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

Reviews (3)

One of the best books I've ever seen!
Everyone who I have ever shown this book to has had a deep reaction to it. I wouldn't handicap this book by calling it a photography book alone, although the photos are very powerful and prominent, but the text deserves recognition aswell. Plenty of personal stories of how people made this decaying city their home. Both epic and intimate. A testament of the human animal's ability to adapt and thrive. Thank god the authors got in to Kowloon before its destruction to create this book.
City of Darkness--Life in Kowloon Walled City
I was born in Hong Kong and lived in the Walled City for 2 years with my mother when I was 10. Love the photos, history, and facts about the walled city, bring back lots of memories.
one of a kind
An amazing insight to the abolished walled city with beautiful photos. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Hong Kong    2. Places & peoples: general interest    3. Asian / Middle Eastern history    4. China   

Editorial Review

How can you join the ranks of America's wealthy (defined as people whose net worth is over one million dollars)? It's easy, say doctors Stanley and Danko, who have spent the last 20 years interviewing members of this elite club: you just have to follow seven simple rules. The first rule is, always live well below your means. The last rule is, choose your occupation wisely. You'll have to buy the book to find out the other five. It's only fair. The authors' conclusions are commonsensical. But, as they point out, their prescription often flies in the face of what we think wealthy people should do. There are no pop stars or athletes in this book, but plenty of wall-board manufacturers--particularly ones who take cheap, infrequent vacations! Stanley and Danko mercilessly show how wealth takes sacrifice, discipline, and hard work, qualities that are positively discouraged by our high-consumption society. "You aren't what you drive," admonish the authors. Somewhere, Benjamin Franklin is smiling. ... Read more

Reviews (674)

Wow- I had no idea!
I guess that when you think of millionaires, you think of flashy people with nice cars and a lot of bling, but I had no Idea that there were so many BORING millionaires!I guess it's not really pboring to have over a million dollars, but I want to be able to enjoy my monye.THeat's the purpose of this book , though- to show that you have to be boring and then you can get to be a millionaire with all the money you didn't spend on fun stuff!I almost fell asleep a couple times reading this, but when I stayed awake it was really eye-opening.I won't scoff at those people who don't have "big hats" but have a lot of cattle anymore.

Common Sense
Nothing really groundbreaking here.Mostly common sense.You can visit a few websites and virtually get the same info presented in this book.

Unrealistic, repetitive, couldn't finish
This book was interesting at first.It shatters what most of us think the typical millionaire looks and acts like, but that only takes a chapter.After that, it just keeps repeating itself over and over."Who do you think bought the $1000 watch and who bought the lower priced watch?"Yeah, yeah, I get it; the millionaire has a lower priced watch than the overspending, no real wealth guy.
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Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Business/Economics    4. Consumer Finance    5. Finance    6. Millionaires    7. Personal Finance    8. Personal Finance - General    9. Rich people    10. United States    11. Wealth    12. Places & peoples: general interest    13. USA   

Reviews (25)

Way too much eating
This book gets to the heart of what really constitutes a book review.Does a book get X stars because it is grammatically correct?Because the
Great descriptions of her travel adventures
Here is an interesting audio that chronicles the author's various travel adventures to places such as Italy, Spain, Portugal, Morocco, Greece, Crete, Scotland, Turkey and sites along the way. She and her husband travel for extended periods of time and often rent a local apartment so they can blend in with the locals. Perhaps the defining feature of this audio is the colorful description of the people and scenery they encounter, along with the useful travel tips she offers. As a former professor, she provides an excellent historical detail and a keen observer's eye. More reviews at [...].

Disappointing
I had looked forward to this book so much and I was so disappointed. It was incredibly slow moving which puzzled me until I realized that these were a bunch of college lectures hobbled together. She went on and on about food but after reading Julia Child's book the descriptions were flat not exciting. If you want to read someone who appreciates food, read Child not Mayes. I really couldn't stand how she mocked other tourists because, believe it or not, Ms. Mayes you too are a tourist. If I was that cruise company, I'd send her a bill. She also seems to have a major problem with overweight people. It was a catty, boring book. I wished I had read the reviews before I bought it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Essays & Travelogues    3. General    4. Mayes, Frances    5. Travel    6. Travel - General    7. Travel Guides    8. Travel writers    9. United States    10. Travel / Essays & Travelogues   

Editorial Review

Reacting to an itch common to Midwesterners since there's been a Midwest from which to escape, writer Bill Bryson moved from Iowa to Britain in 1973. Working for such places as Read more

Reviews (249)

Hilarious
I love Bill Bryson's books, even though I've criticized a couple of them. He's witty, urbane, insightful and an all around fun guy. In fact, he's my favorite liberal and one of only 4 or 5 with an I.Q. above 95. This book is just a wonderful insight into the mind of the British, and a sad eye-opener to some of the tragic destruction of the environment that made Great Britain what it was. If you want to have a wonderful, relaxing and quite funny journey through Great Britain from the eyes of an American who lived there for many years, do read this book. In fact read all of Bill's books, you won't be sorry. Thanks Bill, you're my hero!!!

Great stories, good humor, bad narration voice
The book is brilliant, no question about it. His stories are great, his humor dry and culturally insightful. The problem is that, like all audio books, the voice of the narrator can make or break the experience. And in this case, unfortunately, the voice of the author fails the material.
Laughs galore
This is the third Bill Bryson travelogue I have read.This has several laugh-out-loud sections, particularly if you have travelled in the United Kingdom.It is excellent for relaxing on weekends or on a plane.If you have never been to the UK and don't know any British people, then don't form all your opinions based on this one book, but Bryson does a good job distilling some of the differences between our nations into an amusing few hundred pages. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th century    2. Bryson, Bill    3. Civilization    4. Description and travel    5. England    6. Essays & Travelogues    7. Europe - Gt. Britain/England    8. Form - Essays    9. Journeys    10. Topic - Political    11. Travel    12. Travel - General    13. Travel / General   

Reviews (21)

OK, but not complete
This book is a lot of fun, but I question some of the hidden Mickeys in the book. Some aren't exactly hidden (the Mickey's in MouseGear at EPCOT, for example) but merely decorations. Other are very questionable and really aren't hidden Mickeys at all (by this I mean, just because there are three circles together doesn't mean they are a Mickey. A true Mickey has one large circle with two smaller circle ears). Other Mickeys are just over looked. For a free list of the Mickeys, you can also just checkout SpaceCoast Hidden Mickeys on the web. Overall, it's a fun book, but don't buy it if you are looking for a real list of the Mickeys.

can't wait to get searching
I really like this book because it is set up that it will be very easy to use on a vacation to the disney parks. I wish that there was a disneyland version of this book

Family Fun
If you have been to Disney a ton of times, This is the book for you. If it's your first time I think you'll enjoy it as well, BUT for you returners get ready to see the park in a hole new light.Whether you're with the kids or just a bunch of fun loving adults you got to try this. The book is set up like a scavenger hunt (for hidden Mickeys) and will give you excellent hints on where to look (with out giving away the exact location) and at the same time show you the best way to see each park. As a 34 year veteran I know my way around and this is just the way I do the parks (for the most part)shortest lines and most attractions covered. The book includes a scoring system witch is great for deciding who is picking up the bill for the next meal. But how ever you do it, it is lots of fun. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    2. Transportation    3. Travel    4. Travel - United States    5. United States - General    6. United States - South - South Atlantic (General)    7. United States - South Atlantic - Florida    8. Transportation / General   

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 (19)

Tries to do too much...
China is such a massive country with a rich culture that it is a formidable task to really explore it in one book, even if it is very thick! I used this during a 2 week trip to Eastern China and found that many of the sights that we really enjoyed and seemed to attract a fair amount of tourists were really shafted in this guide book. Maps of the subway system was useful to have, but the stations themselves are very well marked. Really didn't use this as much as I have used my LP books on trips in the past.

Hope it's good!
Appears to be chuck full of info.However, won't know the accuracy until I use it next month.

Best for the Backpacker
Overall, "Lonely Planet" remains the best travel guide for the backpacker. ... Read more

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

Reviews (9)

The Best Of Everything, Anywhere On This Little Blue World
If. If. If. If only life was made for carefree voyages of exploration around this planet of ours. 10 Best of Everything is another volume in the genre of fantasy tourism. (Because who on earth could ever do even one fraction of everything that's listed?) This thick book details the best sites on earth in such categories as best golf courses, best tea shoppes, best sites along the Silk Road, best airlines to take, best places in the US National Park system, best sites in Rome, best places to have a good steak, best places to go in the Loire Valley, and many more bests as well. This is a nice book to peruse and if time and money were not factors, spending one's days trekking through the recommendations here would make for a memorable lifetime. 10 Best has beautiful photography worthy of the imprimatur of the National Geographic Society that rests on its cover, and everyone can probably find something in here that actually registers as a destination on their ultimate vacation list. Where other guides might be heavy on words, this one is loaded with illustrationsand bite-sized snippets of fact, and it's as enjoyable to look at this lavish, heavyweight book as it is to read its well-written descriptions of cities, roadways, restaurants, hotels, diving expeditions, and the shopping malls of Madrid. It's a fun book!

Choice, top picks.
Travel connoisseurs and armchair readers alike will relish these descriptions of some thirty top trips gathered by veteran travelers Nathaniel and Andrew Lande: trips to museums, ski and tropical resorts, gardens, train trips and more. Also included are cruises, wines, hideaways, and landmarks on nearly every continent. The authors are a world traveler and a food and wine expert: their recommendations are choice, top picks.
Ultimate Companion
This superb book immediately earned a place of honor on the shelf of Very Special Favorites in my personal library, and has retained that position each time I've succumbed to the delightful temptation of re-reading it.I recommend it enthusiastically and wholeheartedly.
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Subjects:  1. General    2. Guidebooks    3. Reference - Guides (General)    4. Travel    5. Travel - General    6. Travel Guides    7. Reference works    8. TRAVEL & HOLIDAY    9. Travel / General   

Reviews (11)

Pretty good
I like this book fairly well. It's got all kinds of information in it, which actually may be hard to wade through if you know which island you're going to, and you have to pass over the other island sections.
Not bad, but...
If you buy this, don't bother buying Frommer's Hawaii From $80 A Day. Most of it is word for word.

Is it current information?
I recently returned from Maui and used Frommer's 2005 along with another popular 2005 edition as a guide.Both provided current accurate information on lodging and activities and the other guide provided consistently accurate information on restaurants but I was surprised by the amount of either out of date or erroneous restaurant information in the Frommer's book.On one occasion we drove across the island for lunch at a recommended restaurant only to find out they are not open for lunch on any day.We went to another restaurant for dinner partly because of a dessert that Frommer's raved about.When we tried to order the dessert our waiter informed us they had not served that dessert in years.On another occasion we selected a restaurant based on a few specific dishes mentioned in Frommer's.When we arrived we did not find any of the items that interested us from the Frommer's guide on the menu.
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Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. Travel Guides - U.S.    4. United States - Pacific - Hawaii    5. United States - West - Pacific (General)    6. Hawaii    7. Travel & holiday guides    8. Travel / United States / West / Pacific (AK, CA, HI, NV, OR, WA)   

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 (21)

Lonely Planet Italy
This is the 3rd edition of Lonely Planet Italy that I've purchased in the past 6 years.They seem to get better with each new edition.I hightly recommend it for anyone traveling to this beautiful country!

Not worth the money.
Before embarking on a 2 month trip to Italy a friend let me borrow Rick Steve's guide and said that it was better. I was skeptical but took the book anyway figuring it might come in handy on such a long trip. She was right. Rick Steve's organizes information in a much clearer and more intuitive way. This comes in handy when you're standing in a busy square, you haven't eaten all day and everything you've tried so far has been a jip and you just want someone to tell you where you can find a good deal. Flipping through Lonely Planet you might think you've been handed a manual on how to overhaul an engine - overloaded with information poorly organized. Rick Steve's book on the other hand is a breath of fresh air or, to put it more tritely, a helping hand. Not to mention that his guides have a personal touch and some of Rick Steve's own character sewn into them. After some time you really get the sense that he's there with you, helping you along (- now isn't that sweet!).

Experience from living in rome and using the book
I've been living in Rome for about a month and a half now and I would consider the LP book average relative to other books I've seen. Most of the places to sleep and eat are overly expensive. I don't know about the average traveler, but as a college student backpacking through Europe, I hoped to find meals that were maybe at max $25 (which you can totally find if you're smart about it).
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Subjects:  1. Europe - Italy    2. Guidebooks    3. Italy    4. Reference - Guides (General)    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (4)

Not for the armchair cruiser
I would someday like to cruise around the world, and I bought this book in the hopes of learning more about the possible routes so that I could make some preliminary plans. I'm sure it will come in handy in a few years, but for now, it's overwhelming. World Cruising Routes
An absolute necessity for any small yacht going to sea.It is logically compiled and written.Jimmy Cornell has written a book that is exactly what every sailor needs...guidance in getting from port a to port b efficiently, safely, and with the best possible winds and weather.

Great Map
If you are looking for an excellent road map of the oceans and plan on traveling soon this is a good read.Read more

Subjects:  1. Boating - General    2. Boating And Sailing    3. Navigation    4. Reference - Cruise Guides    5. Sailing    6. Sailing - General    7. Sports    8. Sports & Recreation    9. Travel - General    10. Yachting    11. Sports & Recreation / Sailing   

Reviews (21)

This House of Sky: Landscapes of a Western Mind
The author "Ivan Doig" introduces Montana through his youthful eye and shares his rememberances of growing up in Montana. If you have yet to read any of Mr. Doig's excellent books or are already a fan; this book is not to be missed.

Enjoyable
I thoroughly enjoyed the book.The clincher was the realism and affection written into the characters.The work shares a time and place long since gone in this country.It makes one wonder if their own generation can live up to the character and accomplishments of the ones in the book.

This House of Sky, Tim Gauthier
The House of Sky was a good book because Ivan Doig talks about his experiences he went through in the town of White Sulfur Springs. He talks about his fathers experiences while he was growing up and how he dealed with them. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Doig family    6. Doig, Ivan    7. Fiction    8. General    9. Literary    10. Meagher County (Mont.)    11. Regional Subjects - West    12. United States - State & Local - General    13. History / United States / State & Local / West (AK, CA, CO, HI, ID, MT, NV, UT, WY)    14. Travel writing   

Subjects:  1. Latin America - South America    2. South America    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel Guides    6. Travel & holiday guides    7. Travel / South America   

Editorial Review

Many Costa Rica guides provide hotel, restaurant, and arrival information, but Lonely Planet's stands out from the pack. Written by Rob Rachowiecki, an award-winning travel writer and naturalist, this guide delves into Costa Rica's flora, fauna, and nature reserves like no other. Rachowiecki's Read more

Reviews (38)

This is a lucky book.
My friend said he has loaned this book to six people, all of whom have returned from Costa Rica, ecstatic and safe.This book is good luck... I said write to the author to tell him, and he said, "No, this is a really popular book, he gets hundreds of emails every week."I thought I'd try anyway.

Outdated, sorely lacking, get Tico Times in-country
I bought this book for my Costa Rica trip (8 weeks w/ a class, 3 weeks w/o), and replaced it within the first week. Most of the hotels are priced above what is listed, if they even exist anymore. Same with the restaurants. Also, LP over-emphasized many extreme tourist hotspots without giving enough info about smaller towns (don't miss Cauhita!), lesser-known forests (check out the Children's Eternal Rainforest), getting around by bus, super-budget hotels or border crossings. My advice: wait until you get into Costa Rica, then get the Tico Times guidebook, updated EVERY YEAR, written by the local english newspaper. It's easy to find and so much more relevant, with maps of every town, bus schedules, local festivals (where and when), border information, updated hotel + restaurant info, and how to find the information you can't find anywhere else.

Least helpful travel book I've ever used
I bought this book before a trip to Costa Rica, based on the "Lonely Planet" name alone.Lonely Planet usually publishes the best travel books, but not in this case.We found that the directions to many of the establishments were incorrect, as were the descriptions.Some of the locals even pointed out parts of the book that were blatantly incorrect, such as certain restaurants or bars that were in a different part of town than stated in the book. This particular book could have used a better fact-checker.I will not be taking it with me on my next trip to Costa Rica. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Central America    2. Mexico    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Costa Rica    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Editorial Review

Arguably one of the most profoundly important essays ever written on the nature and significance of "quality" and definitely a necessary anodyne to the consequences of a modern worldpathologically obsessed with quantity.Although set as a story of a cross-country trip on a motorcycle by a father and son, it is more nearly a journey through 2,000 years of Western philosophy. For some people, this has been a trulylife-changing book. ... Read more

Reviews (471)

Not a good philosophy book
If you are looking for a new and SUBSTANTIATED philosophical view, this is not the right book. An excellent work of fiction, great writing, yes, these you will find in this book -- but not a strong philosophy.
"Walden" Meets "Easy Rider"
Anyone with moderate intelligence and sufficient leisure can work out their own private philosophy.The worth of such a philosophy should not be measured by comparison to the great philosophers of the past (or present); rather we should ask how well does it assist its creator in coping with life.Some personal philosophies are crafted in such a way that they help, not just their creator, but large numbers of their creator's fellow beings.Thus it is with the personal philosophy of Robert M. Pirsig, who laments that he has not had an original thought in years.
It is worth rereadng several times
I read this book several times over the years and each time I get something new out of it. I'm a Christian and though this book derives some of its underpinnings from Eastern philosopy, the book gives a great overview of Western civilization. How the book uses geography, the personal relationships, his past history, and Greek and Eastern philosophy to prove his thesis is fascinating. The book has problems. The main character does not follow his own philosophy in some ways. Pirsig makes too broad of generalizations about the Greek philosophers. Phaedrus's experience at the University of Chicago does not ring true to me. However, the book challenges the reader to think, to ponder life in general and contemplate on how the branches of knowledge tie together.
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Subjects:  1. Eastern - General    2. Eastern - Zen    3. Emotions    4. Essays & Travelogues    5. Fathers and sons    6. General    7. Philosophy    8. Self    9. Travel - General    10. United States    11. Psychology & Psychiatry / General   

Reviews (2)

Should have been titled City Walks: Manhatten
We've spent a lot of time in NYC, and I can attest from experience that each walk is well worth taking. The format is easy to use, with a master card showing the location of all the walks, and clear directions in the cards.
Love the idea - Wish there was more detail
What a great idea. 50 adventures that you can stick in your pocket and enjoy without looking like you are a tourist. I pulled out a few cards written about parts of the City I know and love to see if the author knows her stuff. Take card 15 - the Ms. Fay touches the high spots: Abingdon Square, Ottomanelli's, Zito's, Murry's Cheese, Rocco's Pastry and more. Walk these streets led by her map and prose and you'll have a wonderful visit. Flipping through the cards, I think every significant neighborhood has been captured. I know in warmer weather, I'll use a couple of her cards to explore Brooklyn, the Bronx and Queens - boroughs that are a lot more of a mystery to me than Manhattan. Naturally, with a map on one side of a 4X5 card, there isn't much room left for text. Having said that, I wish we had more detail about each area - a small complaint. Maybe in V.2.0 some folded cards?
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Subjects:  1. Cards - Playing / Tarot    2. Travel    3. United States - Mid Atlantic - New York City    4. United States - Northeast - Middle Atlantic (General)    5. New York    6. TRAVEL & HOLIDAY    7. Travel / General   

Reviews (25)

A "must-have"
The collaborative effort of travel experts Virginia Maxwell, Mary Fitzpatrick, Siona Jenkins, and Anthony Sattin, Egypt is now in its newly updated and expanded eighth edition as the author-researched, traveler-tested guide from Lonely Planet to experiencing the wonder of the Land of the Pharaohs, whether on a business or pleasure trip. Black-and-white and color maps and photographs illustrate this information-packed guide to key locations in Cairo, the Nile Valley, the Western Desert, the Suez Canal, the Red Sea Coast, and much more. History, hours and admission costs of landmarks, a handful of useful words, and a crash-course in adapting to unfamiliarities of Egyptian culture are among the many useful features that make the 8th edition of Egypt a "must-have".
Seems straightforward and comprehensive
Although my trip is still in the planning stages - leave in 2 months - this book has been a real help.I'm learning about Egyptian customs, how to travel in a Muslim nation without undue problems and how to take their beliefs and customs into account.Hopefully this will make me not only a better guest in their country, but a better ambassador for my country.

Making the Trip a Good One
I have found Lonely Planet Egypt to be just what I wanted as I plan a long visit there next winter.
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Subjects:  1. Egypt    2. Guidebooks    3. Middle East - Egypt    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel Guides    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (7)

A Yenne for the past
Bill Yenne's photographic essay about the similarities and differences between San Francisco's past and present is one of several "past and present" photographic themes published by Thunder Bay Press involving a number of prominent American cities. See for your self
When visiting S.F., one couldn't help wonder about the history of this "young city". When walking the Embarcadero, reading all the "history stands", you wish you could go back in time and see what it was really like. I did just that, when i bougth this book. It made it possible to visit some of the buildings that still exists and visit places that once was. nice book
What makes this book special for me is the "now" photographs.The book's editor/photographer has made a sincere attempt to reshoot the photos, physically, from as nearly as possible from the original, without changing the photographic perspective.This allows the books' reader to view and compare the photos and know that streets, buildings, and other landmarks give an accurate view of how the city looked at a certain time.Accurate directions and locations listed in both historical and contemporary photos greatly enchances the value and arm chair travelers' enjoyment of the book. Buy a map of the city if you're not familiar with it. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. California - Local History    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History - U.S.    5. History: American    6. Photoessays & Documentaries    7. Pictorial works    8. San Francisco (Calif.)    9. Subjects & Themes - Travel - U.S./West    10. United States - State & Local - General    11. California    12. Local history    13. Travel & holiday guides    14. Sale Books   

Editorial Review

Bill Bryson follows his Appalachian amble, Read more

Reviews (361)

"Que Sera Sera"
I checked this out of the library and read it on the way to Australia to visit my daughter during her study abroad semester in Brisbane. She read it while we sailed the Whitsundays and dove on the Great Barrier Reef - well, not when we we actually in the water. Before whe started reading it, in conversations I regularly sited Bryson having commented on many of our topics, by saying something, "Just like in the book," or, "Bryson talks about that in the book." A little like Seinfeld having done so many topics, that we live parts of them in our daily lives. Anyway, we left the book on a plane. So, I'll buy a copy for the library and one for me - money well spent. It was a great introduction and punctuated much of the trip. A bus driver in Brisbane was actually whistling "Que Sera Sera," which,I think, was mentioned in the book. I'll find out when I read it again. I'd read Bryson's Sort History of Nearly Everything a couple of years ago. It's also a good read.

Audio CD review: His prose is annoying when spoken aloud
You get your money's worth here--there are a ton of CDs in this audio book. Unfortunately, I found Bryson's prose (which I enjoyed a lot when reading silently, as I have done with his other books) to be greatly irritating when spoken aloud. To me, he sounds kind of 'affected' in parts, and sometimes there is a sort of "moist" sound when he pronounces words. Hard to describe until you hear the CD, but trust me on this one. I think a lot of the positive reviews on here are for the book, and not the CD. I would stick with the written word on this one.

Why I read it twice...a review in two parts.
I took this book with me on a recent trip to Central America and absolutely loved it.While there is less narrative flow than, say, A Walk in the Woods, reading Bryson's thoughts on Sydney harbor, Australian-rules football, former Prime Minister Harold Holt (peace be upon him), forever walking through Canberra, and his near run-in's with a seemingly endless list of nasty (and apparently deadly) native animals was engaging and thoroughly enjoyable.He does this all the while encountering some pretty terrific and endearing folks, drinking many Victorian Bitters, and relaying an impressive and affectionate recounting of Australian history.There really is a lot to like here.So much so that upon finishing the book while still in Central America, and realizing that I committed the unpardonable sin of only bringing one book with me to read (you try finding a decent bookstore in Central America), I turned to the first chapter and started all over again.And it was equally engrossing, witty, and informative if not more-so.I can think of no higher compliment for a book and I recommend it whole-heartedly. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Australia    2. Australia & Oceania - Australia    3. Australia & Oceania - General    4. Bryson, Bill    5. Description    6. Description And Travel    7. Essays & Travelogues    8. Journeys    9. Travel    10. Travel - Foreign    11. United States - General    12. Travel / United States / General   

Reviews (1)

Here's a great book about some not well known great places.
Although you could probably find books on the Four corners, the Gulf Coast, the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, Chesapeake Bay, the Great Basin, the Ozarks, and the badlands/prairies of the Upper Midwest, it would take you a very long time, and a lot of money to find books covering these regions as well as they are covered in this single book. Read more

Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    3. No