Reviews (41)

an enchanted Africa
Karen Blixen's wonderful writing actually reminds of another Dane, Hans Christian Anderson, for its magical quality and ability to make the most ordinary things latent with mystery. Africa becomes a fairy-tale world in the Dinesen's book, and the setting for her great love withDenys Finch-Hatton. One feels her love of him and of the countryside, and especially her devotion for the people who live all around her. A truly beautiful and mystical writer, who could see beyond the surface of things, she has the skill of imparting joy as well as tragedy.

A Breathtaking View of a Vanished World
I've long been fascinated by Isak Dinesen's life and with this book she lovingly describes the very heart of it, her sixteen years running a coffee plantation in the African highlands.She tells the reader almost nothing personal; but her descriptions of this vanished place and time are nothing short of magic.By "erasing" herself from the landscape, you are really and truly experiencing her life there.It was a mesmerizing experience and I hated to finish the book.Fortunately, it's now mine and I can re-read it any time I want to!

Denisen's Mastery of the Memoir
Denisen's ability to take you into Africa and make you know it as she did is astounding--she captures feelings very difficult to describe, and makes you want to see Kenya for yourself, the Hills of Ngong. She is a story-teller, yes, but she does not tell her stories in any way conventional; much of the time you have no idea as to the chronological order of things. Yet it doesn't matter, because she is conveying feelings and emotions which are not limited by time. And when time does come to play a role in her stories you are informed of it as is necessary. I would recommend this to anyone who wants to experience life as it should be experienced, confusing the primitive life of the Natives with the sophisticated Europeans come to visit Isak on her farm. Through the course of the novel, conflicts arise, celebrations take place, nature's best is described in full detail, and living things die as is natural. Denisen ends her work as beautifully as she began it, and you feel as though you have been through something really important when you finish. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1895-1963    2. 20th century    3. Authors, Danish    4. Biography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Classics    7. Country life    8. Description And Travel    9. General    10. Kenya    11. Literature - Classics / Criticism    12. Social life and customs    13. Biography: general    14. Dinesen, Isak    15. Fiction / General    16. Homes and haunts    17. Travel writing   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (21)

The Best Autobiography I've ever read
I find most autobiographies to be masterbatory exercises in which the authors attempt to explain themselves.
There Is No Africa
Underlying Blixen's tale of early 20th century Africa is the presumption that there was such a place; that is, a people or nation of peoples existed to which she went and from which she was forced to depart by economic circumstances. This presumption a priori allows her to reminisce about Africa the way it was or was supposed by her to have been.
Here I am, where I ought to be.
I'm another reader who comes to Out of Africa by way of Holden Caulfield in Catcher in the Rye; and it became recommended reading before I visited Kenya for myself in the early 90's.So, having just finished it and now half way through Shadows on the Grass, my overall impression is a pleasant one.I enjoyed Dinesen's writing style very much, and would agree with many readers that Out of Africa deserves a place among the classics in English literature.It's Karen Blixen's memoirs of her time in Kenya around WWI, living and working on her coffee plantation near Nairobi.Her descriptions of the Natives, her European friends, the land, the animals, flora and fauna are incredible.The chapters shift back and forth in time, some focused on specific events and individuals, some more whimsical and anecdotal.Reading Out of Africa transports the reader into early 20th Centrury colonial Kenya, and more concretely, onto Ms. Blixen's farm at the foot of the Ngong Hills.Years later she takes up her time in Africa again in Shadows on the Grass, talking more about her loyal Somali servant & right-hand man, Farah, taking a more philosophical tone regarding "masters & slaves", Native superstitions, manners, and so on.Shadows is inferior in many ways to Out of Africa, and it feels more like an "addendum" to the main work, which is poetry by comparison.By the time she writes it, she seems to have grown slightly more distant, and well, Colonist European.
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Subjects:  1. 1895-1963    2. 20th century    3. Authors, Danish    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography/Autobiography    8. Country life    9. Description and travel    10. General    11. Kenya    12. Literary    13. Social life and customs    14. Women    15. Biography & Autobiography / Women    16. Dinesen, Isak    17. Homes and haunts   

Reviews (4)

A bird's eye view of everything Dansk.
Had the perfect blend of pictures and history. Could have had a wider shopping section (like something other than clothes, you know), but that's no different from all other guide books.

Beautiful travel guide
We will take a 3-week trip to Europe, including long stays in Denmark and Sweden, so I am not counting on just one travel guide to be the definitive travel guide for my family.Denmark (Eyewitness) is a beautiful guide, with incredible full-color pictures on high-quality paper.
Best guidebook on Denmark
I have travelled to Denmark for many years and this is by far the best guidebook that has come out on this fascinating and beautiful country.The text and visuals are well done as are the explanatory notes on the culture, language and food of Denmark.Highly recommened. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Denmark    2. General    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel Guides    6. Travel / Europe / Denmark   

Reviews (4)

Nifty little guide
This was very helpful in providing a brief overview of the cities I was visiting.However, I like pictures so I can cross reference any of the historical sites I'm seeing.

Great book!
I found it to be a wealth of information before my trip and during.

Frommer's Denmark
Imagine moving to Denmark as a U.S. citizen and working for a Fortune 500 Firm.Now think of bringing your family here for a week of house hunting and 2 months of summer, while you complete your 9 month assignment. Now begin your research on books regarding Denmark."Ah Frommer's has a new first edition!""Okay I'll purchase it." The errors our family noted were- 1)on a cold day in February my daughter (14) and I walked to the Carlsburg Brewery (it was about 1 mile from our Radisson SAS Hotel in Fedricksburg) because it was open on Monday while the museums were closed(We'll make good use of our 9 day initial visit.) Frommer's was wrong, it is not open on Mondays. 2)Hey we are going to live in Denmark for the summer, let's plan on venturing to the Legoland, since we had children ages 4, 11 & 14 to entertain.Time to make the overnight accomodations for our visit to Legoland; okay, let's pull out the Frommer's.Read about Legoland, then contact the Legoland Hotel on site (the only hotel listed by Frommer's for the town of Billund).When we contacted the phone number listed for Legoland we reached not the Legoland Hotel but a travel agency! Hotel Legoland had no rooms available for the July dates we needed, however,they recommended a nearby hotel called Hotel Propellen.It turned out to be the nicest family suite our family has ever encountered.(2 large rooms (a bath with a 7ft. tub, 8ft. double sink,and a separate shower; bar; deck with wooden patio furniture).The hotel offered a kidde pool, large pool,sauna, tanning beds, dining rooms, outside dining, heart shaped whirlpools, exercise room, parking lot, walking trails, a playground for big kids and little kids (2)- with a large trampoline which was low lying, and an enormousbreakfast buffet (with a child's play area in the breakfast area)that was included in our room price .This hotel was only 500m(a 3-5 minute walk to the Legoland entrance).Why hadn't Frommer's recommended it and why did they only list one Hotel for a resort that is as hugely attended as Disney World, Disney Land, and Sea World!3)There was another error in Frommer's recommendatons but I forget what it was. I veiwed the rest of their information with caution and wondered what else might have been in error if they couldn't get these major attractions correct.The Danes are great with promoting their towns' and cities' attractions on colorful literature.The City of Copenhagen even promotes "Copenhagen This Week" complete with events, times and phone numbers.I found this free information more valuable and a greater breath of knowledge than "Frommer's Denmark". July 2001 ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Denmark    2. Europe - Denmark    3. Europe - Scandinavia    4. Guidebooks    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel Guides    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Travel / Europe / Scandinavia   

Reviews (1)

Useful Helsinki Guide
This travel guide has nice pictures of Helsinki and nice color maps. The pull out map is especially useful and colorful. The walking routes are nice and I also like the excursions section. After reading this book the full Finland Insight Guide is probably not worth the price unless you really are spending a long time in Finland. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Denmark    2. Europe - Scandinavia    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel Guides    6. Finland    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Europe - Denmark    2. Europe - Scandinavia    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel Guides    6. Denmark    7. Travel & holiday guides    8. Travel / Europe / Denmark   

Reviews (6)

A fun and challenging read.
Lydia is a prime example of a person who placed her focus on eternity and saw the hand of God move on her behalf. Derek did a good job portraying his wife's story.

One of the most amazing God's story ever !
"Appointment in Jerusalem" was the second christian book I've read. The first one was "The Cross and the Switch blade" by David Wilkerson and I thought I would never find a book like that... ever... until I read "Appointment in Jerusalem" ! This book changed my spiritual life and took it to a different level. I swallowed it in 2 days... couldn't stop reading... I definitely recommanded it ! It is exceptionnal !!

Please read this book!
A very impressive book. It made a big difference in my life.Read more

Subjects:  1. (Lydia Christensen),    2. 1890-1975    3. Biography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Christianity - General    6. Denmark    7. Description and travel    8. Jerusalem    9. Pentecostals    10. Prince, Lydia    11. Religion    12. Religious   

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

Features

• Folded Map

Subjects:  1. Europe - Denmark    2. Maps & Road Atlases    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Denmark    6. Travel / Europe / Denmark    7. Travel / road maps & atlases   

Reviews (5)

Highly recommended: cover it all in a honest way
Time Out Copenhagen covers it all, and more. Having read this book before actually going to Copenhagen is the best one can do. You will know exactly what to visit, where to eat and stay, where kids can play, and more. It is refreshingly honest and contains lots of information such as fees, schedules, addresses, maps, pictures. You will read if the place is popular and if the authors think it is worth it, if you get what you paid for, etc. Best book I bought on the matter. The book is organized in a way that makes it is hard to put down too. Highly recommended.

Good travel guide laid out by topic
I really appreciated the layout of this book by topic (i.e. Where to Stay, Sightseeing, Eat-Drink-Shop, Arts & Entertainment, etc.).Although this may make it a better bet for those planning ahead well in advance instead of dropping into Denmark, it is a perfect companion to Denmark (DK Eyewitness Travel Guides), which is laid out mainly by region.

Great Guide Book
I recently went to Copenhagen in mid-July 2004, and this was my first time there. I didn't know anything about the place and I needed to find good information about accommodation, restaurants, and transportation.This Time Out Copenhagen Guide book was truly informative and accurate.I stayed in a hotel mentioned in the book and it was great (lovely romantic rooms). I tried one of the restaurants recommended and that was wonderful too (great food, lovely atmosphere). Other witty and funny information about the history, famous/not-so famous Danish people, etc., in the Guide helps me to understand the city and locals more. I am really pleased with this guide book.I have ordered many guide book in the past (e.g. EyeWitness Guides) and I find Time Out Guides to be better in comparison. The information about the hotel accommodations, restaurants, etc., are spot-on, uptodate, and very useful. I will definitely buy more Time Out Guides for other cities in the future. I really recommend Time Out Guide book to anyone who are deciding on which Guides to buy. ... Read more

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

Subjects:  1. Europe - Denmark    2. Europe - Scandinavia    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel Guides    6. Denmark    7. Travel & holiday guides    8. Travel / Europe / Denmark   

Subjects:  1. Europe - Denmark    2. Travel - Foreign    3. Travel / Europe / Denmark   

Reviews (1)

I laughed till I cried - the second time I read this..
After 2 years in Denmark this book still managed to provide insights into the Danes. I find myself quoting it when trying to discribe Denmark toothers ... and even gave it to my Danish boyfriend to give him perspectiveson what others see as 'Danish'. His constant 'you mean other people dont dothat' where only interupted by his laughter. Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Denmark    2. Europe - Scandinavia    3. General    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Denmark    7. Ethnography    8. Humour    9. Reference / Curiosities & Wonders   

Subjects:  1. Essays & Travelogues    2. Europe - Denmark    3. Reference - General    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel Guides   

Reviews (1)

Tell me something I don't know...
I have used Lonely Planet guide books in many countries and find them to be the superior guide book for all destinations... in the third world.Lonely Planet falls short in Europe and this book, Lonely Planet Denmark, is no exception.This book reads like a Let's Go travel guide; one doesn't need a guide book to find pizza and kebab shops anywhere in the world, especially in Denmark where they proliferate as cheap eats.What I look for is a guide to the out of the ordinary, as well as the places and food establishments that are unique to the country I'm visiting.This book lacks that depth of research and proved to be little more than unnecessary weigh in my luggage.
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Subjects:  1. Europe - Denmark    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Denmark    5. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (12)

Terrible!
This book was a terrible introduction to Denmark and the Danes, primarily because it was soooo negative!When I arrived in Denmark I found the Danes to be nothing like the ogres described in this book.I did, however, give the book two stars because there are some good things in there about the government and history.Choose another book as yourintroduction to Denmark!

some good advice, but disdain for dk permeates text
I'm an American who lived in DK for a time and am returning. I thought the book would help because I had some problems previosly adjusting to danish culture. For example, it took me a long time to realize that cultural traits such as no customer service, the lack of polite words in the language itself and the general shyness of people wasn't personal. (i actually hated some things) But this author goes so far as to hate every aspect of danish culture to the point where it becomes a distraction. He hates the people, the weather, the countryside, the government, tax. At the end of the book he leaves the country because he couldn't adjust. So, don't expect this book to help you adjust and don't take the text that seriously. The author has a very skewed, seeming angry perspective of DK (even from my pov as someone with a few grudges against the country...I found myself taking the danish side) It may be helpful still to have a basic overview and it gives some advice on where to look for a job, orgs to contact for help, ect. Overall the book was slightly useful but some of it is untrue and prejudiced.

Interesting, but more discouraging than insightful.
I purchased this book prior to moving to Denmark from the US.This was the second Culture Shock book which I purchased and I have been disappointed with both books.Overall, I find the Culture Shock series to present the worse stereotypes of a culture.Some people may find these stereotypes to be true, but I certainly have not experienced all of the difficulties which the author has described.The author is Danish, but has returned to Denmark after living in Asia for a good number of years.You will find the author lamenting about such things as not being able to find someone to wire his stereo for him which he blames on the Danish mind of being self sufficient.I do think that the author does have some valuable insights into the Danish culture, particularly the welfare state.However, overall I found the advice to be discouraging rather than useful and not indicative of what I have experience during my past year and a half in Denmark.I would recommend referencing one of the guide books such as Rough Guide or Lonely Planet instead. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Denmark    2. Europe - Scandinavia    3. Reference - General    4. Special Interest - Business Travel    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign   

Subjects:  1. History    2. History: American    3. Travel - United States    4. United States - New England - Maine    5. United States - State & Local - General   

Reviews (1)

Reliable guide to an exciting city!
This book was extremely informative, all information is clear and concise and was easy to navigate through.Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Denmark    2. Europe - Scandinavia    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign   

Reviews (4)

Finlandfrom Portugal
Good value, well written and with pictures os good quality.
Beautiful and clever guide to a beautiful country
All too often, Finland has been unfairly treated by many snobbish travel writers - too clean, too expensive, too Northern. For many of those identifying Finland only with mobile phones, the history, the architecture and the landscapes of this brave, spectacularly handsome and exceedingly talented country is largely unknown. This guide tells the story and shows the pictures in a friendly, seemingly effortless and hugely informative way. An American in Helsinki says thumbs up!
I lived in Helsinki for 4 months and traveled around a bit (to Kuopio, Karigasniemi and Ivalo, as well as eastward to St. Petersburg). This is the best guide to Finland I've seen in English. They give not only important tourist information (maps, restaurant and hotel recommendations, attractions, tips, etc.), but also great cultural and historical information that will help put all the tourist stuff in perspective for you.Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Denmark    2. Europe - Eastern    3. Europe - General    4. Europe - Scandinavia    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel Guides    8. Finland    9. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Europe - Scandinavia    3. International Architecture - European    4. Public, Commercial, or Industrial Buildings    5. Reference    6. Travel    7. Denmark    8. Travel & holiday guides