Reviews (2)

Spot On
Couldn't agree more with the first reviewer. This is a better guide book to the Philippines than any other and beats LP by a country mile. It's better written, more thoroughly researched - and actually interesting. I used it when I was there last Easter and also found it to be very up to date. But what I liked most was the honesty. It calls a spade a spade, but always remains fair. The destination summaries are spot on. Even Boracay doesn't get away unscathed.

This is my favorite because it gives frank advice.
There are several good, reliable guidebooks to the Philippines which give you basic information about places, accommodations, restaurants and so forth.Jens Peters "Philippine Travel Guide" is especially comprehensive.The Lonely Planet Guide is also very good.But, the Rough Guide does something the others don't often do; the Rough Guide gives you frank comments on the relative quality of the destinations.For example, from the other guidebooks you'll learn that Cebu City is the "Queen City of the South".The Rough Guide gives a franker description, saying, "there's history and architecture in there somewhere, but you have to look hard for it among the clutter, the exhaust fumes and the nondescript concrete malls."Don't get me wrong, I like Cebu City, but the Rough Guide lets the visitor know what to expect.If they think a place is exceptionally attractive, they'll say so.One of the most important functions of a guidebook is to help the trip-planning traveler discriminate between great places and mediocre ones.If that's what your looking for, the Rough Guide is the best.However, it does not cover nearly as many places and acommodations as does the thicker Philippine Travel Guide.I'd choose the Rough Guide to plan my trip but take along the Philippine Travel Guide or Lonely Planet guide for their more extensive and detailed travel information. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Guidebooks    3. Philippines    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel Guides    7. Travel & holiday guides    8. Travel / Asia / Southeast   

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Collections Of Photographs    3. Description and travel    4. Ecology    5. Environmental Science    6. General    7. Indonesia    8. National parks and reserves    9. Natural History    10. Nature / Field Guide Books    11. Nature/Ecology    12. Science    13. Science/Mathematics    14. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS    15. Photographs: collections    16. Science / Environmental Science   

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southwest    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Sri Lanka    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (1)

The Most Off-Beat People You'll Meet--And Like!
I got this wonderful book last fall while I was visiting my "second home" of Chiang Mai, Thailand and fell in love with Jerry Hopkins' writing style at once. In this book, he has nailed so many of the "better known" expats in Thailand and done so in a honest way.
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Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Description And Travel    3. Essays & Travelogues    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Thailand    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (6)

Handy and complete
Just got back from a quick jump over to HK and Macau for business and I brought this book along. Contrary to some other readers reviews, I found the book absolutely invaluable! The walking tours were quite insightful and with good directions and time estimates -I never got lost. Some of my most memorable experiences were from the walking tours in HK. The information was accurate and concise. It provided everything I needed to know about getting to the outlying islands on my free day, getting to the airport and getting around town. Nightlife recommendations were great for the foreign visitor on business. I compared the recommendations to that in Lonely Planet and my own experience and I thought the Frommer's was a lot more true to the scene than Lonely Planet. I didn't run into any snags while using the Frommer's book. I also took a side trip to Macau with the book and had a great time. Info was accurate, although the maps a little inadequate, but nothing a quick stop into the tourist office couldn't solve. I'd highly recommend the book and I'd pass it along to any colleagues or friends who might be going to HK since it never failed me once.

Woefully Inadequate
If there is a hell for travel writers, I hope Beth Reiber will burn in it. The useful information in this book could be condensed into a postage stamp size guide: One good Dim Sum Restaurant, one good Macanese Restaurant and one walk in The Western District. I recently traveled with this book to Hong Kong. I had a Hong Kong resident as a companion and still got lost using this book. Ms. Reiber recommends a walking tour of Kowloon, but does not bother to place the last four destinations on the included map. Nor does she say that you will encounter two rivers of humanity flowing in both directions that will turn a fifteen minute walk into a half hour hike. It is easier for salmon to swim upstream to spawn than it is to find the Bird Market in Kowloon. She also recommends a Kowloon park that is not even on the visitor map! (Just hop on the bus, she says. It stops across from the park. Hah!) We took the bus to Stanley after seeing Victoria Peak. The bus ride is interesting but time consuming. First time travelers on a three day holiday will never be able to complete her suggested three day tour. Taxis speed things up at night, but get snarled in traffic during the day. I was there six days and saw most of the things on her list, including a side trip to Macao, but only by the grace of God did my Hong Kong friend and I find the ruins of Saint Paul's Cathedral, so inadequate were the included maps. As for the unnecessary words: Anyone can walk into a four star hotel and find a great restaurant. If you follow Ms. Reiber's restaurant suggestions you'll be eating either Very Expensive or Expensive (her categories) most of the time. If you like to shop, which I do not, I'm sure you'll find Ms. Reiber's book helpful; she drags you through every major complex of shops on her walking tours. Rick Steves she ain't. So if you are planning a trip to Hong Kong you can buy this book, but get some good maps as a supplement and draw out your routes in advance. A few things Ms. Reiber doesn't mention: The locals seem to think that tea is a disinfectant for chop sticks and soup spoons. Bring a pack of Kleenex with you to a neighborhood restaurant, because napkins are not provided. And forget about breathing clean air while you are in Hong Kong. However, the city is full of delights and I intend to return, now that I know my way around.

This book is not updated. Many names dont exist any more.
What have the frommers done is Just duplicating the old edition with a new name. This so called 2001 edition " frommer's hong kong 6th eddition" has so many names I could not look up on the internet mainly because they were sold to another company with a different name. The air lines they suggested dont even fly to hong kong any more. Many restaurants were nonexistant. Things are changing rapidly in Hong Kong. Frommers has not kept up with those changes. Seems like a [price] rip off scam to me. Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - China    2. Guidebooks    3. Hong Kong (China)    4. Macau    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel Guides    8. Hong Kong    9. Travel & holiday guides    10. Travel / Asia / China   

Reviews (2)

Thebook is reflecting the reality in a distorted mirror
The writer thought she has written about Israel.But actually she has written just about the things that her narrow perception has caught. Thefact that she is very bright misleading to conclude she is reflecting thereality.

a challenging account of an individual arab-israeli relation
I was simply amazed by the courage of Sana Hasan and admired her. I wouldbe very interested to talk to her and ask her about some details in herbook that especially influenced me. E.g. the mental pressure on her whileshe was living on the kibbutz - sharing the room with her israeli lesbianfriend. I'd be happy to discuss the book with anyone interested. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1973-1993    2. Arab-Israeli conflict    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Description And Travel    5. Hassan, Sana    6. Israel    7. Jewish-Arab relations    8. Biography: general    9. International relations    10. Islamic countries    11. Non-Classifiable    12. Travel writing   

Reviews (2)

A "must read"
While reading this book, I often had to stop to read passages (even entire chapters) to my husband...I just had to share!It tells in an engaging way about life in a place I can only imagine...the armchair traveller will just get completely absorbed in this description of life far away.It's funny and extremely well-written.His "Don't Let the Goats Eat the Loquat Trees" should be read first for maximum enjoyment.

Funny yet inspiring
After reading Dr Hales first book - Don't let the goats eat the loquat trees, I couldn't wait to read this book. The reality of his adventures and the honesty of his faith made me long to return to Nepal. Being willing toforgo the luxuries of America, Dr Hale was led to serve in Nepal, raise afamily and be a Christian witness to the people. The style of writing wasquite enjoyable and the content real, so easy to imagine being right therewith him. I could only hope for another book of his. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1937-    2. Biography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Description and travel    6. Hale, Thomas,    7. Medical - General    8. Medical care    9. Missionaries, Medical    10. Missions & Missionary Work    11. Nepal    12. Religious    13. United States    14. Biography: general    15. Christian Interest    16. Christian mission & evangelism    17. Hale, Thomas    18. Journeys    19. Religion / Christian Life   

Subjects:  1. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    2. Individual Photographer    3. Morton, Hugh M    4. Nature photography    5. North Carolina    6. Photo Techniques    7. Photography    8. Photojournalism    9. Pictorial works    10. Pictorials    11. Subjects & Themes - Travel - U.S/South    12. United States - South - South Atlantic (General)    13. Individual photographers    14. Linville Peak; Grandfather Mountain; Mount Mitchell; Black Mountain Range; Blue Ridge Parkway; Boone, NC;Grandfather Mountain's Cub Habitat; Mile High Swinging Bridge; Catawba Rhododendron; Turkey Beard; Roan Mountain; Biltmore Estate; Asheville, NC; Pisgah National Forest; Luther H. Hodges; Linville River; Looking Glass Falls; Pilot Mountain; Alleghany Sandmyrtle; New River; Deep Gap, NC; Blowing Rock, NC; harvesting tobacco; Jesse Brown's Cabin; Calloway Peak; Blue Ridge Mountains; Blue ridge Parkway Viaduct; Black Rock Cliffs; Mildred the Bear; Sphinx Rock; Rough Ridge Rock; Indian House Cave; Attic Window Peak; John McNeely; Grandfather Mountain Highland Games and Gathering of Scottish Clans; Balsam Nature Trail; Gray's Lily; Wilson Creek; Daniel Boone Wildlife Refuge; Fields of the Wood Park; Old Salem; Morehead Patterson Bell Tower; Azalea Festival; Orton Plantation; Outer Banks, NC; Ocracoke Lighthouse; Cape Fear Lighthouse; Bodie Island Lighthouse; Carolina Yacht Club; Battleship North Carolina; Brunswick River Layup Basin; Camp Davis; Wright Brothers National Monument; Cape Lookout Lighthouse; Frank Porter Graham; Eleanor Roosevelt; Josephus Daniels; General George C. Marshall; Ronald Reagan; Bob Hope; Terry Sanford; Congressman Herbert Bonner; John F. Kennedy; Aycock Brown; Robert House; Johnny Cash; Patty Berg; Byron Nelson; Sam Snead; Ben Hogan; Gerald Ford; Frank Borman; Tony Waldrop; Coach Dean Smith; Michael Jordan; Phil Ford; Mia Hamm; Jerry Richardson; Coach Leroy Walker; Boots Randolph; Jesse Helms; James Hunt; Hugh Shelton; Franklin Graham; Billy Graham; Charles Kuralt; William and Ida Friday; Charlie "Choo Choo" Justice; General Douglas MacArthur; Andy Griffith; Erskine Bowles    15. Nature in art, still life, landscapes & seascapes    16. Photographs: collections    17. Photography / Subjects & Themes / Sports   

Reviews (1)

The CD needs an editor
The CD badly needs an editor.Unless you're going to learn Russian in a single sitting, you'll need to listen to the CD multiple times.The narrator's annoying statements of the obvious in English will drive you up the wall after the first time through. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Audio Adult: Language    2. Foreign Language Study    3. Russian    4. Unabridged Audio - Misc.Nonfiction    5. Language learning: audio-visual & multimedia    6. Language self-study & phrasebooks   

Reviews (14)

Not a full update--Hua Phan Province info VERY out of day
I bought this edition for a bicycle trip across northern Laos, but was very disappointed with the very old and inaccurate information on Hua Phan Province in the northeast of the country. It's a remote region, and probably on few travelers' itineraries, but it was on mine. I felt let down that the authors didn't provide up-to-date coverage. Neither author even visited the province! That's not good enough.

Great for the cities and history
If you are doing the regular two week route ofLuang Phrabang - Vang Vieng - Vientiane, this is an outstanding book, despite the inevitable dating of hotel and restaurant info.You have got to expect this considering how much stuff is written about these three places and Laos in general, leaving only a third of the book to cover the other 99% of the country.
Not for everyone, but my guidebook of choice

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

Reviews (3)

Best Book I've Never Looked at Ever
If this book is anything like it's African counterpart, then I approve!It doesn't take a genious to guess what's in this book.And I'm guessing it's good.So good, in fact, that I'm going to put it next to my African book on my coffee table, which is a huge deal.Nothing else has ever had the priveledge of parking itself next to that glorious, godly, tree-made piece of wonderful splendor.I'm licking my fingers just thinking about it.Those pages won't stick for me!I only hope that you have a credit card and can order things from Amazon.Because everything they sell is worth it.Thank you for reading this.But seriously, go to Asia.Eat Bamboo, no Pandas!

Very good book- great pictures
There are a number of books out there profiling the most luxurious hotels in Asia- this is one of my favorites.The book covers a good variety of hotels in Indonesia, Malaysia, Japan, China, India, Myanmar and a couple other countries. Well-known hotels like Amankila, Amanpulo, and Amanjiwo are profiled, but lesser known hotels make up the majority that are featured. The pictures are largely crisp and clear, something that can't be said for some other comparable books.Like other Taschen books, this book employs the multi-language formula where all editorial is written in several different languages.Some might find this annoying.Not a lot is written about the hotels either. Overall, a good effort.

A book to read, admire and love
This is not just a book, it�s a piece to have in your living room, to read, to look and dream about. The photos are fantastic and the descriptions tell all you need to know about the place, includinding the prices and exactly locations. A book for you, your friends and family. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - General    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. ASIA    5. Hotel & holiday accommodation guides    6. Photographs: collections   

Reviews (5)

Very helpful
The book is very helpful for someone planning a first trip to India, answering many, if not all, of the questions I have.Because India is such a large country, there is almost an overwhelming amount of information.It is also a large book --more than 600 pages -- to carry in a day pack, but I plan to do it anyway!

An information-packed travel guide
Now in an updated and strongly recommended fifith edition, Fodor's India is an information-packed travel guide to just about everything business or vacation travelers need to know or would like to see in this vast and dazzling nation. From where to go tiger-spotting to paying homage to holy sites to learning how to navigate bazaars and much more, Fodor's India brims with over 600 pages full not only of places to go, but tips for blending in and making the most of one's experience when one gets there. Over 600 pages cover the sights to see in various sections of India as well as a basic overview of the culture, language, and strategies for navigating. Fodor is a premier publisher of travel guides offering expert information on cities and countries abroad. Send for their free catalog for a complete title listing.
good, could be better
This is a good book for getting an overview of where to go and what to do.It also does a good job of listing hotels (though it's not the best for lower end venues).The book is frustrating, however, in that the person who makes the maps does not seem to be coordinating his/her efforts with the person who writes the text.Maps list main streets, but not the ones where major hotels are located (except in the big cities).Hence, you have no idea if your hotel is near or far away from major sites.This is especially problematic for single travelers who might wish to favor a central location to minimize commute times and the troubles that accompany them.Also, there is some inconsistency in the text.A suggested "ideal" itinerary will exclude an item that is later listed in the text as a "must see."Perhaps the problem occurs when different reviewers provide updates for the guides and don't bother to read the existing text carefully.Is the book worth your time? Yes, for the early stages of planning a trip.But you will definitely need another guide for information that could easily have been provided here.Finally, the guide subscribes to the PC nonsense that has become so popular lately....they soft peddle important things like SAFETY tips.It's not being a wet rag to acknowledge that there are some serious safety concerns you must keep in mind....and spelling them out for each area. ... Read more

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

Reviews (8)

EXOTIC INDIA
I have never been to India, but I have always found the country to be fascinating, its history and great beauty, along with the mystery that is India.This book is absolutely wonderful, the images are crisp and vivid and the text is scholarly and insightful.The history and architecture of India is so varied, like no other place, from the Chola Dynasty, through the Great Mughals, to the more current British Raj and all of these empires left a legacy in India from the spectacular Taj Mahal to the majestic Imperial New Delhi.If you have any interest in India or just appreciate great books then you will not be disappointed and you will come away with a newfound respect for this singular land.

Insightful
This book has won a number of awards including the best armchair traveler book of the year award. It stands out from the league of similar books and comes straight from the author's heart. Rightly acclaimed as one of the most insightful and revealing books about the country, it emphasizes diverse religious traditions and spirituality of India. This honest book easily impresses the reader with captivating vivid narrative peppered with delightful pictures. Organized by six broad regions, it is not meant to be a tome on India but a catalyst that propels the readers towards discovering it. It evokes nostalgic heartwarming feeling for those who have been to India and generates genuine interest among the would-be tourists. Though no one can claim to have captured the vastness, diversity and contradictions of Indian culture in one book, this fascinating volume comes pretty close. In the latest edition of the book, author has updated the text and pictures and done away with some redundant text. A must buy for anyone traveling to India or just having interest in it- Indians and non-Indians alike (This review has been taken from Recipedelights.com)

Supurbly written by an outsider looking in
Actually, I just found this book reviewed in India by a major news paper with a great recomendation. I just received it myself and have fallen in love. Written by someone who seems to have really taken time to study his subject. Excellent text and photos. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - India    2. Pictorials    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign   

Reviews (1)

useful, and good luck finding any others...
If you're looking at this review, and are interested in a map of Bhutan, you probably already know there just aren't many such maps available in the world. In fact, even this one is hard to find. It did the job for me on my recent trip there, and helped me identify the Himalayan peaks I saw from Dochu La, although the elevation listed on my copy for Jhomolari seems a bit high. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bhutan    2. Travel / road maps & atlases   

Subjects:  1. Artists    2. Authors, Chinese    3. Biography    4. Biography & Autobiography    5. Biography / Autobiography    6. Biography And Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. China    9. Personal Memoirs    10. Physicians    11. Travelers    12. United States    13. Women    14. Biography & Autobiography / General    15. Non-Classifiable   

Reviews (5)

Pyongyang's Hidden History: must-read book for travelers and scholars
"Pyongyang: The Hidden History of the North Korean Capital" is another of those recently-issued books which provide a wealth of otherwise hard-to-find information about the secretive state that is North Korea.As is the case with Robert Willoughby's "North Korea: The Bradt Travel Guide" and Jane Portal's "Art Under Control in North Korea," Springer's volume is based on first-hand observations and hard data that should rivet the attention of both the casual traveler and the serious scholar.
informative introduction to North Korea through its capital
This is a remarkably well-written book works on both the level of a pictorial city guide and as political geography.The North Korean capital of Pyongyang was effectively flattened during the Korean War (1950-53) and its rebuilding reflected a series of political choices from what sorts of activities to locate in the capital to what kind of architectural design, materials, and construction techniques to employ. Springer mines this intersection of cityscape and political history beautifully, and it is hard to imagine anyone who would not learn something new from reading this book.

One of the most inaccessible capitals in the world
Maps and beautiful color photographs enhance the informative text of Pyongyang: The Hidden History Of The North Korean Capital by Chris Springer. Pyongyang showcases a series of site-by-site descriptions of one of the most inaccessible capitals in the world. Well researched commentary provides truthful insights behind official history and propaganda, ranging from the Korean War down to the present day. A informational prize for armchair travelers, and a highly recommended introductory familiarization guide for anyone journeying to North Korea, Pyongyang is an enthusiastically recommended addition to personal and community library collections. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Far East    2. Asia - Korea    3. Description and travel    4. History    5. History / Korea    6. History: World    7. P°yæongyang (Korea)    8. Travel / Asia / Far East    9. Travel / Pictorials    10. Korea    11. North Korea    12. Pictorial works    13. Pictorials    14. Social life and customs    15. Travel   

Subjects:  1. Asia - Japan    2. Asian - Japanese    3. Literary Criticism    4. Modern - 17th Century    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Classic travel writing    7. Japan   

Reviews (19)

Changing Times
The idea of this book is excellent; however, because it's 5 years old it is not as up-to-date as it could be.China is changing rapidly and some of the customs and other information presented is already out-dated. It should be up-dated more freaquently.

Mix of useful information and self-serving BS
I don't usually make impulse buys of books; usually I at least skim reviews on Amazon before buying to get an idea of what others have said.However, I'm traveling to China for the first time in summer and saw this book in the bookstore ... it looked interesting and I've seen this Culture Shock! series around so I thought I'd give it a shot.While I can't say the book was a complete waste of money, as Sinclair does have good insights amongst some completely bizarre and mystifying statements, I'd say this book is better read as a library copy (i.e. for free) or not at all.Why?Here's why:
I would give this no stars, if I could.
The author does not seem to be able to talk about modern China without dwelling upon his past experiences in China. It would be acceptable if not for the fact that most of the portions I read seem to be a poorly written memoir of him, and not a useful guide on how to get by in China. Also, his advice is mostly outdated and he doesn't seem to be able to give good, useful advice that actually pertains to situations one might encounter. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - China    2. General    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. China    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (7)

Lacking a few things
I've recently returned from a few weeks in Tibet. One of my group had this phrase book and we tried to use it to speak with our driver. A few things: First, a pronunciation guide would have helped. Second, we found some common words missing, or at least were not able to find them the way the book is laid out. We ended up drawing pictures on Post-Its to communicate with our driver and learn words from him in this way.

Invaluable When Traveling Individually in Tibet
I've been to Tibet five times now, and each time I have carried mynow well worn copy of this phrasebook with me. Without it, I'd be at a real loss. It is has proven wonderful for communicating with locals - not only in Lhasa, but also in far more remote parts of the country. It is safe to say that using this phrasebook has enhanced my experiences in Tibet many times over.
Probably the best you'll find for what you need
As a small language book that is only meant to give you the basics this is a great book.
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Subjects:  1. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    2. General    3. Language    4. Travel    5. Language self-study & phrasebooks    6. Tibetan   

Reviews (31)

Dignifying

Interesting stories, but weak analysis
Feiler's book is entertaining at times and tiresome at others. The entertaining parts are the stories he tells about his experiences; however, his attempt to analyze Japan sound too much like a regurgitation of other books that purport to introduce Japanese culture.
Interesting read,but dated and exaggerated.
As one who logged a few years teaching in Japan around the same era, the subject matter certainly interests me, and this is an interesting study of Japanese culture and the experience of AETs as existed in the late 1980s.
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Subjects:  1. 1945-    2. Asia - Japan    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Customs & Traditions    5. Education, Secondary    6. Educators    7. Ethnic Studies - General    8. Feiler, Bruce S    9. Japan    10. Multicultural Education    11. Social Science    12. Social life and customs    13. Sociology    14. Biography & Autobiography / General