2 comments about The Great Skiing & Snowboarding Guide 2007 (Cadogan Guide).

1. I was looking for a good ski guide and after much research I narrowed my choice down to two: this one and Leocha's Ski Snowboard America (2007). After having purchased and used both guides I can recommend both. But if you are only buying one, then your choice should be around WHERE you are planning to ski.
   
   This guide is great for reviews of all the major resorts in North America and Europe (although it has very little on other countries such as NZ, Chile, Japan etc). A bonus is glossy colour trail maps of all the resorts they cover in detail. It also has lots of ad's and details for travel agents, hotels and the like if you are looking for that information.
   
   Leocha's Ski Snowboard America (2007) guide has no information on resorts outside North America (obviously), but it does provide richer information and insights than the Great guide. It provides better insights on food and accommodation as well as some views on the best runs - which I found to be very helpful and accurate. It doesn't have the glossy trail maps - although these days they can be found on-line for most resorts.
   
   In Summary: if you are "going global" or want the glossy trail maps - go with the Great guide. If you are sticking to North America then I found Leocha's to be more insightful. [Review repeated under Leocha's]



2. This might make a great checklist of places to go for someone with unlimited funds but there's not really any information in it about the resorts or skiing...just lists of facts that one would get directly from the resorts anyway to ensure one had current information. I would not buy this book again.

5 comments about The Last Gentleman Adventurer: Coming of Age in the Arctic.

1. I spent 9 years in Canada's Eastern Arctic in the 80"s and 90"s and this book struck a powerful chord with me. The author is perceptive enough and humble enough to gain a thorough understanding of the Inuit people and talented enough to bring his experience to life for us.
   
   I am a big fan of this man. He brings the Inuit to life with great compassion and truth without decending into the hero worship that sometimes inflicts visitors to the far north. These are real people and the good and the bad comes accross.
   
   There are also some fun adventures and honest reporting of how the experience transforms the author. I loved this book. I even wrote the authors family asking if he had other works to publish! That a book like this took decades to find a publisher when trash is printed on a daily basis speaks volumes.
   
   This book rings true with every sentence. Like all great books I was sad when it ended, like on the departure of a true friend.



2. In this beautifully written book, Edward Beauclerk Maurice takes the reader to a distant, cold land to experience heartwarming stories of adventure, love and loss.
   
   Maurice spent five years living with Eskimos (Inuit) on Baffin Island in northern Canada as a representative of the Hudson's Bay Company. He came of age there, starting as naive 16-year-old and growing to become an experienced leader by 21.
   
   Maurice tells his stories in an understated and humble manner. When he falls in the water, he makes a joke. When he nearly plummets to his death off a cliff, he blames his own clumsiness. When Eskimo women express interest in him, you can almost feel him blushing. You really can't help but like him.
   
   There's danger and adventure here, too. Maurice confronts wolves and polar bears. Storms tear the roof off buildings and threaten to swamp boats. Eskimos die tragic deaths.
   
   Particularly well-written is a story near the middle of the book where Maurice and an Eskimo come to the rescue of a village where people are dying from a contagious disease. It's a grim scene, and I could feel myself there through Maurice's writing.
   
   As a I read "The Last Gentleman Adventurer," I was somewhat wistful that neither I, nor anyone else, will ever get a chance to experience this sort of life again. It was an isolated existence, and Maurice and the Eskimos had to completely depend on each other and to live off the land. There was almost no communication with the outside world; a supply boat came just once a year.
   
   The book is divided into two parts -- the first includes highlights of Maurice's first few years on Baffin Island. The second is a more detailed description of his life at a base where he was the only non-Eskimo for one year.
   
   If you're wondering why I give this four stars, not five, it's only because in the second half of the book there are some flat parts where Maurice could have perhaps summarized and moved on. I also wish the book had a map.
   
   Despite those small complaints, I'd love to see someone turn this into a movie. It's not a big blockbuster story that would interest major studios, but I could see the BBC or PBS adapting this for TV.
   
   Readers who enjoy this book would also enjoy "Alaska Wilderness" by Robert Marshall.



3. Fascinating story. Written in very genuine, matter of fact style. Author was completely open to learning all he could about Inuit culture, and this comes through in the book. A must read if you want to understand the culture and ecology of the arctic. Read this, then go watch "The Naked Runner."



4. This was an amazing story of the early years of the Hudson Bay Company and a year of young mans life at a trading post in the Arctic. I couldn't stop reading. I only wish the author had not stopped his story writing.



5. Of the many, many books I've read involving Arctic expeditions and experiences, this one is one of the best, among the ranks of Gontran De Poncins' 'Kabloona' and Vladimir Albanov's 'In The Land of the White Death.' I found it to have a lot in common with 'Kabloona': while the locations are rather far, the experiences are similar. 'The Last Gentleman Adventurer' also provides a lot of information about the Hudson's Bay Company, which is a fascinating chapter in northern Canadian history.
   
   At the time of the documented experiences, this young man was essentially alone (in the beginning among 2 others) in one of the most remote outposts on earth. His interest and respect for Inuit life develops and broadens throughout the book, and in his adventures he meets many different characters. What is delightful about this character is that he sees the Inuit with respect to his own morals, ethics and upbringing, but without judging them. He spends a number of years in Pangnirtung and moves down to Frobisher Bay. Curiously, his last year (alluded to in the novel to be spent at Southampton Island) was not documented in the book, and I am unsure of why.
   
   I found his relationships with the Inuit people in this book to be very inspiring; his encounters with the often harsh world around him allowed him to grow and adapt. While frustration was often present with one situation or another, he left his post at Ward Inlet with an incredible love and respect for his Inuit friends; while warned in the beginning not to become too wrapped up with "those people," it is the curiosity and willingness to learn that makes this novel, 'Kabloona' and also the adventures of Stefansson incredibly interesting. While whaling and exploration often exploited the talents of the Arctic people, there are few memoirs of people who sought to learn and survive with their knowledge.

No comments about Calling the Maritimes Home: Origins, Attitudes, Quirks, and Curiosities.

3 comments about 25 Bicycle Tours in the Lake Champlain Region: Scenic Tours in Vermont, New York, and Quebec.

1. Part of the outstanding "Backcountry Guide" series from The Countryman Press, 25 Bicycle Tours In The Lake Champlain Region: Scenic Tours In Vermont, New York, And Quebec offers wonderfully satisfying bike hikes through New York's Adirondacks, Vermont's Green Mountains, and the scenery and charms of Quebec's historic towns and villages. Including a wide range of lodging and dining options, cyclists can explore the southern tip of the lake in Whitehall, New York, to the quaint college town of Middlebury, Vermont. The various tours range from scenic and flat 10 mile loops to adventurous 82-mile rides through the easter Adirondacks. Whether for an afternoon's pleasant exercise or a weekend of high cycling adventure, 25 Bicycle Tours In The Lake Champlain Region is an enthusiastically recommended regional guide.



2. I used this book to take a six-day bike tour from Burlington, VT to Montreal, Quebec, and I had a great trip. The author's directions are so accurate that I was able to ride all the way to Montreal without consulting a map! The author recommended hotels that are conveniently located for cyclists and chose roads and bike paths that were scenic and generally had light traffic. This book is a valuable resource for any bicycle tourist!



3. If you are looking for a book with a wide variety of interconnected tours in the Lake Champlain Region, you cannot do much better than this one! From easy juants to planning 10 days around the Lake, it is a great resource. Really looking forward to doing some bike exploring in the region.

1 comments about Frommer's Ottawa.

1. This is a good guide for three or four days in Ottawa. There could be more, but it is certainly good enough.

No comments about Ontario Road Atlas.

2 comments about Nova Scotia & the Maritimes by Bike: 21 Tours Geared for Discovery (By Bike).

1. My brother and I bought this book and used it to plan our biking trip in the Maritimes in 2001, but we weren't too happy with the route selection. Too many of the suggested routes were on main roads that were too busy with traffic. Bike touring is best when you get off the main roads, but this book doesn't help you find them. If you go to PEI, I do recommend that you bike on the clay roads that the book recommends. Don't follow the coastal roads--too much traffic. I like the Maritimes, in spite of this book!



2. Invaluable information, even if you're not going to use the exact roads mentioned.

   Use this one as the best planning source available and well worth the small investment.

5 comments about The Best Hikes of Colorado: An Altitude SuperGuide.

1. This book is an excellent guide for hiking in Colorado. First, it has excellent pictures to give the reader an idea of the scenery. Then, it provides directions on how to get to the different parks. Also, it provides maps to the hiking trails and a lot of other useful information on whether dogs are allowed, whether the hike is suitable for family outing, whether there is a fee, phone numbers one can call, etc. The quality of the paper is astonishing. It also provides small paragraphs on bear etiquette, lions etiquette, etc. It provides information on the flaura and fauna expected to be seen on each hike. Very informative, very interesting and very useful book.



2. The book covers 40 hikes spread throughout the state. However, 15 of these are in Rocky Mountain National Park, and 12 near Aspen and Vail. This only leaves a sprinkling of hikes in a few other areas. That said, this is a wonderfully done, gorgeous book that you can get in a binder (more $) or paperback.

   The binder allows you to remove pages to take on your hike (with an included transparent page cover). I like the binder because it gives the book a "coffee table book" feeling and the pages open flat.

   The book is chock full of color pictures and tidbits on everything from critters and flowers to historical information, making it an interesting read. If you want to give someone a feeling for Colorado (I used to live there), this is the book to get them excited. The trails are mostly moderate in difficulty and length - just right for a 1/2 to full day's hiking. The trail descriptions and trailhead locations are excellently detailed.




3. Having used this book to take just over half of the hikes it discusses, I highly recommend it to someone new to Colorado. I'm in the military and I have only 2-3 years in each duty location. So, when I saw this book, I bought it and have used it extensively so far. I have only a couple of minor points to make about it, however. The author never reveals how she "grades" her hikes, and I strenuously disagree with 3 of the grades she doled out to particular hikes. The Pitkin Lake hike (near Vail) is by no means an "easy" hike--at best it's a high-moderate to low-strenuous! Also, the Rock Creek (also near Vail) hike is by no means one of the 40 best hikes Colorado has to offer. In fact, I'm baffled when trying to think why she might've included it in her book. Finally, the Three Island Lakes hike (near Steamboat Springs) is by no means a strenuous hike. At worst, it's a moderate. Still, the book has led me to THE most spectacular scenery I've ever seen, and I credit the author for that. I do wish she revealed the time of year she took these hikes, in addition to other hikes she took before coming to her conclusions. However, I will always be grateful to her for providing me with a valuable tool for finding some of the most beautiful places on Earth. I certainly don't regret buying the book, and in fact, I've given it as a gift many times. I've bought 2 copies for myself, having worn the first copy out in just two years. Another note: buy the binder edition. It has removable pages for taking the portion of the book that deals with the hike you want to take, avoiding your having to pack the entire tome around with you. Just slide the two or three applicable pages into the plastic cover (included with the binder edition), and off you go!



4. If your planning on doing some hiking in the Southern rockies of Colorado this is a great resource.
   
   The author has listed some rxcellent hikes in different regions throughout the state. The hikes include complete descriptions and maps so that you can get a look at the area. In addition there are thorough descriptions of how to access the trailheads. Of course if you obtain a USFS or NPS map of the area you could find these trailheads without turn by turn descriptions.
   
   Another plus are the numerous sections describing local plant life, animal life, and historical places.
   
   The only problem I had is that it left out a lot of hikes in the areas it covers. I would highly recommend this book, I just wish there was more of it.



5. The 40 hikes are so well described, you don't need to hike them any more. I can't memorize 5 pages of hike description, and I can't hike and read at the same time. I also don't need someone to explain what I see, if I can recognize it for myself when I see it. We didn't use it for a single hike - I recommend to buy it for the bad weather period when you have time to read instead of being on the trail

No comments about Cycling the Kettle Valley Railway.

4 comments about Hidden British Columbia: Including Vancouver, Victoria, and Whistler (Hidden Travel).

1. We just returned from a trip to BC where we used this book in conjunction with others. Some of the information is useful, but time and time again we were disappointed, especially in the area of lodging. Several B&Bs and Lodges that were given very positive reviews were either very ordinary, motelish or were just plain dreadful. There is a good reason why these are hidden, and should remain so.



2. This book was wonderful -- we did a trip along the Yellowhead using it to direct us to lodging and the "hidden" best places -- and the only time we went wrong on our trip was when we didn't consult the book. We're planning another trip this year, because we didn't get to all the places the book directed us to.

   BTW -- Louise's Kitchen in Smithers has what may arguably be the best food in Western Canada!




3. Take a vacation and blend in some active sports or activities and you have an 'adventure getaway' of the type Ulysses Press specializes in - and one out of the ordinary, as its 'Hidden' series covers. Websites, walking tours, scenic drives, and both weekend and extended getaways are covered in Hidden British Columbia, which specializes in byways and lesser-known attractions and which deserves ongoing recommendation as a top travel choice for the region. From Fan Tan Alley, Canada's narrowest street, to tiny cafes, Hidden British Columbia provides a quality travel experience to any heading to the region, and makes for a perfect tote as well as a at-home planner.



4. Not a bad book that a few more maps and pictures would help complete. Great reviews of places and spots of interest. Recommend this book as a supplement to other travel books on these areas. More info on off road on the path, camping spots and hiking.