Reviews (2)

Very Comprehensive
This atlas is very comprehensive and contains colour maps showing the religious composition of the various regions of the United States from the pre-colonial days down to the present. Provides a focus on the history and geographic development
Brett Carroll's Historical Atlas of Religion in America provides a focus on the history and geographic development of American religions, providing maps and visual details to bring alive the connections between American political and religious history. From parts played by religious groups of Europe to the development of sects in the country, this provided a well-rounded survey. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Atlases - General    2. Atlases - Historical    3. Church history    4. Ecclesiastical geography    5. History    6. Maps    7. Reference    8. Religion    9. United States    10. History of religion    11. Reference / Atlases    12. USA   

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   

Subjects:  1. Calendar    2. Calendars & Diaries    3. Non-Classifiable    4. Subjects & Themes - Travel - World/Europe    5. Photography / Travel    6. TRAVEL / Europe / France   

Subjects:  1. Discovery And Exploration (General)    2. Europe - General    3. History    4. History - General History    5. History Of Civilization And Culture (General)    6. History: World    7. Reference    8. Renaissance    9. American history: c 1500 to c 1800    10. Europe    11. European history (ie other than Britain & Ireland)    12. History / Renaissance    13. Social history    14. The Americas    15. c 1500 to c 1600    16. c 1600 to c 1700   

Reviews (18)

better than Frommers, Lonely Planet, etc
A travel buddy recommended this for our upcoming trip to Japan this fall and I was very pleased with the content and layout. It's well worth the $16 investment ... lots of interesting cultural factoids and clear pictures ... plus the usual list of hotels, shops and restaurants. Will update this review when I get back from Tokyo.

A good start to plan your trip to Japan
My wife and I enjoy to travel and we have been to many places and we have used the DK Eyewitness Guides a number of times (see my homepage). We bought the Japan guide to start planning our trip to Japan in May 2005 and we found the guidebook useful (as usual). We used it to find out where to buy tickets for a sumo match in Tokyo, we used it to navigate around Tokyo, we used it when we came to a restaurant in Kyoto where the two old people behind the counter didn't speak any English etc. We also found it very useful when we went to the castle at Himeji and found out that there was no guided tours in English. The book has lots of pratical information in my opinion or maybe it is just me that are getting used to this style in guidebooks. I do find the DK Eyewitness guides to be far more interesting that e.g. Lonely Planet, Frommer's etc

Beautiful Guide to Japan
This is a great and fascinating guide to Japan. Every page is full of captivating illustrations and interesting information on arts, culture and history around Japan. However, although this is an excellent book to look through and read before going to Japan it is not advised to take this book and this book alone on a trip to Japan. The information on accomadation, restaurants and language is rather vague and sketchy therefore it is best to get a more detailed travel guide on such matters. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Asia - General    2. Asia - Japan    3. Guidebooks    4. Japan    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel / Asia / Japan   

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

As the name implies, the Eyewitness Travel Guides bring you the world in full living color. In the Read more

Reviews (17)

Not only covers the usual places to go and stay, but adds tips on local foods, cutaways and floor plans of all major sights
Two fine new travel guides use the popular 'Eyewitness' approach DK fostered in its children's books to provide adult travelers with clear, eye-catching and fun guides. AUSTRALIA packs in the color photos, maps and illustrations and not only covers the usual places to go and stay, but adds tips on local foods, cutaways and floor plans of all major sights, town listings of sights and beaches, timelines of festivals and special events, and more.
Discovering Australia
I really enjoy this series of travel books. Always guaranteed a clear concise and very illustrated description of the subject matter and this book is delightfully no different.
Australia by DK Publishing
The actual weight of this book is too much for lightweight travellers.Great photos and descriptions but will read, make notes and leave this book at home.Another book selection for actual travel will probably be Fodors. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Australia    2. Australia & Oceania - Australia    3. Australia & Oceania - General    4. General    5. Guidebooks    6. Travel    7. Travel - Foreign    8. Travel / Australia & Oceania   

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 (6)

A fine blend of full-page color photos, recipes, and dishes
The authors experienced a frantic Manhattan lifestyle tempered by visits to Montana until they bought a ranch and become involved in the food traditions of the area. When passionate cook Ellen Wright discovered the area's blend of fresh game and ingredients, she joined them and BIG SKY COOKING WITH REFLECTIONS features a fine blend of full-page color photos, recipes, and dishes steeped in Montana ingredients. Sesame-Soy Venison Chops, Elk Pepper Steaks, and Bison Osso Busco aren't dishes you'll find many other places, either.
Fantastic
Loved this book and am giving it to lots of friends for the holidays. The recipes are fantastic!!

Beautiful reading
The recipes are great but the text articles about life in Paradise Valley make this book truly wonderful!My only criticism (and I'm also writing the publisher) is that the editing needs work.Several typos keep this from being a 5 star book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. American Regional Cookery    2. Cookery    3. Cookery, American    4. Cooking    5. Cooking / Wine    6. Montana    7. Regional & Ethnic - American - Middle Western States    8. Regional & Ethnic - American - Western States    9. United States - West - Mountain (General)    10. Western style    11. Cooking / American / Middle Western States    12. TRAVEL / United States / West / Mountain (AZ, CO, ID, MT, NM, UT, WY)   

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   

Reviews (20)

Excellent guidebook
This guide is indispensible if you are traveling to Machu Picchu. Nothing at the site is labeled, so having the book makes the experience much more meaningful, and allows you to interpret what you are seeing.

Essential for Machu Picchu
This book is a "must have" if you are visiting Machu Picchu.I carried this book in my backpack for 4 days on the Inca Trail hike and it was well worth carrying the extra weight.
Not so great
This is a decent guide book if you have only a few hours to spend in Machu Picchu. I had a day an a half and was somewhat disappointed by the book: too little solid info and too much "fluff". For instance, the enclosed maps number all the rooms and buildings, but the text mentions only a few, with no attempt made to guess the use/function of the other ones. Not enough explanation is given of which parts are original and which are reconstructed. The visiting routes are often confusing and I found that exploring on my own was easier. The historical context and info on Inca life is spread throughout the text instead of being presented up front. On the positive side, the USA's author's husband is a hydrological specialist and the info on Incas' water management is solid.
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Subjects:  1. Antiquities    2. Guidebooks    3. Inca architecture    4. Incas    5. Machu Picchu Site (Peru)    6. South America    7. Travel    8. Travel - Foreign   

Reviews (7)

Don't buy for Texas
I gave this four stars because most of the book is awesome and we've good experiences with the other additions. My wife and I love to travel to natural hot springs and we bought this after visiting most of the springs in the Northwest US.
Excellent guide!
This is a great guide and the updated version is wonderful.GPS coordinates are a definite bonus, particularly for some of the more elusive springs.There is so much more information in this latest guide.We've been using an earlier edition for over 10 years, and enjoy each and every soak.Looking forward to exploring more!

Buy it!!!
I absolutely LOVE this book.If you're a hot springs addict (like I am) you'll never leave home without it.It has remote hot springs with excellent directions, she-she spas, photos and honest descriptions.Clothing optional to "Versace only bathing suits required." It's the only book you'll need for hot springs if you travel on the west coast.It's definately the most thorough one I've come across. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. United States - South - West South Central (General)    4. United States - West - Pacific (General)   

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   

Editorial Review

Franz Wisner had the world by the tail. He was engaged to the beautiful Annie, with whom he shared a passion for conservative politics and a command of quotes from the movie Read more

Reviews (126)

It was almost better than my own honeymoon!
Franz Wisner AND his brother are funny, smart and so very brave!I found this book in the travel section of my local bookstore, but it very much deserves its place on the NY Times Bestseller List (where it's been for 15 straight weeks at the time of this review).Move that book to the front of the store! You will love this book for several reasons:
Good Title: Bad Book
Not witty enough to be funny.Not deep enough to be heartfelt.Not written well enough to have been published.I got a great idea why his fiance dumped him and why his boss demoted him, but I have no idea why any editor gave the 'thumbs up' to this mess.I gave the one star for the title.It was the most interesting part of the book.

Don't let the title scare you...
Don't let the title scare you. It's not what it seems!
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Subjects:  1. Biography / Autobiography    2. General    3. Personal Memoirs    4. Siblings    5. Travel    6. Travel - General    7. Travelers   

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. North America    4. Travel    5. Travel - United States    6. United States    7. United States - General    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Travel / General    10. USA   

Reviews (37)

The Girl In Tower 1
The absolute best book out there on 9/11.I wish they had a volume 2 and 3 and 4, as there were enough photos.
A book that focuses on a powerful event in our country.
I am glad to have this book in my collection on the tragedy that gripped New York City on September 11th. The pictures showed the emotion of that day. It was well worth the money to purchase this book.

Words can not describe...
This book is so special to me that I bought a copy to put away for my two year old son.It is important to me that someday he will fully grasp the enormity of that day and the consequences that he will experience from it throughout his life.
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Subjects:  1. September 11 Terrorist Attacks, 2001    2. Photo Essays    3. Subjects & Themes - Travel - U.S./Mid-Atlantic    4. Photography    5. Photography, Documentary    6. Photoessays & Documentaries    7. United States - State & Local - General    8. Photographic reportage    9. Places & peoples: general interest    10. Social impact of disasters    11. Subjects & Themes - Portraits    12. Exhibitions    13. New York    14. New York (State)    15. Pictorial works   

Reviews (1)

Devoted fan of Rough Guides
I should begin by saying that I traveled around India with the fourth edition of the Rough Guide.Though I cannot comment on how updates and revisions may effect the utility of this particular version, I feel quite confident in recommending the Rough Guide over any other guidebook in the market.
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Subjects:  1. Asia - India    2. Guidebooks    3. India    4. Reference - Guides (General)    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel Guides    8. Travel & holiday guides    9. Travel / Asia / India   

Reviews (46)

Maui - the adventure guide
I definitely recommend this guide for anyone visiting for the first time, especially for those who want to do as much as they can and don't have very long to do it. They've produced an honest, informative book which greatly enhanced our experience.If you're looking for a planning guide, buy this one first.The "Best Of" callouts on pages 17 through 20 were so handy; start there first.

owning the series
They fit our comfort zone and after two trips to Maui we still haven't exhausted all the hiking possibilities.The fact that they're heavy on sports and leave out the hype is what makes them click for us.They haven't left out family outings and provide a complete rundown of where it's safe to swim and snorkel.For beach days, we still find Maui our #1 choice and for stand alone guidebooks, the Maui Trailblazer fills the bill.
the good life
We've found a good guidebook is worth its weight in gold and the Maui Trailblazer by the Sprouts got a thorough testing as we explored the island -- sublime listing after listing.Mandatory for preplanning.We reserved our Haleakala primitive cabin weeks ahead.For getting around in the jungleworld and waterworld, it bulges with all the good stuff. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Hiking    2. Sports & Recreation / Hiking    3. Travel    4. Travel - United States    5. Travel Guides - U.S.    6. United States - Pacific - Hawaii    7. United States - West - Pacific (General)    8. Water Sports    9. Maui    10. Maui (Hawaii)    11. Outdoor recreation    12. Sports & Recreation    13. Surfing