1 comments about The Field Guide to Lighthouses of the New England Coast: 150 Destinations in Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Connecticut, and New Hampshire.

1. After the title, the cover mentions 150 destinations... While the information contained in this volume is accurate for the lights that I am familiar with, at the same time, the volume is not nearly as comprehensive as the recently published "The Lighthouse Handbook - New England" by Jeremy D'Entremont, which also lives on my bookshelf. Elinor's book is a nice companion to Jeremy's and it is certainly worth having both. Elinor has information on when individual lights are open, telephone numbers, etc. broken out into colored boxes, which makes this information readily spotted, whereas Jeremy's Field Guide has the same information contained in the text pertaining to each light.

2 comments about Walking Tours of Boston's Made Land.

1. Boston is a city with an extremely rich history; Baedeker's 1909 United States Guide called it "the city with the greatest amount of historical interest in North America." Almost one hundred years later, Nancy Seasholes has performed the city a tremendous service with her illuminating, entertaining, and informative guide to Boston's made land.
   
   Unique among American cities, Boston is a city with so much "made land" (i.e. landfill or artificial land) that a guide to made land essentially constitutes a guide to the city itself. Readers of Seasholes' book will find the history and buildings of familiar districts like the waterfront, Faneuil Hall, Beacon Hill, and Back Bay described as they have never been before- as constructed pieces of the Boston cityscape- as well as equally interesting (and beautiful) areas like Charlestown, the Leather District, and Bay Village that are a bit further from the tourist trail. The section on the South End, in particular, is rich in detail and provides an entirely new perspective on this urbane and diverse area of the city.
   
   Not since the AIA Guide to Boston, published in the 1980s, has the cityscape and urban design of Boston received such an informative and entertaining treatment. Those interested in the built history of Boston, and in the city's ever-changing relationship with its waterfront and rivers, will find no better guide than Seasholes' book. Best of all are the puzzled looks you will get from passers-by as you examine a seemingly innocuous rowhouse or section of wall that once absorbed the waves of Boston Harbor or the Charles River a hundred or more years ago.



2. I took the author's course on land making at Harvard Extension School and have read her book on the sane subject. This easily portable book is full of salient facts and diagrams which neatly summarize the history of the area in which the walk takes place and does so in a very easily understood way. For anyone interested in this suject or someone who enjoys walking and learning the history of the area in which they are walking I would highly recommend this guide. The book is well organized and is a bargain at the price

No comments about New England Trees & Wildflowers (Pocket Naturalist - Waterford Press).

2 comments about 50 More Hikes in New Hampshire: Day Hikes and Backpacking Trips from Mount Monadnock to Mount Magalloway, Fifth Edition (50 Hikes).

1. I found this book to be extremely helpful. It makes planning a hiking agenda easy. Great maps and detailed overviews. This book gives you the confidence to allow you to explore more of New Hampshire. No matter which trail you decide to take on...you will know what to expect. Even gives guides to "rainy day" hikes. The only drawback is that you will want to pack it with you!



2. I have over a dozen books on hiking in New Hampshire (my favorite state and place to climb) but this has to be one of the few that really gets detailed on the trail's good points and bad ones and what to watch for.
   The trails are varied, some long and more of 'getting there' attitude and some short but very scenic. The authors really let you know about spots to stop at and why and other neat things to watch for.
   I have done at least 12 of the 50 and plan on all if I am able in this short life, lol. No complaints about the descriptions. Also very pleased with the accurate info on parking and directions to the trailhead, which is confusing in some other books.
   This is the second book to the 50 Hikes series for New Hampshire, both are unbelievable and invaluable in their information. This one takes us from Barrett Mountain in Southern NH (which by the way is impossible to find informative hiking information on)through the Whites and even one in the Far North. There are quite a few essential 4,000 footers in here, so don't miss out!
   
   Tracy Talley~@

2 comments about Lake Champlain: Key to Liberty.

1. How many Americans Know that the birth of the American Navy really began on a lake. That the sea monster inhabiting lake champlain,was recorded by samuel champlain and native Americans as early as the 1600's, centuries before pt barnum offered a reward for it's body so he could display it with his travelling show. Lake Champlain is rich with beauty and history and this is a definative history of the region. It makes a great read too!



2. We all know about Bunker Hill, Valley Forge, and Yorktown, but few know of the battles between the British and the Americans in the great North Woods Country which were Eastern New York and Vermont. It was there that Ethan Allen and his Green Mountain Boys took Fort Ticonderoga "In the name of Jehova and The Continental Congress!" from a sleepy garrison of British Regulars. It was there that Benedict Arnold built his little fleet of lake warships and whipped the British at the Battle of Valcour Island. Only later did Arnold turn on his country.

   The American War of Independence is only one episode in Ralph Nading Hill's sweeping review of the history of Lake Champlain, the critical gateway from Quebec to Lower New York. His retelling of the history of steam navigation on the Lake, and the Corporations which were founded to further its development, are at times hilarious, and are reminiscent of the story of the development of the railroads.

   He also details the development of the Champlain Canal, which provided a direct water link between Quebec, Lake Champlain and the Hudson River, and thence to New York City, in the early 1800s. He shows the importance of the Canal, and later the railroads, in opening the markets of the Eastern Seaboard to Vermont lumber, milled from timber felled in Quebec and floated to saw mills in Vermont. Few realize that a substantial part of the housing in Boston and New York during the mid to late 19th Century, including the famous New York Brownstones, were built with Vermont lumber.

   This is an easy, engrossing, and informative read by a master storyteller who made the telling of the North Woods History his life's work.

No comments about Boston Massachusetts Map (Rand McNally Streets Of...).

5 comments about The Park Loop Road.

1. An excellent overall introduction to Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island. Good overview of geology and natural and cultural history. Provides up-to-date information on roads and hiking trails. A wonderful guide or souvenir of the Acadian experience.



2. After throughly reading this book through 3 times I have come to the conclusion it is a wonderful book full of useful information. The pictures alone are beautifuly taken giving reason enough to purchase this book. Also Mr Thayer is an excellent chemistry teacher and I hope after reviewing this comment he will raise our grades



3. All of the books written by Robert Thayer convey the true beauty of Acadia National Park. Robert is an outstanding photographer/ author and is an inspiration for my own work. I have seen many slides of Roberts work and I am always impressed. I give this book my highest recommendation for any person interested in learning about Acadia, nature, wildlife, and especially photography. He also has 3 other books available on Amazon.com of an equal caliber.



4. I can't wait to get there in late Summer '06!
   This book is great for anyone planning on visiting Acadia National Park.
   If the park is only half as beautiful as the pictures in the publication, I can't wait!
   I've already planned several routes to run and ride (bicycles) while we are there.
   Thanks!



5. I bought this book before going to Acadia Natl Park. It was incredibly helpful. Our exploration of the Park Loop Road was more interesting because of all the helpful info in this book. Loved the pictures. Very representative of the actual places.

1 comments about Rock Climbing New England (Regional Rock Climbing Series).

1. Let's get this straight, "Rock Climbing New England" is one of those select guidebooks. Author Stewart Green picks out 15 areas in all of New England and only describes certain climbs in each. That said, there are almost 750 climbs detailed, not at all an insignificant number, and from what I can tell most are done quite well.

   In some cases Green repeats information already available in Webster or other guides. Still, it does have some of the new climbs on Cathedral and Whitehorse, like George Hurley's great 10c addition to the Cathedral Ledge North End, Bailsafe. The coolest thing is that Green includes information on areas that to my knowledge have never been included in any guidebook, like Rose Ledge in central Mass and Owl's Head in New Hampshire.

   Sure there are those who will find fault, there always are. But in spite of having set a very lofty goal, "Rock Climbing New England" succeeds. If you can only afford one, or just want the only available info on one of those obscure places that you have only heard about through the grapevine, this guide will be well worth the investment.

4 comments about The Good Beer Guide to New England.

1. This book is the definitive guide to all New England breweries and is a great book for people into local brewers. The author set up each entry in such a way that you can use the book as a road map to breweries across New England. While there are a few things out of date in this book (Pittsfield Breworks is not included and Southport Brewing has been offering beer to go in growlers for a little over a year for example), it is as accurate as a book can be about the everchanging landscape that is craftbeer. The author also seems spot on about his impressions of these different brewers as I found myself agreeing with just about all of the entries of brewers I have visited myself. One thing the book does not include that I would like to see in future revisions (assuming there will be a second edition) is when he was there (day of the week, time of the day, and date visited). This would give us a better understanding of his impressions. Nevertheless, I consider this book an indispensable resource.



2. This book is the best of its type. I also own the "Beer Lovers Guide to the USA" and "On Tap New England". Those books are ancient now unfortunately. This guide is their replacement.
   
   I found this guidebook very well organized with very good recommendations. I've been to a few of the pubs in the book and so far, so good. (i.e Vermont Pub & Brewery, John Harvards, Barrington Brewery, Woodstock inn, & Gritty McDuffs). The author lists his personal favorite, the flagship beer (which is usually different from his favorite), and a ton of other facts.
   
   I only wish I could have joined him in writing this book. Must have been a drunken good time!
   
   Highly Recommended.



3. I purchased this volume, unread, as a gift. Therefore, I cannot offer first-hand testimony (hence, my four stars). The recipient, however, vouches for its accuracy and usefulness.



4. Overall, this is a good book and worth getting. It's valuable to me, a local; but more-so to people traveling in the area.
   
   It gives good stats on the brewpubs (and beer bars) including beer lineups, hours, brew system specs and capacity, directions, nearby attractions, etc...
   
   Then there's bios on the breweries, a bit on the brewers, and the beer, obviously.
   
   If there's a downpoint, it's that the author was a bit generous with the beer criticism. He didn't slam certain beers or breweries as hard as I would have. I've tasted many infected or downright horrible beers from some of the places he praises.

No comments about Martha's Vineyard: Quiet Pleasures.