Reviews (19)

Good exercise, but only as reinforcement
The author seems to have her heart in the right place and the book is well organized, but I really doubt anyone will learn more than number, colors, or other such items.
Finally:A guide that makes sense!
After many books on Italian, French, Spanish, I finally found a learning guide that makes sense. Chapter 1: the alphabet.Chapter 2: key question words (who, what, where, when, why, how, how much).Chapter 3: Odds 'n ends (the words for "the" and "a").And so on.All words are shown phonetically, as well as how they are spelled in the native German.Tear-out sheets for reviewing on the go.Peel-off stickers to put around the house.This one seems to have it all.

Sorry, this book is not a good way to learn German
I've been learning Russian by self study for the last couple of years and recently decided to brush up on my German as well.I've purchased a LOT of language learning products as of late, and I've found that the quality and effectiveness of learning materials can vary greatly.I bought the Russian version of this text and was incredibly disappointed.I was in a bookstore recently and checked out the German version.Yup, more of the same.This book might be okay for kids, but it's not a serious learning tool. Learning a language in ten minutes a day may be a fun fantasy, but the resources available in this series of books won't do much to help you learn German.
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Subjects:  1. Conversation and phrase books    2. English    3. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    4. Foreign Language Study    5. German    6. German language    7. Language    8. Travel / Europe / Germany    9. Europe - Germany    10. Language self-study & phrasebooks    11. Self-instruction    12. Textbooks for foreign speakers    13. Travel   

Reviews (8)

Rick's advice and judgments are helpful
We have just returned from 2 1/2 weeks in Spain and Portugal, using the Rick Steves 2006 guides to those two countries.We also carried the Michelin Green Guide, and this was a good complementary pair.We appreciated the fact that Rick tells the reader: this museum is boring, another museum is underrated and worth visiting, the Costa del Sol is gridlock, etc. - in other words, he makes judgments and offers frank advice where other guidebooks are politely descriptive.Michelin has more detail and lists more places but makes fewer judgments.
Bundle with Party Spain
What a great guide. Rick Steve's told me so many chill, off the beaten path things to do in Spain and then I picked up my Party Spain guidebook and had the most fun and social days and nights. What a great combination of books.
Steves' Spain- not the color one!
I was disappointed with this order. I had previously borrowed this book from a friend and loved it. It was most helpful while in Spain.However, I was surprised [and felt fooled] that THIS version has almost none of the glossy color photos that another seemingly same edition had.Misleading description. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Spain & Portugal    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Spain    5. Travel & holiday guides    6. Travel / Europe / Spain & Portugal   

Reviews (14)

Perfect for a trip to Florence
This book was exactly what we needed to help plan our days while in Florence. The map/photos and information is great and really helps to know where stuff is and what to do there. We used it in conjunction with the rain-proof Rough Map to Florence/Sienna. It was a perfect combination.

DK EYEWITNESS HISTORY GUIDE OF FLORENCE AND TUSCANY 2006.
QUICK INFORMATION:
Florence & Tuscany Review
This book is the premier publication for travel guides, however, do not buy if you have bought the Italy Eyewitness Guide.It does not add enough additional value to justify the acquistion. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Italy    2. Florence (Italy)    3. Guidebooks    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel Guides    7. Tuscany (Italy)    8. Travel / Europe / Italy   

Editorial Review

Baking bread is mysterious enough. But creating truly great pizza--the transformation of next to nothing into something extraordinary--is downright alchemical. It is for no small reason that there are distinct words in Italian for those disciples of these mystic arts who bake pizza and focaccia, Read more

Reviews (27)

Not Even Close
I can't comment on Reinhart's other recipes, but his Chicago deep dish is not even close to the authentic item.

In search of the perfect pizza
The dedication on the fly leaf reads: 'To Sonia- May your pizzas be perfect!' and I certainly wish it had been written directly on the book and not on a bookplate......Alas, Peter Reinhart has not been able to make a book or demonstration tour to Hawaii...yet...!, but thanks to the efforts of another foodie friend and baker extraordinaire at least I got the signed book plate!I love cookbooks with 'meat' in them.....stories, anecdotes, history and background rather than one with just recipes.I love it when the author takes you along for the ride.........!I have enjoyed every bit of this search along with him......and the pizzas and focaccias I tried have all worked out....Thank you Peter for a wonderful trip to the world of great pizzas and the revelation of the focaccia col formaggio di Recco!!!!!

The Wonderful World of Pizza!
Mr. Reinhart, thank you for opening the world of pizza for me.
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Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Courses & Dishes - Pizza    5. Description and travel    6. Essays    7. Italy    8. Pizza    9. United States    10. Main courses    11. National & regional cuisine    12. USA   

Reviews (2)

Rockin' Walks
I bought these cards just before my first trip to Paris in December. My thoughts and a few lessons learned:
Pick a card and have an adventure!
My husband and I received these walking cards as a gift before our first trip to Paris. The cards are are larger than a deck of cards-I believe about 4x6 and have a map on one side and then a walk on the otherside, which starts at the top with a description, followed by the Metro stop that you will need to get off on to start your adventure.The card then lays out your walk, including sites to see, (both on the beaten path and off), cafes or restaurants to visit and areas of interest.Each card leads you back to the closest metro stop.
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Subjects:  1. Cards - Playing / Tarot    2. Europe - France    3. Travel    4. France    5. Travel / General    6. Travel / road maps & atlases   

Reviews (3)

Make the Most of Your Trip
I prefer guidebooks that aren't just mammoth listings of everything (hotels, restaurants, sights).This compact book hits the target with its highlights and its walking tours.
Surprising gem of a guide book
This guide book was a last-minute impulse buy before we headed off on our 10 day trip to France.We surprised ourselves by using it almost exclusively to navigate around this wonderful region of France.Short 'n sweet descriptions of all noteworthy towns in the region helped tremendously with deciding where to head next.We used the walking tours in Aix-En-Provence, Avignon, and Arles, and felt them invaluble in getting the most out of our time in each city on our brief trip.We also visited many of the tiny scenic villages recommended in the book."Provence Made Easy" is accurate, well-written, concise, and fun to read.(Fits in your pocket!)We also had Lonely Planet Provence with us and ended up using it almost exclusively (and seldom) for accommodation and restaurant information.For trip shaping, this small, handy book was it.We used this book in conjunction with "Walking In Provence" by Janette Norton and felt that together these two books offered us a unique, authentic view of the region.We wished we had Andy's book "Paris Made Easy" when we arrived there for the last two days of our trip!Thanks, Andy!

The Best Sights and Walks of Provence and the French Riviera
This handy pocket guide to the best sights and walks of Provence is all you need to make your visit fun, memorable, and easy. Inside you'll find short opinionated descriptions of both well-known and off-the-beaten-path sights; detailed walking tours with street-by-street descriptions; and great outdoor markets - plus a travel-planning section to help you arrange your trip!
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Subjects:  1. Europe - France    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. France    5. Travel & holiday guides    6. Travel / Europe / France   

Reviews (1)

Review of the 2nd edition
I am a reader of the 2nd edition of this book, as I have not got the 3rd edition that , sorry, just give you some comment to the 2nd edition. I believe, however, you can glean how good the 2nd edition is. Firstly, itgive some hits of writing a cover, or , what essential information shouldbe given i your cover letter. For instance, you should tell the potentialemployer whet you are available to attend the intervew. Secondly, Whatvisas/permits would you be necessary to got. Thirdly, after arrival, thefirst stuff you have to do is how to fight with " Customs Not onlythose information, it also drops the hints down, say, the issue ofaccommodation, public transport, insure , etc.. Indeed, I highly recommendthis book to whom want to work inthe UK. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Employment    2. Europe - Great Britain - General    3. General    4. Great Britain    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Life skills    7. Travel    8. Travel - Foreign    9. Travel - General    10. Living & working abroad    11. Travel / General    12. United Kingdom, Great Britain   

Subjects:  1. Diet / Health / Fitness    2. Europe - France    3. General    4. Travel    5. France    6. Personal appearance & beauty care    7. Travel / Europe / France   

Reviews (4)

Great Guide...scavenger hunt idea and book for kids was great suggestion!!
We just returned from a trip to Venice and found Rick Steve's Venice 2006 book extremely helpful in navigating the city.We also took his advice regarding traveling with children (we have [...]) and used a scavenger hunt idea to keep them interested.We bought a kids book called "TREASURE HUNT VENICE" which was the ideal scavenger hunt for the kids to do.It truly was a perfect match in that the adults used the Rick Steve's book and the kids used the TREASURE HUNT VENICE book.

Buy it, read it, love it!
This book has become so hugely popular and successful there are no real secrets anymore. Booking recommended hotels is nearly impossible. Recommended eating establishments are usually crowded with Rick's book toting tourists, and I think this may even be now available in other languages.
The Only Book You Need For Venice
If you're going to Venice BUY THIS BOOK.It's the only one you'll need.I promise you. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Italy    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Italy    6. Travel & holiday guides    7. Travel / Europe / Italy   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. European    4. Sicily    5. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Collections Of Photographs    2. Description and travel    3. Italy    4. Photo Essays    5. Photography    6. Pictorial works    7. Social life and customs    8. Travel - World/Europe    9. Views    10. Photographs: collections   

Reviews (1)

so hip it's one revelation after another
Wallpaper Magazine --- the bible of all that is cutting edge in international design/fashion/travel/interiors --- is celebrating its 10th birthday.
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Subjects:  1. Europe - France    2. Europe - General    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. France    6. Travel & holiday guides    7. Travel / Europe / France   

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 (23)

Poorly written
This was our only reference guide to 6 weeks in Spain. We tried to use it for Hotels and buses and trains and all of the things a traveller would need to know. Instead of useful information, we were assaulted with so many adjectives and adverbs that bordered on stupidity, we almost threw the book away. It does contain some information of value if you can get passed all of the pompous verbiage. We did use the book for some things, but important information could be a great substitution for many adverbs and adjectives.

Nada
This volume is so thick and so heavy that when it arrived, I couldn't wait to dig and delve into it for my upcoming trip to Spain. Our accomodation and flight plans already made, I was most interested in details about the Northern provinces we'll be driving around. Lonely Planet Spain does not seem to contain any details that don't have to do with hotels/hostels, restaurants, or public transport, or other practical topics. We were more interested in soaking up the flavors, the ambience, and the culture of the country and its people, its customs and traditions, its arts and its music. Guess it's just as well, as this tome would probably throw our luggage over the airline's weight limits.
YOU CAN DO BETTER THAN THIS GUIDE
I've purchased and relied on several Lonely Planet Guides.Unlike the other guides, the Lonely Planet Guide to Spain was not useful or helpful.Although I travelled to Spain in 2005, the 2005 edition's information concerning prices for lodgings, food, transportation and attractions was already out of date.One wonders when it was last updated.Moreover, the book is bulky and poorly organized, making it difficult to pinpoint information.Finally, information concerning secondary cities and towns is impressionistic at best.The Lonely Planet Guide to Spain was a disappointment, poor value and--most importantly--a poor guide to Spain. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Spain & Portugal    2. Guidebooks    3. Spain    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel Guides    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Editorial Review

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

Reviews (25)

Lonely Planet - Ireland
Outstanding!Just returned from our trip to Ireland, and found everything to be wonderful.For the areas we visited (Dublin and County Waterford), we went everywhere that was recommended, and were not disappointed.Loved the organization and presentation.

Best of the Best
Lonely Planet's "Ireland" is the most thorough travel guidebook I've found.It covers more subjects and lists more places than any other single guidebook. The descriptions are current, interesting and relevant.The maps are very useful and specific directions are given to get to the various sights listed.Also the Irish as well as the English form of place names is given - helpful when trying to interpret road signs.Various forms of transportation available in each place is also a bonus. This guidebook lists more lodging and eating options than any other. Whether you are into wind surfing or shopping, hiking or bar hopping, this book has a wealth of information for you. If you are only going to get one guidebook for your trip - this is the one to get.

Covers every little nook and cranny
My mom and I decided to spend a month driving all over Ireland.We took this book and the "Ireland (Eyewitness Travel Guides)" book.Both were very helpful.I'm drawn in more by pictures which is rather limited in this book but I promise in the 4 weeks we drove down all sorts of bad roads and lanes, never once did we come across a landmark, area or town that wasn't mentioned in this book!It was amazing.
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Subjects:  1. Europe - Ireland    2. Reference - Guides (General)    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Ireland    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (3)

A Culinary Traveller in Tuscany - Food for Thought
Delectable!
This book is what so many books claim to be but aren't -- an off-the-beaten-track gem.For any visitor to Tuscany with the time or inclination to go beyond the usual Florence-Lucca-Pisa-San Gimignano-Siena type of itinerary (to name just one), the book offers a wonderfully imaginative alternative: plan your days -- or the entire trip -- around the best restaurants to be found in the little towns that most tourists never visit.The author gives tantalizing descriptions of both the towns and restaurants (with maps and itineraries), and supplies plenty of recipes to boot.So the book will function in the kitchen just as well as on the road -- it is essentially half cookbook and half guidebook.But for me (not being much of a cook, and planning a trip to Italy) it was the places the author describes that were the most delectable of all.The book is a great idea, beautifully executed and beautifully written.

This book is like great advice from a friend
Beth Elon's descriptions and recommendations are spot-on.I got this book just in time for a trip to Tuscany and found it extraordinarily useful. We loved visiting the places she mentioned and found her recipes and description of local specialties a great help in making fantastic menu selections.Back home, the recipes are like having Tuscany in our kitchen.It's now my favorite book to give to food- and travel-loving friends. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cookery    2. Cookery, Italian    3. Description And Travel    4. Europe - Italy    5. Italian Cookery    6. Italy    7. Regional & Ethnic - Italian    8. Restaurants    9. Special Interest - General    10. Travel    11. Travel - Foreign    12. Tuscan style    13. Tuscany    14. Travel / Europe / Italy   

Reviews (10)

You can never go wrong with Rick
Rick is the best ... I gave this book to my parents after I had used his Paris book. He'll never steer you wrong, and he has the best self-guided tours of anyone. I used to use the "eyewitness" books, which are pretty to look at, but there is nothing like Rick's. The last time I was in Paris, I ran into a couple of people who were using his book, and we struck up a great conversation, and at the end we all agreed that Rick's books are the best way to go. It'll be money well spent.

Great book!
This is a great book to start you out if you've never been to Europe.It starts out with general information on how to prepare for the trip and what to expect.I recommend reading this first, then getting another Rick Steves book that specifies your destination country (this book gives general info about the different countries but his other books are full of details on one specific destinations).
Best of Eastern Europe 2006
Rick Steves' travel books never let us down.This book lists websites to get further information and to send for more brochures, however, we've found all the information we need in this book.He discusses each country and their cities.You get trip costs, sightseeing priorities and how long to stay to see the best areas, how to get around on public transportation and driving tips,and history.We used his travel books in the past and found them to never lead us off course.Steves' spends time in Europe researching all you could possibly want to know and can lead you around each country to get the most bang for your buck! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - General    2. Europe - Western    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Europe    6. Travel & holiday guides    7. Travel / Europe / General   

Reviews (10)

Very Good Book
I read The Magic Treehouse # 15: Viking Ships at Sunrise. This book is very good. Whenever Jack and Annie want to visit a place, they point to a picture and say, "I wish to go there." Morgan sent Jack and Annie to Ireland to solve a mystery. They had many adventures. The most exciting part of the book was when the serpent rose out of the water.
Viking at sunrise
I think you should buy this book because Mary Pope Osborne has great illustrations in this book.The book is about Jack and Annie.The story is set to Ireland a long time ago and they gt in truble with some vikings.You have to read the book to find out what happens.

READ ME!!!!!!!
It was about Annie and Jack going to a island trying to find civilization and they meet some monks on the island. They go to their village and look at itand vikings come. I like the part when the sea monster saves them. I did not like the beginning of the book becouse they where not at the island. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Action & Adventure - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 4-8 Fiction    3. Children: Grades 3-4    4. Fiction    5. Historical - Ancient Civilizations    6. Ireland    7. Juvenile Fiction    8. Monasteries    9. Osborne, Mary Pope    10. People & Places - Europe    11. Readers - Beginner    12. Time travel    13. Vikings    14. English    15. English language readers    16. Italian    17. Juvenile Fiction / Historical / Ancient Civilizations   

Reviews (58)

Almost mediocre
As an American with shoddy French skills who has been living in the Il de France for the past six months, I found this book incredibly superficial at best and whiny and self-indulgent at worst.First of all, to call this book a love story is ridiculous.Frederic has less presence in the book than her pedigreed dog (or was THAT the "love story"?). From what I read, poor old Frederic seemed no more than a ticket to stay in France, rent free, because she had nothing better to do.
Really funny and interesting
I LOOOVE this book, it has made me laugh to tears. I am half French-half Latina, leaving in the US with my American husband, so I totally relate to Sarah as an uprooted expat. But also, as a French, I find her analisys on French people really accurate. This book is a MUST read for bicultural couples, it can shed a - often desperatly - needed light on their struggles, plus it is deeply entertaining, Sarah's style is witty and fun, and her analisys is profound. This is one of my favorite books! But, I must add that people that have never lived abroad may not get it...

Loved this book
This is a wonderful book.Anyone who has ever been to France, plans to go, thought you could emulate the French style or ever thought you could be mistaken for a French person (not possible), or loved two countries, this is the book to read.I wish it were longer so that I could have stayed with Sarah to learn more of her experiences in that beautiful country.As a result of reading it I will pay more attention to the clothes I wear and get rid of some schmockties (sp) I thought were OK.This book is a little gem.I will recommend it to all my friends but I will keep my own copy to read again. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Europe - France    5. General    6. Personal Memoirs    7. Travelers    8. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

Reviews (1)

Our Most-Used Source
This book is worth the price and the last-minute shipping that we needed to get it to us before our flight to France.We referred to it constantly.We used it to select which drives to take on a given day, and it is of great value here.Readers may disagree with some of the star-ratings on certain sites (and sights), but this is to be expected and one should calibrate oneself against the views of the author.For example, we would rate Aix-en-Provence lower, Nimes lower, and the upper Vaucluse in general higher.Once you see where your tastes lie (Roman ruins more interesting than Vacqueyras tasting?) then you will know how to use the book to its best advantage.Highly recommended. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automotive - General    2. Automotive Transportation    3. Europe - France    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel Guides    7. France    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Travel / Europe / France   

Reviews (9)

Useful but limited and too patronizing
There is no denying it, this book has lots of useful tips and is easy to use but I did find the tone a bit patronizing at times. I really don't need someone to tell me what to think, even when in a foreign country. I also did not like the "show this book for x% discount" offers - I rather pay full price elsewhere and know the place is in the guidebook on its own merits.
Trite and conventional
Was very disappointed with this book.Not only did it cover only the most touristy places, but it left out many more interesting, not as common, sites.The real tip off is that he lists places that "guarantee the price listed here if you show them your copy of this book" or offer a "10% discount" with this book.That isn't really objective reporting in my opinion.

A bit too opinionated for me!
I haven't see the TV show, but a friend loves the series and strongly recommended the book.Before our family trip for 10 days throughout Germany, I purchased a few different travel guides. After having each of them in hand before leaving home, we took 3 books with us.By the 3rd day, we only carried 2 books with us: Daytrips Germany, 6th Edition and then as a BACKUP, Rick Steves' Germany and Austria 2006.It was okay, but a bit too snarky for me.Using the 2 books together were great for finding tourist sites, great restaurants and hotels that could accommodate 2 adults and 2 kids (most hotels don't have rooms with 2 beds!). ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Austria    2. Europe - Eastern    3. Europe - Germany    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Austria    7. Germany    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Travel / Europe / Germany