No comments about British Columbia and Alberta, Canada.

1 comments about The Iambics of Newfoundland: Notes from an Unknown Shore.

1. Robert Finch's "The Iambics of Newfoundland" reconnected myself to my own experiences as a visitor to Newfoundland's shores. Having been "from away" Robert's book helped put into words the same generosity and concerns Newfoundlanders exhibited during my time on "The Rock".
   My definition of a typical Newfie had always been a person that helps though you didn't ask, does more than what you expect and then apologies because they felt they hadn't helped you enough. His book helps show what a truly wonderful community these people are and explains precisely how, after hundreds of years of hardship and uncertainty these families have endured, adapted but mostly kept that keen sense of humour and respect for their surroundings.

No comments about Woodall's Eastern America Campground Directory, 2008 (Woodall's Eastern Campground Directory).

No comments about Fodor's Canada, 29th Edition (Fodor's Gold Guides).

2 comments about Canadian Summer (Thehilda Van Stockum Family Collection).

1. Canadian Summer is a book that makes you count your blessings. Hilda VanStockum has become our family's favorite author. Her writing is magical. She draws you into the story so you feel as if you are a part of it.

   Because of a job transfer and limited resources, the Mitchell family was forced to move to a rustic cabin in the mountains. The cabin was far from a town and they had no transportation. VanStockum makes us love the Mitchell family. We can feel their humiliation as they come into church, the first morning in a new town, all bedraggled or dirty for various reasons.

   This book is a glimpse into family life with all of its ups and downs. When the book is finished you will feel a loss, but then you will appreciate the relatively easy life we all live due to modern conveniences.




2. Canadian Summer is about the Mitchells' first, well, Canadian Summer. They rent a cabin, go exploring, fall off a boat, go exploring, meet the Jolicoers, go exploring, meet Mr. Magic, go exploring, get lost, go exploring, lose their dog, go exploring, help Peter with his wounded leg, go exploring, stop a forest fire, go exploring, throw a party, go exploring, get a new house, go exploring, and did I forget to mention that they went exploring?

No comments about Zagat Montreal 2008/09 (Zagat Survey: Montreal) (Zagat Survey: Best of Montreal).

1 comments about Moon Atlantic Canada: Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland and Labrador (Moon Handbooks).

1. Arrived in a short time and in good order.
   
   book is very desciptive and informative. it will be a great asset.

2 comments about Paddle Routes of the Inland Northwest: 50 Flatwater and Whitewater Trips for Canoe & Kayak.

1. This was a refreshing change from the majority of canoe guide books. No class V in this one, just fun floats for everyone, and all close to Spokane. Kudos to the Authors.



2. I have used this guide since published and it is an accurate overview of the many paddling opportunities in the Inland Northwest - Eastern Washington, North Idaho, Western Montana and even Canada. I had already tried many of the lakes and rivers but more were identified including some that I had never even considered in my 25 years in Spokane. Most of the paddles are appropriate for families. Put-ins and take-outs are well described. Great value that will save you time and money - even for the experienced paddler.

5 comments about Ticket to Ride: Inside the Beatles' 1964 and 1965 Tours That Changed the World.

1. I really enjoyed this book. I loved the eyewitness recollections of each concert and city. I enjoyed Larry's anecdotes just like anyone who has asked him, "What was it like"? The stories on the plane were a delight, especially the revealing ones. I wonder who made that anti semetic remark anyway? I can't help thinking it was John because he was so outspoken, and I've heard he made other"jew" remarks. Who knows? Concidering Larry's catty, unfair, unwarranted, little asides about Paul McCartney, you'd almost think Paul was the one who made the remark, and maybe Larry knows this but isn't saying. There has to be some reason why Larry digs Paul throughout this book. Like other reviewers I found this book biased in Lennon's favor. I'm not begrudging his picking John as his favorite. He has excellent taste, but like his book Lennon Revealed this book puts Lennon on a pedestal and doesn't mention the others enough. Okay, for a book about John Lennon but not a book that's supposed to be about all four of them. Also people who love John the most seem to feel that this means that they need to show Paul in the worst possible light, and the Paul fans seem to always do this to John as well. Nothing is more boring and childish. We're not in 7th grade. Please grow up, Beatle writers. Jeez I love both of them equally. Why doesn't everybody else? Larry doesn't bash Paul McCartney in this book, but he never misses an opportunity to spin every event to make it look like everything Paul did had an ulterior motive. For instance, at the Capitol Records garden party the boys were expected to sit on little stools and greet over 500 guests, who shuffled past them one by one. Larry observes that while John, George and Ringo seem to be going through the motions, Paul greets each guest warmly and even finds something to say to almost all of them. (I'm not quoting from the text because I don't have the book in front of me) Then Larry somehow slants this observation to make it seem like Paul is phoney or superficial. Because my oppinion is not biased by dislike, I view this story as an example of professionalism. If Larry really knew the boys as well as he pretends to, he would have seen that all four of them were professional like this. They always went that extra mile and every obligation was carried out with enthusiasm, even if they weren't feeling that way deep down. Paul is more well known for this but all of them played the game. Another thing that Larry seems to have missed about Paul because he really does not know him very well, is that Paul is NICE. His father was NICE. His brother is NICE. The entire family has always been described by insiders as impeccably well behaved and well mannered. Paul was brought up to beleive in a work ethic and to be a team player. In fact he has said that if he didn't act this way, it would have been phoney. I'm sure if John or George were seen greeting the guests with enthusiasm Larry would have gushed about what troopers they were and how professional. In fact if Larry had portrayed George in this unfavorable light, all of the Harrison mommies and daddies would be slamming this book, and giving it one star. ( see Here There and Everywhere and Revolution in the Head) In another part of this book, where Paul is talking about his views on civil rights, Larry even has the nerve to insert words into the text that Paul never said, to try and show that he's really a racist in disguise (listen to the accompanying cd which has the actual, Paul and Larry civil rights interview to see that what he really says differs from the text.) After reading this book my feeling is that ALL FOUR of them were lovely men, with a strong sense of humanity and for twentysomething pop stars, they had an unusual amount of integrety. They were discreet in their personal lives, wonderful to their fans, and just really down to earth. This book does a fantastic job of conveying that.
   
   Another wonderful thing are the recounting of stories by the fans who were lucky enough to either witness a concert first hand or at least were first generation fans and remember the magic first hand. I love Beatle books that do this. It's always nice to hear what other fans have to say.I gave this book five stars because I really loved everything about it. It was fun, facinating and exciting to read. I'm just not happy with Larry's snotty, catty remarks about Paul, especially since he doesn't seem to have anything to back them up. Paul doesn't deserve it. Larry is lucky to have been given the priviledge of traveling with, and getting to know The Beatles. And we are lucky that he finally wrote a memoir. Add this one to your collection.



2. Larry Kane's "Ticket to Ride" is simply a must-read for all Beatles fan. As the only American journalist to cover every single date of both the '64 & '65 North American tours, Kane was in the eye of the storm of the hysteria of Beatlemania. The journalist developed a rapport and friendly relationship with John, Paul, George & Ringo, and his insights are invaluable.
   It's fascinating to witness Kane's transformation from cynical journalist who was at first reluctanct to accept the assignment, to someone who developed an admiration and respect for the Beatles as musicians and as men.
   It's a light and breezy read, and the paper-back edition is light and easy to carry. Perfect summer reading for the beach or a plane ride.
   An added bonus is a CD featuring snippets of exclusive interviews Kane conducted w/ the Fab Four.



3. An interesting read, but oh, it could have been so much better had Kane's book been passed through the hands of a good editor, which I can only assume it wasn't.
   
   Gone would have been the repetitive passages and chapters - especially the strangely unecessary summary chapters stuck in between the 64 and 65 tours - all of which only mire down what could have been an even livelier, seat of the pants narrative.
   
   Also gone would be Kane's frustrating knack for pre-empting almost every story with its own punchline, leaving the reader with a somewhat anti-climatic let down each time.
   
   Clear all that out and readers could participate wholeheartedly in Kane's unique and exhilerating ride in the slipstream of the Beatles' American tours - a fascinating set of insider tales from a refreshingly earnest, thoughtful and perceptive storyteller.



4. Along with Geoff Emerick's fascinating book HERE, THERE & EVERYWHERE, TICKET TO RIDE by Larry Kane is a must read for all Beatles fans and historians.
   
   While Emerick covers the Beatles' recording history from 1962 to their final days together (and beyond), Larry Kane zeroes in on the two North American tours of 1964 and 1965, a time representing the peak of Beatlemania. Indeed, from the crazed, tumultuous, and mind-boggling experiences of those two tours, Kane was literally thrust into the eye of the hurricane.
   
   Kane describes in rivetting and action-packed details the joys and horrors of travelling with the Beatles - - from overly exuberrant fans running wild through hotels, to shady dealings in Atlantic City, to near fatal airplane mishaps. Kane wonderfully and insightfully captures the essence of a bygone era, an era when Beatlemania reigned supreme.
   
   A most enjoyable book full of first-hand information about the Band of the Century!
   
   Beatles 4ever!



5. These troubled times getting you down? Travel back to a more optimistic era with Larry Kane's Beatle memoir, "Ticket to Ride". Kane was news director for a Miami Radio Station when he joined the Beatles' press group for the band's first two Amercian Tours in '64 and '65. Oh how times have changed. Tickets for the Beatles' concert went for a whopping $5.50 back then! There's plenty of sex, drugs, rock & roll and hordes of screaming teens but there's also Kane's conversations and interviews with "the boys". "Ticket to Ride" is a rare, intimate look at John, Paul, George and Ringo from the guy sitting across the aisle from them on the tour plane. Later chapters about the '65 Tour get more somber and, at times, tedious but overall "Ticket to Ride" is very enjoyable. So if you need a pleasant escape from the 21st Century, get a tall drink, a comfy chair and travel back in time and hang out with "the boys".

2 comments about This Marvellous Terrible Place: Images of Newfoundland and Labrador.

1. I found this book while staying at a B&B in Newfoundland, and it was such a wonderful read that I had to run out and buy a copy to take home with me. With wonderful insights into the people of Newfoundland the authors use powerful images and the words of the Newfoundlanders themselves to tell the stories of the place. Alternately powerful and fun, this book is a must for anyone wishing to understand the lives of the people of Newfoundland and Labrador and their place in history and Canada.



2. The book is dated (1988), so I bet some things have changed over the past 18 years. I won't know until I visit Newfoundland this summer. Still a good read for anyone interested in the area.