1 comments about The Vermont Cheese Book.

1. Ellen Ecker Ogden's The Vermont Cheese Book is, quite simply, a tribute to and celebration of the farmstead and artisanal cheeses produced throughout the state of Vermont. If you want to explore those cheeses it can guide you through them either by product (in case you want to purchase them elsewhere) or by farm (in case you want to visit some of these delicious places). But best of all it gives life to what could have been a dry guidebook, detailing the people, history and practices behind each farmstead.
   
   The whole of the book went above and beyond its mission. It's certainly intended as a guide to Vermont's cheeses, not some sort of basic primer on cheesemaking in general, and it doesn't pretend to act as the latter. Yet in lovingly detailing how each cheesemaker achieves his or her desired results, the book does indeed impart a surprising amount of information regarding cheeses in general. I went to the store this weekend armed with and determined to make use of a new body of knowledge, and have been reaping the delicious benefits ever since--I may not have been able to access these Vermont cheeses here in Maryland, but I still learned enough to be able to choose other cheeses that have blown me away with their quality. It's enough to make me wish I still lived in Vermont or New Hampshire and could find some of these cheeses in my local store, and I expect I may have to look into ordering one or two from the farms' websites!
   
   Other than some slightly confusing editing snafus this was a splendid book, so consider my rating 4.5 stars.

1 comments about 25 Bicycle Tours in Maine (25 Bicycle Tours Series).

1. I have enjoyed Howard Stone's bike books for Massachusetts and Rhode Island, and as a new resident of Maine am delighted to have an opportunity to enjoy his rides in my new state. As always, Howard's ride descriptions and directions are very thorough and accurate. I especially appreciate the consistency with which he rates the difficulty of the rides. As an avid, but strictly recreational, cyclist, I found this to be an excellent book.

No comments about Rhode Island, a History (States and the Nation).

No comments about Moon Handbooks Connecticut (Moon Handbooks).

No comments about You Know You're in New Hampshire When...: 101 Quintessential Places, People, Events, Customs, Lingo, and Eats of the Granite State (You Know You're In Series).

No comments about Rhode Island.

1 comments about London Then and Now (Then & Now).

1. This book contains some beautiful illustrations of London, together with much interesting information. The "then" photos seem to date mostly from 80-150 years ago. I learned several things from the commentaries, even though I lived in or near London for many years, and made every effort to learn about the city! However, the choice of subject for many of the comparisons seems less than ideal. Surely, in a "Then and Now" book, we want to see how much things have changed over the years, don't we? Hence, we don't really need to see locations where the comparative photos prove that very little has changed! For example, do we really need to see "then and now" pictures of Westminster Abbey, just to confirm that it really has NOT changed perceptibly during the past hundred years or so? I don't think so. In a world-class city where so much has changed, via either redevelopment or wanton destruction, there are many fascinating locations that should have been afforded priority in such a book, but which are omitted altogether. Examples: the South Kensington Imperial Institute/Imperial College site (actually mentioned in the book's Introduction), Holland Park House, etc. I can only imagine that the author was forced to draw on a limited stock of "then" photographic material.

3 comments about Thoreau's Cape Cod.

1. This complete edition of Thoreau's Cape Cod is a positive change from the text-only version I'd owned in the past, due to the beautiful photographs. While Thoreau's writing is always engaging, and Cape Cod is arguably the lightest of his works, Tobyne's images provide a welcome visual break while reading. The photos punctuate and reinforce the writing, and are evocative of the text. Furthermore, the images are not what you usually see in what is arguably a regional travelogue, getting away from the typical lighthouse and well-known beach pictures and giving the reader/viewer a new perspective on Cape Cod. Even subjects that might otherwise seem "familiar" are captured in a unique and new way by the photographer.



2. I bought this book as a present-day souvenir of my childhood trips to the Cape, which took place more than 20 years ago. I think that the photography serves as an inspirational physical capture of Thoreau's words, while at the same time, gives me a vivid illustration of my own childhood memories of what are, in my opinion, the most stunning landscapes that America has to offer. As fond as I am of the Cape, I have a new-found appreciation for it, thanks to this book. I've since purchased two more copies, to be given as gifts.



3. Having first visited Cape Cod in the early 1970's, I've been sadden by so much of the beauty that's been lost over the last forty years. Thoreau's words have long captured that world, underscored by the striking images of Dan Tobyne's photographs. Here is a book that allows you to enter into the visually wonderful romance of 'ol Cape Cod no matter where you live. Dan's love for all things 'New England' clearly comes through his photographs in both his books.

5 comments about Walking Haunted London: 25 Original Walks Exploring London's Ghostly Past.

1. Even for those who don't believe in ghosts! It's a good idea to have some sort of a quest when you travel, whether it be the search for the driest pub cider or the quintessential Wren spire. Without some such unifying theme, travel can become a pointless round of obligatory tourist stops. Hunting hauntings is an excellent quest because it inevitably involves two of the main joys of travel in England--history and atmosphere. I have spent four fascinating vacations in England seeking the most haunted site in the Isles and the ultimate English garden--with liberal dashes of theatre and museums for variety-and still I have only scratched the surface of each subject. "Walking Haunted London" was a wonderful addition to my most recent trip. I took the entire Chiswick walk (backwards) and did portions of the Old City, City of the Dead, Westminster, and Covent Garden walks. All creepily enjoyable! Not only are the walks well-described and the ghosts' stories enthusiastically recounted, but the book gives good hints about other important matters, such as cosy pubs and interesting historical sites on or near the routes. (By the way, I understand that Richard Jones also guides the "Original Psychic Ghost Walk" in London many nights of the year. I haven't taken this walking tour myself, but if his storytelling skills match his storywriting skills, it's probably great. If interested, check the TimeOut listings when in town.)



2. EXCELLENT book. Very well written and moves right along. Fantastic, simple maps that look easy to follow--going to give them the test next time I'm in London. Even without being in London, just reading the text was extremely enjoyable. I've read TONS of ghost books; and he's found haunts of London I didn't even know existed; along with the "old standard" ghosts of Tower of London. This book is INDISPENSIBLE if you're visiting London--or if you just need a good scare!



3. I found this book to be extremely well written. Although I have not yet been to London, the directions and maps seem to be superb. In addition to the basic ghost "tour," the author also treats the reader to nice little stops along the tours -- like pubs and eateries. Estimated tour times are also given so one can plan their day.
   The actual book itself is very well made. Higher quality than most paperbacks. It should easily hold up to heavy use while touring the streets of London.

   HOWEVER, I was greatly disappointed with the book because very little detail is given to the actual hauntings and stories for which the tours are based. I found this book bland and boring because it lacks the details (historical or eye-witness accounts) that help draw and keep the reader's attention. Often a chapter consists of more directions than actual ghost stories.
   I have read dozens, perhaps hundreds, of books on ghosts and hauntings for which I have created a baseline used to judge other ghosts and haunting books. I had to force myself to finish reading this book. A first for me when it comes to a true-story ghost book.
   I would give the book 5 stars for directions, maps, and touring information. However, the actual stories of hauntings are so short and lack-luster that I dropped the overall rating to 2 stars.




4. I really enjoyed reading this book and following the routes. Richard Jones is a compelling storyteller and his eyes for direction and detail is excellent. I purchased the book prior to my recent vacation in London and read it cover to cover on the plane over. The first route I followed was the Jack the Ripper Walk and I found it spinechilling. Whitechapel seems as eerie and crime-ridden now as it did back in 1888. I took Jones's suggestion and purchased the A-Z of jack the Ripper before setting out and so was well prepared with the additional information required. I found the Tower of London walk a superbly laid out route around the old fortress. It kept me well away from the crowds and in some of the towers I was totally alone (at least I hope I was.)The text captured perfectly the ambience of each section of the tower's towers.

   Yes a lot of the stories are short, but this they are crisply written, are extremely well told and cram a lot of detail into the space. And with 25 walks plus a detailed index crammed into its 160 pages it offers extremely good value for money. The book is first and foremost an "on the hoof guide" and is not a detailed investigation into ghosts and hauntings. It is fun and informative and the directions are very detailed but also, and this wasn't the case with several other guides I had purchased, accurate. Jones's directions across Hampstead Heath for example, were extremely easy to follow. In short this is a boook that will appeal both to the armchair walker and the avid wanderer.




5. I went to London earlier this year and bought the book because it was exactly the type of thing I wanted to do during my trip. The book was terrific!! We did several of the walking tours, and each was right on the mark. We decided to do the Jack the Ripper walk on our own instead of with a tour group. Each direction was precise. We were extremely impressed!!! This book is a great idea for those visiting London!!

5 comments about England's Thousand Best Churches.

1. This is an absolutely fascinating book that is indespensable if you are touring around England and want to see some amazingly lovely off-the-beaten-track places.
   
   Mr. Jenkins has compiled a listing of one thousand churches throughout England that he feels are worth seeing. Each church is given a description, including a specific reason why it ranks among the top thousand. There is such a splendidly wide array of reasons: from architectural details, to unique contruction tecniques, to interesting historical context, that it never gets dull.
   
   My parents are taking the book quite seriously, and are trying to visit each of the churches (I think they are a quarter of the way through, and their copy of this book is alrady completely covered with marginalia!). I have visited several of the churches with them, and always find the experience enlightening and interesting. Each church truly is unique, and it is always fascinating to see how.
   
   Since the publication of the book, many of the churches that are on the list have taken an active interest in their own history. When my parents first started touring the churches, they were usually met by blank stares and a "why on earth do you care about our little church?" from the locals... but a few years later they find that frequently the whole community has rallied around the idea that they had an undiscovered treasure in their midst, and something to be quite proud of. For that reason alone, I think it's a great book.



2. This is a well-written and well-organized compendium of interesting churches throughout England. Useful for the those looking for the road less traveled (by other tourists.)



3. The historical background is good; very helpful as a travelogue. Author should have lessen his personal architectural taste. Splendid photos, specially the details. Good general information; but not so helpful for my purpose of getting ideas in designing small chapels.



4. I lived in England for a couple of years and travel back with regularity. On every visit, I make time to visit some of these ancient churches so, to put it mildly, I'm very biased in favor of this subject. Almost nothing compares with going to a weather worn parish church and finding the font where your ancestor was baptized some four hundred years before still in use - an experience I had some years back. With this background in mind, I'll simply say that Mr. Jenkin's work here is monumental and I don't use that term lightly. There are of course church's noticeably absent and one wishes the author could have found a way to include some of England's cathedrals but that does not diminish his achievement. The English church is inextricably linked with English history and he has done them both a great justice by writing this book.



5. ....on the history and architecture of England's Best Churches.
   
   The main purpose of purchasing the book was to explore the architecture of these churches. The book is crammed with so many wonderful and descriptive pictures, it just makes the mind soar to new heights.
   
   The imagination and engineering that went into these classic buildings is nearly incomprehensible.
   
   If you love the beauty and the history of these majestic buildings, then this book is a must.