No comments about New England: A Guide to the State & National Parks (State & National Parks Series).

No comments about Country Towns of Vermont.

1 comments about The Literary Guide and Companion to Southern England Revised.

1. The late Prof. Cooper was my kind of tourist set loose in a car in England.

   He avoids the M roads and the A roads with single digits. He gives clear directions. He has an eye for the peculiar, the unique, the unsettling. But most of all, he's an enthusiast. He's read the greats and an astonishing quantity of not so great.

   He knew his Dickens and Kipling, although I wish he was still alive so I could tip him to something he didn't know about Kipling's sojourn in Rottingdean, Sussex, and its tangible connexion to today: Kipling's familiarity with England's first family of traditional songs, the Copper family. An American who hears Kipling's poetry in the settings of Peter Bellamy will have good reason to reappraise Kipling.

   I'm leaving for Kent this week. After reading Cooper, I'll only be bringing him and Ordinance maps along. I won't need anything else.

No comments about Traveler's Companion Southern England.

2 comments about The New England Beach Guide.

1. THIS WONDERFUL BOOK SHOWS ALL PUBLIC OCEAN BEACHES IN NEW ENGLAND, HOW TO GET TO THEM AND ALL RULES AND REGULATIONS. THE AUTHOR DID A GREAT JOB AT DESCRIBING THE BEACHES SO YOU KNOW WHAT TO EXPECT AND HOW TO HAVE A GOOD TIME WITH YOUR FAMILY. IF YOU EVER GO TO THE BEACH, THIS IS A MUST HAVE BOOK. I ESPECIALLY LIKED HOW SHE GOT OPINIONS FROM REAL PEOPLE ON WHY THEY LIKED THAT CERTAIN BEACH. THE AUTHOR ALSO INCLUDES PIN POINT DIRECTIONS SO YOU CAN GET TO YOUR DESTINATION ON TIM



2. For someone who loves the ocean this book is an absolute must. I had lived in Maine all my life and found beaches I did not know existed. The directions, hours, costs, etc.are of course valuable information but what sets this book apart is that the author visited all of the beaches.There is a personal touch to all of the information.Whether you like swimming, laying in the sun or taking long walks, keep this book handy---you will refer to it often!

4 comments about What's Brewing in New England: A Guide to Brewpubs and Microbreweries.

1. Food isn't my #1 interest but this book's title caught my eye, I picked it up and couldn't put it down. Fascinating (and tempting) facts, extremely well-written with wit and panache, this book kept me interested throughout and furnished me with useful information along with the motivation to explore the places Ms. Cone tells about and sample their products. The ONLY reason I didn't give the book 5 stars is the simple fact that it's not a suspense-thriller. I only give 5 stars to those books....and rarely to them.



2. Kate Cone has done an admirable job of providing a guide to the New England microbrewing scene. A few of the breweries mentioned have since closed, and there have also been some openings of new breweries since the book's publication, but it's still probably the most detailed guide you'll find of craft brewing in New England.

   With this book in hand, you could embark on either a weekend or a full week of blissful wandering through New England's distinctive craft breweries, both brewpubs and microbreweries.

   Cheers!




3. Kate Cone's book is terrific, with great and accurate reviews of all the New England Brewpubs and Microbreweries I've visited myself. On top of that, she maintains updates via her Website which is accessible via Amazon itself. An absolute must for the devotee of fine and unusual tasting experiences.



4. If you appreciate a quality beer as much as I do, then this is the book for you. Not only does this book introduce you to all the delicious craft brews of New England, but a little history of each Pub is provided, along with the food each offers. Many attractions in the area that make each city and town of New England unique are also mentioned. (Visiting them also develops a tremendous thirst). You can't enjoy a Brew Pub restaurant unless you can find it. Reading "What's Brewing in New England" will accomplish your goal.

No comments about North Brittany & the Channel Islands: Cherbourg to Ouessant (Royal Cruising Club Pilotage Foundation).

No comments about Day Paddling Long Island Sound (Countryman Guide).

No comments about Appalachian Trail Guide to Maine.

2 comments about Maine's Golden Road: A Memoir.

1. Being one who visits the Golden Road almost yearly, I purchased the book with enthusiasm. My experience was mostly positive.

   Gould demonstrates vast knowledge about the area. He describes: the realities of the Maine woods experience, personalities of the inhabitants, varieties of visitors, wildlife, history and industry.

   One area of disappointment was Gould's frequent choice of vocabulary and references. While reading, a dictionary had to be at my side. Also, frequently used french, latin and some historical references made reading more difficult and not fun.

   Mr. Gould did at times poke fun at his intellectual perspective. However, his choice of words does not seem suited for most.

   All in all, the book is a positive experience. One can take a trip to Maine's Golden Road, from their favorite arm chair.




2. As always, John Gould's dry-as-a-bone wit made me laugh out loud while reading. This memoir of his long friendship with his son's father-in-law deals with their shared annual vacation trips, through many years, into Maine's paper company owned north woods. The basic absurdity of a place where Maine residents rarely worked because they literally "couldn't get there from here" - it was easier for French Canadian workers to come in from Quebec, thanks to the lack of public roads - sets the tone for much of the book's humor. I found it a quick and easy read as well as a thoroughly delightful one.