No comments about Mexico (White Star Guides).

3 comments about The Cayman Islands: The Beach & Beyond.

1. The book is O.K. if you just want to know about the Caymans, but if you're planning a trip, it's weak on practical information. There are no names or phone numbers for any rental car company, hotel, condo, or restaurant, but many pages of organizations (with phone numbers) such as the Cayman Islands Dominoes Association (yes really). If you are able to find a car rental company there is a chapter on exploring the island, and if not there are chapters on hiking, running, bicycling, horseback riding, kayaking, and swimming



2. Like the previous reviewer, the book is a compilation of interesting places and finds on the Island, rather than a travel-itinerary. Maps of trails, hidden beaches and brief historical quips throughout, it is entertaining but not "fact-filled". I also believe that, in comparison to other Cayman books, it is a bit over-priced at $19.95.



3. I would have to disagree with what the first reviewer has to say about this book. First of all, it is NOT out of print, and is readily available through Amazon or through Martha K. Smith, herself. Also, there are tons of phone numbers included in this book for everything one would possibly want to know about the true culture of the Cayman Islands and how you, yourself, can interact with the people of this culture through adventure and recreation. In fact, playing dominoes is a very popular national and regional pastime integral to the culture of the islands.

No comments about Herbal Plants of Jamaica: Bush Teas, Bush Baths, Flavourings and Spices (MacMillan Caribbean Natural History).

1 comments about Diving and Snorkeling Guide to Jamaica (Lonely Planet Diving & Snorkeling Great Barrier Reef).

1. I had purchased a Pisces Book once before so was expecting the same informative style. The Smit's book surpassed my expectations. The descriptions of the dive sites are very complete with specific details about how you should approach each site. For example: when giving information about one site they said, "...keep your fins away from the bottom because it is covered with fine sediment, which when disturbed will immediately reduce visibility."

   I found the section on Potentially Hazardous Marine Life fascinating and quite blood chilling. The method for staring down a barracuda was gripping but not something I want to try.

   The photographs are absolutely marvelous. They really make the book a treasure.

   The only criticism I have is that I would like a little more detail on the maps. I also would have liked some background about the geological history and environment that has spurred the fantastic coral growth.

5 comments about Golf Digest's Places to Play, 5th Edition: The Latest Player Ratings of More Than 6,500 Public and Resort Courses in the USA, Canada, Mexico, and the Islands (Special-Interest Titles).

1. A great book which allows you to book tee times all over the U.S. Information is correct and reviews are interesting. Reviews seem to be very accurate in the courses I have played. A book a true golfer cannot survive without.



2. This is a truly excellent guide. I would recommend this to any golfer wanting to try new tracks. Having taken up golf again six months ago and having just moved to Oklahoma from Mass. I needed a solid review book to begin exploring my local environs. This book has come up trumps again and again - providing an accurate overview of courses in my area, throughout the rest of the state, and all over the country. I wouldn't agree with every course review but that is part of the fun, and course conditions and upkeep can change in a short period so it would be churlish to nit-pick. Thanks to this sterling guide (my only complaint - some of the distances form major cities are off) I've played some great courses I would never have come across. Indispensable and superior, by a long, long way, to anything else out there. Bravo Golf Digest!



3. First let me state the obvious: All praise you have heard about this volume is merited. It is truly the "don't leave home without it" golfers' equivalent. Its scope is comprehensive, its selection of comments concise and illustrative. Now for the bad part. From the last edition to this it seems as if all the courses have improved a half-star. Having found the previous ratings dead-on, I was stupefied by the number of "solid" courses being awarded four stars, which in the editor's judgment stands for "Plan your next vacation around it." Sorry, but the ratings are far too liberal this go around.

   Still this book is most impressive for its geographic consistency. Thinking that a course deep in the heart of nowhere can't possibly be examined accurately? Think again. The reviews are always accurate. The negative comments are soft-pedaled, but they are there and after awhile you can discern them quite easily.

   If you have golf wanderlust, you'll become quite attached to this book.




4. First let me state the obvious: All praise you have heard about this volume is merited. It is truly the "don't leave home without it" golfers' equivalent. Its scope is comprehensive, its selection of comments concise and illustrative. Now for the bad part. From the last edition to this it seems as if all the courses have improved a half-star. Having found the previous ratings dead-on, I was stupefied by the number of "solid" courses being awarded four stars, which in the editor's judgment stands for "Plan your next vacation around it." Sorry, but the ratings are far too liberal this go around.

   Still this book is most impressive for its geographic consistency. Thinking that a course deep in the heart of nowhere can't possibly be examined accurately? Think again. The reviews are always accurate. The negative comments are soft-pedaled, but they are there and after awhile you can discern them quite easily.

   If you have golf wanderlust, you'll become quite attached to this book.




5. Compehensive unbiased very helpful guide.MAJOR drawback is next to useless listing by state rather than by city or metropolitan area. Who cares about courses in San Francisco if you're vacationing in Palm Springs!

1 comments about Landmark Visitors Guides to Trinidad & Tabago (Landmark Visitors Guide Trinidad and Tobago) (Landmark Visitors Guide Trinidad and Tobago).

1. I have been a local tour operator for 15 years, and I have never seen a book on Trinidad that is so badly writen. Quite obviously no research was done while writing this book.
   By the way, the photograph labeled, Paria Waterfall is actualy Rio Seco Waterfall. I know this as the photo was stolen from me.
   I have counted a total of 6 incorrectly labels.
   Half of the most important sites in the Trinidad section have been excluded. Rough Guide to Trinidad and Tobago is much, much better. But then again that would not be hard.

No comments about Cayman Islands: The Bradt Travel Guide.

1 comments about Shakespeare Country and the Cotswolds (Landmark Visitors Guides) (Landmark Visitors Guides).

1. There are few books that I borrow from a friend and then go on to buy one for myself. This is one of those books. Having a steady stream of visitors from the U.S. I use this book monthly as I look for a way to entertain them and to keep myself from visiting the same church, pub, castle, museum...you got the picture. So if you are coming to the Cotswolds, or just like to read about rural England, I would strongly recommend this guide.

No comments about Near A Far Sea: A Jamaican Odyssey.

No comments about CONDE' NAST JOHANSENS RECOMMENDED HOTELS, INNS AND RESORTS THE AMERICAS 2008 (Conde Nast Johansens Travel Guides).