4 comments about Fodor's Pocket Aruba, 1st Edition: The All-in-One Guide to Fun-Filled Days and Nights Packed with Places to Eat, Sl eep, Play and Relax (Pocket Guides).

1. I have read Fodor's books in the past and found them to be more informative than this book on Aruba. Not many travel books on Aruba exist so that's why I chose this one. However, it did not really contain any so-called "secrets" that I hadn't already found out from surfing on the internet.

   There were some things that I liked about this book. It would probably be a good source if you are not an avid internet surfer (like myself who reads every website that I can find on Aruba). If you did not have any previous knowledge & wanted a short, quick book to just give the basics, then this book is probably for you. If you want a small guidebook to carry along on your trip (like I do) then it's worth the price.

   But if you want a comprehensive guide with some "secrets", pass on this one.




2. You are going to Aruba. You want some reference material. Let's face it, your choices for books are limited. For the price, the book does what it promises. It provides a great overview of where to stay, where to eat, where to beach, where to gamble and what to do while you are on the island. And this thing is compact, it will easily fit in your back pocket. Four stars because I feel they are missing some of the better places to eat on the island (Madame Jeanette's, Flying Fishbone). Bon Bini!



3. I've been to Aruba twice in 2 years, and it is REALLY difficult finding any type of a resource manual for the island, so I was happy when this one came out.

   However, since it came out between my two visits, i was a bit disappointed with several inaccuracies in the book.

   There is a wealth of good information in this book, but I would definitely not use it to choose accomodations, where I saw the largest amount of inaccuracies.

   A person may feel a bit upset if they booked a resort based on this book, and found out for example that it did NOT have windsurfing as an inclusive. And a resort would be equally upset in knowing one of it's better attractions were not mentioned at all, and thus could possibly cause them a loss of a sale.

   It had good descriptions of the beaches, and adequate descriptions of the restaurants. But, by all means find a second opinion regarding accomodations!




4. I checked this book out at the library and brought it with me to Aruba recently. I did not notice any inaccuracies in its information. A few photos (color or b/w) would make the book a tad more interesting. Otherwise, it's solid.

No comments about World Tennis Magazine's Guide to the Best Tennis Resorts.

No comments about Vip Cruising Guide St. Maarten/St. Martin Area to Antigua & Barbuda.

1 comments about Fodor's Bahamas 2000.

1. We ordered three books from the Amazon.com. This book lives up to the Fodor's reputation. We got good information about our means of transportation from land to sea to golf carts. My only regret is that Fodor's doesn't tell me much about how to rent a boat in the Bahamas. That's our main interest- go to the Bahamas and rent a boat to check out the cays. We do like the lodging reviews, it is very thorough, even tells me that a certain hotel had large vaulted ceilings and a private dock/beach. Another one is more torn up in certain parts. We also like the listing of restaurants and foods served. We found a hard to find local bakery, since we are celebrating our anniversary, it means a lot. Would like to see more detailed maps of the outislands though. All In all, We got some valuable information, it's worth every penny ... I wish Fodor will give us more outislands lodgeing listings beside the major ones. Maybe next year.

No comments about Caribbean Islands Handbook, 1993 (Footprint Caribbean Islands Handbook).

No comments about Between Slavery and Freedom: Special Magistrate John Anderson's Journal of St. Vincent During the Apprenticeship (Early American Studies).

No comments about Frommer's Caribbean '99.

3 comments about Jamaica: A Visitor's Guide (Caribbean Guides Series).

1. Pariser covers the physical setting, history, government, economy, the people, language, religion, music, food, and "practicalities" (which includes how to conduct oneself). The book then goes on to provide an overview of the regions of Jamaica -- useful to help one decide which part of Jamaica to visit. The many high quality color photographs help bring the book, and the island, alive. Pariser is very honest (shall we say blunt?). After describing the beautiful 11-km beach at Negril, he writes: "Once a traveler's paradise, Negril now qualifies as an up-and-coming Miami Beach, well on the way to holding the dubious distinction of being the worst tourist trap on the island." Jamaica, A Visitor's Guide, is full of interesting background material which can help to make a visit to Jamaica an enriching experience and not simply a visit to a pretty tropical island. Unless you intend to spend all of your time behind the gates of your all-inclusive resort -- in which case you need no guidebook. Judith Nicholls, Four Winds Travel, http://www.4windstravel.com



2. As someone who has visited Jamaica regularly since 1960, I can recommend Harry Pariser's guide as unequivocally the most useful. It's the book we keep on the shelves of our own house there at Tryall, for our guests and those who rent the place. Michael M. Thomas, columnist, New York Observer, and novelist



3. Refreshingly honest in the overall evaluation of the country and the occasional tongue-in-cheek adds a spark to the writing. For example in the section, "GETTING THERE: BY AIR", Pariser notes, "Jamaica is readily accessible from most American Cities. Although the only really cheap way to get to Jamaica is to swim."

   Harry Pariser's evaluation of the Jamaican Government and the country's economy is hard hitting and accurate, as it should be for Jamaica has one of the greatest

   disparities of wealth in the world today. His anthropological explanation of the people is excellent for a guide book.

   His expose of religion in Jamaica (especially Rastafarianism) and music (Reggae - Bob Marley, Jimmy Cliff, Garnet Silk) is well written and very informative. After reading the first 120 pages of "Jamaica: A Visitor's Guide" you will have a well-rounded grasp of this unique Carribean culture and how to navigate around in it.

   The downside of "Jamaica: A Visitor's Guide" is that the information regarding lodging, food, entertainment reflects the published date of 1995. In Kingston, two of the smaller hotels listed are now closed and prices in the book have risen about at least 30%. Compared to other guide books on Jamaica (Lonely Planet, Moon Travel, etc.) its description of the budget and moderate accommodations receive less ink thus there is not much for you to make an intelligent choice by (i.e., he writes "14 rooms, with an attractive atmosphere, T.V. lounge and restaurant.") Jamaica: A Visitor's Guide introduces you to many interesting facets of Jamaica and if Pariser brings out a fourth edition, I would hope that he would add more descriptions to accommodations and dining and list hotel's e-mail/web pages (a peeve that I have with all guide books). With those changes I would push this guide book to the front of the line for Jamaica. Currently, there are better guides to use when traveling to Jamaica. Conditionally Recommended.

No comments about Islands 2003.

No comments about Jamaica.