No comments about Canada (Eyewitness Travel Guides).

1 comments about Up North: A Guide to Ontario's Wilderness from Blackflies to the Northern Lights.

1. If I was stranded in Northern Ontario with no hope of return, what would i do? Pray for a copy of Up North!!

   This is a purely entertaining, and fact filled rendition of Ontario's wildlife.

   There is only one fault in the whole book, some species were left out, ones that are very common in ontario, but that is zilch compared to the great format and organization of the book!

   This books information is zany and humorous, but actually educational, and interesting.

   I recommend that you jump into your seats, and order this book today!

5 comments about Moon Handbooks Alberta and the Northwest Territories, Fourth Edition: Including Banff, Jasper, and the Canadian Rockies.

1. This handbook was packed with great spots to stop. There were many places listed that the AAA guidebook missed, and all were fantastic. The book was sectioned well, breaking up different areas into day-trips. If you are going to Alberta for the first time, this is a MUST BUY!



2. I couldn't believe all the information that this book contained. It told us of all the great spots in Banff and we didn't miss a one. This was our first time there, but because this book was top notch, we're planning our return within a few months. I would highly recommend this book to anyone traveling in the Canadian Rockies. It's better than the best!!



3. This was an excellent guide for family travel. It provided first rate information on dinosaur adventures in the Red Deer region to Waterton NP to the Canadian Rockies including Banff and Jasper and all points in between. Includes tidbits of local history and written in such a user friendly manner that by the middle of our three week adventure we were fondly refering to it as Mr. Moon, as in, what does Mr. Moon reccommend for dinner. If you are traveling to the Canadian Rockies, the British Colombia guide by this publisher makes an indispensable companion to the Alberta Guide.



4. This book and its companion volume to British Columbia are undoubtedly the best travel books I have ever used. I just returned from a two-month trip that took me to the Calgary Stampede, through the Rockies, up to Yellowknife and through British Columbia to Vancouver. Alberta is an amazing place to visit and by buying this book I was able to enjoy it all the more. The author has obviously done his homework and describes the region in a colorful style but also with an incredible amount of detail. By using these books I managed to plan my trip before leaving home, even down to where I wanted to eat. The other guide I had with me was rarely used. I also found local information centers sending me along well worn tourist paths, and while this book covers all of that side of Alberta it also led me away from the masses to areas of equal beauty. I highly recommend this book to anyone planning a trip to Canada!!



5. This book was indispensible for my recent travels through Alberta. It contains detailed descriptions of all the best places to go, including some great small town festivals that I would of otherwise missed. The book also has many hikes included, mostly in the Canadian Rockies. I budgeted to spend around $50 a night for motels, and found that this book described many good choices in this price range but also includes campgrounds and more expensive places. Overall, I found it to be very current, not only for restaurants and the like but also coverage of issues such as overcrowding in the national parks, which I found an interesting addition.

No comments about Canada (Geography).

4 comments about Wake of the Green Storm: A Survivor's Tale.

1. Treat yourself to this true sailing adventure that will transport the reader into scenes of terror beauty, serenity and whimsey. It is the next best thing to being there!! Marlin Bree takes us along as he sails his 20 foot sloop, Persistence on the unpredictable and sometimes merciless waters of Lake Superior. Among other things, he tells the story of how he and other boaters were caught in the July 4, 1999 storm which devastated the area with 100 mph winds. The story of the green storm, as it came to be called, is masterfully interwoven with tales of the people and the history of this vast body of fresh water to create both a gripping and heartwarming story. Being a solo sailor myself, of course, one might expect that I would love the book, but non sailing friends have repeatedly thanked me for bringing their attention to the book. It is a story that will be loved by all those who appreciate the hardy characteristics of adventurers everywhere: preparedness, self-reliance, dogged determination in the face of adversity and most important, humility. Marlin is to be respected not only as an author and a solo sailor, but, for his ability to have it all, that enviable balance of family, work and personal passion. Do not miss this pearl among adventure stories, but beware that it may stir some sleeping inner longing and inspire you into action! (-:



2. It's been a long time since I have read a book that I truly enjoyed as much as "WAKE" It's one of those books where you just don't want to and CAN'T put it down because you sense and feel that you are there with Marlin sharing the adventures. Superior is well known for the fierce storms that drive across the lake. Ships of all types and sizes have sailed into these storms, never to be seen again....Marlin tells about some of these storms and his voyage aboard PERSISTENCE... a first hand account of the infamous "Green Storm", and other tales along Superiors North Shore..........



3. This is a true story about a lone sailor on the biggest, most beautiful, and most violent lake in the world. The lake that can swallow a modern day 730 foot lake freighter in an instant. LAKE SUPERIOR! Marlin Bree was caught, without warning, in a storm that wreaked havoc across the land and exploded on to Lake Superior. It is the story of the skill and luck it takes to survive a short lived hurricane with winds in the 100 mph range. It tells the stories of others who were surprised, and survived the green monster. I witnessed this same storm, and can attest to the ferocity of it. This book tells about the stark contrast of the changing moods of what has become known as the inland sea. It is a lesson on the unpredictable nature of such an immense body of water that has been known to create it's own weather systems. It's no wonder most choose to admire her from the safety of her rugged shore line. This is the type of intense adventure that makes it difficult to put the book down.



4. This is Bree's third cruising narrative. The first was _In the Teeth of the Northeaster: A Solo Voyage on Lake Superior_ followed by _Call of the North Wind: Voyages and Adventures on Lake Superior_.

   Bree is one of the better writers in a small sub-set of cruising narratives by singlehanded sailors who go coastal cruising in small yachts. Other writers in this genre include Philip Teece (_A Dream of Islands_ and _A Shimmer on the Horizon_) who cruises the waters around Vancouver Island and Robert DeGast (_Western Wind, Eastern Shore_ and _Five Fair Rivers_) and Howard Walker Schindler (_Between Two Bays and the Sea_) who sail in Chesapeake Bay.

   Just as reading Teece makes you want to go sailing around Vancouver, Bree does the same thing for Lake Superior. Bree is an excellent story-teller and his books are always lively and filled with historical information and yarns that will shiver yer timbers.

   Bree's latest work is extremely tense in parts and you will probably have a hard time putting it down after you start reading (especially since the 'Prologue' is a nail-biter). The book is centered around his experience with the July 4, 1999 "Green Storm" in which his home-made 20 foot wooden centerboard sloop *Persistence* was caught out on the Lake and knocked-down -- and experiences by other boaters with the same storm. There are other exciting moments -- like grounding on a reef and tense moments navigating through very narrow channels in the fog and dodging floating trees.

   Like the other books referred to above, this book shows that you don't have to cross an ocean or own a big and expensive boat to find some adventure. And, for sailors cruising in other areas, it will instill some respect (if they don't have it already) for "Lake sailors".

5 comments about Best Places Vancouver.

1. This was our first trip to Vancouver and we found this book to be very informative. The background/history sections are very helpful, especially "How to ack like a local". We found the way the book is divided to be very useful. The 190 restaurant options are fabulous. The exploring section is very informative for those who do not want to miss anything. The itineraies suggestions are good. Additionally, as a surprise, it does cover Victoria Island and Whistler.



2. Best Places provides a wonderful guide to Vancouver. The restaurant guide is especially thorough. Symbols appear next to attractions that are especially suited to certain interests (romance, families, budget travelers, and those seeking a spot with a uniquely Vancouver character) making it easy to customize your trip. Chapters on Whistler and Victoria are a nice plus. For my money Best Places is the best book for your trip to Vancouver.

   Some other titles in this category are nearly as good: The Lonely Planet guide is a little weaker on details of attractions but still tells you about lots of things to do. It also has more info for the less seasoned traveler or someone coming from outside (the west coast of) North America. While Best Places gives you one massive list of restaurants The City Smart guide groups restaurants by neighborhood, so if you want to plan all your dinners in advance, go with Best Places, but if you're looking ahead to a spontaneous movable feast, the City Smart guide will probably get you to the table more easily. All three of these are written by people who know the area, so the information is reliable.

   I wasn't so crazy about Frommer's Irreverent Guide. It costs nearly as much as the other three, but doesn't have anything else to recommend it above the others.




3. We just came back from a trip to Vancouver and Victoria and had a very relaxing and rewarding experience with the help of this book. The portion relating to Vancouver was great with a helpful discussion of navigating your way around the city and its various neighborhoods. The restaurant/cafe recommendations were very helpful, and we thought, quite on the mark. Lodging recommendations were also on the money (even though we weren't thrilled with what we ended up with, but based on what else was available at that level of rating, the book's rating seemed to be right on). Finally, the section on Victoria and Whistler were especially helpful given our quick 'sojourns' to these areas. Oh yeah, we did a quick cross-reference of the ratings in this book with Zagat's and they were pretty much in line with each other. There were also lovely discussions in general about shopping in Vancouver (quite plentiful) as well as the parks and the top 20 attractions. Highly recommended.



4. The Best Places books are outstanding for recommending the best sites to see and I particularly like the restaurant reviews. The hole in these books are the lack of maps. There's a double sided fold out map at the back of the book but that's it. There are no neighborhood maps. The books should do more to help me find a restaurant in a town I don't know than just list the address. Until they figure out maps, you'll need a streetwise map to go hand in hand with this series.



5. Unlike alot of travel books this one is laid out more like a novel with more explanations and full descriptions. This can get a little confusing if you need to find something in a hurry but it certainly provides you with more information. I visited Vancouver back in August for 5 days, so decided to buy the book and be prepared before hand. The restaurent section is superb.I found various small resaurants that felt untouched by any tourist. I felt like a local after being there only a few days. The only thing it lacks is more photos and nice paper stock. I also bought the lonely planet Vancouver book, and each had there own qualities. If the two books were combined it would make for an unbeatable guide.

5 comments about A Guide to Monastic Guest Houses: Fourth Edition.

1. I've been wanting to review this book for some time. A friend gave me a copy as a gift. The concept of a "monastic" guest house was new to me. By reading this inviting guide I learned that the custom of accommodating guests in monasteries and convents is as old as Christian monasticism itself. I have had the opporunity to visit several of the guest houses included in the book. The research done by the author is certainly thorough and the broad denominational representation is good. Most importantly, I was rassured to know that all of the guest houses in the book will accommodate those of any faith...or no faith at all. Practical information such as addresses, telephone numbers, and directions are invaluable. Even if not planning to visit the monasteries, convents, and guest houses in the book, the Guide makes for interesting reading with its histories, descriptions, and other information about the orders and their way of life. The line drawings for each guest house add a finishing touch which make this book a delight to browse though, interesting reading, and an outstanding resource for the would-be modern day pilgrim. The New York Times, National Geographic Traveler and Arthur Frommer recommend A Guide to Monastic Guest Houses, and so do I!



2. Terrible writing...banal style...horrible information. Can't recommend



3. As a child growing up in Connecticut there was always a mystique but a certain serene feeling that I would experience when we would go to the monastery to pick up our mother after she attended a retreat or picked up mass cards. I experienced that same calm when I visited centuries old castles and churches in Europe. The only other experience similar for me is to be in a museum or at the ocean-they are always there for me, secure and comforting. Robert Regalbuto's wonderful book "A Guide to Monastic Guest Houses" fourth edition, is a concise volume that I love. I love it because with it's gems of anecdotal information and necessary addresses, phone numbers etc. I am able to visit monasteries throughout the United States and Canada in order to relive that serenity I found whenever we visited the monastery to collect Mother after her day of good works.



4. First of all, I am not much of a traveler, but many in my family our. This is a wonderful book for family who sometimes need to get away from everyday life and don't know where to go. I thank Robert Regalbuto for doing his homework on the places of interest. Enjoy....



5. I have read this book by Mr. Regalbuto and have used the information on many trips around the country. For anyone looking for a spiritual high and no frills economy in lodging and meals the information is invaluable. The clear directions and information about these havens of retreat from worldly concern make it easy to experience a bit of heaven on earth. Such practical information I have not found elsewhere.

2 comments about Summer Cottages (Art & Architecture) (Art & Architecture).

1. This beautifully illustrated book captures the essence of what makes summer cottaging so enjoyable. The settings are perfect for magical experiences & memories.



2. A great book to browse thru on a winter weekend afternoon - the beautiful photos remind you of the best of summer in the country.

No comments about British Columbia Wine Country.

No comments about Wallpaper City Guide: Vancouver ("Wallpaper*" City Guides) (Wallpaper City Guides (Phaidon Press)).