Reviews (10)

Hey Ranger is a Good Book to Read
I have always wondered about the job of a National Parks Ranger.It was very enjoyable to read about experiences.It was also nice to read a little about the National Parks where the author worked.

Ah....The Memories!
Like a great song from years ago, Jim Burnett's stories hit you (and your funny bone) with nostalgia that takes you back to another time and place. My father was a Park Ranger for many years and the stories he told around the supper table keep in time with these (though I never remember laughing as hard as I did when I read about beavers gnawing on boat props!). Thanks for spinning some funny yarns about the outdoor-impaired! Now, if we could only get a reality show called..."So, you want to be a Park Ranger..."

Laugh and Learn
We saw this book while on vacation in Shenandoah National Park and decided to take a copy home. It was so much fun that we took turns reading it out loud in the car during the drive back. Our family has been campers and hikers for years, so we didn't have trouble believing some of the dumb things people do in parks, especially when it comes to wild animals. The author includes some really good tips for anybody planning a trip to the outdoors, but most of the learning is well disguised in the humor. This is a fun book for just about anybody. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Accidents    2. Anecdotes    3. Form - Essays    4. General    5. Humor    6. National parks and reserves    7. Outdoor Life    8. Outdoor Skills    9. Parks & Campgrounds    10. Satire And Humor    11. United States    12. Travel / General    13. Travel writing    14. USA   

Reviews (6)

Out dated material
I find nothing worse about a travel guide that is old before it is issued. I found almost every area of this book to be not just one or two years behind what the writer was saying about prices but even places that had been closed for more than two years before this book was sold. Maybe this writer should have done a little checking on his own, before letting it be published.
A Great Read as Well
Bill Friar is enjoyable to read. His books on Panama and the Canal have always appealed, because he is interested in the environment as well as the necessities of travel, hotel, restaurants.He brings the reader close to the sights, sounds and smells of a country, and off the usual beaten path.I recommend this book highly. Hal De Mun

Indispensable!
Just returned from 2 weeks in Panama with Mr. Friar's guidebook close at hand. We also had, by way of backup, a copy of the Lonely Planet guide. Without doubt the Moon Handbook is the superior guide and I would consider it indispensable for anyone traveling to Panama. Friar's writing style is highly readable and we found the research and his assessment of the opportunities to be spot on. From budget travel to luxury stays, Friar covers the gamut with humor and perceptive insight. The only caveat I would offer is that the prices quoted by the author are already out of date. We found lodging to be consistently $5 - 15 higher than the prices quoted in the book. This is the challenge of writing about a dynamic world using a static medium, and in no way is meant to be a negative comment about the book or author. The reality is that Panama has "been discovered," and prices are rising to reflect increasing demand. Still, we had a great time and the success of our trip was due in no small part to the guidance set down in Moon Handbooks Panama. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Central America    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Panama    5. Travel & holiday guides    6. Travel / Central America   

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 (45)

Great book
I have a tour operator in Peru, [...] I meet the writer, Rob Rachowiecki, he is a great explorer and he was a tour leader in Peru andean areas.
Take the advice!
I found the LP Peru guide to be a useful tool on my recent trip to Lima, Cuzco and Machu Pichu.The country overview was insightful, the restaurant recommendations were tastey, and the advice about altitude sickness was ignored.Big mistake.I've never paid attention to LP's health warnings and never had a problem.If you're heading to Cuzco, you'd be well advised to listen to their experienced writers and bring the necessary medicine.

Good, but missing info
I used this guide for travelling with my family and was fairly useful, except for some good spots that were not considered.
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Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Peru    3. South America    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (80)

Most helpful
This book helped us to plan our trip. It details lodging inside the park as well as those hotels outside the park. It has maps of each of the Disney Resorts with tips on which rooms to ask for. We hadn't been to Disney World in 15 years and weren't sure what was there. This book told us all that and more. It gave us tips on what park attractions to see during different times of the day and numerous tips for dining, lodging and getting around the parks. It gives details of each and every attraction at Disney World and Universal. It rates the rides for various age groups. It rates the restaurants and food courts in various categories. We carried it in a backpack everywhere we went and referred to it often during our stay. I would recommend this book to anyone going to Disney World for the first time or the fifty fifth time.

Worth Every Penny and More!
Bought this book in anticipation of a trip to WDW in 2007, but got to use it on a spontaneous trip to WDW a couple of weeks ago. We had just one day to make our travel arrangements. Found a great package deal through Priceline for air, hotel (Dolphin) and car. Had one day at Magic Kingdom, and followed the books tips and touring plan. Saw almost all of the Kingdom in 12 hours, including all the top attractions. For a quick trip through the Magic Kingdom, this book was the only way we could have seen and done everything we did.
Excellent!
My family and I just returned from our first trip to Disney World. (It was as blast!) Because it was our first time and we were essentially clueless to the Disney experience, we bought several guides.
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Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Special Interest - Family    3. Travel    4. Travel - United States    5. United States - South - South Atlantic (General)    6. United States - South Atlantic - Florida    7. Walt Disney World (Fla.)    8. Florida    9. Travel & holiday guides    10. Travel / United States / South / South Atlantic (DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV)   

Reviews (4)

Insightful and Helpful
A client who lived throughout Russia for around ten years and still conducts most of his business with Russians recommended this book to me.This is a good book, but a little too reliant on history in explaining present day Russian culture.The book really shines when talking about the Russians outside Moscow, but more and more the Moscow business elite seem to take their cue more from the New York or London elite than from their peasant ancestors, as this book contends. Overall, however, this book is as good any for gaining a better understanding of Russians and the Russian bureaucracy.

Short, well written and very insightful
Having lived and studied in Russia and being married to a Russian I am able to appreciate the tremendous understanding of the Russians by the author. this is a must read book if you intend to travel there, live there or marry someone who lives there; it will save you from making many mistakes or false assumptions. It is well written, concise , easy to read and inexpensive. Essential reading.

Modern Russian Culture: From Nyet to Da
This book is very informative and easy to read. My husband and I are traveling to Russia sometime in the next 2 months to adopt 2children and I feel it is important to understand their culture both for now and for their future. I have recommended this book to others on the adoption related mailing lists I am on and others have also responded favorably. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - Russia & the Former Soviet Union    2. History - General History    3. History: World    4. National characteristics, Russ    5. National characteristics, Russian    6. Russia (Federation)    7. Social life and customs    8. Social psychology    9. Anthropology    10. Cultural studies    11. Russia    12. TRAVEL & HOLIDAY   

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

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 (5)

tour guide
we were in nepal in recently and found this guide to be very useful and informative; will recommend it to anybody who is travelling to a new country.

Paperback Sherpa
The first time I traveled to Nepal I was on a limited budget, was alone, had no idea where I was going to stayand there was a riot going on in Kathmandu.
Here's another book to get in addition to L.P. Nepal
This book is great!I like to travel and not be a "typical american", and this book really helped me in that effort of knowing the culture and the land.I spent 5 weeks in Nepal and was more educated about the country/traditions/culture than any tourist I ran into.I spent a week in Kathmandu, 3 weeks trekking the Annapurna Circuit, and 1 week kayaking the Seti River.I used the medical section of this book (almost everyone gets sick), but should have bought a little medical book available in the bookstores in Kathmandu.Also, the trekking information in this book is good, but it's not great.If you want the BEST guidbook for trekking the Annapurna Circuit or Everest, then go to yetizone.you know what.It's a good site and the webmaster publishes his own guidebook for cheap!It's the best darn guidebook out there without question.Everyone I ran into in Nepal that looked at my book, and I mean EVERYONE, wanted to buy it or make copies.Also, it's not really a book, it's more like a little spiral bound pamphlet, so it weighs practically nothing, and I could keep it easily accessible in my cargo pocket.
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Subjects:  1. Asia - India    2. Asia - Southwest    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel Guides    6. Nepal    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Editorial Review

Tuscany's hill towns and countryside have enthralled inhabitants and visitors for centuries--the golden light in the afternoons, the grape arbors, and the rolling hillsides dotted with rustic farmhouses and villas.

Reviews (3)

Gorgeous book!
This book is so enjoyable!The pictures are beautiful...just looking through it takes me back to my favorite place in the world!
Beautiful, inspiring,full of memories of Italy
This book was so lovely. It contains exquisitephotos and many, many ideas applicable for my own home. Great decorating ideas. I've shared this book with other people who have been equally inspired by the warm,gracious, elegant living portrayed throughout. Highly recommend this bookfor yourself or gift. A lovelyway to remember past visits to Italy orinspire apersonal visit in the not too distant future.

A visual feast!
A beautiful book -- I enjoyed it much more than Tuscany Interiors which I also own.The houses range from simple to elaborate and -- of course! -- the landscapes and gardens are gorgeous. This is a great book from which to"lift" Italian decorating ideas. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architectural & Industrial    2. Architecture    3. Architecture, Domestic    4. Celebrities    5. Domestic    6. Dwellings    7. Interior Design - General    8. Interior decoration    9. Italy    10. Landscape    11. Landscape Architecture And Design    12. Photography    13. Residential Interior Design    14. Subjects & Themes - Travel - World/Europe    15. Tuscany    16. Architecture / Interior Design   

Reviews (14)

Delicious, full-bodied novel...
This book was fantastic!I probably loved this book out of sheer envy for what Ms. Steinbach did - pick up, and travel around the world to take classes and participate in life!I would love to do exactly the same.Since I'm not at the place where I could do just that (unfortunately!), reading this book was the next best thing...
In search of kindred spirits
The best thing about this book was the interest it sparked in me for adventures I had previously not considered.I'm now seriously thinking of doing two-week learning stints in interesting locations rather than the relaxing visits or typical tourist approach to seeing other cultures and countries.
With Reservations
After having enjoyed Steinbach's previous book, Without Reservations, I was eager to see what she has been up to in the past few years and if she and Naohiro are still an item. In Without Reservations, Steinbach tells the story of how she took a year off from her job, bought an apartment in Paris and fell in love. It is a story of risk and reward. It really happened, but Steinbach tells it like a story.
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Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Essays & Travelogues    5. Special Interest - Adventure    6. Travelers    7. Women    8. Biography & Autobiography / Women    9. Reading Group Guide   

Subjects:  1. Atlases    2. Atlases - General    3. Atlases - U.S.    4. Reference    5. Travel - United States    6. Travel Guides - U.S.    7. United States - Mid Atlantic - New York City    8. United States - Northeast - Middle Atlantic (General)    9. New York    10. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. 1945-    2. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    3. Description and travel    4. Japan    5. Japan - History    6. Photo Essays    7. Photography    8. Pictorial works    9. Social life and customs    10. Travel - World/Asia    11. Views    12. Places & peoples: general interest   

Reviews (27)

A must read if considering cruising
Beth Leonard made the cruising lifestyle come alive for me from
An Excellent Book
Just finished reading this excellent book on voyaging. The last few reviews left me wondering if the author would really have the experience to write about cruising. SHE DOES!!!
Worth reading
This author has copped criticism for being an inexperienced "yuppie" whose early lifestyle - a lifestyle she now decries as meanginless - helped pay for some easy cruising. This opinion is small minded. The simple fact the book is written by an honest woman gives it a rare and compelling resonance. Any man trying to honestly sell the cruising dream and any woman seeking a fair appraisal of what to expect from that dream will benefit from Bluewater Cruising. Does this book cover its topic exhaustively leaving no stone unturned? Not always - but none truly do. Does the book present our favourite subject in a different and useful way? Yes, I believe it does. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Boating And Sailing    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. Ocean travel    5. Reference - Guides (General)    6. Sailing    7. Sailing - General    8. Sports    9. Sports & Recreation    10. Motor / power boating & cruising    11. Ships & shipping: general interest    12. Sports & Recreation / Boating   

Reviews (9)

not well researched
I am from Prague, Czech Republic, Europe.
Lots of fun and guidance
There is so much data stuffed into this book about so many cultures that its almost overwhelming!This is an impressive book covering many countries and most of the information is still current, despite the fact the last version was copywrited back in the 1990s.
A Great Resource for International Travelers
The basis of this wonderful book is to show the customs, protocol and laws in societies that may be vastly different from the society in which you live.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business Etiquette    3. Business/Economics    4. Exports & Imports    5. General    6. Intercultural Communication    7. Manners and customs    8. Travel - General    9. Business & Economics / Business Etiquette    10. Etiquette & entertaining    11. International business    12. Travel & holiday guides   

Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. Travel Guides - U.S.    4. United States - Pacific - Las Vegas    5. United States - West - Pacific (General)    6. Nevada    7. Travel & holiday guides    8. Travel / United States / West / Pacific (AK, CA, HI, NV, OR, WA)   

Reviews (2)

Driven
If you're going to Boston and don't know you're way around, you will need this book.You will need to sit down and really look at it, and then keep it with you.If you get lost, don't try and use logic or common sense to unravel your path.Just pull over and get your map out, and make a plan before you try and inch your way back into traffic.
Great!
I purchased this book for my son who is moving to Salem, Mass., from Michigan in August 2006. He took it with him when he went apartment hunting and said it was "a great help." He also used it to explore Boston. He found it to be very detailed. He liked the fact that it is spiral bound, staying open easily on the needed page. For myself, I found the print just a tad too small, but being 52, my eyesight is not what it was... My son did not find this a problem. In fact, he felt that with bigger print, the book would be increased in size unfavorably. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Atlases    2. Atlases - General    3. Maps    4. Maps & Road Atlases    5. Reference    6. Reference / Maps    7. Travel - United States    8. Travel / Reference    9. Travel / United States / Northeast / New England (CT, MA, ME, NH, RI, VT)    10. United States - New England - Massachusetts    11. Cities and towns    12. Massachusetts    13. Road maps   

Reviews (6)

Superb book on English Culture
I have lived in UK and US several times and hold both a UK and US passport.My parents are British born and bred and now are American citizens.I have read a million of these types of books as I try to understand myself, my cultures, my backgrounds (both UK and US) and this book was amazing.It is such an excellent analysis of the English that I have just sent a copy to my parents too.I'd highly recommend it to anyone immigrating to the UK.I only wish I could have written a version for teenagers since spending 1/2 of my teens in the US and 1/2 in the UK was a challenge... trying to learn all of those unwritten rules of peer groups!

Wish I'd read it sooner.
This book is full of great insights and observations of English quirks, many of which I'd puzzled over since moving to London from the USA three years ago. I highly recommend it for anyone moving to the UK, or working regularly with Brits.

A tribal talent for avoiding fuss
"Really, I don't see why anthropologists feel they have to travel to remote corners of the world and get dysentery and malaria in order to study strange tribal cultures with bizarre beliefs and mysterious customs, when the weirdest, most puzzling tribe of all is right here on our doorstep." - Kate Fox
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Subjects:  1. Sociology    2. England    3. Places & peoples: general interest   

Reviews (1)

Postponed Trip
Because of the attack on Israel, we decided postpone our tour. The book looks very interesting, but right now it is irrelevant. ... Read more

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

Reviews (10)

Buy the 2005 version and save some money
I just got back from Spain a few days ago, having used the 2006 Frommer's Spain to plan our trip.None of the entries have been updated to reflect 2006 pricing for entry fees to museums, etc.The book has a small section in the front called "What's new in Spain" or something along those lines, but the rest of the book does not appear to have been updated for 2006.We ended up spending more than we had expected at almost every single place we visited on Frommer's advice due to the fact that the pricing was outdated.In hindsight, I would have saved some money and bought a used 2005 version.And FYI, most attractions have student discounts which knock up to half of the admission price off, so don't leave your student ID at home if you have one!

Thorough, Comprehensive and well-put together - excellent guide for Spain
Thorough, Comprehensive and well-put together.
The New 2006 Frommers Review
Note: This is for anyone contemplating purchasing the new 2006 travel guide of Spain by Frommers. Don't waste your money. Although I have purchased over 30 Frommers books in the past and enjoyed each one, the Spain book was awful. In Madrid, the book lists 20 or so "Top Attractions" (which is customary for Frommers). However, try to read about these attractions (e.g. what they are, hours of operation, etc.) and you can only find about half of them in the book. How do you know if it is worth treking across town for something that has no description?
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Subjects:  1. Europe - Spain & Portugal    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Spain    6. Travel & holiday guides    7. Travel / Europe / Spain & Portugal   

Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. Travel Guides - U.S.    4. United States - West - Pacific (General)    5. California    6. Travel & holiday guides    7. Travel / United States / West / Pacific (AK, CA, HI, NV, OR, WA)   

Editorial Review

Some stories are so enthralling they deserve to be retold generation after generation. The wreck in 1815 of the Connecticut merchant ship, Read more

Reviews (53)

Gripping Story
This book brings to life a survival struggle that is often hard to fathom.In addition to the sailors story the author adds interesting information on a variety of topics including history, science, geography.Book is worth reading.

Incredible Story!! Highly recommended...the trials that man can endure are AMAZING!
This story was incredible! Some of the things these men had to do to survive were truly inhuman and at times appalling. Even so th ebook is engaging from page 1 to the end. Amazingwhat the mind can do to keep the body from dying...and what it can do to make the body give up. This book had me angry, relieved, amazed and at all times entertained. I highly recommend it!!

Fascinating!
An absolutely spellbinding story!Hard to believe the hardship faced by the crew of the Commerce.This book made me become quite interested in the Sahara, on which I've read considerably since. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Africa, North    3. Description and travel    4. Discovery And Exploration (General)    5. Essays & Travelogues    6. General    7. History    8. History: World    9. Sahara    10. Ships & Shipbuilding - Shipwrecks    11. Shipwrecks    12. Slavery    13. Transportation