Reviews (33)

Very, very Dissappointing
I like Susana Palazuelos, I enjoyed her meal at Izote in Mexico City...and have used her recipes, but I have no idea what she was doing for this book.
a great book
this was a terrific book with lots of beautiful pictures and easy to follow recipes. there was something for everyone from novices to chefs. its great!!

Fantastic
"Mexico, The Beautiful Cookbook" not only is a wonderful cookbook filled with authentic recipes, but also a gorgeous coffee table book showing the beautiful country of Mexico.
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Subjects:  1. Cookery, Mexican    2. Cooking    3. Cooking / Wine    4. Description and travel    5. General    6. Mexico    7. Regional & Ethnic - Mexican    8. Cooking / General    9. Mexico - Description and Travel    10. Mexican   

Reviews (38)

He phoned this one in.
Deeply disappointing in quality and quantity for this Bryson fan. I order his titles automatically, but would have passed on this had I read the reviews first and realized it was a CARE puff piece .

An easy-to-read introduction to Africa
This is a good-humored and entertaining record of Bryson's visit to Kenya.It's a short book about a short trip, and so it would make a good read for someone just beginning to get interested in Africa.

Bill Bryson's African Diary
Though short, the sad realities don't necessitate a longer one.As usual, Bryson's writing is very enjoyable. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Africa    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Bryson, Bill    4. Description    5. Description And Travel    6. Kenya    7. Personal Memoirs    8. Travel    9. Travelers    10. History / Africa   

Reviews (2)

GreatMaps!
I had to use the book for a geography class.Didn't really read it a whole lot, but the maps are OUTSTANDING!!!Tons of maps, full color, really well detailed.If you are looking at it for a class, GET IT!!!The maps are great!

Concepts and Regions in Geography...
Seems like the typical geography text book but it's neither dumbed down nor intimidating.The CD and website are very very helpful and interesting.The Amazon new price when I bought it was cheaper than the used price at bookstores. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Earth Sciences - Geography    2. General    3. Geography    4. Science    5. Science/Mathematics    6. Textbooks    7. Science / Geography   

Subjects:  1. Art    2. Art & Art Instruction    3. Atlases - General    4. History - Baroque & Rococo    5. Maps & Road Atlases    6. Science/Mathematics    7. World - General    8. Antiques & collectables: books, manuscripts, ephemera & printed matter    9. Maps, charts & atlases   

Reviews (5)

Brilliant Golf Landscape Photography
Emerald Gems is a terrific compilation of golf landscape photographs in a large coffee table type of format (11x12?).Many if not all of the very best courses of Ireland are reviewed.
Incredible photos.
This book has incredible beautiful photographs of ALL of the great courses in Ireland and a wonderful written talk about each course. The book is big. It will have to go on the coffee table and not in the bookcase, but it is truly beautiful. Very highly recommended.

Emerald Gems
In "Emerald Gems", Larry Lambrecht has been able to capture the feel and distinct nuances of the Irish links. The stunning photographs and accompanying stories provide the reader with an incredible sense of how golf was and is meant to be played and enjoyed. David Owen said, "The thing I like best about golf is the sense of infinite possibility..." Emerald Gems presents a real glimpse at that possibility and is a must read for those fortunate to have visited and played, and those who dream of doing so.
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Subjects:  1. Europe - Ireland    2. Golf    3. Golf courses    4. Photography    5. Pictorials    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Subjects & Themes - Regional    8. Subjects & Themes - Sports    9. Travel    10. Travel / Pictorials   

Reviews (60)

A book to appreciate
What an exceptional book this is. I very much enjoy the outdoors--fishing, hunting, camping, and hiking for long stretches of time in the wildest places I can find. If you like similar activities, you may come to love this book as I do.
Interesting
Flipping channels a couple of years ago, I came across a show on PBS about a man building his own cabin, with no power tools, in the Alaskan wilderness.I was mesmorized watching this program.It was one of those shows that stuck with my thoughts and emotions for several days.I was awestruck with some of the things he was making with his hands.I wanted to be there myself.Wanting to get more out of this, I bought the book.I would describe the book as interesting, not riveting.It held my interest and does inspire me to start and complete the task at hand, whatever that may be.To me, the description of the cabin building process was a little too tedious, but the rest of book seemed to flow right along.I'm glad I read the book, but I think this is one of those rare instances where I liked the video better than the book

Easy read, inspirational story
This book is a good read for those who feel inspired by someone who follows their "dreams" (trite, but true!).The book reads like the subject is talking, simplified but descriptive.The Alaskan wilderness plays a big part in the story, although I would've thought that life on your own would have been slightly more difficult - the subject almost makes it seem easy. The idea of someone making a life on their own from nothing (building a house, obtaining food) is tempered somewhat by the fact that the subject had supplies flown in on a regular basis.Still, living on your own for 35+ years is an interesting topic.A nice addition to an "outdoor adventure" library.For those that have seen the companion video, this book may be less important. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th Century Description And Travel    2. Alaska    3. Alaska - Local History    4. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    5. Diaries    6. Essays & Travelogues    7. Frontier and pioneer life    8. General    9. Photo Techniques    10. Photography    11. Pioneers    12. Proenneke, Richard    13. Travel - United States    14. Twin Lakes Region (Kodiak Isla    15. Twin Lakes Region (Lake and Peninsula Borough)    16. United States - Pacific - Alaska    17. United States - State & Local - General    18. Wilderness survival    19. Travel writing   

Reviews (2)

Wonderful
This is simply one of the best NYC historical reference work available. The book is divided into periods and will display numerous maps , photos and drawings of the buildings and landscape of the city at that time in history. Plenty of history is included to make certain you are keyed in to the era, and how the buildings fit in. Just a beautiful book. Great binding and very sturdy.
Almost Great
This book includes many really nice maps of early New York.Much of the historical information included in the maps is uniquely presented here and lacking in many other publications.However, there are many editorial mistakes and misspellings that I have observed, which makes me wonder about the accuracy of the rest of the information.Additionally, the narrative text is simple, limited and sometimes disjointed and difficult to follow.Buy this book simply for its beautiful graphics and depictions of the city as it used to be. Some periods of the city's history could be greatly expanded, especially the city's role in the revolution and the siege of Fort Washington. Anyone with knowledge of the city will find it of limited value beyond the maps and illustrations.A little polishing of this book and some additional material for some historical periods in a future edition would make this book an outstanding work.For now, I would call it good but lacking in important areas. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Atlases    2. Atlases - General    3. Atlases - Historical    4. Historical Atlases    5. History Of Individual Cities    6. History: American    7. Reference    8. United States - State & Local - General    9. United States - State & Local - Middle Atlantic    10. Local history    11. New York    12. Places & peoples: general interest   

Reviews (34)

A beautiful book that is NOT for tourists only.
I was excited to read this book after the first reviews were published; it has exceeded even my wildest expectations. The author combines personal experience, graphic arts, poetry, prose and philosophy to describe at last 'why' we travel and 'what' we can expect to gain from travel instead of the 'how' and 'where' to travel. I have already enjoyed past trips more for having compared my experiences and impressions to M. de Botton's musings; I know that I will enjoy future trips more for the same reasons.
This book changed my life
The insight and perspective offered in "The Art of Travel" changed the way I looked at the world.There is something atmospheric and beautiful about the writing here, as opposed to "Proust.." and others.I highly recommend this book.

The Way of Travel
De Botton explores ways to set one's mind to traveling and ends with a view to adopt that mind set to everyday life itself. He uses various famous artists, philosophers, scientists, and critics to assist him with this. At worst De Botton has charm and is cute, at best he encourages one to expand their vision and develop greater insight and interest of the world and in the history of ideas in general. The more familiar I was with who De Botton was talking about the more superficial if not flawed he seemed, the less I knew the more knowledgible he seemed. Not his best but his books always lead me on to more interesting works. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Essays & Travelogues    2. Travel    3. Travel - General    4. Voyages And Travels    5. Travel / Adventure   

Editorial Review

In the world of contemporary travel writing, Bill Bryson, the bestselling author of Read more

Reviews (192)

Not one of his better works
This collection of short essays he published in an English paper (and meant for an English audience) seem to miss the mark for American readers.It's as if he published this because he needed money.There was nothing original in this book, nothing really funny and what few authentically funny parts there were seemd trite and at times exaggerated.
A minor work of collected news columns
Not particularly interesting or funny. None of the ridiculous turns of language of a Dave Barry column, no elder-statesman crabbiness like Andy Rooney's. Just routine bitching about airlines, office supplies, and so on. Save it for "A Walk in the Woods" or "A Short History of Nearly Everything"

Good, but Bryson can be preachy
Bryson has been one of my favorite authors for years now - the first thing of his that I read was a magazine article comparing American weather extremes with those in his beloved England.This collection of his writings on things American has me confused.Most of it, as his wife points out, is griping about this and that.Bryson has a tendency to talk down anything that doesn't fit into his view of how life ought to be and a maddening myopia when it comes to understanding why things are the way they are in this modern world.Balancing that though is his self-deprecating humor and his beautiful writing skills.There is a piece on global warming in this book that all ought to read.So, basically, even though he is preachy, and a bit gripy, he is laugh-out-loud funny and writes so very well that I will keep reading him. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1971-    2. Anecdotes    3. Biography & Autobiography    4. Biography / Autobiography    5. Biography/Autobiography    6. Bryson, Bill    7. Description and travel    8. General    9. Literary    10. Social life and customs    11. Travelers    12. United States    13. United States - 20th Century    14. Biography & Autobiography / General    15. Travel writing    16. USA   

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

Reviews (12)

Well Organized
French grammar is hard to learn because although there are rules there are more exceptions than rules.This book does a great job of organizing things in a way to deal with all the expections.I especially like the way it presents the verbs.I own quite a few books on French grammar but the way this book groups the verbs is really much better.In terms of reviewing for a test (or for real life if you live in France) a book like this is essential, since most normal French text book are just too disorganized to find what you are looking for.Also it helps me to see all the rules about a certain topic in one place at one time.There are lots of exercises and the answers are in the back of the book to check yourself.Learning French grammar isn't ever going to be easy, but if you use this book it will be a lot easier than if you don't.Highly recommended.

Must have French learning companion
I don't have to describe the content in detail as the self-explanatory nature of the title.I studied French in L'Alliance Francais for some time.Their communicative approach almost makes me paralysed until I have this book.I can't imagine how a middle age person can learn a new language by merely listening and imitating the sound of teachers.On the contrary the grammatical approach in this book systematically illustrate every single bit of grammar detail for beginner (and intermediate level student). By reading and reviewing the explanation as well as practising the exercise, I can make a lot sense in French now.And I am not just fantizing it.The most exciting piece of news is that my progress is noticed by both my French teacher and my classmates.The mastering of basic is so satisfying and giving me advancement and enjoyment.

good for brushing up skills
I've worked through this book a couple of times now to brush up my French skills. It's excellent as a companion to a course, or just to practise. I would recommend it from the beginner, to the more advanced speaker who would like to refine their knowledge of the language. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Foreign Language Study    2. French    3. French Language    4. General    5. Grammar    6. Language    7. Study Guides    8. Foreign Language Study / French    9. Grammar & vocabulary   

Reviews (34)

Absolutely the best book for Rio, and I've tried many...
I am about to head to Rio for the third time.The first time I spent nine days figuring out that I shouldn't have stayed in Copacabana.I wasted a lot of time and money learning this lesson.Before my second trip I decided to try this book instead of newer editions from the well-known publishers that I had tried on my first trip.What a great decision.Here is why Rio for Partiers outshines books from it's competitors:
LA guy saved by this little book!
Hey fellow americans... this book saved my week long experience.Thru the haze of partying and jumping around, I continually referred to this book to find tips for where to go every night.My buddies and I used it to try alot of different activities and were never disappointed! Whoever put this together knows this city inside and out!Good times!!

Rio for Partiers
The book is amazing, very very very funnny, answers the questions that you wouldnt normally have the guts to ask....quality book ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Travel / South America    2. Brazil    3. Rio de Janeiro    4. South America    5. Travel    6. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (14)

Leaves A Reader More Excited Than Ever To Get To New Zealand!
Like other volumes in this series, this book does what I think is a first-rate job of pointing out sites of interest most other guides wouldn't think to include. The Lonely Planet books are not for every traveler but for anyone who wants to leave the more typical tourist locations behind, it is truly valuable. It is loaded with (the usual) practical information a first-time visitor to New Zealand might need and I think it will save A LOT of time and trouble with its helpful tips and suggestions. I am really pumped by this book and found it excellent.

Simply outdated for 2006 travel
I am near the end of my 1 month stay in NZ, and in the past month, I have encountered too many instances where I relied on LP's info but found it to be erroneous.Trains/ferries no longer running, activities/tours no longer in operation, and restaurants that have closed (in various regions). This book has proven to be a disappointment for 2006.(Thank god for the internet so I am able double-check everything.)

Mom loves it
I bought this book for my mom, who is spending three months in New Zealand.She says she loves it and reads in it all the time. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Australia & Oceania - General    2. Australia & Oceania - New Zealand    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel Guides    6. New Zealand    7. Travel & holiday guides   

Editorial Review

Who hasn't dreamed, on a mundane Monday or frowzy Friday, of chucking it all in and packing off to the south of France? Provençal cookbooks and guidebooks entice with provocatively fresh salads and azure skies, but is it really all Côtes-du-Rhône and fleur-de-lis?Author Peter Mayle answers that question with wit, warmth, and wicked candor in Read more

Reviews (117)

A Vacation for the Mind: A Year in Provence
This book has something for everyone.The anecdotes are charming, funny, and full of deliciously descriptive sentences.I read some passages aloud to whoever will listen.This is the 2nd book I've read by Peter Mayle. I also read "A Good Year" and am currently reading, "Toujours Provence!"Mayle's books are refreshing and delightful to read.

Delicious reading, creme brulee for your head!
I read this book as a follow up to "Almost French" which I thoroughly enjoyed. I wanted more but that author hadn't written anything else (yet?) so I looked to the back cover where there were some recommendations. I am so glad I did!
A Hilarious Vicarious Journey to France
Englishman Peter Mayle and his wife realize what most of us could only dream about--life in the French countryside of Provence.Food and the hearty French life are the themes that run through this book as the Mayles undertake renovating their 200 year old farmhouse.
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Subjects:  1. Essays & Travelogues    2. Europe - France    3. France    4. Homes and haunts    5. Mayle, Peter    6. Provence    7. Provence (France)    8. Social life and customs    9. Travel    10. Travel - General    11. Modern fiction    12. Travel / Europe / France    13. Reading Group Guide   

Reviews (135)

phenominal
Bill Bryson is a genius. This book is absolutely hilarious. I was never much of a reader, but i got this book for a present and when i started reading it i couldnt put it down. This is a must read. Bill Bryson, please right more (italy, islands, etc.)!!!

Bill Bryson is no Mark Twain, but who is?
Why not just read Mark Twain's Innocents Abroad instead? Bryson's account reads like a bad rip-off at many points, and while Twain's mockery of a typical American tourist in Europe is clearly coming from love of and respect for his fellow Americans, Bryson comes off as snobbish and superior, wishing to distance himself from all things American, quick to point out that he is an ex-pat. Also, Twain is funnier. Of course.

Bill Bryson is always great
You must know by now that I never write a bad review about this guy. In this book, we take a whirlwind tour of Europe. You can read the cover blurbs about how funny and perceptive he is, and how skillful he is with the language, and how eminently readable he is. I agree with every word. But I'd like to mention that this isn't some snooty tour guide or gushing forth bubblehead. He's an average guy who won't hesitate to tell you what sucks, or leave a place that he doesn't like, or bend over backwards to say nice things. He'll bash anybody, himself included. He's refreshingly honest.
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Subjects:  1. Essays & Travelogues    2. Europe - General    3. Europe - Western    4. Form - Essays    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel / Essays & Travelogues   

Reviews (3)

Master of landscape photography
Another stunning book of American Landscape!!
wonderful photos
After seeing these photos, I'm further inspired to visit all the national parks!
First class tribute to our parks
What a beautiful book! Covering all of our nation's National Parks, David Muench's photography is incredible. From the Great Sand Dunes to Canyonlands, from Carlsbad to Glacier, he's captured our nation's most beautiful land. Great quality book--I immediately wanted to hike up a mountain. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. National parks and reserves    2. Nature Photography    3. Parks & Campgrounds    4. Photo Essays    5. Photoessays & Documentaries    6. Photography    7. Pictorial works    8. Pictorials    9. Subjects & Themes - Landscapes    10. Travel - United States    11. United States    12. United States - General    13. Photographs: collections    14. USA    15. Zoos & wildlife parks   

Reviews (8)

pretty good- but dated
Need a book like this but more up to date.Very informative though.

Excellent resource for anyone in or interested in "the biz"
I own a pretty sucessful bar in Santa Barbara California and decided (about a year ago) to try my hand in the Restaurant Business. Excellent and Insightful
If you are seeking concrete information into the whys and wherefores of creating and building upon a solid restaurant concept, this is the book for you.It is overflowing with detailed descriptions, practical advice, layouts, menus, square footage, operation costs... much more than I anticipated.Although at first glance it seems to be another glossy "picture" book with a high design value (which is greatly appreciated), it is in fact a true workbook and manual.The numbers are all here, allowing the reader to compare and contrast.If you are working on a business plan, this is ideal, because it is a great aid for making realistic projections.Restaurants That Work is extremely thorough and well worth the price. I am very pleased andmy only gripe is that I didn't purchase this sooner! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Architecture    2. Business & Economics    3. Business/Economics    4. Case studies    5. Commercial Buildings Architecture    6. Design and construction    7. General    8. Hotel And Restaurant Management    9. Industries - Hospitality, Travel & Tourism    10. Restaurant management    11. Restaurants    12. Hospitality industry    13. Interior design   

Reviews (23)

A limited view of Paris
I bought this map, having read the previous reviews. And am returning it because it gives a much too limited view of Paris. It literally cuts out whole neighborhoods -- the north end of the 18th, most of the 19th and 20th, the 12th arrondissements(including Belleville, Menilmontant), most of the 13th, 14th, 15th arrondissements including Montparnasse, the Cite Universitaire, etc.
Extremely well done
The map is a single folded length of heavy, laminated paper.On one side is the central part of the city on the Seine, and the northern and southern portions beyond that are on the other side.It is extremely durable (it survived in my hip pocket as I walked for many miles without so much as a mussed corner), waterproof, and easy to read.All the museums, churches, squares, and even some of the major stores in Paris are marked on it.One panel has a metro map of Paris which is better than what you'll pick up in the subway stations, though it doesn't have a map of the SNCF lines outside of Paris.
A good map is hard to find!
When we travel, my husband and I like to visit places that are "pedestrian friendly".We enjoy walking and hiking just about everywhere we go.For this reason a good map is as essential as a comfortable pair of shoes.The "Streetwise" series of maps (we've used the ones for Prague andVienna as well, last year) is excellent.One advantage is that they give you a fairly good idea as to what distances are from one point to another.We plan to visit Paris soon, and this map will definitely be going with us. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Europe - France    2. General    3. Reference / Maps    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. France    7. Maps    8. Maps, charts & atlases    9. Paris    10. Paris (France)    11. Reference    12. Travel / road maps & atlases   

Editorial Review

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Reviews (12)

Excellent Overview of History and Culture
Professor Barnavi has done a great service both to Judaism and any students who are inclined to further their understanding of it. As a Christian proponent of this ancient faith upon which our own is based, I have found it an invaluable resource in my ecumenical studies involving history and development of Ancient and Modern Jewry and the vast knowledge accumulated over the thousands of years of its existance. It is a concise coverage of every age of its progression, along with a magnificent garnish of photographs and illustations which bring the entire process to life. I highly reccomend this book.

Heavily researched, beautifully depicted, fascinating and encyclopedic
This gorgeous coffee-table sized book would alone get my five stars for its detailed but clear maps and its breathtakingly diverse array offigures and illustrations depicting the major events of over 3,000 years of Jewish history.As it is, it provides detailed, well researched and very readable historical synopses of Jewish life throughout the world over this period, with each folio (two facing pages) a separate topic.Each folio includes the historical synopsis, usually a map, a series of other illustrations, including photographs, art, and other figures, and at the bottom of every page appears a time line highlighting important dates relevant to the topic.The topics range from the dawn of Judaism to present-day issues in Judaism, from Chinese Jews to the Jews of King Solomon's era, to Jewish farmers in Eastern Europe.You need to see this book in its entirety to believe it.If you ever wanted to an excellent and fascinating introduction to Jewish history, I don't think you can get better than this rare, colorful, scholarly and very engaging book.I'm so enthusiastic about it, I've bought it as a gift three times over.

An excellent,informative and beautiful work
This presentation of the history of the Jewish people through text, maps, charts, drawings, photographs, etc. is beautifully done.It is an excellent reference work for readers of all ages, a beautiful 'coffee table' book and a pleasure to use. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Atlases - Historical    2. Historical Atlases    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History Of Jews    6. History: World    7. Jewish - General    8. Jews    9. Maps    10. History / Jewish    11. Jewish studies    12. World history   

Editorial Review

If you enjoyed Read more

Reviews (20)

Beautiful memoir!
Through this well written memoir you get to learn a lot about Africa, specially about Rwandas history. Rosamund's life story is very interesting, the choices she made, the oportunities life offered to her and that she took. It's great to see all the good deeds she made and the things she achieved inspite of all the caos Rwanda has gone through in the last decades. She takes care of lots of orphan kids and shelters them at her property. She does her best to help these kids become the best they can be even they live surrounded by danger. I enjoyed the book very much and learned more about Africa and about humanity as well.

50 years are artfully packed into this memoir
What a well-written book! It reads like the memoir that it is, and memoirs require special storytelling skills when they cover an entire 50 years.And this is what the book does--covers 50 years of the author's life and Rwandan history.
Fascinating look into Rwanda's history
My interest in Rwanda was spurred by watching the movie "Hotel Rwanda" and reading "The Poisonwood Bible" (which is set in next door Congo).This book follows the life of a young woman that marries an African adventurer and goes there at a fairly young age.She winds up spending practically the rest of her life there, and provides a unique and interesting perspective on Rwanda's history.Watching "Hotel Rwanda" gave me only a snapshot - leading me to think that Hutus were crazy blood thirsty savages going after Tutsis.Well, many of them were, but this book gave me a little of the background as to why the Hutus are so crazy and militant.Rwanda certainly has had a turbulent history.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Carr, Rosamond Halsey    6. Central Africa - History    7. Country life    8. Description and travel    9. Ethnic Cultures - General    10. Historical - General    11. Rwanda    12. Social life and customs    13. Travelers    14. Women    15. Biography & Autobiography / General    16. Biography: general    17. Travel writing