhi as Dalrymple did!.I cant believe how much I'm in love with this wonderful city more so after reading this book!.Author's sense of humour ably supports his apt and lucid sense of history.His passion for Delhi absolutely shines through and that illuminates every page.Though 'm young and not intelligent enough to commment on greats works and authors but Dalrymple is definitely on the greats!.He sure would make his generation proud.It is a must read whether you like Delhi,history or not. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology - Cultural    2. Asia - India    3. Delhi (India)    4. Description And Travel    5. History    6. History - General History    7. India    8. Social History    9. Social Science    10. Social life and customs    11. Sociology    12. Travel / Asia / India   

Subjects:  1. 1945-    2. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    3. Description and travel    4. Japan    5. Japan - History    6. Photo Essays    7. Photography    8. Pictorial works    9. Social life and customs    10. Travel - World/Asia    11. Views    12. Places & peoples: general interest   

Reviews (14)

Children's picture book for the deluded
The title really speaks for itself. I was desperate to learn Chinese quickly for travel, was up late, read the reviews, flipped out and bought it.Another romance language if you know one in 10 minutes a day maybe, Chinese if you speak English from a book without audio-not so much....
good to start a basic vocab and concept
This was a good book to start a basic vocab and concept of what would later be studied in the Chinese language. I use this book very frequently to start learning a new language and, the only thing that would be missing would be an audio guide to the book. Pronunciation in Chinese is very essential to the word and understanding of the language.

Iceberg
This is a good introductory book to Mandarin, but by itself it is incomplete. Correct pronunciation of basic sounds is critical to a non-native speaker before jumping too far into the language. Still, I'm a visual hands-on learner and I appreciate the visual association of words with objects as opposed to systems that employ only spoken lessons. What works best for me is a combination of the two. Consequently, an accompanying tape or CD would enhance this book greatly.
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Subjects:  1. Chinese    2. Chinese language    3. English    4. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    5. Foreign Language Study / Chinese    6. General    7. Language    8. Language Arts & Disciplines    9. Study & Teaching    10. Textbooks for foreign speakers    11. Travel / Asia / China    12. Asia - China    13. Conversation and phrase books    14. Language self-study & phrasebooks    15. Travel   

Reviews (2)

SOCIALLY IRRESPONSIBLE !!!
This book has a section called "What's your poison" which gives translations for several illegal drugs.It also describes how to ask for a clean syringe.Drugs are illegal in Thailand, but this book helps to promote their use by providing these translations.
Fun Book
Just got back from Thailand.This book is fun and easy to use.Best of all it has english, thai, and pronunciation all on the same page.This enables you to let the Thai people read what you just mispronounced.I left my copy with a Thai friend and am ordering me another copy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    3. Indic & South Asian Languages - General    4. Polyglot Phrasebooks    5. Southeast Asian    6. Travel    7. Language self-study & phrasebooks    8. South East Asia    9. Thai (Siamese)   

Editorial Review

A great memoirist can burnish even an ordinary childhood into something bright--see, for instance, Annie Dillard's Read more

Reviews (102)

A far-above-average mix of memoir and travel narrative...
A great book in many ways - Andrew Pham succeeds in creating a seemingly straightforward memoir that is actually several subtle things skillfully weaved together:a travel narrative, a fight for personal independence, an investigation of one's ethnic roots (which partially arises from a great deal of meditation over one's own family history).Pham shifts between these eclectic elements with great skill, creating what is both a great Vietnamese story and a very classic sort of American one.
Excellent look at Vietnam
I thought this book was, for the most part, extremely well-written. There were some clunky phrases here and there, but most of the writing was vivid and a lot of difficult things expressed quite well. The honesty of much of this book was astounding.
Catfish and Mandala
Awesome book, it reflect every Vietnamese American experience, there was alot of emotion going through me as I read this book.I finish it in less than a week, I could'nt put it down. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Ethnic Cultures - General    4. General    5. History    6. History: World    7. Military - Vietnam War    8. Minority Studies - General    9. History / Southeast Asia   

Reviews (69)

Shame on the cover designer and also the author/publisher
The coverpage must be changed immediately! Shame and pity on all who have allowed the coverpage to be printed.

Would buy it if cover was different
Being a Hindu myself, I found the cover very disrespectful. I did read a few pages at random and found them interesting. If the cover is different, I would buy the book.

From the Dailai Lama, to Yogato Bollywood it is all there
I traveled through India in the late eighties alone as a woman. Not backpacking, butunfortunately with a suitcase, I could not lock away anywhere. I was fascinated by the country and always wanted to go back. When I was in India I regretted the most that I was not prepared and in many ways helpless how to deal with street vendors who would attach themselves to me for hours , especially in Rajasthan.I never had one single problem with Indian men or with beggars being a big nuisance. And I was surprised to read Macdonald's tales in that respect.Maybe it made a difference, that I dressed in the traditionalSalwar Kameej and mostly covered my blonde hair with a shawl.
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Subjects:  1. 1966-    2. Asia - India    3. Description and travel    4. Essays & Travelogues    5. India    6. Macdonald, Sarah    7. Macdonald, Sarah,    8. New Delhi    9. New Delhi (India)    10. Social life and customs    11. Travel    12. Travel - Foreign    13. Voyages And Travels    14. Travel / Essays & Travelogues   

Reviews (1)

Lonely Planet is the best choice.
The Lonely Planet travel books are really the very best choice. This new edition of "Thailands Islands and Beaches" covers areas up to date after the tsunami. It is complete and informitive. I go to Thailand every year and always bring my Lonely Planet. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Thailand    6. Travel & holiday guides