5 comments about Beijing and Shanghai (Eyewitness Travel Guides) (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE).

1. I brought this travel guide with me to Beijing and Shanghai and in general thought it was useful and well-written. Unfortunately, the tiny serifed typeface was just too small for me to read easily. Not a problem for many people, but it sure was for me. I thought most of the information was accurate and helpful. I did not like the way they organized the book by mixing Beijing and Shanghai--I went to Beijing and wanted all that information and then I went to Shanghai and wanted all that info. I had to watch the color coding and page information to be sure I didn't wander into the wrong city (not in real life, only in the pages of the guide). It was a little heavier than I expected and I would be willing to sacrifice some of the high quality pictures and paper in order to make it lighter. Even considering the things I didn't like about the book, I would still buy it since the info was solid.



2. A real guide for a first time visit. Loved its contents, pictures, maps, suggestions and graphs of the major places of interest.



3. My husband and I bought this book right before we took a 3day tour to Beijing. It was a good help in a few areas to prepare us in our trip. I would suggest this book to anyone who plans on making the trip to this area of the world.



4. I have all Eyewitness Books on Travel & am hooked because of the photos. Most travel books have great info but nothing replaces arriving & seeing what you have identified from the comfort of your own home. As a person with one eye (due to cancer - too much chemo) this is very important to me. Faster than online....This one is exceptional & therefore I took the time to do a review for my next Asian trip. Hopefully it will help someone have a fantastic trip.



5. It was my first time in China and I went to both cities. The book was very informative, complete, well illustrated, and easy to read. Everybody in my group kept asking me to read it. I got to see other people's books and they did not come close. I strongly recommend this book.

5 comments about Jerusalem and the Holy Land (Eyewitness Travel Guides).

1. It's tough to pick the "best" guidebook for a particular destination, and the proliferation of free travel information on the web makes choosing "the one" even tougher. My wife and I always start with a copy of an EyeWitness guide for the destination: there are pictures on every page, and we find the images help us plan our trip: the guides are particularly good for architecture and art. The practical guides in the back cover currency, hotels and restaurants.
   
   This guide to Jerusalem is a particularly good example of the DK offerings: the images, paper, text, all are up to the high standards of other books in the series.
   
   Having written that, there is really only one page that matters in deciding whether to buy: the newer the guide the better. This book appeared first in 2000 and was my companion to Israel. It was substantially revised in 2002, and revised again in 2007. If you like the Eyewitness series and have any interest in the destination, armchair or on the ground, your decision is made.
   
   Note: DK maintains an excellent website at TravelDK , with updates on many of its guidebooks.



2. Eyewitness travel books are always the best. Great photos and diagrams. We have a huge collection.



3. As someone who has lived in Israel for almost a year, I know that every tiny thing is politicized here. So I don't really hold it against this guide that it has an obvious anti-Zionist slant. It's hesitant to mention the word Israel (note the title), but sometimes it does. It does not acknowledge that Jerusalem is in Israel, but you'd only notice that if you're paying attention. Any section that discusses the modern history of Israel is severely biased. The tone is appropriate, but the facts are presented in such a one-sided manner that relying just on this book would give you a seriously skewed perspective. There aren't many up-to-date guides to Israel, and this one is pretty good (I also like the Frommer's). So go ahead and buy this guide, but read about Israel from a couple of other sources to offset the bias. The Idiot's Guide to Middle East Conflict is an easy to digest overview, though it's biased in the other direction -- sadly, I don't think objectivity on this subject is achievable.
   
   Purely as a tour guide, this doesn't quite stand alone; it's a great supplement if you have another guide. Hotel and restaurant listings are very brief, and they aren't included on the maps.



4. This book was initially purchased in 2000 and I wanted an updated version as so much has changed in 8 yrs.
   I was disappointed as I found pretty much the same pictures and content.
   That being said I LOVE the DK books for travel ...they are terrific guide books.



5. This book is full of useful information for travel to Jerusalem. Also,it is great reading for understanding the culture in Israel.

No comments about The Unofficial Guide Walt Disney World 2009 (Unofficial Guides).

5 comments about Dragon of the Red Dawn (A Stepping Stone Book(TM)).

1. I like it the book because it's cool.they went to the tree house they went tothe past.I give it 5 star.



2. Magic tree house #37,I LIKED THIS BOOK BECAUSE:THEY GO ON MESHINS.
   THIS BOOK WAS ABOUT:TWO KID'S GOING ON MESHINS.
   I GIVE THIS BOOK:5 STARS.



3. I LIKED THIS BOOK BECAUSE It's like I'm in another world.THIS BOOK WAS ABOUT an adventure of Jack and Aaney trying to find the missing dragon.



4. If you are a Mary Pope Osborne fan, this is the place to get her books. Watch the price and jump on it when it is under $10. You can pre-order for even less. This is a wonderful series of books to read together.



5. This wonderful adventure with a Japanese poet was added to our collection just in time. An article ran about him in National Geographic, and my eldest son would not have had a clue who he was if he had not read this book. I think it is delightful how Mary Pope Osborne uses these texts to expose children to places, ideas and situations that might not otherwise be accessible to them. Definitely pick up this title, and if you haven't already done so, buy the rest as well!

5 comments about Etiquette Guide to Japan: Know the Rules...that Make the Difference.

1. While this book was interesting, it was not essential. When traveling to Japan it is important to study their etiquette, however most good travel books do as well.



2. I ordered this book for my grandaughter who was moving to Okinawa. She said that it really helped her have an understanding of the culture etc.



3. In Japan, as visiting foreigners keep discovering -- if they're paying proper attention -- "etiquette" means a great deal more than simply knowing which knife and fork to use. (Or, in this case, what not to do with your chopsticks.) Japan has been a deeply and subtly ritualized and mannered society for millennia, and even with the postwar easing of some rituals and the introduction and acceptance of certain Westernisms -- and even though the Japanese are generally tolerant of minor faux pas on the part on non-Japanese -- the foreign visitor still needs to be very aware of the expectations of those around him. However, this book is also an excellent source for the non-visitor who simply has an interest in Japanese society and culture. The author has been both a periodic resident and been otherwise closely involved with Japan for going on six decades, and he's also a very observant and thoughtful writer, which makes him an ideal guide for the westerner on all things Japanese. He not only tells you what to do, what not to do, and what you can get away with, he provides the historical background, the psychological rationalization, which not even some Japanese are really aware of. This will help you to extrapolate your behavior in other situations, and will assist you toward an understanding of why the Japanese are the way they are. Those shallow-thinkers who consider the Japanese simply "inscrutable," alien, and beyond American understanding should definitely read this book.



4. excellent advice for anybody that is going to Japan and doesn't want to offend their local hosts or friends.



5. My daughter was going to Japan to spend several weeks with her boyfriends family. I figured she needed some help in the subtle manners that would prepare her to be the best guest she could. It makes for great reading on a long flight! She felt that there were many bits of information that really helped her. Going to Japan with a local is extremely advantagous, but sometimes they forget the details. Lots of good info.

5 comments about Day Of The Dragon-King (Magic Tree House 14, paper).

1. When Jack and Annie found out that they were going to China, they went straight to the treehouse. They met Morgan there, and she told them that they had to save a library in China. The dragon king was going to burn all the books, because he didn't like them. Jack and Annie saw a huge map of the castle where the emporer lived and they used it to help them find the library. In the end, Jack and Annie saved the library and were heroes again.
   
   I liked this book because of the Terra Cotta soldiers (we have one of these at home !), the Chinese hats that Jack and Annie wore, and the dragon kings clothes. And I think I'm a good judge of Chinese things, since I was born in China !



2. this book Its great because anyone liked cartoon this book would like him



3. My 1st grader hates to put it down, he would rather read Magic Tree House books, than play video games. He even reads them to his class and explains the story for show and tell. In his kindergarten class the teacher would also let him read the Magic Tree House books out loud, not to give her a break, but to promote reading out loud. Great books!



4. My four year old son is in love with this chapter series! A friend suggested it to us since he seemed ready for a more advanced reading material at bedtime. My husband reads him a chapter every night...sometimes more because they don't want to stop. It's become a great tradition for them, and something they both look forward to. We love that there are so many in the collection! Start with number 1 and just continue. :)



5. What a great way for the kids to learn! These books are great reading for children 7- 10 the characters are a brother and sister ages 7 and 8 who travel through time in a magic tree house by picking up a book and wishing to go to the places in the book. The facts of each book are acurate so the children are learning without realizing it. The passport on line for the children to fill out helps the children retain the knowledge the attained while reading. These books are a great teaching tool for teachers and parents alike

5 comments about Turkey (Eyewitness Travel Guides).

1. The guide has beautiful pictures, but I found it a little lacking in content, especially for the Ephesus area. If you are going on a cruise and stopping in Kusadasi as we did, we wanted information on the Kusadasi and Ephesus areas, including how to navigate ourselves through town, what the highlights are (where to focus our time) and how to get there, as well as some historical and background information. The little information this book did provide on Ephesus was something any taxi driver could have told us.



2. Turkey (Eyewitness Travel Guides)
   My husband and I love to travel. We like to take at least two long trips per year. From all different travel guides we like the DK Eyewitness Travel Guides best.



3. If you like the ancient and modern Turkey, this book is for you. Beautiful descriptions and useful maps. It makes your trip to my country very pleasant.



4. This book looks nice, feels nice, and I suppose might taste nice. However, after living in Turkey for a year I found this book to be lacking in practical information. Eyewitness guides seemed to be geared more towards the tourist-on-a-tour rather than a person trying to make it on their own. There are three reasons I say this:
   1) The hotel information is mainly for nicer establishments and there are not many listed.
   2) The pictures are really nice, but there is not a lot of cultural, historical, or instructional information.
   3) The book is really heavy making it a pain to carry around.
   
   I also owned the Lonely Planet Turkey book and loved it, I would recommend it over the Eyewitness Guide. It got me to where I wanted to go and I found most of the information to be accurate. People I worked with also liked the Rough Guide of Turkey.
   
   One other suggestion, if you are just headed to Istanbul, or plan to be in the country for a long period of time I would purchase both a Turkey guide and an Istanbul guide in order to save having to carry around a huge guidebook to the entire country.



5. I like pictures. I understand a place I am visiting when I see it and not just have it described in words. This series of books are idea for those of us who want to know the history and context of what we're seeing. More than a Lonely Planet Guide to the best hostels in the world, this series provides a comprehensive guide to what to see and why.

5 comments about India - Culture Smart!: a quick guide to customs and etiquette (Culture Smart!).

1. I bought this guide because I think it is important to know something about a country's customs and etiquette practices before traveling there so one can be respectful of the country and its people. This book summarizes the customs and etiquette practices in an easy to use format and is also small enough to fit in your suitcase or to carry with you on your person.



2. I find this book very informative and a quick reference for Indian customs. Although, you cannot touch on every aspect of a culture in a small handbook, the author has taken great pains to explain ways and means. The only caveat to avoid faux paus is to actually memorize the customs before you visit.



3. I agree with the other reviewers, but I wanted to let readers know that much of this book is repeated, verbatim, in __Customs & Etiquette Of India (Simple Guides Customs & Etiquette)__ by Venika Kingsland. (Not sure who plagiarized whom...) Culturesmart India is worth the extra few dollars.



4. This book is a fantastic reference to anyone who is doing business with India either as a buyer or a provider. It gives comprehensive information about the country and its culture and should be an always-in-hand guide.



5. the book is great but the service from this source was extremely slow almost two weeks to get a book.

5 comments about Japan (Eyewitness Travel Guides).

1. I love this book. I looked at several other books, but they were not up-to-date. This is a great book for anyone planning to visit Japan. It is arranged by geographical district and has beautiful maps and/or pictures on every page. It is extremely informative and no matter what you want to know, you will probably find it in this book. I'm now using the book to document my photographs taken in various areas of Japan. The only drawback to this book is that, because of all the pictures and maps, it's printed on glossy paper and is quite heavy. I took it with me every day on a Japan tour, but kept it in my carry-on for reference. I found it too heavy to carry in my purse while walking on a tour.



2. This series is simply one of the best travel guide series around today. I have used at least 10 other guides from this same series and have found them to be comprehensive, easy to use and up-to-date. You cannot go wrong with this book and some internet web research. Definitely worth every penny and then some.



3. This guide book is the most current and much better than others out there! The pictures are not dated (you could tell by the eighties hairdos in other guide books) and DK Eyewitness travel are usually better than other ones out there. The only thing is that it's more focus on Tokyo than other cities, so if you are looking into Osaka and other cities, it's not as detail as Tokyo!



4. I wouldn't call this a "travel guide" so much as a beautiful little glance at Japan. It would be wholly unusable for someone actually trying to get around an unfamiliar area- I suggest a Lonely Planet instead.



5. This is wonderful book full of great pictures, fun facts and interesting snippits. It is very entertaining and remains interesting thru out. It is well written with the American Traveler in mind.
   Major attractions of each city/region are covered. It covers a lot of area and provides a great overview without getting to deep into any one place. It gives pricing information and as such is well done. Interesting historical and modern facts are given about locations adding to the fun.
   
   I used it on a 2006 trip to Japan and found it very useful. It was especially helpful in the preliminary planning stages of our journey.
   
   For a more encompassing travel guide, I recommend "Gateway to Japan" and "Exploring Japan". These three along with a common phrases book or electronic translator should be about all someone would need to have an enjoyable trip!

5 comments about Japan (Country Guide).

1. Everything about modern and traditional Japan with emphasis on travel and living related information....open source travel guide to Japan, featuring up-to-date information on attractions, hotels, restaurants, nightlife, travel tips and more



2. Although Lonely Planet has good contents about all the places to visit, the suggested walks aren't as good as others. The complete descripitions of all the places doesn't orientate first vists wiht "don't live Tokyo withot.." suggestions. Terrible maps and no pictures make this guide a real bible.. not to talk about its size...



3. We've travelled all over the world using Lonely Planet guide books, and we've had a great experience with them. The Japan book on the other hand was the most useless guide book I have ever seen. We would arrive in a bustling part of Tokyo, open the book, and it would say, "just walk around, everything is good." I didn't spend $25 on a guidebook for that. The whole book seemed lazy, there were maps printed upside down, sights they write about and don't place on their maps and the most amazing things we did in Kyoto weren't in the book, we learned about them through our hostile. If you are going to Japan, don't buy this book, I would have preferred to have no book at all because I spent so much time frustrated at this book.



4. This book marks the newest printing of the Lonely Planet series of travel guides on Japan. In my experience with travel, these writers give the most thorough, useful reviews of almost anywhere that anyone would find interest in, with detailed and maps, directions, and things to look out for.
   A few notes, however; if you are looking for a picture book, this is NOT for you, this travel guide will contain almost completely pragmatic information such as guides and maps, with very few pictures. Also, if you are looking to actually reside in Japan, you will want to find a guide for the specific city you are looking to live in from a book series not designed for tourists, as there are many cities which are not considered "tourist's destinations" which are thus omitted from this and most other travel guide titles. A must have for a first-time tourist to Japan.



5. Having been to Europe the last two years, I was used to using Rick Steve's guidebooks, so I needed to find an alternative for Japan. I ordered this book and picked up a copy of Frommer's Japan guidebook, but ended up taking the Lonely Planet guide with me to Japan.
   
   As I was reading both guides the night before my trip, I realized that the Lonely Planet guide had maps of the metro for both Tokyo and Kyoto (it also had Osaka, but I didn't need that one for this trip)and the Frommer's didn't have metro maps. You can always get the maps at train stations, but there's no guarantee they will be in English.
   
   It also called out in more detail the "local" things to do more so than the Frommer's which focused more on the must do things for tourists. If prefer to do a little of both when traveling and the Lonely Planet did a good job of covering the touristy things as well.
   
   The main reason why I give it four stars is because of the usefulness I got out of it while in Japan. I didn't give it 5 stars because some of the info, particularly prices, were a bit dated.
   
   I hauled this guidebook with me in my sling bag the whole 10 days of my trip and used it every few hours to find something to do or to reference directions. The information on which train/subway line to take and what station to get off at was EXTREMELY helpful. We used this info to find our way all over Tokyo and Kyoto.
   
   There is a Tokyo specific guide Lonely Planet publishes, but most of that info is covered in the Japan guide--You do get a smaller footprint though.