Reviews (2)

Very Nice Pocket Map
This Map, like most of the pocket maps of Buenos Aires, does not have the entire HUGE city of Buenos Aires on it -- and, frankly, the average tourist will not use or want such a large map (or would not be able to read it without a microscope if it were all included on the size of a pocket map).What this Map does have is Recoleta, Palermo (all sections), BarrioNorte, Retiro, San Telmo, The Microcenter, Montserrat, Downtown, Las Canitas, Puerto Madero, Belgrano, La Boca, parts of Chacarita, Once, and Abasto, and parts of a few other barrios. I prefer this map to my other pocket map of Buenos Aires (a Lonely Planet Map) because it has the Street Numbers marked. It includes a full subway map.What it does not have, which the Lonely Planet map has is indicators as to the direction of each of the one way streets.

A map that shows you half the city
It just seems that they forgot one half of the map...????????? ... Read more

Subjects:  1. General    2. Travel - General   

Subjects:  1. HotelsInnsetc.    2. North America    3. South America    4. Travel    5. Travel - General    6. Interior design   

Reviews (3)

This Book isMUST to Survive Here
I spend most of my time in Costa Rica and part time in Nicaragua. When I came to came to this part of the world I virtually spoke no Spanish.I needed a quick injection of the language to get by.I did not have time to go to school. A friend recommended this book highly so I purchased.It has been so helpful. I can now get out of a lot of jams by using it. I even met the woman of my life by using some of the phrases in the book. The slang is also great.

This Spanish Book Was Just What I Needed
I have little ability when it comes to learning a foreign language nor do I have time to take language courses. This book gave me the basics to survive in Costa Rica. Now I can at least communicate. It has extricated me from a lot of jams. This book is like an idiots guide to Spanish. Buy it!

Speaking Costa Rican Spanish is now possible!
Christopher Howard has assembled the quickest and easiest way to learn the nuances of speaking Costa Rican Spanish like the native "Tico" speakers.His common sense approach to learning all the little things makes it a pleasure to practice speaking, and listening, as the locals do whenever I visit beautiful Costa Rica.I have more confidence in my communication ability now that I have this excellent book to guide me. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Central America    2. Spanish: Adult Nonfiction    3. Travel   

Reviews (1)

Great little book
A bit of a misnomer - the book actually covers Mazatlan to Tehuantepec (Oaxaca) intensively in a compact book
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Subjects:  1. Mexico    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (1)

niche product, be careful
If you're looking for a meaty, informative book about Mexico City, this isn't the book for you.I can see it as a good accompaniment to one of the more conventional Mexico travel guides, though.On the upside, the photography is beautiful, and really piqued my interest in visiting the places depicted.In addition, the focus is on upscale vacationing, which is great for those of us who are no longer backpack and bus-ticket travelers.Finally, it is very light and compact, and easy to carry around.On the downside, there are no maps!With less than 100 landmarks recommended in the entire book, it would be indispensable to know where each of them was in relation to one another.Along similar lines, the "side trips," section is totally useless.The places they suggest aren't "day trip" kind of places, but rather hundreds of miles away!And there's no indication of the best way to get there or suggested itineraries.
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Subjects:  1. Mexico    2. Reference - General    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign    5. Travel & holiday guides    6. Travel / Mexico   

Reviews (1)

DECENT MAP, WITH A FEW SHORTCOMINGS
This is the only map I found that covers the entire Amazon region, from Ecuador to Brazil.Just that is a nice plus for someone planning a trip in the Amazon.It also provides the location and name of even the smallest isolated communities in the Amazon, which is helpful when trying to locate them.
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Subjects:  1. Amazon river    2. Travel / road maps & atlases   

Editorial Review

It is the age of specialization, which is a good thing if you're traveling to Pacific Mexico. Let's say you're heading off to Mazatlán or Guadalajara, Oaxaca or Acapulco, you no longer need to lug along every detail on every town, city, and hotel in Mexico. Just the pertinent particulars will do, and that's what Bruce Whipperman delivers in his Lowell Thomas Award-winning Read more

Reviews (7)

No more Moon for me
I just returned (Dec 2002) from a trip to Mexico using this publication.This was my third trip with a Moon Handbook.I was not to happy with the one to Baja, I found the one for Costa Rica filled with inaccurate information but this one was the worst. Essential for a Mexican road trip
I used this book extensively this past summer for an epic driving trip into Mexico that took me almost to Manzanillo. I found the book extremely useful for discovering those off the beaten path sidetrips. I also used Fodor's but found this book a notch above in terms of helpful recomendations.Since the bulk of the 3+ weeks was spent in Puerto Vallarta(actually Mismaloya) the book proved to be a good guide for excursions into the surrounding states ofNayarit and Colima. For the most part the details given were accurate but with any travel book there are problems with current information as things are usually in flux in the touristtrade. I suppose that is why they can come out with new editions every year. Some of the information when missing can be a letdown, for example one day we went out for an adventure in the hopes of seeing the turtle rescue attempts in a not so nearby bay only to find out it was not exactly naturesrighttime.There were other let downs such as the time we wet out to Mexicalitlan ," House of the Mexicans", where the ancient Aztecs/Mexicasupposedly set outfrom Aztlan to establish Tenochitlan where the eagle would be found on top of a nopal devouring a snake. The description calls it a "scenic little island town." If you consider peering into the open doors of the living rooms of the locals I guess it was scenic!For my part I found it to be a waste of a drive. The museum was closed also which brings to a point one should consider whenever driving to a destination in Mexico. Do not arrive during the tradional siesta time or one will have to wait until 4 or 5 in the afternoon to enjoy the local musem etc! By contrast unexpected pleasant surprises can result by the books ommision of information as inthe opportunity to see the hatching of baby crocodiles at the end of the jungle cruise on La Tovara near San Blas. All in all the guide is very, very useful to plan out a tripand see things and experience different parts of Mexican culture. The short histories, hotel recomendations, restaurant guides etc are pretty accurate and invaluable in planning a trip within a trip. There is diversity in recomendations for the earthy camper or the poshfive starluxury hotel traveler. I would recommend this book for any traveler along the lovely Pacific Mexican trail.

Useless!
Want my book?It is useless.This book is full of information, none of it practical.You can't find ANYTHING you are looking for in it.NO hostels are listed.They don't even highlight any of the amazing festivals that are held here in Mexico.Believe me, I am living here in Mexcio, and I am going to go buy the Lonely Planet.I wanted something more specific to my region, but this is NOT it.This book is written like the author took one pathway through the region, and wrote along the way.So unless you are following the exact same route, the information is SO useless. ... Read more

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

Reviews (8)

Good Guide, but you needa better Buenos Airesmap
I bought this guide two months before my travel to Buenos Aires. I studied it and marked all interesting places in the city. Later in the Hotel I asked for a map (It was free)and marked all the interesting places.
Worthless
I am an American studying abroad in Buenos Aires and I wanted to advise anyone who is considering buying this book to save their money. I had been using the Time Out guide in the city, which is infinitely better, but I brought this guide on a trip to Colonia and Montevideo because it had much more information. As it turned out, nothing the guide recommended for Montevideo was true or even open. It listed two vegetarian restaurants, one with three locations throughout the city. I spent the better part of a day walking around the city only to find that not a single one of those four was still in existence. I then found a Lebanese restaurant in the guide and walked there, only to find that it wasn't open either. I thought maybe some shopping would improve my mood... but few of the places listed still exist. We couldn't find the reccomended Baar Fun Fun or the Cafe Brasilero. At this point, I tossed the guidebook in the nearest trashcan. At least for Buenos Aires and Uruguay, its much wiser to stick with time out.

Worst travel book that I have ever read
OK, Buenos Aires is a spanish speaking city; but when every other word of a sentence in this book is full of spanish, it makes the book very very hard to read!!!! "Facts about Buenos Aires" is nothing but that, a list of useless facts emblished with unnecessary adjatives: "...something that differentiates Buenos Aires' people from their North American or European cousins - a striving melancholy and a desire for something greater." HM??? What we travelers want is an easy to read book, not a trash compactor, TOO much information one after another in a paragraph with vague english + foreign words is a waste. The few pictures in this book don't do justice to the city, take a look at any "paris" book out there, your response is usually "WOW, I would like to go there." after reading this book, it's like "hm... why do I want to go there?" Choose a different book; don't waste your time and money. ... Read more

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

Reviews (5)

Great Concise History
This book is a great quick review of the important historical issues and trends that have affected Nicaraguans.I spent a month in Nica back in Jan 06.I'm looking forward to returning and would recommend this book to anyone going who is interested in understanding where the people have been and where they are going.

Out of Focus Nicaragua
"In Focus Nicaragua", while a decent enough tool for those searching for a light primer on Nicaraguan history and culture, nevertheless contains glaring revisions of well-known historical events that helped shape important parts of Nicaragua's past.
Adept Guide
There is little backward on the angles or truths in this book, as any traveller of this rich country ought to know its history, their own history, and if he is an American, the history of America's political impact on Nicaragua. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Central America    2. General    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign   

Subjects:  1. Brazil    2. Directories    3. Guidebooks    4. South America    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel Guides    8. 21st century    9. Travel & holiday guides    10. Travel / South America   

Reviews (5)

Essential for anyone spending more than 1 month here
When I found out I was hired as a teacher in Chile I decided to research the country a bit before I came. My friend recommended this series. It's a light read, I quickly read it cover to cover. Some of it seems a bit outlandish, until you come to Chile. Everything I read in the book (especially on the subject of the regalon...being a teacher and all) has been true. It is incredible. This book clarified and prevented many cultural mishaps. I highly recommend this book if you intend to work or travel extensively in Chile.

That explains why..............
We lived with an Exchange Student from Chile this year.So many pages ofthis book had me thinking "So, that's why....."It answered manyquestions I didn't even know to ask.

A must for foreigners in Chile
As an anthropologist and long-time resident of Chile, I strongly recommend this book to anyone who plans to spend time here.In fact, I've made it required reading in a 'culture course' I teach for North Americanuniversity students here in Chile.This book is not another travel guide,but rather an insightful and very accessible look into the intracacies ofChilean culture.A quick look through the table of contents shows itsrange of topics, and the Cultural Quiz at the end is a must! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Travel   

Reviews (4)

A very good read
A very good read about the tense and diverse relations that exist at the Mexican - U.S. border.Author is a good storyteller, and offers great detail.A must for anyone seeking to understand our neighbor to the South.

This man knows of what he speaks
I grew up on the Mexican border, and Langewiesche beautifully captures the schizophrenic love/hate relationship entangling the two sides.He writes with the clean, precise lines of the journalist, but gives the end result aspin of philosophy that could only come from really feeling the people andplaces he visits.Much like his second work, "Sahara Unveiled",this is much more than reportage.It's too bad not more people have readthis book...I think it would greatly help Americans' understanding ofborder relations.

Highly descriptive of my personal experiences in Marfa, TX
As a former City Manager of Marfa, Texas, I have observed and experienced first hand many of the incidents described in the book. For instance, the morning gathering of area ranchers at the former Thunderbird Restaurant,totally devoid of Hispanic participants; the persistent overtones ofbigotry amoung many of the well established Anglo citizens;and, there arestill semblances of the old "Patron" system alive andwell.Read more

Subjects:  1. Emigration & Immigration    2. Essays & Travelogues    3. History - General History    4. Latin America - Mexico    5. Mexico    6. New Age    7. Travel    8. Travel / Mexico    9. Travel writing   

Reviews (5)

The Best In Its Class
For years I have read every book, magazine (International Living, etc) and website (EscapeFromAmerica, etc) about living inexpensively abroad in Latin America, Europe, and Asia.Moon Living Abroad in Nicaragua is, by far, the most comprehensive, informative and well written resource I have come across.[...].Also much better and more comprehensive than anything I've seen from International Living who's angle it is to provide you with bread crumbs of info in order to draw you into one of their expensive seminars.This book gives you all the info you need, no strings attached.
Very Disappointing!
I have read all of the books about living in Central America and this is the one I found less credible for the following reasons. First, it seems to be padded with a large amount of filler material and not enough information about the real ins and outs of living in Nicaragua. I found it to be more oriented towards tourists like the authours' first Nicaragua guidebook.
Fantastic Rescouce
Read the entire book. It's packed with useful information. It's very well researched & well written. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Central America    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. Travel Guides    5. Living & working abroad    6. Nicaragua    7. Travel & holiday guides    8. Travel / Central America   

Reviews (11)

A Mishmosh of a Book
This book started out as a gripping travel narrative...if only it had stayed that way! Instead of keeping to the flavorful portrait of life in Recife, the author keeps wandering into various sidetracks of Brazilian history, which don't seem to be particularly connected with anything else in the book and are boring to boot. If he'd have stuck to modern Brazil and used its scandals as a backdrop for his travel writing, he'd have had a much more coherent and readable book.
Go for it
Peter Robb's book is a masterpiece - nothing I have read in recent years comes as close to giving the reader a deep and meaningful insight into this fascinating country. From corruption to carnival, from history to food, Robb is the master of his topic and you move effortlessly through a book that is always a compelling read. You put 'A Death in Brazil' down at the end with that sense of regret you always get with a book that is a truly wonderful read. I was entertained and informed at the same time, and didn't want it to end. If you want a better understanding of Brazil - its terrible problems and its wonderful people and culture - simply don't hesitate to buy this book. Should the author chance to read this - I would just like to say thank you for a terrific piece of work. Having reviewed this book on Amazon UK I have only recently seen the claims that some elements of this book were lifted from another work. Clearly this is unsettling, but I have not seen any response from the author.

thoroughly enjoyable, fascinating mix-it-up
i have been to brazil and enjoyed it immensely, my favorite part of the country being salvador, bahia.i picked up this book with some interest, and was gratified that it provided so much more than a fluffy novel.the author moves from sugar plantations to conversations with a bar owner to military rule to endemic corruption to street kids to issues of race - within 5 or 6 pages.and none of it feels forced, he provides insightful details that explain so much to people accustomed to western cultures - or even other latin american cultures to those who have traveled outside the u.s.
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Subjects:  1. History - General History    2. Latin America - South America    3. South America    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. Travel / South America   

Reviews (1)

A must have book for true Steinbeck fans.
A marvelous insight into John Steinbeck and his mentor/pal, Ed Ricketts ("Doc" of Cannery Row fame.).Their obvious affection and respect for the other threads throughout the text.Contains wonderful lines such as," ...in six weeks in Baja, we collected about 3000 specimens of beer.", and of course there is the Hansen Sea Cow. Their musings about a world going crazy (Hitler is on the rise in Europe during the time of the voyage)are superb. The science and biology at the back of the volume is just the icing on a most delectable cake. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. California, Gulf of    2. California, Gulf of (Mexico)    3. Marine animals    4. Mexico   

Reviews (1)

Best Guide for those needing info onmany So. Am. countries
I have only been in five of the fourteen countries covered in this handbook, but of those I have travel through, I found this all-in-one guide to be succinct, reliable and valuable. That said, it does not replace the comprehensiveness of a specific country guide. Basically, this handbook is a digested compilation of the specific country handbooks that Footprint produces. Thus, if you are only visiting one or two countries, buy those handbooks. If you are going to explore South America and want only one guide, this guide will be valuable.Read more

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

Reviews (2)

EUROPE IN LATIN AMERICA
Buenos Aires is by far the most European of the great Latin American cities, it is a city of cafe's and grand avenues.This book captures the essence of this unique city, it gets up close and personal and gets the flavor of the town.I must confess I knew very little about Buenos Aries before picking up this book, I just knew about Evita, uh thank you Madonna, and I had seen pictures of the capitol building, but I really had no idea what a beautiful city this was, well at the very least it photographs well.The people are very Western and sophisicated and don't ever forget these are the people that created the Tango.If you have any interest in this great city, then I highly recommend this book.

The best pictures and story of Buenos Aires
Truly great picture postcard photography of the 'Paris' of South America - Buenos Aires, tango, great food, neighborhood coffee shops, wide avenues and beautiful peoples, most everythingyou'd what to see, everywhere you wish you had time to visit, all in a book at a really gerat price. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. History - General History    2. Latin America - South America    3. Photography / Travel    4. South America    5. Subjects & Themes - Travel - World/General    6. Travel    7. Travel / South America    8. Argentina    9. Buenos Aires    10. Description and travel    11. Pictorial works   

Reviews (4)

Worthy guide book!
Just back from three weeks in the Yucatan (and I had a wonderful time!), and found this to be a reliable guide. The rating system is dependable, the maps helpful, and for the most part the info is up to date. I will say this, you might concidering more than one guide book as all of them seem to have some defficincies. This would be most important for the independent travler and the travler who is planning to get away from the major resorts. You might also consider buying good maps. This book, and "A TOURIST IN THE YUCATAN" (Great thriller!) made my vacation truely unforgettable!
Ivan A.Backerman (CARRABELLE,FL.)
Concise and excellent travel guide,helpful for my last trip to the Yucatan.Well done!!

Good maps, but lacks important details
This guide misses some of the most interesting places to stay and completely skips the best restaurants, I think. Also, I wanted to know how to get to the ferry for Isla Mujeres from Puerto Morelos. There is only transportation information from the tourist area in Cancun or the airport. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Cancâun (Mexico)    2. Cozumel (Mexico)    3. Guidebooks    4. Mexico    5. Travel    6. Travel - Foreign    7. Travel Guides    8. Yucatâan Peninsula    9. Travel & holiday guides    10. Travel / Mexico   

Editorial Review

What were these guys thinking? In September, 1999, three young men set out to float the length of the Amazon River in a rubber raft for the sheer thrill of it. No Read more

Reviews (3)

Simply Wasn't...
This book simply wasn't all that good. The adventure was amazing, the book it's self not so much. While I love Angus' wander-lust, his writing is bit repetitive and makes the book somewhat forgetable. I have a hard time really seeing what he sees and trully understanding what his adventure meant to him. I think I was looking for something a bit different. I was hoping to read another person's account of a pilgramige. I want to hear a traveler's soul speak through the book. While the book is gushing with action and suspense, (Of course, they nearly died), it didn't fill me in the way I had hoped. A Dissapointment over all but if you're just looking for action in plain language, this is your book.

amazon extreme
Several years ago, I read Joe Kane's "Running the Amazon" and I was interested to hear how Angus' journey compared.Not surprisingly "Amazon Extreme" proved to be every bit as exciting.The part that intrigued me the most was their budget.These three young men had just over ten thousand dollars for the entire five month journey - and that included their transportation and equipment.It is easy to see that the sheer determination of these men is what carried them across the South American Continent in one piece.For those of you who read this book, prepare to be inspired.Perhaps the writing isn't the best in the world, butthe non-stop adventure more than makes up for it.Definitely worth reading!

This book is the definition of adventure
I had no idea that the Amazon was anything other than a flat meandering river flowing through the South American jungle.When my wife first gave me this book, I thought, 'so what? some guys went down a river.'I had no idea that only a select few have ever achieved this feat and that it was so incredibly difficult.Angus paints a magical picture of beauty and fear as they navigate the Amazon's treacherous headwaters. Snow-capped mountains, raging whitewater and excellent team-dynamics weave together to create a story like no other.I would definitely recomend this book to adventurers or adventurers at heart. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Amazon River    2. Amazon River Region    3. Angus, Colin    4. Description and travel    5. Essays & Travelogues    6. Rafting (Sports)    7. South America    8. Special Interest - Adventure    9. Travel    10. Travel - General    11. Travel / Adventure   

Reviews (1)

what happened to quality?
I also have the ITMB map of Costa Rica which is waterproof and of high quality. Silly me I expected ITMB to produce all their maps to a similar quality standard. From the glue on cover to the paper the quality suffers. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Ecuador    2. Travel / road maps & atlases