5 comments about Marrying Anita: A Quest for Love in the New India.

1. I read many novels, but I don't often take the time to write reviews of books here. Marrying Anita was so enjoyable, I am making the point to write on Ms Jain's behalf. She deserves an accolade here.
   
   A literary koosh ball, this book is easy to read and hard to put down. I was so endeared by her trials and prevails that I really do hope a sequel is percolating in her mind. She writes with the flow of a close friend's voice, but definitely a very SMART friend. Her vocabulary is far more advanced than mine, but it never got in the way of her story.
   
   In short, the story was a good one and very well told. Simple and sophisticated in one swift stroke. Her descriptions paint such a vivid picture, yet were never boring. And dealing with sometimes sensitive topics, she is so honest. I really respect her for voicing these thoughts we can all share, in the clear view of her Papa, who is mentioned so frequently and with such endearment.
   
   This can be an easy finish-in-one-day beach book, or a great book club read. It has been a long time since I have been so drawn in to a book. Thank you and congratulations to Anita Jain.



2. This is a ridiculously readable and endlessly entertaining story of a woman who wanders the world while both sampling its sublime physical pleasures and, even more importantly, looking for an acceptable mate. Yeah, it has India in the title and the author ping-pongs her passions between New York and New Delhi, but this breezy, sexy and stunningly insightful slice of bittersweet life isn't about culture clash, really. It's all about looking for love, and all of the wonderfully nasty stuff that comes with the hunt.



3. I really did. First of all, the story is so charming and interesting. I was her - only not Indian - I was over 30 and not married and I wanted to be married. She gave a name to many of the feelings that I had during that period of my life.
   
   Second, I absolutely loved her description of India - I've never been there and she made it come alive for me.
   
   Read this book.



4. This book is excruitiatingly slow - the narrative just drags on and on and the author and her story are really uninteresting. I only continued reading this book to learn more about the Indian culture and not because the story is good, because it's not. Who is this Anita Jain to warrant a biography/autobiography? Perhaps this book could have been fictionalized and made into chick-lit. The book is about Anita Jain and her search for a husband. Despite the title, there is no marrying and Anita doesn't even actively look for a husband; she spends her spare time getting high and talking about her life rather than living it. Anita ends up in Delhi, India when her attempts to land a guy in NYC fall short. The book doesn't encourage you to take any interest in Anita and I couldn't wait for this to end. The setting is interesting but that's about all.



5. As a guy, the title isn't something that drew me in; however, I have a keen interest in all things India, so decided to give the book a try.
   
   Amid the amusing and often hilarious anecdotes about Anita and her escapades is a fascinating look at India in transition that goes well beyond the supposedly heavyweight but hopelessly behind-the-curve tomes such as Freidman's "The World is Flat". Jain, of Indian heritage but having grown up in the U.S. is in a unique position to take the pulse of the key demographic in the New India. Her observations are cogent and witty.
   
   This is very good book.

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

2 comments about The Rough Guide to Japan Fourth Edition (Rough Guide Travel Guides).

1. I have been dissapointed with Lonely Planet over the last few years.
   
   So I again bought both Lonely Planet and Rough Guide. This is my last time, from now on Rough Guide it is.
   
   The best thing about the guide is that it organizes information in a way that makes planning very easy. Overview of country, overview of region, overview of town. I planned my two week trip in a matter of hours.
   
   Lonely Planet, in contrast, essentially lists places, one after the other. Unless you follow one of their 5-8 itineraries, the only way you plan your trip is reading the book cover-to-cover.
   
   Also, a friend of mine lived in Japan for 10 years. All the tips he gave me were in the Rough Guide.



2. I was first inteding to purchase Lonely Planet on Japan (as on several previous trips). Then I borrowed the previous edition of Rough Guides from a friend. I instantly realized that Rough Guides is far more superior than Lonely Planet. The best thing about it is the introduction of the whole country with 32 must-see places. Each section also has a highlights page with some 8 must-see spots in the particular region. This makes the planning of the trip very easy. Moreover, the information provided in the Rough Guides is much more detailed than in LP. I will definitely choose RG for my next trips.

5 comments about China: People Place Culture History.

1. Taoism is the heart of Chinese culture. This is what makes Chinese different from Westerners. One cannot understand Chinese culture and Chinese elite without understanding Taoism. ---By the author of Warren Buffett and Tao Te Ching: A Modern Investor and an Age-Old Philosophy



2. Stunningly beautiful photos ... well-organized chapters ... plenty of information on many aspects of Chinese culture. I gave this book to my 11-year-old nephew for Christmas, so he will begin to appreciate that China is very much more than a supplier for Wal-Mart!



3. I visited China earlier this year on business, so I was intrigued when I came across this book. When I opened it, I was not disappointed. This book celebrates China and its variety of culture, art, landscapes and rich history with beautiful photography and educational text.
   
   The beginning section of the book draws you in with page after page of beautiful photographs of different landscapes in China, sprinkled with verses from Chinese poetry (translated to English, of course). It makes the reader aware of the varied landscapes (snow to desert, mountains to plans, forest to fields) that make up the vast country of China. Truly a treasury of photos!
   
   The next section explains Chinese history, complete with a timeline. The information is provided in titled short paragraphs and articles so it is easy for the reader to get a glimpse of the history and read quick pieces for more detail. Small articles include items such as "The Grand Canal" and "The Boxer Uprising". All are sprinkled with old photographs and pictures of paintings and artifacts.
   
   The most delightful section of the book is "A Day in the Life" which is a collection of stories about daily life of particular people in different areas of China. There's the life of a student in Shaanxi, a Chinese herbalist, a Buddist Monk, a Cricket Seller, and a farmer, just to name a few. The photos and text provide a window into the lives of the people of China to let the reader see life from their eyes.
   
   There is also a section on Chinese Culture, which includes articles on philosphy and religion, painting, literature and Chinese opera.
   
   The last segment of the book is entitled "Architecture" and contains pieces on various types of building styles, both old and new. From modern buildings such as the 88-story Jin Mao Tower in Shanghai to an old Buddist Monastery in Hebei, this chapter contains a wealth of information and beautiful photography. The Jin Mao Tower is truly stunning inside (I wish I had gone to see it while I was there!). The Couple's Garden is typical of the gardens in Suzhou that I visited while there. One of the most beautiful places shown in called the "Temple of Heaven" with colorful painted decor and detailed stonework.
   
   I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to anyone wanting to learn about China and its culture. It is not only informative, but makes a beautiful "coffee table book"!



4. This book has beautiful pictures and good writing. I got one for my 5th grader, and another as a gift for a friend. Unfortunately, both copies were somewhat damaged (one copy had a crease in the front, and the other copy has a slit in the middle). I think the production/ manufacture of this book is not perfect. What a shame as it is truly a beautiful book to be treasured.



5. An absolutely beautiful book. The binding is gorgeous and the photography outstanding. Very interesting to read. Obviously a country and people with 1000s of years of history can only be perceived in a glimpse in just one book, but what a beautiful glimpse this book gives the reader! And more than just beautiful photos it contains very interesting history. A great overview of such a vast and interesting country.

5 comments about Japan (Country Guide).

1. 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...



2. 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.



3. 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.



4. 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.



5. Lonely Planet excels as a detailed introduction to what you absolutely need to know before visiting Japan. From travel hints and special considerations you just may not thought about, this guide can be an essential piece of equipment in your travel arsenal. Many of the other reviews here spell out Lonely Planet's best qualities as an overall guide and are spot-on. However, as I read the same reviews prior to purchase and now have the benefit of spending a bit over a month in Japan to date, I can offer the following as additional considerations when considering your purchase of this book.
   
   First and foremost, a previous review mentions the rather ungainly size of the Lonely Planet Japan guide. I have found the text provides good reading at night but not always a best as a handy guide to and from sites throughout the day. It's best used as an encyclopedia of options to consider when planning your trip, and is comprehensive enough that you shouldn't need to go elsewhere for too much information. With that said, picking up a streamlined, secondary source for your day-to-day travels may not be a bad idea (and, to some degree, the LP focused titles on specific geographies handle this - i.e. the Tokyo guide, etc.)
   
   However, the maps are ill-suited for use when traveling on foot or as actual navigation tools. For this purpose I picked up a handy (and very slim) street atlas at a local bookstore which saved me many missteps, and had the added advantage of identifying many of the features the LP guide spoke of but were difficult to find otherwise.
   
   As I've spent nearly all my time in and around Tokyo, I've also found that the Tokyo section in general is a weaker re-write than found in previous LP guides, and covers essentially the same information. A 4th edition Tokyo guide written in 2001 served as a better companion, and the writing was friendlier, and seemed more connected with the actual sites. As Tokyo is quite vibrant and seems to be changing on the hour, I understand the challenge in keeping this section updated. However, it clearly seems in need of a re-write from a local's perspective - as written, it wasn't clear that the necessary time was spent in Tokyo to adequately update this section. Some descriptions seemed an attempt to capture the "feeling" of an area but lacked in the concrete details necessary for a traveler deciding whether or not to leave a particular site off her / his itinerary.
   
   With that said, as an overall guide to Japan consider LP a worthy look - it accomplishes what it sets out to do. For a more-focused travel companion, especially if only traveling to Tokyo, Kyoto, or other limited areas in Japan, the smaller guides will probably suffice nicely, and tend to cover many of the other travel generalities that you'll find ultimately helpful and informative for your trip.

5 comments about Golden Arches East: McDonald's in East Asia, Second Edition.

1. An interesting tale of an importnat American icon. But, this book has little understanding of the local competitors that McDonalds and other foreign multinationals face in East Asia, many of whom are quite formidable. I recommend "New Asian Emperors" by George Haley et al. to understand the complex business environment in East Asia.



2. I tasted McDonald's french fries in East Asia. That tastes better than in the US. American french fries are overfried.



3. Most books dealing with the spread of American pop culture (and pop business) influences these days like Disney, Coca-Cola and McDonald's have very little good to say about the growth of any of them in previously unexposed markets. That's why, perhaps, it comes as surprising that "Golden Arches East" comes out with a mostly positive look at the effect McDonald's had had throughout East Asia.

   In this book, five authors look at the impact McDonald's has had in five different East Asian entities: China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, South Korea and Japan. Much of the early chapters is given over to looking at the material aspects of McDonald's in East Asia: the marketing aspects, the reconceptualization towards a standard Asian consumer, the effect on the Asian food industry, etc.. All of this makes for very fascinating reading and shows just how marketing has to be changed from country to country (or even region to region). Likewise, it deals with very nuts-and-bolts issues of how McDonald's has impacted the lives of the average Asian consumer - and the impact is bigger than you'd think.

   However, later chapters (especially those dealing with Taiwan and Korea and the Afterword) move to more conceptual issues of McDonald's - issues of modernity. Americanization and cultural identity. In an anthropological context (which is what this book tries to maintain), these are all very important, but somehow the later efforts seem to either fall flat or fall back on the line used so often in studying Asia these days, "But things are changing now".

   While the overall message of this book is positive, there are the standard overtones of just how much the world has changed in the past half-century. I really recommend this book for the nuts-and-bolts stuff in the first two or three chapters, but the later didacticism tends to fall a little flat. Nonetheless, this book offers useful information to both the business student and the cultural anthropologist. If either East Asia or McDonald's interest you, I recommend giving this book a shot.




4. Golden Arches East: McDonalds in East Asia is an absorbing read that delves into more than just eating; it grapples with the big issues like the impact of local vis-à-vis the global by looking into the interplay of McDonald's in five Asian economies. Watson, et al come to the conclusion that in several spaces - particularly in Asia - McDonald's has been amalgamated into the local communities. McDonalds has integrated so well that the distinction between local and foreign has blurred. So disentangled is the distinction that McDonalds is no longer considered a foreign restaurant and arguably in many cases - such as the ones explored in this book - no longer functions as one. This is an essential book because it accurately portrays and cognizant of local nuance how a transnational culture is developing. Golden Arches East: McDonalds in East Asia is a must be read for anyone interested in globalization studies. It is accessible and to the point that is can, should be, and will be used for courses in Asian studies, Political Science, and Sociology.
   
   At a time when academics frequently write impenetrably this book is a breath of fresh air. Golden Arches is very engaging and is deals with one straightforward question: how do countries act in response to McDonald's, and conversely what does the relation say about those countries? The inquiry is not petty. The book is an exploration of McDonald's in Hong Kong, Beijing, Taipei, Seoul and Tokyo. Undoubtedly, McDonald's has had a huge effect in Asia, impacting manners and values and also the way people interact. The most informative part of these studies is its exploration of how McDonald's changed each country. While Americans might see themselves as the bright light of global democracy and human rights its impact in countries in East Asia is proving to be more empirical.
   
   Bathrooms in Hong Kong restaurants, according to this study had undergone a tremendous transformation. Riding into town with the McDonalds penchant for cleanliness, the other restaurants seem to have followed suit. It might seem like an exaggeration but Watson et al credits McDonald's for assisting in elevating the cleanliness and safety standard in public rest rooms in Hong Kong. Another thing that is happening in Hong Kong is the "disciplining" of the users. According to Watson et al the carceral community takes care of its own. Self reflective of exaggerating McDonalds impact in the milieu, Watson et al claim that even if McDonalds did not indeed take the active role in creating a form of queuing discipline - it s perceived to have done so .
   
   Moving onto the perhaps the marquis section of the book, Japan's values have been changing for decades, becoming steadily more casual, and according to Watson et al McDonald's may be assisting as vehicle in that process. This proves at least one thing - that there is nothing primordial or essential about cultures but that culture and societies change, reinvent themselves, and reify their existence by the re-enforcement and performance or cultural play. To the chagrin of conservatives, this is reality. According to Emiko Ohnuki-Tierney, Japan has a long standing taboo against "tachigui," (standing while eating) but that seems to be steadily breaking down. Ohnuki-Tierney suggests that perhaps the catalyst of this change is McDonald's - whose stores in Japan just did not accommodate sitting - there were no chairs. In Beijing, restaurants where known for their noise and dirt. But according to Watson et al, customers at McDonald's branches in Beijing spoke in hushed tones and were cognizant of the changing conditions regarding spitting and rubbish.
   
   All this might look like American cultural imperialism - as is examined in the section on Seoul. However it is difficult to conceive of even the most zealous anti-American in East Asia disapproving of American exports like efficiency, smiles and clean rest rooms. The real potency of Golden Arches East: McDonalds in East Asia is that the writers place in context not just the food side of McDonald's, but more importantly the and social and cultural impact of McDonalds on these ever changing societies. These are loaded tales of the mundane and everyday. In short, this is a rare academic engagement that should reside in all libraries and spawn similar studies.
   
   Miguel Llora



5. McDonald's Restaurants are to be found world-wide and books have been written on their business success and approach - but GOLDEN ARCHES EAST: MCDONALD'S IN EAST ASIA is something different, providing college-level readers with a blend of cultural insights and business savvy as it traces McDonald's role in five Asian countries. Chapters provide the author's first-person insights as he journeys to five Asian countries and asks questions on McDonalds management, promotion strategies, and impact on local culture. Also included are reflections on food and marketing within these nations, making GOLDEN ARCHES EAST essential for any overseas business or Asian holding.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch

5 comments about Nepal (Country Guide).

1. we were in nepal in recently and found this guide to be very useful and informative; will recommend it to anybody who is travelling to a new country.



2. I bought this book to prepare for my trip to Nepal. I found the advice in the book regarding cultural mores and appropriate behavior to be invaluable. The descriptions of places, restaurants, and hotels was accurate. I would have liked to see longer lists of accommodations. One thing I learned in Nepal is there are many, many more hotels than this book describes.
   
   Here's why I gave it a 4: if you are over 40, go out and buy reading glasses before purchasing this book. The font size is very small and difficult to read for those of us with older eyes, especially in the dim light of an airplane or a Nepal Hotel Room.



3. Lonely Planet has never let me down. It seems no matter where in the world I travel, LP has walked, slept, and eaten there! I am still looking for a place to travel where they have not been. Any suggestions?



4. Good overall coverage of the region. Listed all major activities from rafting, hiking, driving, or whatever. I would recommend it for people traveling there. I wish it would have gone into detail about the tour operators.



5. I really only used the info regarding Kathmandu since that is the only place I visited but the information given was accurate even the warning about the electricity going out all of a sudden for hours in the city. That was fun to experience and thankfully we read it in the book. The best recent book I could find on Nepal.

5 comments about China (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE).

1. The eyewitness travel series is the book of choice for any travel. And the China version doesn't miss.
   
   I traveled to China for vacation 2.5 years ago when I didn't have the Eyewitness guide. I got a good sense of my travels a the time by reading multiple books and asking my guide many questions.
   
   However in my trip this year...I had the Eyewitness guide. It not only strengthened my understanding of the many places, events, and culture which I experienced 2.5 years ago...it prepared me to open my eyes to a whole new world when I traveled in 2007.
   
   What sets DK apart is that it gives you not only practical information...But provide maps/pictures/illustrations which other's cannot present. And this is all that much important for the Western traveler where China is still in the process of fine tuning tourism and how sights are communicated to visitors.
   
   I recommend Eyewitness guides not only for any vacation...but especially for travels to China.



2. DK has again produced a fantastic guide - this time for all of China. While it is not definitive, and in know way can be, it covers an amazinginly large portion of the country, in good detail, and with DK's signature photographs. I saw many pictures in here of places in China I'd never seen before, and made me want to explore more of the country. I hope they publish a new edition soon though, before the 2008 Beijing Olympics.



3. This was my first Eyewitness Travel Guide, and I must say that it's really quite good. Photos, photos, and more photos, and lots of great feature pages (language and script, landscape and wildlife - by region, and so on). Also, superb diagrams permeate the pages, like the one of Shanghai's Bund. You no longer have to match number 23 to the 23 in a list of microscopic place names on another page, nor will you realize later that what you thought was (for example) the Palace Hotel was really, say, the Chartered Bank of India. Also, this type of book is outstanding in that it will show you something you are unfamiliar with and explain it to you. Ever wondered what all the different components of a temple are called or what their purpose is? Go to the archictecture section and look it up.
   
   I only have a couple of wee complaints. The map in the front would be much better if it were fold out and/or divided into provinces. Also, another map should be included to show rail lines and major roads without obscuring the provinces, etc. The two maps provided are OK, but you'll probably need other ones. Such a high quality book deserves better maps. Also, it's really very heavy, but I suppose that can't be helped. You'd have to be pretty adventurous to only use this guide book, but it would make an excellent supplement to a "traditional" one. Ideal for a couple. One can figure out where to stay, where the bus station is, etc., and the other can carry this volume and - in spite of the weight - be enlightened.
   
   Troy Parfitt, author



4. My husband and I travelled independently around China for 3 weeks with this book and the Lonely Planet. We found that the beautiful photography helped inspire our choice of destinations, and the maps and illustrations helped us navigate once we were there. We especially liked the axonometric drawings with labels.
   
   Although this book includes some practical information about the sites, the Lonely Planet was much more detailed in terms of how to actually get somewhere. I think it would be difficult to travel with only this book for guidance.
   
   A few hotels and restaurants are recommended in the back of the book. This information would have been much more useful if the names were also written in Chinese. We often found ourselves in situations where we could not communicate with taxi drivers or hotel concierges, so we relied on pointing to places (with Chinese names) in guidebooks. Having the pinyin names didn't do us much good since our pronunciation and accents were not understandable.



5. Trying to review this book is somewhat hard, technically it's a travel guide and as that its ok, but its really more than that. Its one of the best birds eye views of the major attractions in China. Kind of a Whats-What of China. Having been to China on several trips I can personally attest to the quality of the selection and information.
   
   They Layout is organized by region, usually two provinces to a Chapter. You get a brief overview of the province, then it moves to 1-2 pages per location (maybe a city or a park) in that province. The information is a smorgasborg of text, photos and illustrations. It covers the major attractions and why they are significant. The photographs are stunning (if small by necessity). The information is both informative and concise. Its amazing how much stuff they've packed in there.
   
   Sprinkled throughout the chapters are various shorts (1-2 pages) on Chinese history and culture. Again high level concise information but enough to get you started.
   
   The construction of the book is way above your newsprint guides. Its got good binding, vinyl covers and slick glossy pages. Top notch.
   
   The only thing I would knock it for is that as a travel guide its travel nuts and bolts (specific places to stay, eat, shop, train schedules, directions etc) is pretty weak. They have some information but it tends to be focused more on the high end stuff rather than the budget backpacker.
   
   This book is best bought, used and enjoyed as a overall reference book on China for people who just want to know more. As a travel guide it is a good source of information to get you started, but its not where you'll finish. You'll want to look at other information and resources when it comes to the specifics of your journey.
   
   So to Recap
   
   Pros
   Excellent Photos, text and diagrams
   Well organized
   Concise chocked full of info
   Good quality printing and binding
   Wide variety of information
   
   Cons
   Weak on travel specific information
   
   Conclusion
   A great book for someone thinking of a trip to china and wondering "what is there to see" as well as reference to China and its many highlights.

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 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.
   
   Robert C. Ross 2008



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.