Reviews (4)

Solving the mysteries of Easter Island
Near the end of "Aku-Aku," one of the archeologists working with Thor Heyerdahl admits to being astonished at yet another unexpected turn of events. A must for archeology fans
Though criticised as commercial and overexposed, Thor Heyerdahl must be considered as one of the first scientists in wide spreading his archeological knowledge in an amusing and understandable way to common readers. And this book is a clear example of his effort. After his scientific expedition to Easter Island in 1957, Thor Heyerdahl wrote this fascinating book of discoveries, new theories and adventures. It was such a pleasure for me reading it that I can only recommend it.

Mysteries of Easter Island Explored
A good book if your interested in Easter Island.It was not quite as interesting a read as Heyerdahl's "Kon-Tiki" however.It tends to focus on the natives currently living on the island more than those whocreated the statues the island is famous for.But, criticisms aside,Heyerdahl proved again to be a very adept writer. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Anthropology    2. Antiquities    3. Description and travel    4. Easter Island   

Reviews (7)

Good Map - Maybe Over Priced
I do appreciate the fact that it is made of very sturdy material.The quality is very high.

There's a lot of rain on the plain & everywhere else
These maps are highly prized in Costa Rica and not that easy to come by. I paid $11. US for one down there last summer - and was thrilled to find it. If you're going surfing, rafting or to the cloud forest - you'll be happy you aren't carrying the old paper kind.

Get a free map once you get into the country
Very nice map, but I got an equally detailed map for free from the tourist information office once I got into the country.The main difference between the two maps was that the free one wasn't waterproof. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Costa Rica    2. Travel / road maps & atlases   

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 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 (39)

good reference
The info in this book is universal to different types of travelers.It is not meant to be read completely.It's format provides an overview of cities for tourists.Another writer from England, Ian Middleton, spent four months backpacking across Mexico.He considered Lonely Planet to be a "Barclaycard", never leave home without it.While Ian Middleton wrote an ebook titled "Down Mexico Way"(availabe at diesel ebooks) that is written in a different and candid format.I originally bought his book to research driving through mexico.But his book is mainly a sharing of one's journey as a backpacker by bus, personal van, hitchhike and train.I suggest decide what kind of traveler or tourist you are before when you buy these books.

Go Pick Up Let's Go Mexico instead
I just returned from a 10 day trip to three different states in Mexico with a friend.I had "Let's Go Mexico" and she had this book.By the end of the trip we were both cursing this guide.We found several innacuracies (the museum hour times in Mexico City are not correct for the Museums around the Zocalo, it also is innacurate as far as the days open while the Let's go book is correct), the descriptions were not helpful, and we found several instances that the descriptions describing sites were simply false.Also, Let's Go gives much more information and history on Mexico.

a good guide
I am living in mexico now and working and have a two year contract.Living here, I take advantage of going around Mexico during my holidays at work. I always take this book with me around and traveled around Mexico.This book was very helpful to me and telling me where to go.However, it is good to note, sometimes if you are looking for mid range to high end hotels in big cities (Mexico City, Monterrey, Acapulco, ect..), it is better to make reservations via the internet.But smaller cities like Durango, Zacatecas or Torreon, LP is very helpful and truth to what it mentions.Reserving through the internet, you can also see what it mentions in LP to compare, which is very helpful. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Mexico    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (11)

Good Map
This is a good, clear map which is easy to read.The vinyl cover is a definite plus.It helps keep the map clean and notes can be tucked inside it.

Solid Road Atlas
Rand McNally is a consistantly good road atlas.The 2006 issue was very helpful in planning my recent trip.It doesn't replace the on-line maps or city atlases that show every street, turn, and such, but when you run into a temporary interstate closure, it answers the question of what is my best option now.

As easy as it gets
Ever since my first trip to NYC in 1989, I have relied on having a -no more than 2-3 years old- copy of Rand McNally in our rented car.
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Subjects:  1. Atlases    2. Atlases - General    3. Canada    4. Maps & Road Atlases    5. Mexico    6. Reference    7. Road Atlases    8. Road maps    9. Travel - General    10. United States    11. United States - General   

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   

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

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 (11)

Practically useless!
So we're in BA last week with this guide, and we're trying to go to some of the restaurants this book recommends. But the book is so OUT OF DATE that the restaurants have CLOSED DOWN.I don't know how this book is for the less traveled parts of Argentina, but for Buenos Aires, it is USELESS.

1 US$ is how much?
While the LP guides has a lot to say for them, both the latest and the previous guide book to Argentina+Uruguay+Paraguay share one serious flaw with all other LP guide books - all the prices are in US$, and all the countries in South America they have their own currency.
The value of this guide is found when you leave Buenos Aires.
Lonely Planet has broken down Argentina into nine geographical areas and the guide is at its best outside of Buenos Aires. The guide excels at providing you with insight into the culture, history and uniqueness of the wonderful countryside of Argentina.But, in Buenos Aires it falls short.
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Subjects:  1. Reference - Guides (General)    2. South America    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Argentina    6. Travel & holiday guides   

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

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   

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 (12)

Fifty Places to Fly Fish Before You Die
A wonderful book for the fly fishing enthusiast.A keepsake for all fishermen.A must have for the coffe table!

Beatiful places
nice book, but i would like to see more pictures of the different species!! also some maps to locate some places would be great...I live in argentina and the 3 places chosen are great, although you must be a millionaire to fish rio grande!! Fortunately we still have a lot of places here to fish for free.
Places i only wish i could go
There are a lot of places i realy wish i could go fly fishing.Unfortunatly, there are only a few select places that are affordable.and those that are doable just don't have much description convincing me to go.if there was only some background info or narrative this book would go be a much more useful guide. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Fishing - Flyfishing    2. Fishing - General    3. Fly fishing    4. General    5. Sports    6. Sports & Recreation    7. Fishing, angling    8. Places & peoples: general interest    9. Sports & Recreation / Fishing   

Reviews (1)

FACTUAL ERROR
As the author of "The Complete Guide to Easter Island" (Easter Island Foundation, 2004), I read with much interest the chapter on Easter Island in the 2006 edition of "Chile & Easter Island" by Charlotte Beech, et al. There is one important factual error that readers show know about: The account of the Peruvian slave raids on Easter Island as it appears on page 428 makes reference to an out-dated and erroneous account of Easter Islanders being forced to work the guano deposits on Peru's Chincha Islands. Due to confused personal accounts reported incorrectly by early ethnologists and historians, this story appeared in some of the first Easter Island literature and has been repeated ad nauseam by more contemporary writers who haven't done their homework -- so it's no surprise that it might end up being source material for the authors of "Chile & Easter Island" who may have had little or no way of knowing the inaccuracies involved. But, as Easter Island researcher and author Grant McCall discovered after doing extensive historical and genealogical research on the islanders (including a visit to the Chincha Islands), there is no evidence to support allegations that Easter Islanders were taken to the Chincha Islands. There is evidence that Easter Islanders were taken to coastal plantations in Peru where they were sold as indentured servants, however. One key fact that has been uncovered in investigating this misinformation is that the guano mines were not actually operating at the time of the 1862 slave raids (they were temporarily closed due to Spanish raids), so it's clear that Easter Islanders couldn't even have been on the Chincha Islands. This may all seem like a small matter but, when it comes to Easter Island (where there has been no shortage of nonsense written and far fewer mysteries than most people would like to believe), the more accurate we can get, the better!
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Subjects:  1. South America    2. Special Interest - Adventure    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel Guides    6. Chile    7. Easter Island    8. Travel & holiday guides   

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 (6)

one backtrack mind
this book was extremely helpful and informative. its history and description of the culture and landscape was a great precursor to my visit. my only complaint is that "shoestring" can be so objective. i didn't want to stay in hostels but still was interested in budget options. unfortunately, there just weren't many good suggestions for this level of travel. i think i'll need to write that book . . . "South America on a Cheap but Classy Budget!"

Must have companion ...
A travelers life support system. The consistency of the LP series across various continets is amazing. Some information in the SA edition is a little dated, but the locals indicated that small hostels and food places go in and out of business faster than the book can keep up. I particularly liked Argentina section (I just came back from a wonderful trip), the information was very correct and some of the prices accurate to the decimal. Needless to say, the maps and orientation information was extremly helpful.
BAD BAD BAD
Maps are good, that's all. After 1 year in south america with both Footprint SA and South america on a shoestring, I can say the first one in much better (exept the maps).
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Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. South America    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (4)

Panama Cruising Guide by Eric Bauhaus
The zydler guide was ok in its time. But the new Panama Cruising Guide by Eric Bauhaus is very, very much better than the Zydler. ALL PAGES IN COLOR, beautyful photos and nearly 200 precise charts. Dont dream of cruising panama without it.

New Panama Cruising Guide by Eric Bauhaus is way better
We just finished (July 2006) cruising the Pacific side of Panama and through the canal and found the Zydler guide to not be as useful as the newer Bauhaus guide. The major difference is in the charts & chartlets - the Bauhaus guide is all color charts that look like real charts - the Zydler guide is all B&W hand drawn sketches that are extremely hard to read - virtually useless. The Zydler guide has more words but less useful information as it's quite a bit older and some information isway out of date - eg. the Western Panama Islands like Coiba.

the panama guide
excelent book Tom and Nancy,proffesional piece of art.Finally i found you Tom,im your old buddy from naval academy in Gdynia,contact me pls.Chris kowalski E-mail-kowal17@hotmail.com ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Panama    2. Pilot guides    3. Reference - General    4. Ships & Shipbuilding - Engineering    5. Transportation    6. Travel    7. Yachting   

Reviews (10)

6th edition 3.5 stars... time for update, guys
I'm a Lonely Planet addict who knew better than to blindly buy this edition (if you order one now -6th edition, as I did, you'll get 2003 info), but addicts usually are not known for using their heads.
You can take it with you
I've used LP before for trips.Once you get the book, you are invited to go on-line for up-dates.There you are directed to "The Thorn Tree" forum.I used it just about every day to keep well-informed and prepare for the trip.The guide is an easy ready and full of useful information.Prior uses were very accurate.

Solid Travel Reference
Many travelers depend on LONELY PLANET travel guides, and usually with good reason.I used this very practical travel guide during my summer (2005) visit to the affordable and thoroughly enchanting nation of Ecuador.This edition contains much valuable information on budget hotels, travel hostels, local customs and fauna.Just as importantly, there's the vital information on getting to and from cities, resort areas, train stations, bus stations, airports, city centers, etc.
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Subjects:  1. South America    2. Special Interest - Adventure    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel Guides    6. Ecuador    7. Galapagos Islands    8. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (7)

Poorly Written, Bad Maps
This guide does not come close to comparing with Lonely Planet.It is poorly written and gives little or no information about museums and city sites other than their address and hours of operation.The map is also poorly done and it is difficult to use in locating restaurants and museums.Buenos Aires is an amazing city so I suggest buying a worthy guide book, not this one.

Thorough guide if just visiting Buenos Aires
If you're just visiting Buenos Aires and not elsewhere in Argentina, this guide is great. The information is fairly up to date. However the publication date is a bit misleading. Timeout republished the 2d edition, with this ISBN in 2005, but it is the same information from Timeout's mid-2004 publication. Timeout just used a different publisher, thus a different ISBN number and misleading new publication date.I still recommend this book, just be aware that some information has changed since 2004.Also, if you could find a good used copy under ISBN 014101363X for less money, you will be getting the same information.Fortunately it will be a lot of information and still will be useful.

By far the best B.A. guidebook around!
If you can find a copy of this book, grab it!A new edition is coming out this fall, which is probably even better.But for now, Time Out B.A. is the go-to book for everything you ever needed to know about the history and current happenings in the magnificent city of Buenos Aires. ... Read more

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

Features

• Illustrated

Reviews (6)

Great recipes, easy steps, wonderful results.
This book puts you on the fast track to grafting the styles of famous artists into your own work through more than five dozen easy-to-follow recipes. Not surprisingly, you'll find yourself learning more than you originally expected to about Photoshop.

not-so-fast ...
Earlier this year I reviewed what many will see as the companion volume to this book ("Photoshop Blending Modes Cookbook for Digital Photographers"), written by the same author. Unfortunately, the newer publication is less useful. It seems to have been written on a pretext that it's clever to be able to duplicate what traditional artists can do. This seems - from my own personal viewpoint - to be greatly undervaluing the power of Photoshop (and similar software). Practitioners of digital fine art should (really, constructively) be looking to explore what the principles of prior and traditional art can mean within a new domain.
Excellent!
Wonderful effects for the artistically inclined.The recipes in this book truly are easy to reproduce.You can apply these techniques to any of your digital photos. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Computer Books: General    2. Computer Graphics - Design    3. Computer Graphics - Game Programming    4. Computers    5. Computers - Other Applications    6. Operating Systems - Macintosh    7. Operating Systems - Windows    8. Computers / Computer Graphics / Design    9. Computers / Other Applications    10. Computers/Operating Systems - Macintosh    11. Computers/Operating Systems - Windows    12. Digital techniques    13. Image processing    14. Photography    15. photoshop, adobe, digital photography, digital effects, photoshop effects, artistic forgery, artistic effects, daguerreotypes, calotypes, tintypes, pre-raphaelites, muybrudge, stieglitz, man ray, lissitzky, paul strand, edward weston, walker evens, dorothea lange, answel adams, bill brandt, henri cartier-bresson, brassai, cecil beaton, yousuf karsh, irving penn, arnold newman, angus mcbean, ernst haas, les krims, don mccullin, jerry uelsmann, david bailey, robert mapplethorpe, annie liebowitz, david hockney, sebastiao salgado, martin parr, mick kent, mantegna, da vinci, durer, caravaggio, el greco, rembrandt, vermeer, turner, caspar david friedrich, impressionism, seurat, van gogh, gauguin, cezanne, whistler, munch, hokusai, chagall, modigliani, picasso, futurists, salvador dali, hopper, o'keefe, grant wood, diego rivera, warhol, lichtenstein   

Reviews (6)

Retiring in Mexico
It was this very book that gave my husband and I the information we needed to start bringing our dreams of retiring in Mexico to reality.
An excellent primer for assessing Mexico's pros and cons
Modern retirees who want to get the most out of shrinking retirement benefits will want to look at CHOOSE MEXICO FOR RETIREMENT, appearing in its 9th updated edition to provide the latest facts on local real estate, costs, medical care, business opportunities and more. From Baja California to the Yucatan Peninsula, discussions revolve around cultural and economic considerations alike and also include first-person insights on development and direction. An excellent primer for assessing Mexico's pros and cons.
If you buy just one book on moving to Mexico, this is it!
Nicely organized and full of information, this is a great resource for anyone thinking of moving to Mexico.As much as anything, I learned what questions I should be asking, and what I need to consider before making a final decision.Different locations are compared in a meaningful way, so that I actually zeroed in on my tentative location (Sayulita, which I had never even heard of before) with the help of this book.
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Subjects:  1. Mexico    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel / Mexico