No comments about Banff, Jasper and Glacier National Parks.

1 comments about Frommer's Montreal & Quebec City 2008 (Frommer's Complete).

1. If you're looking for a nitty gritty guide to Montreal, this will probably do. I'd recommend purchasing the Fodors Montreal and Quebec City 2008 in place of this guide. It is much more readable, has interesting tidbits on area history and includes a better layout.

1 comments about Frommer's Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands & the San Juan Islands (Frommer's Vancouver Island, the Gulf Islands & the San Juan Islands).

1. Frommer will never dissapoint you. If you have limited number of days and want to see as much as possible, this is the right guide. IT also details all essential services and key WEB sites. For this price tag, just keep it in your backpack.

5 comments about Rand McNally 2008 United States, Canada, Mexico Road Atlas: Vinyl Covered (Rand Mcnally Road Atlas: United States/Canada/Mexico (Vinyl Covered Edition)).

1. Good atlas, no frills, concise and useful. It was flimsier than expected; within a week, one of the first pages already acquired a tear in it near the binding after only minimal use due to the thin paper and awkward staple. However, it was worth the price.



2. The content of the product is of course very good but the extra weight of the plastic cover on the Atlas immediately pulls the inside cover away from the staples they have used to bind this Atlas. You will lose the cover very quickly unless you rebind it.



3. After viewing a colleagues copy of this road atlas, it made sense to acquire one of my own seeing we were holidaying in the States and in particular the West Coast- California and Arizona. We found the map and information of significant help in planning our route and would definitely recommend this to anyone who is thinking of travelling to the States. You will not be disappointed.



4. I was loaned a previous copy of this atlas by my travel agent to help plan my upcoming US trip. Found it so easy to use that I decided to purchase my own. Would recommend to any visitor coming to the US.



5. This is a very nice and useful road atlas. The plastic cover is nice to have since the atlas gets a lot of wear both in the car and in the house. The reason I did not rate it higher is that the staples used to hold the pages are beginning to tear and will soon need some reinforcement. Rand McNally should consider improving this aspect of the atlas.

No comments about Streetwise Montreal Map - Laminated City Street Map of Montreal, Canada - with integrated metro map including lines and stations.

5 comments about Cities Ranked & Rated: More than 400 Metropolitan Areas Evaluated in the U.S. and Canada.

1. If it's a location found in the United States or Canada, odds are that inside this hefty paperback colossus of a book (with a friendly green cover!) you'll find it ranked, rated, profiled, cross-sectioned, detailed, written-up, compared, contrasted, broken down, dissected, described, critiqued, praised, criticized, explained, considered, pondered, investigated, turned inside and out, and then in the end set before you with neat little charts and data that give you a good idea of what living in one of the featured areas would be like. Want to know the chances of a hurricane hitting Fairbanks, Alaska in any given year? It's in there! How about the number of library books per resident in Canton, Ohio? Yup, you can find that out, too. (It happens to be 3.96, according to page 248.) How many Hispanics live in El Paso? Cities Ranked & Rated will enlighten you in mere seconds. Whether you're a realtor, a would-be re-locator, or an average Jane who happens to absorb naked trivia like the parched soil of Las Vegas, Nevada absorbs its meager 4.0 inches of annual rainfall (page 487) this is a reference book for you! Can I hear three cheers for the minutia-obsessed geeks who made all this raw information possible?



2. If you have ever considered relocating to another part of the country in
   the USA, this book is a must. I loved all of the different categories, from cost of living and job opportunities, to quality of life.



3. This book is full of fascinating information about 375 metropolitan areas in the U.S., as well as 27 Canadian metropolitan areas. Each area is evaluated and described in terms of the demographic characteristics of its population, the climate, the economy, taxes and cost of living, educational factors, commuting, health care and other health-related factors, leisure activities, and art and culture. Each of those categories is subdivided into multiple, more specific measures.
   
   Based on the listed raw data, the book ranks the metropolitan areas against each other, in each category and overall. The first part of the book has a short section describing the meaning of the data for each category, along with a list of the top 30 and bottom 30 cities for each statistic.
   
   The bulk of the book (669 pages out of the total of 850) consists of a 1-to-2-page description of each U.S. metropolitan area. The description consists of a listing of all the statistics in each category for the given metropolitan area, preceded by an intelligently-written introduction which provides the kind of information that isn't directly reflected in the statistics. From my knowledge of the cities with which I am personally familiar, I would say the writers did an excellent and accurate job of portraying the flavor of each metropolitan area.
   
   BUT:
   
   If you are going to use this book to make important personal decisions, make sure you do your own research, and double-check the information that's most important to you. I found several errors in the book - and since I have no knowledge at all of most of the topics covered, there are most likely many other inaccuracies that I'm incapable of identifying myself. Examples:
   
   The book says that the average metropolitan area has 6 snowfalls of at least 1.5 inches annually. It also says, however, that the average metropolitan area has an average TOTAL annual snowfall of only 7 inches. Of course, it is impossible for both of those numbers to be accurate.
   
   One of the numbers given for each city is the number of major airports within 60 miles. It says that there is one major airport within 60 miles of Eugene, Oregon, but the nearest major airport (Portland) is more than 100 miles away. In the listing for Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, they make the preposterous claim that there are FOUR major airports within sixty miles, where in reality the closest major airport (Baltimore) is ninety miles away. The discrepancy has nothing to do with the definition of "major," because they also give the daily number of flights at those airports, which makes it clear that their definition of "major" does not include the airports in Eugene or Harrisburg.
   
   Furthermore, the data doesn't always mean what it appears to mean, so read the discussion of the data toward the beginning of the book before turning to the individual statistics for the cities you're interested in. One glaring example is the ranking for "water quality," which has nothing to do with the healthfulness of the drinking water. It is a measure of the "quality of runoff and groundwater," which is decidedly NOT what most people are interested in when they investigate water quality in a prospective place to live.
   
   Finally, in their otherwise helpful and well-written introductions to the metropolitan areas, and even in their interpretation of the statistics, the writers occasionally allow their politically correct prejudices to influence their comments and rankings. One amusing example is the following sentence from their introduction for Portland, Oregon: "Although average commuter times are long, the area has good public transit with a light-rail system among the nation's best." In other words, the city is to be commended for following policies the authors approve of, even if the evidence shows that those policies don't help. (Just try reversing the order of the clauses in the quoted sentence above, and you'll see what I mean.)
   
   Also, the book's ranking system assumes that people will always want maximum racial diversity, minimum taxes, and a mild climate. You might prefer a Normal Rockwell setting, you might want the kind of governmental services that are available only in high-tax jurisdictions, and you might enjoy long brisk winters or searing desert heat.
   
   So the book is fascinating, helpful, and can drastically shorten the time and trouble it takes to research any metropolitan area. But you have to read it intelligently, and you should do your own verification of information that really matters to you.



4. Wow! This may be more than some of you care to see, it's the size of a phone book. But, it is easy to read and find the bits that you are interested in. Very well organized, and valuable data. It is a great match with "100 Best Tax Cities".



5. If you analyze the ranking and ratings of this book, you will find very serious misrepresentations! Try to Compare two of your familiar cities one has low crime rate and the other much higher. What you will find is that they are about the same!! Try San Francisco and Oakland, San Jose and Richmond, CA. When you are looking for a safe place to live and raise your kids, you are likely ending up with a crime hovering place. I don't have any bias against rich or poor, but just the nature of the book--it is inaccurate and misleading!

2 comments about Woodall's North American Campground Directory with CD, 2008 (Woodall's North American Campground Directory).

1. I pre-ordered the Woodall's North American Campground Directory with CD, 2008 and received it the day after Christmas. The book is what you expect from Woodall's--an extensive listing of campgrounds with very little information on each, buried in page after page of ads, hard to use but useful for finding and doing the initial screening of campgrounds which you then have to call to get the up-to-date information you really need.
   
   But the CD won't load on my Mac (OS X Leopard 10.5.1) as advertised. I called the 800 number on the CD case and got an "...extension 492 is invalid..." message so I hit "0" and got a very nice operator. She listened to my problem and then said, "Let me switch you to Lance." After leaving voice mails over several days, I finally got Lance on the phone and he immediately decided that I had received a corrupt CD. He overnighted one to me but I got the same error with it. I'm now leaving voice mails again in hopes that he will solve my problem.
   
   So, the book is mediocre, the CD won't work, and support is..., well, I'll be nice and just say that it's lacking. Two stars is generous, in my opinion. If I don't receive satisfaction soon, I'll return the package for a refund.
   
   ***Added on January 16, 2008***
   
   Well, at least they've fixed their phone system. I got through to Lance a week ago and he said there were problems with the software on Macs with the latest version of Leopard (OS X 10.5.1). He advised me to watch the CDROM Web site (not their main site--see CD package) for an updated version. Nothing yet. My disappointment continues.
   
   ***Added on January 29, 2008***
   
   Lance now says that they're not sure they'll be able to get the program to work on a Mac with Leopard OS X. He offered to refund my money. Bummer. Oh, and their 800 number is again going to an invalid extension. Kind of makes you wonder.



2. This book is a grest help to all campers, especially those with large motorhomes or 5th wheels. This reference helps us find campgrounds listed as"big rigs welcome" for us larger rigs.

1 comments about Frommer's Niagara Region.

1. We used this little book extensively on our recent fall Niagara Trip. Gives valuable information to optimize your visit so you don't waste time doing things you know you wouldn't enjoy. It alsos gives tips on interesting things to do in the entire Niagara region. People with varied interests can find many things to do.

5 comments about How to Move to Canada: A Primer for Americans.

1. The authors give good information about all of Canada's provinces. I would have liked to see more in the way of practical advice, including those who are interested in purchasing real estate but not necessarily intent on immigrating. But I liked it for all that, and recommend it to anyone interested in living in Canada.



2. I found this book reasonably useful as a means of learning how the immigration process works for Canada. You could certainly research all this info on the Internet yourself, but it would be a bother. The author points out some common and potentially serious mistakes that applicants often make on their paperwork.
   
   Also, she herself is an American immigrant to Canada, and speaks from experience and from the American perspective, which makes this book superior to another of its type, "Living and Working in Canada" which was written by a British citizen for an audience of non-North Americans.



3. This is the most thoroughly readable how-to book I have seen on moving to Canada. It is practical and authoritative and has helped my quest for emigration greatly. It's a good investment and the perfect 'starter' book for anyone with thoughts of becoming an ex-pat by moving north of the border.



4. This book doesn't pull any punches - you are leaving the United States and moving to another country - an action not to be taken lightly at all. Whether entering our friendly neighbors to the north as just a permanent resident or going all the way and becoming a Canadian citizen (Note! You don't have to give up your US citizenship!)- it's a lot more complicated than just arriving, buying a house, and starting your new job that you've previously located and landed. Interesting sidebar segments on those who have gone before and what they did - or wished they had done - to make the move and transition easier and less stressful.
   
   Yes you can "retire" to Canada - you just have to loan the government $400,000 (CD) interest free for 61 months and have total assets of greater than $800,000 (CD) when you enter and before the loan. No more just showing up with your retirement nest egg.



5. Myths about Canada abound: it's a "fake country," it has a population of 20, people are allowed to marry moose, it's one big year-round hockey tournament, it doesn't really exist, everyone speaks a vulgar form of French, and they have free healthcare but you'll perish waiting in line for service. Canada gets taken for granted. As such, many south of "the other border" know little about the enormous country that sits on top of them. And so myths perpetuate like Yukon snow. But moving to Canada? That assumes one already acknowledges its existence and possesses at least a speck of knowledge about the land with the maple leaf flag. "How To Move To Canada" only assumes the former. Those with no, or very minute, familiarity with Canada will drown in the historical, cultural, and political knowledge contained in these thick 200 pages.
   
   Though its subtitle, "A Primer for Americans," remains a bit of a misnomer (since Canadians are also Americans), this book nonetheless provides a great launching pad for those wanting to immigrate to the Great White North. Note that this book assumes readers want to permanently move to Canada, or at least obtain dual citizenship (only a recent possibility). But those who merely want to "try it out" via a temporary work permit will also benefit from the information within. Both groups will learn about the steps to long term settlement, the long process, and the potential legal roadblocks. Such questions as "when do I need an immigration attorney?" and "how long does citizenship take?" get addressed throughout. A handy "Immigration Time Line" outlines the steps from deciding to move, to permanent residency, and ultimately to Canadian citizenship. But again the underlying assumption is that the reader wants to immigrate, not just get a job. That's an important distinction the book doesn't address very clearly. People can move to and work in Canada without immigrating. Section Two does mention work permits, but briefly. It also contains another very short section on retiring to Canada. Those looking for detailed information on those subjects should look elsewhere.
   
   Hopefully those considering moving to Canada have already done their homework about where and why they want to move. Regardless, "Moving to Canada" contains droves of information on Canadian history, healthcare, politics, climate, differences from province to province (and territory to territory), employment, crime, economy (including housing prices) and demographics. No previous knowledge required. The final section, which makes up more than half the book's bulk, outlines basic information for all ten provinces, three territories, and many major cities. A word of caution: this book was published in 2006, but much of its information dates to the most recently available data. Some dates to 2001. Laws and the economy obviously fluctuate, so readers should consider that while perusing this book's figures. Canada's immigration website, frequently mentioned in the book, remains a good up to date resource.
   
   "How To Move To Canada" contains far more than immigration instructions. It encompasses a historical and cultural survey of North America's placid giant. Expect to learn things like "why do people in Quebec speak French?" "does Canada have a Queen?" "how did Canada become what it is today?" but especially "how do I move there permanently?" This book even serves as a great reference for those who don't ultimately immigrate. As such, "How To Move To Canada" remains a great and easy to read introduction for anyone.

5 comments about 101 Places You Gotta See Before You're 12!.

1. Don't know what to do on the weekend or short vacations with your kids? Here are some great and some simple ideas that your children will delight in. It was fun going through the book with my 10 year old grand daughter and identifying what she had done (quite a few of the things) and what things she wanted to do in the next 14 months before she turned 12. There is a check off list which is usually appealing to a preteen. Also it was fun to recollect the many things the family had done together. We had been to a pig pen and a working farm, dug for fossils, spent hours in a cemetary, the state capitol, an aquarium, a waterfall, backstage and so on. Among things to do: a jail, courthouse, working port, antiquarian book store and a few more things. I will give it to my other grandchildren on their birthdays. Great Gift, great fun, great learning experieinces, and great price.



2. I bought this for my 12yr old, and we've had so much fun looking through it over and over, for all the fun places to go. You really dont have to travel far to do most of them. There are terrific photos, and I love the reference in the back with web addresses and info. on places to go. I plan to purchase several more as gifts for nieces/nephews!



3. Books that encourage one to aspire to see all the world great sites are inspiring, but it not realistic for everyone to see the Taj Mahal and Patagonia.
   
   This book brings adventure closer to home, and is wonderfully flexible and practical. Everyone can and should see a Migration Path, a Fort, a Working Farm, a Street Market and the House Where Their Parents Grew Up.
   
   Besides, who doesn't want to recapture those elementary years?



4. This is a great book for a person of any age provided that they are interested in getting off the couch. This is the second time I have purchased this book but probably not the last. This purchase is for a Christmas gift for a nephew. The last purchase was for a birthday gift for a different nephew. I'm not sure if the recipients love it as much as I do. I wish someone had given me a book like this when I was younger. Two big thumbs up!



5. I bought this book for a 9 year old girl for Christmas. She LOVES it!!! She spent quite a bit of time looking at it and placing the included stickers on the places she wants to go. Then, she and her mother sat together and talked about places to visit. It was a great gift and I highly recommend this book!