Reviews (4)

A Must for any Newbie to Disney World
If you've never been to Disney World (or if you haven't been for a long time), this book is a must.As a first-timer, I am so very grateful that I bought it.Reading it prepared me for my trip like nothing else I did prior to leaving.The other books on Disney World vacations are of varying usefulness, but this one should be required reading for all first-timers. (By the way, in terms of the other guide books, I like both Passporter and the EZ-Guide for their maps and fun attitude, but found Birnbaum's Official Guide to be both lacking in substance and filled with too much detail about some attractions, which could have potentially ruined my experience had I kept reading that dastardly book).
FINALLY, Testa makes the cover!
I'm another loyal UG reader--every trip, every year (whether we go or not that year).I agree with a previous reviewer's comments that the book is peppered with author comments--for me, that's the beauty.If you are looking for the pure sunny version of "what's at WDW" this may not be the book for you.Consider Birnbaum's or the PassPorter.
Lots of new content for the new edition!!
I've bought this guidebook for the past 4 trips I have taken to WDW.This book is the BEST guide out anywhere for WDW.This issue has some new content which I was very pleased with.I especially like the new map of vacation house resort locations in/around Disney. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    2. Special Interest - Family    3. Travel    4. Travel - United States    5. Travel Guides - U.S.    6. United States - South - South Atlantic (General)    7. United States - South Atlantic - Florida    8. Florida    9. Travel & holiday guides    10. Travel / United States / South / South Atlantic (DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV)   

Reviews (2)

A MUST FOR DISNEY VACATIONERS
Birmbaums is the most comprehensive disney guide there is. Its a fun way to plan your trip. Though not as detailed as some its a very lively look at all that is disney. A great book to get you excited about your trip to the happiest place on earth.

The Official Book of Disney World
My husband, son, and I just got back from Disney World a few weeks ago. We planned the trip in just a month's time, and WDW guides were very helpful!
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Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Travel - General    2. Parks & Campgrounds    3. Special Interest - Family    4. Travel    5. Travel - United States    6. Travel Guides - U.S.    7. United States - General    8. United States - South Atlantic - Florida    9. Juvenile Nonfiction / Travel    10. Travel & holiday guides    11. USA   

Subjects:  1. Food Industry Services    2. Restaurants    3. Travel    4. Travel - United States    5. Travel Guides - U.S.    6. United States - Mid Atlantic - New York    7. United States - Mid Atlantic - New York City    8. United States - Northeast - Middle Atlantic (General)    9. New York    10. Restaurant & pub guides   

Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. United States - Pacific - San Francisco    4. United States - West - Pacific (General)    5. California    6. Restaurant & pub guides   

Reviews (202)

You will be delighted, this is simply the best of the lot!
The depth and quality of content in this guide delighted us for 2 solid weeks on Maui. Excellent reviews on restaurants and lodging, insightful guides to attractions - the exact opposite of the blatantly dishonest and cheaply done Frommer's Maui.
Going to Maui? Get this book.
We found this guidebook an excellent companion on our recent Maui vacation. Their advice on must sees and what to skip was invaluable to us. We knew there were many more sights and activities than we could fit in on this trip, so I found it very helpful to know the opinions of locals who had taken the time to thoroughly research their recommendations. The descriptions of the Road to Hana were very detailed, which is important if you're going to find all the neat little stops along the way. Their beach reviews are also excellent. In my opinion, this is the only guidebook you really need.

Best by far.
I've been visiting various Hawaiian Islands for nearly 30 years and no other guide book even comes close to this series.It perfectly describes what to expect, where to go, and more importantly when on a limited vacation, where NOT to go.
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Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. Maui (Hawaii)    3. Travel    4. Travel - United States    5. United States - Pacific - Hawaii    6. United States - West - Pacific (General)    7. Guidebooks; Adventure Travel    8. Maui, Hawaii    9. Travel / United States / West / Pacific (AK, CA, HI, NV, OR, WA)   

Editorial Review

Bill Bryson has made a living out of traveling and then writing about it. In Read more

Reviews (889)

"I had never encountered anything so hard, for which I was so ill prepared."
Returning to the US after living in England for twenty years, Bill Bryson becomes intrigued with the idea of the hiking the Appalachian Trail, a portion of which is in his New Hampshire backyard.The 2100-mile trail from Georgia to Mt. Katahdin in Maine winds through virgin forest and scenes of incredible natural beauty and provide an unparalleled opportunity to be alone and reflective.
WONDERFUL
THIS MAY BE MY SECOND FAVORITE BILL BRYSON BOOK BEHIND SUNBURNED COUNTRY. AS I SAID IN HIS FORUM, IT'S BEYOND BELIEF THAT HE AND HIS OVERWEIGHT FRIEND GOOD OLD KATZ WALKED AS FAR AS THEY DID IN THE WILDERNESS AND SURVIVED. IT IS A WONDERFUL, RELAXING, EDIFYING, LAUGH-RIOT OF A BOOK AS ONLY BILL CAN PROVIDE. I LOVE HIS WORK AND TRUST ME, BUY THIS, YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO PUT IT DOWN. EVEN READING ABOUT THE DANGERS YOU'LL FEEL LIKE IMMEDIATELY GOING FOR A HIKE SOMEWHERE. ONE WARNING, TAKE A LOT OF BILL'S HISTORY WITH A GRAIN OF SALT. HE TENDS TO BEND THE FACTS A BIT FOR A LAUGH AND HIS "HISTORY" OF THOMAS J. JACKSON (STONEWALL) IS JUST NONSENSE, BUT VERY FUNNY. IN FACT, JACKSON WAS PROBABLY THE MOST BRILLIANT MAJOR OFFICER THE UNITED STATES EVER PRODUCED AND HE, NOT ROBERT E. LEE WAS THE STATEGIST IN THE SOUTH'S GREATEST VICTORIES. BUT I DIGRESS, BILL BRYSON IS MY HERO AND FOR HEAVEN'S SAKE I'M A REPUBLICAN AND HE DETESTS REPUBLICAN'S SO YOU KNOW I FIND THIS MAN FUNNY. GO BILL!

Elitist and arrogant
I have made it to page 84 and I don't think I can read any further.At this point in the book Bryson is in Franklin, NC."Late on the third afternoon I stood in a Burger King and studied, with absorbtion, the photographs of the manager and his exectutive crew (reflecting on the curious fact that people who go into hamburger management always look as if their mother slept with Goofy), then slid one pace to the right to examine the Employee of the Month awards.It was then that I realized I had to get out of Franklin."If you find this sort of elitist humor funny, then this book is for you.Also this book reads like fiction.Too much of it is not believable and appears to me to be written to make the story more interesting and therefore more publishable. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Appalachian Trail    2. Description and travel    3. Essays & Travelogues    4. Natural history    5. Travel    6. Travel - United States    7. United States - General    8. United States - Northeast - General    9. United States - South - East South Central (General)    10. Travel / United States / General   

Reviews (5)

Absolutely Awesome!
This is the best book I have ever seen on the National Parks. The photography alone is worth the price. It gives very comprehensive advice on each park, and you can tell by the way it is written that these people have actually been to, and spent time, in each park. I love the way it breaks down each park into suggested amounts of time so that you can better plan your trip. There are maps for each park, and in the maps is my only complaint. Most of the maps cover more than one page and because there is very little page border down the center, it can make it difficult to see the center of the maps. Other than that, it truly is an awesome book, whether you actually get to travel to the parks or not.

National Parks Guide does its job.
If you are visiting National Parks and want a useful guide to help plan your day(s) this book should be on your list.It goes beyond the quick synopsis you get in AAA guides and describes worthwhile stops and hikes at all the National Parks in the U.S.

A handy reference to supplement (or start) Web research
I just bought the 2006 version of this useful resource to replace my trusty 1989 (!!) original. The new one includes up-to-date content (e.g., Joshua Tree is now a National Park, no longer a National Monument tucked away in the "Excursions" section) but I have two major gripes:
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Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. National parks and reserves    3. North America    4. Parks    5. Parks & Campgrounds    6. Travel    7. Travel - United States    8. Travel Guides - U.S.    9. United States    10. United States - General    11. Travel & holiday guides    12. Travel / North America    13. USA   

Editorial Review

A travelogue by Bill Bryson is as close to a sure thing as funny books get. Read more

Reviews (244)

A major disservice to the book
The book THE LOST CONTINENT is an amazing captivating read.Bryson is truly brilliant in his descriptions.This CD totally KILLS that.First of all the narrator reads at a mile a minute, sometimes to the point where you can't understand him.And second, they abridged the CRAP out of it, cutting some of the most interesting commentary and actually cutting the entire SECOND HALF of the book!While the book is amazing, this particular recording of it should be avoided at all costs.

NOT HIS BEST WORK
I think Bill Bryson can be very funny. "In A Sunburned Land" was hilarious, whereas this was pretty much trite and dated humor. In fact it reminded me of the kind of humor undergraduate English Majors at overated eastern liberal arts colleges would find funny. The beginning of the book is an ongoing insult of everyone, the middle he calms dawn, and he ends really trying to force some funny. It's a very dated and poor effort by a usually funny man. Skip it.

dark job by a whiny hatchet man--read the later works
My overall recommendation is to read Bryson's brilliantly funny recent works, then go back to less recent works, then stop before you get to this one.As other discerning reviewers have noted (especially Amer-Aussie, whose spot-on review you really must mark as 'helpful'), Bryson looks for the worst in America and, surprise, he finds it.Sure, there's much that's funny here, but the humor gets swallowed up by the mean.
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Subjects:  1. 1971-    2. Cities and towns    3. Description and travel    4. Essays & Travelogues    5. Form - Essays    6. General    7. Humor    8. Social life and customs    9. Travel - United States    10. United States    11. United States - General    12. Travel / Essays & Travelogues   

Reviews (4)

Disappointing
I bought this book thinking it would be new and different from all the other traveler's guides. I was sadly mistaken.I looked up my city - Boston.There is nothing described that you couldn't find on the internet for free. In addition, the recommended restaurants are either tired old spots that are just riding on their reputations or yesterday's hot spots, which in my opinion, are overpriced and not that great.
the best travel book everq
Hands down, this is the best travel book I've ever read -- and I enjoyed reading it cover to cover, unlike many travel books. It's a combination of where to eat, stay and what to see as well as a fascinating history/commentary that really gives you a sense of what a city is like, the pulse. Apple is a fantastic writer and I trust his restaurant recommendations over any other writer/critic out there -- in the cities I know well, he's definitely included the best of the best eats, both high brow and low brow. I really hope he can update and re-publish his European guide soon. I don't want to travel anywhere without his guidance any more!

Good book for reading.
I had a wonderful time reading this book. Not bad. Go's into some interesting topics and covers the bases for the most part. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Canada    2. Cities and towns    3. Description And Travel    4. Guidebooks    5. Travel    6. Travel - United States    7. United States    8. United States - General    9. Travel & holiday guides    10. USA   

Reviews (150)

we love this guide book
We definitely love our REVEALED guide books.They're very informative, covering the islands like no other guide book I've seen.The writers are honest (and not always positively so) which helped us decide what we wanted to see and do, and to know what we can skip for whatever reason.We found the remarks to be right on track with what we found while there.If you're looking for a very well written, humorous, and detailed guide book, this is it.We brought ours with us as we drove around, constantly finding things to do and see.The history and island lore made it even more interesting.

Great Insight on an Interesting Island
Just returned from a great visit to the Big Island, made even greater by this book.Went from lava fields to rain forests in less than 2 hours and took some incredible back road tours that would have been impossible without this book.Found directions very clear, restaurant reviews impeccable and site reviews invaluable.On top of all that, authors have a very enjoyable way of writing, which my entire family enjoyed.Do get this book.I had also taken the Fodor and Frommer books, which I rarely opened.

Pretty Good Guidebook
We just returned from Hawaii, and stayed 5 days on the Big Island.We used this and another guidebook.For the most part, it was most useful and accurate.I can recommend the book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. United States - Pacific - Hawaii    4. United States - West - Pacific (General)    5. Hawaii The Big Island, Hawaii    6. Travel / United States / West / Pacific (AK, CA, HI, NV, OR, WA)   

Subjects:  1. Atlases    2. Atlases - General    3. Earth Sciences - Geography    4. Reference    5. Road Atlases    6. Travel - United States    7. United States - General    8. United States - West - Pacific (General)   

Reviews (13)

Loads of information!
The Milepost is an institution for vacationers determined to drive their vehicles in Alaska. This thick paperbound book provides one with important information about everything from the location of the nearest gas station to the facilities available at campgrounds.It details, mile by mile, the views, the history, the resources, the geography, and the people and places that make Alaska the unique, breathtaking experience that it is. If you will be driving in Alaska, you should purchase this book.
Great book - Great service
What service! I had the book in just a couple of days!

A must buy if you travelling Alaska by road
We drove about 3000 miles in 11 days this summer and I have to say Milepost was more than helpful. I do have MS Streets & Trips and we rely on that for our most trips. But in Alaska that doesn't work. Luckily, I had got heads up from Alaska residents that if I want to do road trip in Alaksa, I will NEED Milepost. As per the Alaska residents I have talked with on different forums (TripAdvisor, Flyertalk, etc.) - even though they live in Alaska they buy new copy of Milepost every year. I heard similar from people with whom I talked with in Alaska. If you are just travelling from Anchorage to Denali or Fairbanks to Denali - you could just get maps from Local Information centers and go without Milepost but for extensive road travelling - buy this - your money is well spent. Another book you may want to consider buying is Alaska TourSaver (just google on it and you will fine tons of information). It saved us about $600! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Canada    2. Fiction - General    3. General    4. Travel    5. Travel - United States    6. United States - Pacific - Alaska    7. United States - West - Pacific (General)   

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 (20)

Exactly What It Claims to Be
Cheaply published, on flimsy newsprint, this book does exactly what it purports to do--guide the driver to the services needed by the motoring public traveling our interstates.For RVers, especially, knowing which exit has a gas station that is accessible to our 55 foot+ rigs, is critical information, saving time and frazzled nerves.

Perfect for those offramps looking
Absolutely perfect for those off ramp excursions. My only gripe with this book is that is does not have the Parkways in NY and NJ (maybe other places too). I love that it has Wal-Mart for the different exits. A must have.

Great tool to use
This guide takes a short time to figure out how to use it, but well worth it.We used the book on a 3-family trip from Illinois to South Carolina's southern coast.We found ourselves constantly looking up where rest areas were to be found, and just what was available at the exits we were approaching.
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Subjects:  1. Maps & Road Atlases    2. Reference - General    3. Travel    4. Travel - United States    5. United States - General   

Reviews (1)

Wonderful photographs of USA
This book really gives the magnificent views of travel places. With the nice pictures from David Muench, you will enjoy the landscape of America as you be there. This book can be your travel guide and photograph book. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Gardening/Plants    2. Subjects & Themes - Travel - U.S./General    3. Travel - United States    4. United States - General    5. BG-JUVENILE PROP - BG-JUVY PRESCHOOL    6. Photography & Photographs    7. Photography / Subjects & Themes / Landscapes    8. USA    9. Sale Books   

Reviews (7)

Simply The Best
If you are going to Disney with your kids, this is, hands down, the best guide out there.

my kids (and grandkids) like action
My kids & I used to make a yearly pilgrimmage to WDW in Orlando and now my gradnkids want to do the same. So off I go again. But I wouldn't leave the house (or the car) unles I had Wiley's great guide book in my bag. Everything we need to know is there and the yearly updates make this an imperative take-along travel choice.
Excellent Guide
This is one of the best travel guides that I have used! I took my kids to Disney and this book helped me avoid the long lines (that we all know about!), know where to eat and helped me find a good hotel where my kids could be kids. This is a must if you plan on going to Disney! ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Family recreation    2. Florida    3. Guidebooks    4. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    5. Orlando Region    6. Orlando Region (Fla.)    7. Parks & Campgrounds    8. Special Interest - Family    9. Travel    10. Travel - United States    11. Travel Guides - U.S.    12. United States - South - South Atlantic (General)    13. United States - South Atlantic - Florida    14. Walt Disney World (Fla.)    15. Travel & holiday guides    16. Travel / United States / South / South Atlantic (DC, DE, FL, GA, MD, NC, SC, VA, WV)   

Reviews (3)

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

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

Reviews (8)

Very insightful, easy reading, thought provoking resource on cultural norms
This book is an excellent resource for people who are ready and want to learn more about U.S. American cultural norms. This includes people from other countries and people living in the United States (regardless of citizenship). For U.S. Americans, by highlighting U.S. American culture the book also provides insight into other cultures.
Underrated
I don't know why this book has a bad rap here, as I found it easy to read and entertaining as an American wanting to know about unique qualities of my own culture.The author examines a number of aspects of American culture and compares them to other cultures, I couldn't have asked for anything better.Perhaps there are better books on the subject, but this is the first I've read and it was sufficient for my purpose, although I will look into more after this one.
A Good Read!
Gary Althen's richly detailed guide shines a psychological, cultural and sociological spotlight on American customs, values, attitudes and behavior. Organized into 22 chapters that cover just about every aspect of American life, the book hits you with its uncanny insight, accuracy and honesty. Although he doesn't completely avoid stereotyping (and doesn't seem at all bothered by it), Althen presents the good, the bad and the quirky. He explains the "why" behind American attitudes and manners. Even though this is a guide for foreigners visiting, doing business in or living in the United States, we from getAbstract also suggest this book to Americans. It's an eye-opener about the national personality, or the perceived national personality, from na�vete to individualism. As Scotsman Robert Burns wrote, "Oh wad some power the giftie gie us, to see oursels as others see us." Well, here's your chance. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Aliens    2. Guidebooks    3. Handbooks, manuals, etc    4. History - U.S.    5. Intercultural communication    6. Travel    7. United States    8. United States - General    9. Visitors, Foreign    10. Cultural studies    11. USA   

Reviews (265)

Fabulous Book!!!!
We took this book with us on our honeymoon to Kauai.The recommendations were spot on.However (not the fault of the writers) service on the island is lacking in general. The maps were well done, and easy to use with the mile markers included.I would recommend reading this book BEFORE you leave to understand how the book is laid out.
No Better Guidebook Out There
My wife and I were given this as a Christmas gift before we left to spend our Christmas on Kauai.The book was not only detailed with very in depth knowledge of many places throughout Kauai, but it was fun to read.The authors deliver useful information in a way that makes it sound like you are talking to them directly, as if leaning over the fence in your back yard and having them tell you about this great little place they found, or a restaurant that wasn't quite up to snuff.We are going back to Kauai, and before we leave, I am definitely getting the latest and greatest edition because there is just no other wway to experience all of Kauai except by using this excellent guide.

definitely recommend this one!
We love the REVEALED guide books.They are written by someone 'in the know' and who shares a lot of details so you can decide what is right for you on your trip.They are very descriptive, covering the island much more completely than any other guide books i have seen, and are very open and honest about what they think is worth the look, and what isn't.How refreshing!Not only that, but the writers are quite funny, so the books are fun to read, as well as very informative in various bits of history, culture, and island lore. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. Travel Guides - U.S.    4. United States - Pacific - Hawaii    5. United States - West - Pacific (General)    6. Guidebooks; Adventure Travel    7. Kauai, Hawaii    8. Travel / United States / West / Pacific (AK, CA, HI, NV, OR, WA)   

Reviews (1)

Will Stoke a Child's Enthusiasm!
When my husband and I were considering going to WDW for our anniversary, we happened to visit a Disney store in a mall. The manager gushed about WDW (doesn't everybody, really?) and showed us the Birnbaum's 2006 guide for kids. I thought we'd buy it, just to get an idea of what was in the parks and such. Read more

Subjects:  1. Children's 4-8 - Travel - General    2. Children's Books/Ages 9-12 Nonfiction    3. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    4. Special Interest - Family    5. Travel    6. Travel Guides - U.S.    7. United States - South - South Atlantic (General)    8. Juvenile Nonfiction / Travel    9. Travel & holiday guides    10. USA