No comments about Visitors Guide to the Windward Islands (Visitor's Guides).

No comments about Fodor's Bermuda 2006 (Fodor's Gold Guides).

No comments about Packaged Vacations: Tourism Development in the Spanish Caribbean.

4 comments about The Rough Guide to Cuba, 1st Edition (Rough Guides).

1. Anyone who's travelled anywhere on a budget is no doubt familiar with the Rough Guide series, the definitive answer to what's hot and what's not in your destination of choice. This book is no exception. With carefully researched short pieces on Cuban history, music and culture in general, they provide an insight into what makes the place the diverse experience it is. Minus points awarded for organisation in the chapter on Havana, and one restaurant highly recommended did not, on personal experience, measure up. In general though the book made getting around easier and gave a good introduction to the place and the people. Reviews are kept to the point and accomodation listings usefully gave an indication of price and facilities. Worth the asking price..



2. This guide runs a very close second to Christopher Baker's Cuba: Moon Travel Handbook. It is extremely informative and the basic information section is one of the best.

   The central part of the guide (accommodations, restaurants and sights) is one of the most accurate on the market (though McAuslan's comments are very terse). The maps were easy to use and above the average found in most other Cuban guides. This guide has one of the best bibliographies on Cuba found in a guide book today, but sadly lacks any mention of notable films that can be viewed to gain an appreciation of this country.

   On the downside, the index DID NOT list hotels or restaurants and this required that you flip through the section until you find the listing you wanted (especially a hassle in Havana). There were NO email or Internet addresses to speak of (especially useful for the hotels) even though the published date is 2000. That is disappointing considering that almost every hotel listed in this book is, and have been using cyberspace for the past few years.

   The strength of this guide, as with most Rough Guides, is its first hand knowledge that is geared for the budgeted adventure traveler. The selections that list accommodations and restaurants, included budget hostels and eateries that are often disregarded in other guides. A trademark to Rough Guides is the placement of the history, culture, people, etc. at the end of the guide instead of at the beginning.

   Over all this is a VERY GOOD, and informative guide, that I strongly recommend. Only slightly better is "Cuba" by Christopher Baker's (Moon Travel Guides, [see review]) and just a notch behind is "Cuba" by David Stanley (Lonely Planet [see review]). Regardless, you will not go wrong with any of these three guides. Recommended




3. The Rough Guide is extremley informative. It provides basic facts , contact information , and tips on travel to Cuba. I was surprised at the comprehensive information on all regions of Cuba , not just Havana. I'm going to test the book out this summer when I visit Havana , then I'll see if it deserves a higher rating.



4. I liked: size, weight, respectful attitude toward Cuban people & history.
   Had problems with: incomplete & outdated info. Check their website before you go.

1 comments about Caribbean Ports of Call: Eastern and Southern Regions : From Puerto Rico to Aruba Including the Panama Canal (2nd ed).

1. This guide is useful for a vacation on a cruise to the caribbean. The reviews of the excursions are very helpful for planning your own excursions. It tells you if it easy or difficult to use ship's excursions versus your own transportation. It also highlights popular atractions in each port.

3 comments about The Wild Life in An Island House.

1. I really enjoyed this book for its hinest, forthright approach to story telling. We learn about the Virgin Islands from the eyes of one person . Sensitive and alluring read. well worth it.
   a book to relax with, and the details make it worth it!



2. The Wild Life in an Island House is a must-read for anyone contemplating to moving to a tropical island.
   
   This amusingly entertaining and informative little book describes the challenges and wonders one experiences in living in such close proximity with nature as one must when living on a tropical island.
   
   Gail Karlsson's personal experiences made me laugh out loud as I read her book. I, who also live on a tropical island, have had many similar experiences with wild life in my home. Those of us who choose to live in "paradise" either love it or hate it based on whether we find our extremely close proximity to nature either a wonder or exasperation.
   
   The whimsical illustrations throughout the book of the cast of characters residing in or around tropical homes adds to this delightful book.
   
   Wild Life is also very informative, interweaving facts, that even I as a fairly long-time island resident, was not aware. I am sure other islanders will find the same.
   
   -John Levering
   Tropical island resident and environmental entrepreneur



3. Just sat down and read this wonderful book right through.
   A perfect little book.
   The tone of humor and curiosity were spot on,
   transmitting an inviting view of how to live with and be
   intrigued by life's daily creatures.
   Would have bought this book for the cover alone.
   The drawings drew me into each chapter with a smile.
   very engaging.

No comments about U. S. Virgin Islands: Jewels of the Caribbean.

No comments about Landscapes In Argentinian Photographic Postcards of the 20th Century.

No comments about Berlitz French West Indies (Berlitz Pocket Guides).

2 comments about Cuba: The Land and the People.

1. This book falls well short of its title's promise. The photographs give a fairly limited view of life in Cuba, and the accompanying captions (there is no additional text) add little to the reader's understanding of "the land and the people." The reason for this failure becomes apparent in the author's introduction, in which he acknowledges that he speaks little Spanish (and therefore was unable to communicate with most of the people he encountered), and the only experience he has with the country is the few trips he took to take his photographs.

   Moreover, many of the photographs are unremarkable -- they look more like typical snapshots any tourist might take, rather than
   the work of a professional photographer.

   This book is of little use to anyone seeking to develop a greater understanding of Cuban life and culture, and has little value as an "art" book. In all, a must miss.




2. This book delivers what it promises, a photographic record of the island without getting involved in political statements. Beautifully illustrated throughout, I found myself taking a visual trip of a land that I left a long time ago.