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   

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   

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   

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 (9)

New one coming out December 06
This is a good book, but an updated edition is supposed to come out December 2006 so wait until then if you want this book.

completely essential
this is the most useful and necessary guidebook not only for indonesia but for any destination you may have!

Good, but Could Be Better
This is currently the best overall guide to Indonesia for independent travellers. It covers enough attractions to keep people occupied for months, and is more than enough for those with an average interest in the country. Read more

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

Reviews (3)

Fantastic guide
I'm just back from Bali and took three guidebooks. The Lonely Planet guide was far and away the best. It was funny and in the best guidebook tradtion, it did a great job of stearing me away from popular places like Gunung Agung and Besakih Temple - which are two of the worst tourist traps on the island. The author seems to have actually spent time posing as a tourist in these places to uncover all the scams. The rest of the book does a good job of finding all the new places to go for dinner and drinks in hot places like Seminyak. Make this your only Bali guidebook.

Asia 101
This book will help you find your way around. No problem. The maps were very good. I would have appreciated more restaurant and shopping reviews:ie.. What to look for in the way of bargains found only in Bali, how to tell if you are being ripped off, that kind of help.On that matter, you can tell it was written by a man.In fact this book felt more man friendly than woman friendly. I too, like the above reader, live in Asia.I take my family when I travel.Lonely Planet doesn't cater to my "crowd". I wanted to be told to avoid specific locations or tourist traps and to be told not to miss other places, and I felt sorta let down.I think the author could have given better information on hotels.For instance I found our hotel on line.The book didn't help at all there. For more family oriented guides I usually go with Frommer's (wish I would have had it on this trip).If you venture anywhere in Asia, you must do your homework and that means Internet, and generally more than one guide book. I would recommend this as a companion guide.We liked Bali so much we are going again in 6 months.
Bali Bali Bali!
When I used to work in Korea, one of my best vacations was to Bali. Despite a strange and sudden stomach ailment, I managed to enjoy this tropical paradise. And the LP Guidebook was my faithful companion, showing me where I could track down a good burger when the local food proved too exotic for me. It also tipped me off about the best watering holes.
Read more

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

Reviews (15)

Easily one of the most absorbing and well-written travelogues ever
_Stranger in the Forest_ by Eric Hansen is easily one of the most absorbing and well-written travelogues I have ever read. This extraordinary book chronicles Hansen's remarkable journey across the island of Borneo in 1982. The author traveled some 2,400 miles on the island, largely on foot and through tropical rain forest on an island that straddles the equator; actually he made two trips, traveling four months and 1,500 miles before turning around and going back across the island, a mere 50 miles from the ocean (to the astonishment of his traveling companions and shouts of "Crazy man!").
Little More Than Sensationalist Fiction
I read this book when I was actually in Borneo where I spent over a year, visiting many of the places described in the book.
An excellent read!
Eric Hansen's a fantastic writer and an intrepid traveler.He doesn't actually travel the whole distance on foot (he does jump in river boats here and there) but that doesn't matter.It doesn't even matter if he made up the stories he narrates although I don't think he did.It's a great book.I finished Stranger in the Forest and I just picked up Motoring with Mohammed.I searched Amazon and noticed that he's only written a few travel books.I've very disappointed, I was hoping that he could provide me with at least a dozen wild and interesting travel tales. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. (Eric K.)    2. Asia - Southeast    3. Description And Travel    4. Essays & Travelogues    5. Hansen, Eric    6. Malaysia    7. Sarawak    8. Special Interest - Adventure    9. Travel    10. Travel - General    11. Travel / Adventure   

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Bali Island (Indonesia)    3. Guidebooks    4. Lombok (Indonesia)    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel Guides    8. Travel / Australia & Oceania   

Subjects:  1. Asia - General    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel / Asia / General   

Editorial Review

"Ye Gods, old man--don't do it!" you're bound to shriek on page 1 of this hilarious travelogue, on which the author lists the hazards that may befall him--vipers, cholera, crocs, ticks, tuberculosis, malaria, rabies, and 1,700 types of parasitic worms among them. After all, portly, over-the-hill Read more

Reviews (22)

publishing/printing madness
received above book; correct cover, but inside is another book by name of 'the glass key' by dashiell hammett. tried to contact you by various means, to no avail.original packaging long gone. how do i go about getting the book i ordered???

Would I or would I not travel with these two?
Yes and no.Yes, because these two old British stuffies set off on this journey just the way most "inexperienced" travelers would -- by the seat of their pants.No, because I think I would like a better idea of cuisine before I went.
Humorous Travelogue into Jungle of Borneo
This twenty-five year old tale of two Brits being transported by their faithful guides into the deepest jungle of Borneo is amusing and interesting.
Read more

Subjects:  1. 1947-    2. 1949-    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Borneo    5. Description and travel    6. Essays & Travelogues    7. Fenton, James,    8. O'Hanlon, Redmond,    9. Special Interest - Adventure    10. Travel    11. Travel - General    12. Fenton, James    13. Geographical information systems (GIS) & remote sensing    14. Journeys    15. O'Hanlon, Redmond    16. Travel / Adventure   

Reviews (1)

bali made easy!
an exceptionally practical guide to travel in bali and lombok.on a recent month holiday to bali, i used the book from cover to cover.the information is accurate and the maps came in very useful whilst negotiating the other road users in my rented jeep.i will certainly buy a roughguides for my next trip and have peace of mind that what is written is correct. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Bali Island (Indonesia)    3. Guidebooks    4. Lombok (Indonesia)    5. Reference - Guides (General)    6. Travel    7. Travel - Foreign    8. Travel Guides    9. Bali    10. Travel & holiday guides    11. Travel / Asia / Southeast   

Reviews (2)

Beautiful & Informative!
This book contains excellent background information and descriptions of obscure attractions written by a team of expert authors along with photos of stunnning quality.
The best guide on culture and history
I think this is an exceptionally good quality guide book for those who travel to Bali not just to lie on a beach or surf, but also for its amazing cultural and historical heritage, where every village and temple have their own story. The closest I can compare it with is Eyewitness Guide on Bali, but there is definitely more information in this guide. There is also an abundance of beautific pictures but they don't take full pages so you get much more text not sacrificing the aesthetics. This is a book for people who want to feel in a new place not like stupid foreigners but rather informed observers, understanding their performances, rituals, lifestyle, etc. You'll know exactly what village or place you want to stay in and why.
Read more

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

Reviews (2)

Fantastic Help
Just got back from my first Bali trip and this book was a fantastic help. It is a rare thing when everything you read in a book is true - but everything was exactly the way the book said it would be. From the surf line-ups, breaks, crowds, tide influences, people, food recommendations, language - everything! Plus the free beer vouchers were a great bonus, worth far more than the book cost! Peter Neely has done a great job cramming so much info into the book, and all of it was spot on! I can't thank him enough. Maybe one day I'll bump into him in Indo somewhere - I'd love to buy the guy a beer! Hey, if you're a surfer going to Bali, you'd be mad not to get this book.

REVIEWS - What the Surf Mags say about "Indo Surf and Lingo"
Australian Long Boarding says:
Read more

Subjects:  1. Bali    2. Language self-study & phrasebooks    3. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Asia - General    2. Asia - Southeast    3. Golf - General    4. Sports & Recreation    5. Travel   

Reviews (5)

Bali Handbook
Bill Dalton, internationally acclaimed American travel writer, tour leader, and founder of Moon Publications, wrote the bible of Balinese travel drawing on twenty-six years of Indonesian experience (thirty visits and a total of six years spent on the islands).Jam-packed with incredibly detailed information, the first 310 pages prepare you for the journey of a lifetime with chapters on the land (topography, environment, and climate), flora and fauna (domestic animals, birds, reptiles, sea life, endangered species, flowers, trees), history, government, the economy, and local industries.Dalton quenches your thirst for cultural knowledge with chapters on the people (the caste system, marriage, children, village life), the language (plus a glossary of words and short phrases in Bahasa Indonesia), and religion (priests, temples, cremation ceremonies).Balinese creativity is honored with additional units on traditional and modern art, crafts (woodcarving, maskmaking, stonecarving, textiles, plaiting and weaving, gold and silver works), music, and the performing arts (dance venues and schools and the wayang kulit shadow puppet theatre).Dalton gives you everything you ever wanted to know about Bali, from white raja Mads Lange to the toothfiling ceremony to shaggy Barong masks. BEST GUIDE BOOK EVER ON BALI!!!
Having been to this magical place 5 times now and perusing many travel books on this land. I would place this as the number one book of choice for the area. The background of history and the covrage on the people make this the best trvel tomefor this destination. It will give you a solid foundation and a good idea on what to expect when you arrive there. Even if you do not end up going there you would save alot of bucks by just vicariously experiencing it theough the shear reading of it!!! Best Bali Guide
I was so excited about my first trip to Bali that I used 4 guides.By far, the Moon Guide helped me most to understand Bali and the Balinese. I was even able to impress the cab drivers with my new found understanding ofBalinese religion, culture and customs. Although I disagreed with many ofthe hotel and restaurant recommendations - the real reason for visitingBali is to get in contact with a culture that exists nowhere else in theworld.This book will help you do that better than any other. The sectionon quick indonesian language is very helpful and the Balinese love touristswho try to adopt their language greetings. The maps are mediocre, but thereare no good maps of Bali - most roads are nameless and unsigned.Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Bali Island (Indonesia)    3. Guidebooks    4. Mexico    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. ASIA    8. Bali    9. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (1)

unusual teaching of numerical analysis and symbolic algebra
Landau takes a refreshingly different approach to teaching students scientific computation. The field can be considered as two parts. One, the older and more heavily used, is about the "traditional" numerical analysis. You crunch numbers, and you get numbers out. The other approach is symbolic algebra.
Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Science    3. Computers    4. Computers - Languages / Programming    5. Data processing    6. Microscopes & Microscopy    7. Programming - General    8. Science    9. Applied Science and Engineering    10. Computer Programming    11. Computer modelling & simulation    12. Computers / Computer Science    13. Mathematics    14. Physics    15. Scientific equipment & techniques, laboratory equipment   

Reviews (3)

Great reference for a great place to visit
I was fortunate enough to travel to Bali in 2003, it was so worth the jetlag and my LP was extremely helpful.I was lucky to stay with my friend at his home in Kerambitan during part of the trip and recommend visitors to try and go off the beaten path away from tourist centers if possible.I was traveling with a friend and since we are both students we were really interested in seeing sights and performances more than surfing and snorkeling.We managed to make it over a lot of the island including Lake Bratan, Lake Batur, Besakih, etc. etc.This book was helpful for navigating our guides and drivers to the places we were interested in seeing, as well as knowing exactly where we were heading.The cultural information is really good and really important to read before you go since Balinese culture is not only very interesting, but also really complex. Just be wary of being hassled by guides at Besakih, especially if you don't want one.But this book gives the ins and outs really well.I really prefer LP over other travel guides.

Good Reference Material/Starting Point
This is a good guidebook and fairly accurate.In a country like Indonesia, however, things change quickly so use this book as a reference not as a bible.Do you own research and talk to other travellers.Since the LP Bali is the default travellers' guide to this region, most of the restaurants and hotels covered are not the best values.Many get a steady stream of customers just because of a good review and never bother to maintain the facilities.The best deals require a lot of footwork and bargaining!Learning some bahasa indonesia always helps.The language section is adequate but the phrasebook is much better. Well up to standard
I am Balinese and live in Ubud.Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Former Soviet Republics    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Bali    6. East Timor    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (1)

An honest and beautiful picture journal of the Mentawai
When in Sumatra - Indonesia I read this book, which convinced me to go to Pulau Siberut to see and experience the Mentawai. Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Cultural And Social Anthropology    3. Documentary Photo Collections    4. Indonesia    5. Lindsay, Charles    6. Mentawai (Indonesian people)    7. Poetry    8. Shamans    9. Siberut    10. Social life and customs    11. Travel - Foreign    12. Anthropology    13. Cultural studies    14. Ethnic studies    15. Photographs: collections   

Reviews (3)

Gripping
Excellent book, well-written and gripping for the most part. During the climax, I found myself unable to put it down -- something that doesn't usually happen with non-fiction. Spare prose and light touches of very British humor at certain points added to the reading "pleasure," if that's the right word for a work centering on horrific events.
Excellent
As an Indonesian that lived through the tumultous period covered in the book, I found Richard Parry's work to be very authoritative. He digs deep, more than just facts and statistics. Though not a picture that I want my homeland to be remembered by, I found this to be a must read.

I almost became a cannibal...
Richard Lloyd Parry's account of Indonesia at the end of the 20th century is riveting. Ranks with Aidan Hartley's "The Zanibar Chest" as one of the finest summaries of field journalism around. If you are at all interested in Indonesia this fine book belongs on your bookshelf. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast Asia    2. Autonomy and independence movements    3. Description and travel    4. East Timor    5. History    6. History - General History    7. History: World    8. Indonesia    9. Parry, Richard Lloyd    10. Travel    11. History / Southeast Asia   

Editorial Review

Some women seek adventure to test their mettle, suck down jolts of adrenaline, and prove they haven't grown old and indolent. In Read more

Reviews (17)

More than she bargained for
This book tells the story of a journalist who nearly got killed adventuring in the backwoods of Borneo.At a party in San Francisco, Tracy Johnston met the president of Sobek, an outdoor adventure company.Sobek planned to offer a new white water route down the Boh River in Borneo.They were looking for crew members for the test-run, and were delighted to find Johnston, a proven writer who had previous white water experience.They offered her a free ride in exchange for publicity materials about the trip.So one fateful summer day in the early 1990s, Johnston landed in Jakarta to join the trip.Unfortunately, her luggage didn't land with her, but that was only the first of many challenges to come.During the course of the next few weeks, Johnston would find herself hurtling down an uncharted river, scrambling down muddy boulders, and swimming to save her skin, all while living intimately with folks that had been perfect strangers just days before.If the river trip in itself hadn't been enough, Johnston was also faced with coming to terms with changes in her own body, which had begun to develop the aches and pains of middle age. She found herself constantly comparing her performance, condition, and appearance to those of the others in the group, all younger than her.
Compelling but too self-absorbed
I have to give Johnston credit for being able to record and recount this arduous trip with such clarity. When one is exhausted, hounded by sweat-sucking bees, fearing that she may not survive, it takes a lot of persistence to keep a thorough journal. She's done this and written competently about the adventure, but this book ultimately is a let-down. Here's why:
There are better Borneo adventure books to read...
Unlike Redmond O'Hanlon's book on the same subject, which is hysterically funny, Shooting the Boh is midly funny and one that I think will appeal more to female readers (my husband found this to be quite dull) due to the self-confessed menopausal musings of the author on traveling down river with a boat full of men and a younger, svelte, pretty (French) woman whom Johnston claims seemed to be immune to sweating or even appearing the slightest bit wrinkled by their circumstances!Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th Century Description And Travel    2. Adventure and adventurers    3. Asia - Southeast Asia    4. Biography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Boh River (Indonesia)    7. Description and travel    8. Essays & Travelogues    9. Indonesia    10. Johnston, Tracy    11. Special Interest - Adventure    12. Travel    13. Travel - General    14. United States    15. Women adventurers    16. Boh River    17. Journeys    18. Travel / Adventure    19. Travel writing   

Reviews (1)

The Most Comprehensive Diving Guide to Indonesia
Covers virtually all areas with diving facilities, from popular ones like Bali or North Sulawesi to little-known gems like the Tukangbesi Islands of South-East Sulawesi or the Raja Ampat Islands of West Papua. No information for snorkellers though. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - Southeast    2. Deep diving    3. Guidebooks    4. Indonesia    5. Scuba & Snorkeling    6. Sports    7. Sports & Recreation    8. Travel - Foreign    9. Swimming & diving    10. Travel & holiday guides