No comments about BAHAMAS HANDBOOK 1996 (Serial).

5 comments about Moon Handbooks Cuba.

1. Christopher Baker has written an absolutely fabulous guide book to Cuba. It's clearly written, with wit and charm, and it's very obvious that he spent a lot of time in the country exploring the things he talks about. Few things are mentioned in passing - if he's put it in here, you can be sure he's included a fair amount of detail. A good buy.



2. This is the most extensive and best written travel guide for Cuba. It covers everything you can see there. If it doesn't list some places, that means it's nothing to do there. The guide is a bit outdated, especially the restaurant sections. In such cases we consulted the Rough Guide to Cuba, which is more up-to-date, but covers much less than a Moon Handbook. I hope it will be updated soon.



3. I've never gone on an overseas adventure without a guide book, and usually they are good for a few phone numbers and museum hours, but mostly end up being dead weight in your pack. This book on Cuba was like a lifeline during my adventure in Fidel's homeland. Anyone who has been to this pearl of the caribbean know's the social, political and economical ocean that is the Cuba of today is 100,000 leagues deep, and as a foreigner you feel as though you are caught, tumbling, in a wave not knowing which way is up. This book helps to make sense of Cubas past, while helping you to understand the nuances that hint to its uncertain future. A true pleasure to explore, with my Moon's book in hand!



4. Chris Baker knows Cuba intimately. This guidebook is hands down better than the others (in fact, forget Lonely Planet on Cuba - trust me). It contains a brief history of culture and politics (the two entwined in this country) as well as in-depth coverage of the sites you want to see.
   
   Cuba is not a country where information is readily obtained. This writer shows he's knows his stuff, and has done years of homework. Read it closely.
   
   What you will need to supplement this guide are three things:
   
   1. A list of "casa particulars" or private rooms in private homes. The ones listed in Moon are already too popular and nearly impossible to get a reservation. (There are websites that will help you with this, or just ask a cab driver in Cuba to show you a few homes.)
   
   2. Restaurants. Moon does not include many of the the newer, better, private restaurants. No one goes to Cuba for the food, but nothing is worse than overpaying for a mediocre meal. Ask around for the good places, or do a search on Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree web postings.
   
   3. Clubs and bars. Some of the ones listed are institutions, but in Cuba the nightlife venues changes constantly. Ask locals, don't waste your money at some of the tourist traps mentioned in Moon.
   
   Have a good time!



5. This is an excellent thoroughly researched, detailed book as stated in other reviews.
   
   However, in the very lengthy and informative history and pre-reading section, the author's bias against Castro permeates his writing.
   Thus he presents a biased viewpoint; he discusses more the inefficiencies of the revolution rather than the advantages.
   He does warn us subtly of his bias however.
   
   The best thing would just be to go to cuba and see for yourself.

No comments about The Complete Guide to Caribbean Cruises, 2nd Edition: A cruise lover's guide to selecting the right trip, with all the best ports of call (Special-Interest Titles).

No comments about Grenada, Carriacou & Petite Martinique (Bradt Travel Guides).

4 comments about Diving and Snorkeling Dominica (Lonely Planet Pisces Book).

1. With so few informative guides available on Dominica, this guide is truly a gem written about a gem of an island. Descriptions of some of the finest and most unusual dives in the Caribbean, including down the crater of a volcano and through hot bubbling springs called "Champagne." The sea life in Dominica is more prolific and untouched than anywhere else in the Caribbean and this guide tells you EVERYTHING you need to know about getting to this offbeat destination, staying there, and seeing the sites both above and below water.



2. Good guide except that we couldn't find one of the snorkling sites described just by following their directions.



3. Dominica was a beautiful island but this guide was not all that helpful and some info. was outdated or incorrect.



4. Not quite as thorough as the Lonely Planet Diving in Puerto Rico, but very helpful for deciding where to start. An added bonus is the short chapter describing inland hikes in Dominica, an island as stunning above water as below. I like the organization or these guides, with excellent icons placed conspicuously to help me skip what I don't need to know.

No comments about A Walk Around the West Indies.

1 comments about The West Indies and the Spanish Main.

1. In the late 1850s, British postal employee Anthony Trollope travelled though the Caribbean Islands and Central America on Official Business. In his free time he wrote a book about what he saw and what he thought about it. He undergoes the usual travel woes (terrible boats, worse food), and spends considerable time discussing the projected Nicaragua Canal (not worth the expense). But most interesting are his views on the recently emancipated blacks of the British colonies.
   
   Writing on the eve of the American Civil War, Trollope's feelings are ambiguous. As a Christian, he knows that emancipation was, in the abstract, a good thing. But he clearly feels that the days of slavery were the Good Old Days (he uses that actual phrase) when the islands were prosperous. The free blacks, to Trollope's annoyance, insist on working only enough to supply their own wants, which are relatively few. All this fertile land is going to waste for lack of labor because there's no way to force the blacks to work. (At this time in Britain, a worker could not quit his job without his employer's permission.)
   
   The issue for Trollope is not just economic. Idleness is a sin and a sign of barbarism. Of course you didn't see Trollope himself toiling away in the hot sun--or even in the cold rain, since it was widely believed that physical labor in the tropics was fatal to white people. It's a fascinating glimpse of mid-19th century racial attitudes, as long as you can keep your historical perspective. If you become angry because Trollope refuses to think like a 21st century liberal, you won't learn anything.

5 comments about Where the Sky is Born: Living in the Land of the Maya.

1. I was assigned this book for a class on Mayan Culture and Civilization, so that certainly impacted the lens through which I read this book. I was expecting a book on the Mayans, and that's not at all what this is. It's really a book about buying property and building a house in Mexico - if that's what you're looking for, great. If you want to learn about the Mayans, don't waste your time with this one.
   I still only gave this two stars because I felt the writing could have been a lot better.



2. What an enchanting adventure. This is a true story that kept my attention focused through the whole book. I wish it had been longer. It was easy to put myself in Jeanine's place and a few times I wish I had been there with her doing what she and her husband were doing.



3. I want to let others know how much I enjoyed this book.
   When I began reading, I was immediatly transported back to the Yucatan, to many of the places we had just visited; Coba, Puerto Morelos, Valledolid, Ek Balam, Chichen Itza (of course), and Merida. Jeanine's candid narrative hit home with me and my impressions of the people and the places she wrote about. To me, Yucatan is vastly different (and much more comfortable) than other parts of Mexico that I've visited - and her book paralleled and reinforced my experience while adding the depth of her experience. She colorfully described the perils and pleasures of building a house in the Yucatan - which encourages me to think more about retiring there. We must also share an appreciation of wonderful Yucatecan food, although I would have enjoyed longer descriptions. Jeanine clearly writes from the heart. A good read by an interesting lady who, with her husband, dreamed, planned, then lived the adventure. Perhaps, in a future edition, Jeanine will write a sequel. I certainly hope so.



4. Good book to get a feel for the rhythm and flow of living in Costa Mayan Mexico - encounters that you can expect with government employees, natives, other expats, etc. Nothing real deep or enlightening, but gives a good sense of what to expect. This was a quick read - it goes by fast.



5. I ordered this book prior to a trip to Puerto Morelos thinking it might be an interesting read. It WAS an interesting read, and much more! The author is an excellent writer and has created an almost suspence-like page-turner out of her very informative and entertaining book, Where the Sky is Born. The book is also inspirational as it leads the reader to understand that when you have a dream that is important enough, you will find the means to accomplish it. I devoured the book in one day and enjoyed every minute of it.
   
   Puerto Morelos was also wonderful. A special treat was meeting Ms. Kitchel while we were there. She is an extremely interesting and kind woman. Looking forward to additional books in the future!

5 comments about Adventure Guide to the Cayman Islands (Adventure Guide to the Cayman Islands) (Adventure Guide to the Cayman Islands).

1. We were disappointed in the book. If you have ever traveled to an island before and have some idea of what to expect, then I do not recommend this book. We were able to find as much useful free information about the Caymans at the airport (rental car agency, whatever). The restaraunt guide in the book is extremely incomplete, and the descriptions of beaches and snorkeling locations needed to be much more specific to be worth the investment. As another reviewer alluded to, the lack of detailed maps is a serious drawback. If there was a roadmap and maps to snorkeling sites then I would have been partially satisfied. Unless you need to learn that Grand Cayman is a "world class SCUBA diving destination" I recommend learning the basics on one of the many internet sites and then picking up the freebies when you get there.



2. My family and I just got back from a trip to the Cayman Islands, and this book helped before and during the trip! The airline and hotel information was great to plan how to get there and where to stay and the descriptions of the activities helped us decide what to see on the island! I'd recommend this guide to anyone!



3. Patris Permenter and John Bigley's Cayman Islands appears in its second edition to explore the people, places, and underwater attractions of the islands. From local nature to taking dives and walking tours, this provides a variety of opportunities.



4. Travel writer and photographer, Paris Permenter and John Bigley, with their guidebook, Adventure Guide To The Cayman Islands- 2nd Edition, have given travelers a new way to appreciate the magnificent Cayman Islands.

   The authors are well known travel writers who have published over twenty-seven books, and have updated numerous guidebooks for publishers such as Fodor's and Michelin.
   In addition, they have authored over 1500 newspaper and magazine articles.

   What is unique about this particular guidebook is that it places more emphasis on the adventure aspect, rather than the mundane listing of hotels, restaurants, and the other common guidebook material, although, there are ample references to the latter.

   When I queried the authors as to why they had taken this approach they indicated that "the adventure aspect is one aspect that each island shares: good opportunities for adventure, whether visitors define that as scuba diving, hiking, snorkelling, or bird watching."

   The organization of the book divides itself into five principal well-written chapters.
   The introduction contains an abundance of useful and well-researched data concerning the history, geography, climate, flora and fauna, animal life, bird life, marine life, government, economy, and people and culture of the Cayman Islands.

   The second chapter, entitled "Where are the Adventures," exposes the reader as to what is available on foot, in the water, on the water, in the air, on wheels, on horseback, eco-travel, cultural excursions, family adventures and packing for adventure.

   The authors also have also included "Adventure Talks," where they interview various experts concerning such topics as diving in the Cayman Islands, eco-travel tours, and snorkelling adventures.

   The remaining three chapters concern themselves with the 3 Islands, Grand Cayman, Cayman Brac, and Little Cayman. Within these chapters there are important tips as to how to get around, sights and attractions, accommodations, restaurants, sightseeing, shopping, nightlife, and beaches.
   The authors' brisk, informative, and well-written text makes for an easy to read guide.

   As an added feature, the guidebook contains a sprinkling of a few well-chosen photo images, some in color, and others in black and white.
   There are also a few simple maps inserted into the text along with the photo images.
   The end of the book includes useful web sites, a short bibliography and a helpful index.

   Whether you are a first time visitor to the Cayman Islands, or a traveler, who has visited before, you will garner precious and valuable information upon reading this well organized guidebook.

   Highly recommended.

   [...]




5. This book is easy to read and helpful, although it sounds more like a Chamber of Commerce description than independent opinions. I prefer for authors of travel guides to offer advice on what is NOT great, rather than just listing everything with positive comments only. (Although, see my review of Frommer's Portable Cayman Islands, where I believe editorial comment is overdone.)

No comments about Frommer's Portable Virgin Islands, 3rd Edition.