Editorial Review

Covering tropical marine fishes of the Caribbean, the Gulf of Mexico, Florida, the Bahamas, and Bermuda, this field guide by C. Lavett Smith (curator emeritus, Department of Ichthyology, American Museum of Natural History in New York) sets the tropical-fish standard. There are 417 truly magnificent color photographs evincing the glories of the coral reefs and full-text descriptions for more than 400 species, each with its own range map. In addition, the guide includes maps of the regions, more than 100 fish anatomy illustrations, and close to 800 more brief species descriptions. Easy to use and understand, lightweight, and sturdily constructed for travel, the field guide is a great boon for one's snorkeling or scuba-diving vacations. Read more

Reviews (8)

disappointing
Although there are many fishes accounted for, it has quite a few that are missing, and it would be helpful if more showed pictures of the difference between adult and juveniles.

OK, But Paul Humann's Book is Much Better
A few years ago, I bought the Audubon Society Field Guide to Tropical Marine Fishes and found when I tried to use it in the Florida Keys that there were many fish I couldn't identify. People recommended I buy Paul Humann's book, "Reef Fish Identification."The book is more expensive, but I found it to be far more comprehensive and user friendly. For example, many fish look entirely different when in their "juvenile," "initial" or "terminal" phase, and the "Reef Fish Identification" book has clear photos of each of the three stages shown beside each other, and frequently includes photos of alternate color phases as well.The Audubon book usually just shows a picture of the fish in just one phase, and often not a terribly good photo at that. Next to each photo in the Humann book is an excellent line drawing of the fish, highlighting and labeling which features of a fish are most dependable for identification. The Audubon book includes no such diagrams to aid identification. Finally, the Humann book is based upon both an extensive bibliography and collaboration with field biologists, and if the detailed descriptions in his book of definitive features for discriminating species of fish are correct (and experienced scuba divers tell me they are correct) then some of the pictures in the Audubon guide are actually even misidentified as to species. For example, the Audubon picture labeled as a "Leopard Goby" is almost certainly a picture of an "Orange-sided Goby" (if the Humann book is correct about dark lines outlining the orange rectangles being areliable discriminating feature). If there were no other reef fish identification book available, I would have given the Audubon book more stars, I am usually a great fan of the Audubon Field Guide series, but in comparison with the Humann book it just doesn't rate very well. I should add that I have never met, nor have any private or professional association with, the author of either of these books, so my opinion is not biased by any such affiliation.
Necessary installment.
The Audubon Guide to Tropical Marine Fishes is used for identifying brightly colored fish that are most likely to found in the open ocean or on reefs. This guide is different from its predecessor, "Audubon Guide to Fishes" in many ways. First off, the range is quite different, containing a wider variety of fish. This book also takes up where "Fishes" left off. There were so many species to cover that there needed to be more explanation in a second book, "Tropical Marine Fishes". Read more

Subjects:  1. Atlantic Ocean    2. Fish    3. Fishes    4. Ichthyology    5. Identification    6. Marine fishes    7. Nature    8. Nature / Field Guide Books    9. Reference - General    10. Travel    11. Tropics    12. Fishes (ichthyology)    13. Nature / Fish    14. Reference works    15. TRAVEL & HOLIDAY   

Reviews (4)

Great book!
When I went to Bermuda for the first time recently, I wanted to leaarn more about this lovely island.Labrucherie's book provides exactly what I wanted - a readable and fairly comprehensive history of the island, as well as many beautiful pictures.Just perfect!

Magnificent!
Extraordinary photography, combined with intelligent, concise, even poetic text.I am English, but I have lived in Boston for many years. Bermuda is perhaps my favorite island--for its civility, its quiet beauty, a little touch of England in the middle of the Atlantic. This book captures Bermuda as I have seen no other book do ... perhaps because it focusses on the small things: the tiny flower known as Bermudiana, the young schoolgirl gazing deep into the camera ... The picture captions are concise, but packed with information; the author chooses and rations his words carefully! There's also, for those who want it, a complete text which conveys the history of the island.A small quibble: there's no information about hotels, restaurants, etc. However, this is not a guidebook, but rather a coffee-table "documentary" book, and in that department it is incomparable.

Absolutely superb
Having travelled to Bermuda many times over the past twenty years (and I lived there for a time as well), I have to say this is the finest and most complete "coffee-table" book on the island that I have ever seen.It is large-format, filled with superb color photographs (including a lotof aerial shots as well as some archival photographs of Bermuda in themid-20th century). The text gives you a concise, intelligent overview ofBermuda's history. I've given a number of copies to friends who love theisland. The jacket blurb says the author was once a Peace Corps Volunteer,and it shows ... this is a real in-depth portrait, not just"post-cardy" superficial coverage. I have several other books onBermuda, but this one is in a class by itself. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Bermuda Islands    3. Caribbean & West Indies    4. Description and travel    5. North America    6. Pictorial works    7. Travel - Foreign   

Reviews (1)

Clear and Easy
This sturdy map will be used for years.The clear coating prevents that fuzziness from wear at the folds.The street listings will be useful for exploring the island on foot, and all the print is clear and easy to read. A must for visitors to Bermuda, well worth the price. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Maps    3. Maps & Road Atlases    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign   

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. North America    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel Guides    6. Bermuda    7. Travel & holiday guides    8. Travel / Caribbean & West Indies   

Reviews (3)

Good for dreaming
I received this book the day after I had to postpone my planned ninth trip to Bermuda. Ouch! Even though I've been to Bermuda several times, my last trip was a few years ago. This book brought me up to date on what has changed (fortunately, not much) and new things to see and do. I like Lonely Planet's approach to guide books. They don't focus on just the fancy, popular "tourist trap" types of places but also include slightly off-beat attractions, restaurants, etc., that other guidebooks tend to ignore.

A great achievement for a small place...
The major obstacle which hinders the performance of Lonely Planet and other guidebooks is that they often try and cover a very wide country or region, such as "Lonely Planet China" or "Lonely Planet USA", not to mention things like "Lonely Planet Africa on a shoestring". This often means that, in over 800 pages of a bulky book, only few are really relevant to what the reader is looking for. Indeed, the reader can be lost among lots of information, data, etc., which she or he has no interest in: if I find myself in Nairobi and am looking for a restaurant, do I really need to find myself browsing information about the visa procedures for Cameroon or the hotels of Sierra Leone ? Luckily, Bermuda is a much smaller place, and this has enabled the author and editors to truly produce a well-focused, condensed and overall excellent guidebook. The information for the visitor is complete and accurate, up-to-date, and indeed extremely useful (even in a place which does not present particular cultural or social obstacles for the average visitor): while Bermuda may still be possible to get to know on one's own, the aid of this little guidebook will be paramount. Its sections on hotels, restaurants, entertainment, are excellent. Coverage of things to see and do, sports and other activities, is down-to-the-point and very full. The sections on history and culture are also of great value, excellently written, easy-to-read in a captivating and pleasant prose, making this truly enjoyable and worthy reading for everyone. It is indeed a book one should surely pack before setting off to Bermuda.

Worth its weight in sunken treasure
I spent two weeks in Bermuda, and was very glad I brought this book along with me.I doubt very much that there are many interesting corners of the country that have been overlooked by the authors of this guide--some ofwhich I never would have thought to investigate had this book not alertedme to their existence.I especially appreciated all the historical andcultural details, and found that it was an invaluable tool in keeping costsdown in a country where just about everything is VERY pricey.This bookhas since been re-used by other members of my family on their own trips toBermuda, and has paid for itself several times over. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. HotelsInnsetc.    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Bermuda    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (4)

Directed us to delightful places not in any other guide book
After taking a tour at the Botanical Gardens, we followed Ms. Harriott's recommedation and ate at the hospital cafe across the street. And who did we see but our tour guide from the gardens. Boy, was he surprised to see us! How did we ever find out about this place?? The Maverick Guide, of course. The fish cakes are delicious, by the way. This book is a great way to get to out-of-the way places and a real flavor of Bermuda. Highly recommended!

Great For Tourists, Bermudians AND Travel Agents!
This book is incredible; Ms. Harriott obviously knows Bermuda extremely well and has checked and re-checked her information. As someone specializing in helpling people plan their Bermuda vacations I constantly use the book as a resource. It has been invaluable to me.
Worried about the accuracy of this book.....
Page 22: "Important Note: Since the events of September 9, 2001, to ensure the safety of your flight the airline rules have changed dramatically..."
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Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. General    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Bermuda    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. North America    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel Guides    6. Bermuda    7. Travel & holiday guides    8. Travel / Caribbean & West Indies   

Reviews (1)

An entertaining, eye-opening read
In the course of reading this book (which I could hardly put down) I constantly alternated between hysterical laughter and awe/disbelief! Sobey has collected some very amusing newspaper articles that show those of us in the rest of the world what Bermuda is like underneath it all. In a country where there is so little major crime, the most petty things become huge issues. And all are reported very, very thoroughly in the newspaper. And the public interest stories make me think they have a lot of slow news days in Bermuda! Some examples: Read more

Subjects:  1. Anecdotes    2. Bermuda    3. Bermuda Islands    4. Caribbean & West Indies - General    5. Essays & Travelogues    6. General    7. Humor    8. Humour   

Subjects:  1. Bermuda Islands    2. Caribbean & West Indies    3. Guidebooks    4. North America    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel Guides    8. 21st century    9. Bermuda    10. Travel & holiday guides    11. Travel / North America   

Reviews (1)

Excellent
Beautifully written with thought and caring of an island where the author grew up.His pictures help you to visualizethe beautyof this magnificient place as viewed through his eyes.Written in a most excellent way! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1979-    2. Bermuda Islands    3. Description and travel    4. General    5. Photography    6. Travel    7. Views   

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Bermuda    6. Caribbean islands    7. Travel & holiday guides    8. Travel / Caribbean & West Indies   

Subjects:  1. General    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Bahamas    5. Bermuda    6. Caribbean Sea    7. Travel & holiday guides    8. Travel / General   

Subjects:  1. Bermuda Islands    2. Caribbean & West Indies    3. Guidebooks    4. Scuba & Snorkeling    5. Scuba diving    6. Travel    7. Travel - Foreign    8. Sports & Recreation / Water Sports   

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Bermuda    5. Caribbean islands    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (5)

MapEasy rocks!
I buy one of these maps for every city I visit.I bought the London one first and found an incredible price on a hotel right in the middle of everything because of it.These maps always have the highlights of each city that you may not find in tour books.Restaurants, hotels, shops, and other attractions are listed and it is easy to figure out what things are within walking distance of one another.

A complete waste of money
This is the most worthless map I have ever seen. I think these people were too concerned with the artistic aspect, and they failed to create something useful. And as a guide book? HA! A couple of sentences about a few select sights does not make a guidebook. If you want something pretty to look at while at home, then this would probably be fine. But don't bother taking it to Bermuda with you.

Rand McNally Las Vegas Map Guides (Mapguide)
Returned it, as I can get a better map from AAA for FREE! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Maps    3. Maps & Road Atlases    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign   

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Bermuda    6. Caribbean islands    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (5)

Very useful guide
This was a great guide for visiting Bermuda.The hotel section was accurate and current enough to plan most of the logistics before I arrived.The guide also had a lot of current suggestions of quaint places to visit that only a long timer would know.Well worth the small investment in improving your trip.
MADE our trip wonderful
Went to Bermuda to celebrate 10th anniversary and purchased this book to guide us to the best dining and sights. It was right-on with all recommendations. We got a great taste of Bermuda out of a 4-night trip thanks to this book. On our last day there, in the airport we talked to another couple who had just spent 4 nights there as well. They had no idea about Ginger Beer, Dark and Stormy drinks, Fish Chowder, or Wahoo - Frommer's made sure we did not miss the essential elements of Bermuda. Highly recommended. We'll be using it for our next trip there.

Has All the Info You Will Need for Your Trip
I have often wasted money by buying several travel guides for my trips abroad.This time, I wanted to buy only one for my four night trip to Bermuda.This Frommers guide turned out to be an excellent choice.It provides all the needed information about getting from the airport to your hotel/resort, getting around the island, places to stay, beaches, golf courses, the sights, restaurants, bars, shopping and everything else you could need to know for your vacation.It also has a very useful detachable map of the whole Island, including detailed maps of St. George and Hamilton.This book should truly be all that you need for your trip to Bermuda. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Bermuda Islands    2. Caribbean & West Indies    3. Guidebooks    4. North America    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel Guides    8. Bermuda    9. Travel & holiday guides    10. Travel / Caribbean & West Indies   

Reviews (1)

Old but the seas dont change
If you are the type of diver that likes to know the background on your wreck dives then this is for you. The history behind the ships and wrecks is very well laid out.Its a good tool to have if your going to dive the wrecks in Bermuda. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Sports & Recreation / Scuba & Snorkeling    2. Travel / Caribbean & West Indies    3. Caribbean & West Indies    4. Diving    5. Scuba & Snorkeling    6. Scuba diving    7. Shipwrecks    8. Sports    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Travel    11. Travel - Foreign   

Subjects:  1. Caribbean & West Indies    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign   

Subjects:  1. Bermuda Islands    2. Description and travel