Reviews (6)

I was literally sent downstairs for laughing too loud.
Seriously.I was up past bedtime, and I was reading Bryson's description of lame 1950's toys.I won't give it away, but imagine what he can do with the topic of "electric football".After a particularly vigorous episode of chortling, my wife trudged out of bed to decree that, if I insisted on continuing to read, I'd have to take it downstairs.
The FUNNIEST book I have read in years!!!
This is a wonderful, funny, and ultimately very human book, which reminds us all, no matter who we are or where we live (I'm Australian) of the total joys of a happy childhood.
A pure joy.
So far as I can tell, there are only 2 problems with Bill Bryson.First, he writes about his life, which means he has to go live it for a while before he can write another book.So he can't write constantly, which is about the only pace likely to keep up with my appetite for his work.Second, he doesn't live near me, so I can't visit him to catch up between books.
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Subjects:  1. Biography    2. Biography & Autobiography    3. Biography / Autobiography    4. Biography/Autobiography    5. Bryson, Bill    6. Childhood Memoir    7. General    8. Humor    9. Iowa - Local History    10. Literary    11. Personal Memoirs    12. Regional Subjects - Midwest    13. Travel writers    14. United States    15. Voyages And Travels    16. Biography & Autobiography / Personal Memoirs   

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)   

Editorial Review

"God, he was a smart kid..." So why did Christopher McCandless trade a brightfuture--a college education, material comfort, uncommon ability and charm--for death by starvation in anabandoned bus in the woods of Alaska? This is the question that Jon Krakauer's book tries to answer. While itdoesn't—cannot—answer the question with certainty, Read more

Reviews (886)

Only read if you can relate to the protagonist
I recently read Under the Banner of Heaven and loved Krakauer's writing, so I picked up Into the Wild.Krakauer didn't disappoint.His writing was honest, personal and to the point.He doesn't mince words, and while his bias is obvious, he presents evidence that reveals many sides of Chris McCandless.
But why?
This is defiantly not my typical read, but once I started I found it compelling, hard to put down, but that does not mean I did not have some problems with it.It seemed like the author tried too hard to make McCandless a sympathetic figure, almost a hero in an odd way.Everything Chris does though leads to his own destruction, he has no one to blame but himself.I don't have much experience in the wilderness so maybe I am just ignorant, but it sure seemed like he could have saved himself.Going off into the woods to die does not seem heroic to me.That being said , the author has done his research and is talented writer.He convinced me not to head off into the Alaskan wilderness alone!Speaking of tales of the wilderness I highly recommend "Across the High Lonesome!"

Jon's Quest
Jon tried to help us understand the unexpainable actions of a misguided youth.Only through Jon's vivid description of his own journey into the the Alaskan wilderness, did we come close to feeling Chris McCandless' intentions. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 1968-1992    2. Adventure and adventurers    3. Alaska    4. Biography    5. Biography & Autobiography    6. Biography / Autobiography    7. Biography And Autobiography    8. Biography/Autobiography    9. Essays & Travelogues    10. General    11. McCandless, Christopher Johnso    12. Regional Subjects - West    13. Travelers    14. United States    15. Wayfaring life    16. West (U.S.)    17. McCandless, Christopher Johnson    18. Travel / Essays & Travelogues   

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   

Reviews (1)

An absolute must
I went to sleep last night angry that I had to sleep and got up early, angry that I had not gotten up early enough to finish "Through the Children's Gate." As I finish this short review, I finish the book. Its last paragraphs I delayed reading because, as I neared the end, I realized how much I dreaded reaching the end. Now that I have, I'm eagerly awaiting the next collection. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Biography & Autobiography    2. Biography / Autobiography    3. Biography/Autobiography    4. Description And Travel    5. Family    6. Gopnik, Adam    7. Home    8. New York    9. New York (State)    10. Personal Memoirs    11. Psychological aspects    12. Social Psychology    13. Social aspects    14. Travelers    15. United States - Mid Atlantic - New York City    16. United States - Northeast - Middle Atlantic (General)    17. Biography & Autobiography / General   

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)   

Reviews (5)

Then and Now
The photographs in this book are good shots - clear, and larger than I had expected. It is very interesting to see how the historical city of Boston was, and how it has changed over the years, most times for the better, though sometimes for the worse.Perhaps I would get more out of this if I knew more about Boston. Unless you are already familiar with this city, then "Boston Then and Now" gives you the feeling of peeping through the windows of a house that's up for rent, rather than being taken on a guided tour. A map certainly would have been helpful, and how about an entire page of background information rather than a footnote? Just an idea, in case someone decides to revise it someday. Nice book. Worth buying.

SNOBS
"Boston Then And Now" was reviewed by Charles Higgensworth III.I do hope there won't be a number 4 Higgensworth.This man should drop the attitude.Then people may like him almost as much as this book.What a jerk!

A good backstop to any trip to Boston's sites
We purchased this book in Boston and found almost all of the sites we saw in town in this book.In this book, the older, up to 150-year old photo of the original structures on the current site, or older pictures than offered a juxtaposition of the surrounding landscape of buildings present in the past and now around selected sites.Read more

Subjects:  1. Boston (Mass.)    2. History    3. History - General History    4. History - U.S.    5. Photoessays & Documentaries    6. Pictorial works    7. Pictorials    8. Subjects & Themes - Travel - U.S./New England    9. Travel    10. United States - State & Local - General    11. Places & peoples: general interest    12. Travel & holiday guides    13. Sale Books   

Subjects:  1. Business & Economics    2. Business / Economics / Finance    3. Consumer Finance    4. Millionaires    5. Personal Finance    6. Personal Finance - General    7. United States    8. United States - Pacific - Hawaii    9. Wealth    10. Business & Economics / Personal Finance / General    11. Taxation   

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)   

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 (60)

A book to appreciate
What an exceptional book this is. I very much enjoy the outdoors--fishing, hunting, camping, and hiking for long stretches of time in the wildest places I can find. If you like similar activities, you may come to love this book as I do.
Interesting
Flipping channels a couple of years ago, I came across a show on PBS about a man building his own cabin, with no power tools, in the Alaskan wilderness.I was mesmorized watching this program.It was one of those shows that stuck with my thoughts and emotions for several days.I was awestruck with some of the things he was making with his hands.I wanted to be there myself.Wanting to get more out of this, I bought the book.I would describe the book as interesting, not riveting.It held my interest and does inspire me to start and complete the task at hand, whatever that may be.To me, the description of the cabin building process was a little too tedious, but the rest of book seemed to flow right along.I'm glad I read the book, but I think this is one of those rare instances where I liked the video better than the book

Easy read, inspirational story
This book is a good read for those who feel inspired by someone who follows their "dreams" (trite, but true!).The book reads like the subject is talking, simplified but descriptive.The Alaskan wilderness plays a big part in the story, although I would've thought that life on your own would have been slightly more difficult - the subject almost makes it seem easy. The idea of someone making a life on their own from nothing (building a house, obtaining food) is tempered somewhat by the fact that the subject had supplies flown in on a regular basis.Still, living on your own for 35+ years is an interesting topic.A nice addition to an "outdoor adventure" library.For those that have seen the companion video, this book may be less important. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. 20th Century Description And Travel    2. Alaska    3. Alaska - Local History    4. Collections, Catalogs, Exhibitions    5. Diaries    6. Essays & Travelogues    7. Frontier and pioneer life    8. General    9. Photo Techniques    10. Photography    11. Pioneers    12. Proenneke, Richard    13. Travel - United States    14. Twin Lakes Region (Kodiak Isla    15. Twin Lakes Region (Lake and Peninsula Borough)    16. United States - Pacific - Alaska    17. United States - State & Local - General    18. Wilderness survival    19. Travel writing   

Reviews (60)

Fascinating and life saving
Couldn't put this book down!Instructive and illuminating!Tales and advice can apply to any hiking and biking trips that our family takes in the future.

Mostly good
I was afraid that this book would be a boring, thorough, and complete list of Grand Canyon deaths.It isn't -- except for Chapter 4.With that exception, this book is a complete page-turner, well-written and informative.
Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon
It is a most interesting and informative book.It should be read by anyone who has or wants to hike the Grand Canyon.It relates individual stories of people that have died in the Canyon and what they did wrong that caused or contributed to their death.It weaves many of these stories together to create an excellent book that was hard to put down.
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Subjects:  1. Accidents    2. Anecdotes    3. Arizona    4. Grand Canyon    5. Grand Canyon (Ariz.)    6. History    7. Social Science / Death & Dying    8. Travel    9. Travel / Parks & Campgrounds    10. Violent deaths    11. Death    12. Death & Dying    13. Parks & Campgrounds    14. Social Science    15. United States - State & Local   

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 (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)   

Subjects:  1. Food Industry Services    2. Restaurants    3. Travel    4. Travel - United States    5. Travel Guides - U.S.    6. United States - Pacific - San Francisco    7. United States - West - Pacific (General)   

Reviews (8)

Good book I found it helpful
I found thisbook helpful in deciding just which Inside Passage Cruise to take and which ship to book on.There is a lot of information that can become dated.That is why I got the latest edition.I am booking for early in the cruise season 2007 while reading it in 2006.

Excellent guide to the wonders of this place!
Excellent general guidebook for cruisers to Alaska, especially
Not A Winner
We bought three travel guides before our cruise to Alaska and this was by far the least valuable.The information isn't specific enough - it's very general. Look at a copy before you buy. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Alaska    2. Canada - Territories & Nunavut    3. Canada - Western Provinces    4. Cruise ships    5. Guidebooks    6. Ocean travel    7. Reference - Cruise Guides    8. Travel    9. Travel - United States    10. United States - Pacific - Alaska    11. United States - Pacific - Washington    12. United States - West - Pacific (General)   

Reviews (11)

Pretty good
I like this book fairly well. It's got all kinds of information in it, which actually may be hard to wade through if you know which island you're going to, and you have to pass over the other island sections.
Not bad, but...
If you buy this, don't bother buying Frommer's Hawaii From $80 A Day. Most of it is word for word.

Is it current information?
I recently returned from Maui and used Frommer's 2005 along with another popular 2005 edition as a guide.Both provided current accurate information on lodging and activities and the other guide provided consistently accurate information on restaurants but I was surprised by the amount of either out of date or erroneous restaurant information in the Frommer's book.On one occasion we drove across the island for lunch at a recommended restaurant only to find out they are not open for lunch on any day.We went to another restaurant for dinner partly because of a dessert that Frommer's raved about.When we tried to order the dessert our waiter informed us they had not served that dessert in years.On another occasion we selected a restaurant based on a few specific dishes mentioned in Frommer's.When we arrived we did not find any of the items that interested us from the Frommer's guide on the menu.
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Subjects:  1. Travel    2. Travel - United States    3. Travel Guides - U.S.    4. United States - Pacific - Hawaii    5. United States - West - Pacific (General)    6. Hawaii    7. Travel & holiday guides    8. Travel / United States / West / Pacific (AK, CA, HI, NV, OR, WA)   

Reviews (5)

Very nice travel guide
One star off is because this book is a little bit thick for travel, some of contents can be removed to make a pefect travel guide.

Why pay for a Tour Guide, Just Buy the Book
I used the 2005 edition for a New York trip in May 2005 and it was SOOOO helpful. We went everywhere with this book and it really broke down the significance and history of what we were looking at. Take it on the subway and by taxi and see New York on your own. I even learned the subway system with the book after two days of riding. I wish we had more time on the trip! I highly recommend this book!

Great Sidekick
The NYC Eyewitness Travel Guide is easy to use.I wanted a book that wasn't too bulky but provided the essential info. & pictures of nyc and I found that this was the perfect book for me. It provides tons of pictures and highlights & history on each site.It also contains detailed maps and suggestions on where to stay and eat and the city's entertainment choices (plays, sports games, surrounding areas).I toted the book with me during my week stay in NYC and found myself constantly referencing it.I would recommend this book to anyone traveling to NYC. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Guidebooks    2. New York (N.Y.)    3. Travel    4. Travel - United States    5. Travel Guides - U.S.    6. United States - Mid Atlantic - New York    7. United States - Northeast - Middle Atlantic (General)    8. Travel / United States / Northeast / Middle Atlantic (NJ, NY, PA)   

Reviews (21)

OK, but not complete
This book is a lot of fun, but I question some of the hidden Mickeys in the book. Some aren't exactly hidden (the Mickey's in MouseGear at EPCOT, for example) but merely decorations. Other are very questionable and really aren't hidden Mickeys at all (by this I mean, just because there are three circles together doesn't mean they are a Mickey. A true Mickey has one large circle with two smaller circle ears). Other Mickeys are just over looked. For a free list of the Mickeys, you can also just checkout SpaceCoast Hidden Mickeys on the web. Overall, it's a fun book, but don't buy it if you are looking for a real list of the Mickeys.

can't wait to get searching
I really like this book because it is set up that it will be very easy to use on a vacation to the disney parks. I wish that there was a disneyland version of this book

Family Fun
If you have been to Disney a ton of times, This is the book for you. If it's your first time I think you'll enjoy it as well, BUT for you returners get ready to see the park in a hole new light.Whether you're with the kids or just a bunch of fun loving adults you got to try this. The book is set up like a scavenger hunt (for hidden Mickeys) and will give you excellent hints on where to look (with out giving away the exact location) and at the same time show you the best way to see each park. As a 34 year veteran I know my way around and this is just the way I do the parks (for the most part)shortest lines and most attractions covered. The book includes a scoring system witch is great for deciding who is picking up the bill for the next meal. But how ever you do it, it is lots of fun. Hope you enjoy it as much as we did. ... Read more

Subjects:  1. Museums, Tours, Points of Interest    2. Transportation    3. Travel    4. Travel - United States    5. United States - General    6. United States - South - South Atlantic (General)    7. United States - South Atlantic - Florida    8. Transportation / General