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

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 (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 (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   

Editorial Review

From Antarctica to Zimbabwe, if you're going there chances are Lonely Planet has been there first. With a pithy and matter-of-fact writing style, these guides are guaranteed to calm the nerves of first-time world travelers, while still listing off-the-beaten-path finds sure to thrill even the most jaded globetrotters. Lonely Planet has been perfecting its guidebooks for nearly 30 years and as a result, has the experience and know-how similar to an older sibling's "been there" advice. The original backpacker's bible, the LP series has recently widened its reach.While still giving insights for the low-budget traveler, the books now list a wide range of accommodations and itineraries for those with less time than money.Read more

Reviews (45)

Great book
I have a tour operator in Peru, [...] I meet the writer, Rob Rachowiecki, he is a great explorer and he was a tour leader in Peru andean areas.
Take the advice!
I found the LP Peru guide to be a useful tool on my recent trip to Lima, Cuzco and Machu Pichu.The country overview was insightful, the restaurant recommendations were tastey, and the advice about altitude sickness was ignored.Big mistake.I've never paid attention to LP's health warnings and never had a problem.If you're heading to Cuzco, you'd be well advised to listen to their experienced writers and bring the necessary medicine.

Good, but missing info
I used this guide for travelling with my family and was fairly useful, except for some good spots that were not considered.
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Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Peru    3. South America    4. Travel    5. Travel - Foreign    6. 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   

Subjects:  1. Sports & Recreation / Golf   

Reviews (1)

Great Guide book to South America
This is a great guide book for South America.I was looking at many of them, and thought this was the most useful for how to get around, different levels of accomodations in case you wanted high end, mid or budget...really gives you a good sense.I looked at Lonely Planet, which I normally like, but feel the South America book was lacking.I also looked at Footprint for Peru and Ecaudor...but those were hard to follow for the price ranges of hotels as they use a lettering system.I have used Frommers in the past and will continue to do so for future trips as it gives you a balanced approach and extra tips on where you may want to spend more money for the location or safety. ... Read more

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

Reviews (1)

Add this book to your collection!
I just got the book and in short, was very impressed.The book fills in the gap in the taxonomic order not covered in the famous Birds of South America Vol. I & II by Ridgely and Tudor.The book is small and compact (5" X 7.5").The illustrations are great...a bit crowded on some pages (as can be expected with the size), but overall are visually appealing and birds are identifiable (unlike other Princeton Illustrated Checklists I've seen recently).The book is just that though, an illustrated checklist.Each bird is illustrated on one side with a corresponding paragraph describing the bird and habitat on the opposite side. Each species has a small range map next to the text block as well.
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Subjects:  1. Birds & Birdwatching - General    2. Nature    3. Nature/Ecology    4. South America    5. Biological Sciences    6. Birds & birdwatching    7. Birds and Natural History    8. Nature / Birds & Birdwatching   

Reviews (4)

A wonderful introduction to the life of this fantastic place
My wife and I bought Jackson's book in preparation for a trip to the Galapagos.The book served us well; when we arrived at the islands we felt that we were almost on a first-name basis with all the fantastic creatures and plants that make the Galapagos such a fascinating place.The book is considerably more than just a field guide; it includes information on the islands' history, their environmental and ecological setting, and the conservation efforts being made to preserve this truly unique place.And, as the title indicates, the book provides a lot of natural history, not just a brief summary of bare facts about each animal or plant.Not only is it a fine guide, it is a most enjoyable read.

The Guide's bible on the Galapagos
Every naturalist guide in the Galapagos has this book. They also sell this book at the Charles Darwin Center in Santa Cruz, and it is a must read. It explains how the islands came about and what makes them so unique. I highly recommend this book!

The one book needed when travelling to the galapagos
I just recently returned from the Galapagos Islands, and the book thatguided me throughout my journey was this book by M.H. Jackson.Very easyto find the animal you are looking, and also helps to discover morecreatures to look for.Helped explain things further from what the guideshad said.Also helped me in answering many people's questions aboutdifferent creatures.A Great book! A must for all travelers to thegalapagos in search of unique wildlife. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Americas (North Central South West Indies)    2. Ecology    3. Galapagos Islands    4. Guidebooks    5. History    6. History: World    7. Natural History    8. Nature    9. NATURAL HISTORY, COUNTRY LIFE & PETS   

Reviews (12)

better, more accurate info available on the Internet
I did a lot of research on our trip.We live in Honduras and are driving to the US over a three week period as we leave the area for good, so ordered the book.I was already very versed in the trip from countless stories on the Internet, and from exploring Central America over the last three years, so found the book simple, badly written, and not very helpful at all.I suggest that instead of spending your money on this book, you do research on the Internet and you will get much better information for free.

Read but not tested
We have not yet driven the Pan-American highway, but were given the Pritchard's book as a gift in preparation for an eventual trip; therefore, I can't comment on the traveler tips. I was, however, amused and distracted by the incredible number of typos on each page (coastal is consistently spelled "costel"). The book seems very basic and at times naive (toilet paper discussion). I had the feeling that my grandfather was explaining the ropes to me... That said, the book seems to have some helpful information and tries to be specific regarding border crossings, the roads, etc.

Outdated
We bought this book before our RV trip in 2003 which eventually resulted in our own book, "99 Days to Panama" (www.99DaystoPanama.com).We found the info mildly useful but not accurate, e.g. Hotel Guanacoste Travel Lodge in Liberia, Costa Rica, hardly has a "trailer park".We recently bought the 6th edition of "Christopher Howard's" version with a new cover but it is exactly the same as the 6th edition of Pritchards book we bought three years ago. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Automobile travel    2. Canada    3. Central America    4. Essays & Travelogues    5. Guidebooks    6. Mexico    7. Pan American Highway System    8. South America    9. Travel    10. Travel - Foreign   

Reviews (6)

Very nice guide
Very concise, but most recommendations are right on mark and everything that really matters is well covered.
Frommer's Buenos Aires
I actually liked this guide book best of all of them.We also purchased Lonely Planet and I thought it was awful!This one was the most complete and the most accurate.We found it extremely helpful.Also, the restaurant suggestions were right on!This is the guidebook to have!
Buenos Aires Helper
This book has a great deal of very helpful information on the sights to see.As the value of the Argentine peso has improved, the prices are somewhat higher but still excellent value.The least helpful part of the book was the dining section.We found a number of the restaurants were no longer there.However, for those that were still around, the reviews were very accurate. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. South America    2. Travel    3. Travel - Foreign    4. TRAVEL & HOLIDAY    5. Travel / South America   

Reviews (16)

Extremely Helpful
I just returned from a trip to Brazil, and though I know some Spanish, I had no previous exposure to Portuguese.This phrasebook proved invaluable in helping me bridge the gap, and contributed to me having an even better time, and blending in better with the locals.

Passable
Beware of serious pronunciation errors in this book.Although it was overall pretty useful, there were some glaring errors in areas where there likely shouldn't have been.Case in point, the phonetic pronunciation for tchau (goodbye) in the book is spelled out as "tee-show."At least in Bahia, it was pronounced by the locals just like the Italian "ciao."The word "vinte" (twenty) is spelled out "veeng-te" in the book, while again everyone we encountered in Bahia pronounced it "veen-chay."I don't know if these are regional differences in Brazilian Portuguese, but if so, they need to at least be addressed in the book.Take care when using the phrasebook to listen to the local speakers as well.

Best Brazilian Portuguese phrase book I've found!
I'm just a lonely writer wanna-be in the heart of the middle of nowhere, so what do I choose to write -- a period piece of Brazil.I can't even begin to praise this book enough.Not only do I get phrases and words, but there are all sorts of little historical and cultural details.
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Subjects:  1. Central America    2. Foreign Language - Dictionaries / Phrase Books    3. General    4. Language    5. Miscellaneous    6. Multi-Language Phrasebooks    7. Portuguese    8. Spanish    9. Travel    10. Brazil    11. Brazilian Portuguese    12. Language self-study & phrasebooks    13. Travel & holiday guides   

Reviews (4)

Awesome guide
Came across this book in June before my business trip to Ecuador and found it more helpful than Moon or Lonely Planet has ever been. While not the most professionally looking (pages inside are creme colord and the images are grainy) the information in the book is outstanding-- its a mix of popular tourist places and off-the beaten path things to see and do. It is also all up-to -date information (esp. the prices and location),which is good for Ecuador since places go under and new shops and restaurants open up all the time.
Good and usefull book.
What can I say... a good book simple as that and more than glad to have it in my collection of travel books. I was surprised by the accuracy of the content, address, phone and e-mail (if mail) information (I am one of the nerds that really checks... arggg). What can I say... going to Ecuador and/or the Galapagos (been there, done that) bring this book with you. It's handy if you are in a need of a guide (book). It's light to bring yet contains lot's of useful information for one of these day you don't know but need a hint from your `guide'..
So glad I found this book before I travelled and it was always at the top of my day-pack when I was there!
This book is an excellent resource for planning a trip to Ecuador and it is particularly helpful for Quito and the Galapagos. I think this book must be the best for selecting a Galapagos boat. There are so many boats to choose from and it is really helpful to have the information all in one place - it was so confusing trying to choose a boat because I found it hard to understand the difference between all the different classes of boat, but it is all explained clearly in the book. The information on hotels and restaurants in Quito seems to be very thorough too. I found some great places to eat by using this book.
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Subjects:  1. Reference - Guides (General)    2. South America    3. Travel    4. Travel - Foreign   

Reviews (11)

An Essential Background Into Samba
If you are interested in learning the true roots of Samba and Brazilian Carnaval(and not just the obligatory blurbs that you see in guidebooks), then this book is an absolute must for you to read. Alma Guillermoprieto does a superb job describing the rich religious, historical, and socioeconomic roots of Brazilian Carnaval and Samba - both of which have become famous around the world, yet remain remarkably poorly understood. A Social History of Black Brazil
Guillermoprieto is both a skilled writer and a serious scholar.That combination makes this erudite, and exceedingly detailed study of the black underclass in Brazilian society both readable and engaging.She employs an inductive approach, using the culture surrounding the Samba and Carnival in Rio as a base for exploring the status of blacks in Brazilian society and the many contradictions and ironies in light of their prevailing influence in all levels of Brazilian culture. samba
For an author whose first language is spanish, her skill in writing in english has to be commended -but she ain't Borges. Planning a research trip/adventure for a year in Rio, and then writting about her life there obviously demonstrates Guillermoprieto's ability to earn money by doing what she likes. Her style is journalistic and if you've never visited a third world country you can get a good idea from her observations of what living in one, as an average citizen, is like, eg. people accustomed to little prosperity evidently will go to great lengths for entertainment, and to achieve a feeling of importance. If you want to learn about samba, well- guillermoprieto is not omniscient. Conclusion: If you want to read something, you could do a lot worse than this book, but it's not a keeper. get it from the library. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Brazil    2. Carnival    3. Customs & Traditions    4. Latin America - South America    5. Rio de Janeiro    6. Rio de Janeiro (Brazil)    7. Samba (Dance)    8. Social conditions    9. Sociology    10. South America    11. Travel    12. Dance    13. Pageants, parades, festivals    14. Sociology, Social Studies    15. Travel / South America