1 comments about Insight Guide London (Insight Guides London).

1. It is a good book! I am only going to be in London for 2 days and it tells you all about the major hot spots plus everything else.

5 comments about Reflections in Bullough's Pond: Economy and Ecosystem in New England (Revisiting New England).

1. It is hard to imagine how Reflections in Bullough's Pond could have been better written. Diana Muir gives an account of the interplay between New England's economic history and its environment in a lapidary prose which never leaves the reader behind. By the end of the book we are enlightened about the ebb and flow of these matters over the five hundred-odd years from early European settlement to modern times without ever being overwhelmed, for Ms Muir always wears her erudition lightly.

   She breaks new ground in her treatment of the environment as both an economic resource and as a complex-often vulnerable-amalgam of ecosystems. Her thesis is that we are living on capital, be it fossil fuel, topsoil or forest-she is particularly compelling on the vulnerable biochemistry of these last. Unusually, however, Ms Muir is scrupulous in her use of statistics and fastidious in her argument. She never seeks to undermine the legitimacy of the economic impulse, though she does not flinch from her conclusion: an argument for restraint in economic activity and population.

   Nor does she lose sight of the propensity of ecosystems to renew themselves, albeit often in new forms: she is pleased-almost amused-by the return of the beaver and the moose, while regretting the extinction of the elm and the emergence of local spruce monocultures. Indeed Ms Muir expresses herself more forcefully on the loss of flora than fauna. Perhaps this is because the long life cycles of the former make it harder to take an optimistic view of their capacity to renew themselves. Alternatively it may be because the collapse of agriculture in New England following the opening up of the West, has stimulated the return to southern New England of so many species formerly evicted to Canada.

   Reflections in Bullough's Pond is no naïve elegy for a Paradise Lost; it never loses sight of a human interplay with the landscape which long antedates industrialisation, not to say European settlement. In a particularly ingenious section of the book, Ms Muir reminds us that in the middle of the nineteenth century, the courts and legislatures altered common law doctrines of liability to free up industrial activity. This reflected the climate of the times. Ms Muir argues that the climate of our own times may well give rise to more extensive liability concepts to restrain the corporations, notions very much with the tail wind of popular and professional thinking.

   Given the book's generosity and elegance, it seems curmudgeonly to cavil at any part of it. But a couple of issues do arise. First forests. Since the invention of agriculture, we have cleared them for the simple reason that we have better uses for the land. This has been going on in the Old World for millennia. Of course there have been local environmental disasters, eg in North Africa and Mesopotamia, but nothing sufficiently general to justify veneration of forests as a precautionary measure. This is an artefact of late-twentieth century sentiment in the New World. There such virgin forests as have not lost within living memory are being destroyed even now, thus the local salience of the issue. Over the past fifteen years their defenders have sought to enlist support by arguing that they served one or another vital purpose: producing oxygen, acting as feedstock for drugs, now Ms Muir points to their role in topsoil. The first two arguments are infrequently heard these days. As to the last, let me point out that where I grew up in the eastern part of England, the ground was cleared eight or nine hundred years ago, but the topsoil remains sufficiently fertile for the local farmers to get out record yields.

   I was also left uncertain as to the course Ms Muir might prescribe for the several billion who have never seen Bullough's Pond, and whose habitats have been profoundly altered by economic activity for millenia rather than centuries. The residents of Asia's great river valleys cleared the forests long before Columbus saw the New World. They have to eat-with luck raise themselves above thoughts of the next meal. Ms Muir has practical suggestions as to how the courts might restrain US corporations, but nothing on how to restrain the aspirations of those who dream of a fraction of American prosperity. I suspect she is wise enough to know that there is nothing to be done on this score. In a rare nod towards the nether reaches of environmental alarmism, she hints that she expects nature to impose population restraint, if we do not. I am more sanguine. In whatever might come to pass as in what has come before, we will wade through. As we must.




2. This is one of the best books I have ever read- period! At the core of the book is Ms. Muir's message that we are part of nature, not separate from or above nature, and we have a great responsibility to maintain the integrity of the environment. Granted, this message is not new. Where this book is very different is how Ms. Muir leads up to this message. She shows how the New England landscape changed from one where farming dominated to one that was a mixture of many different types of mills and factories. You learn the consequences of everything that was done along the way: the consequences to fish and birds of damming rivers; the consequences to forests and to the air we breath of heavy logging; the consequences of catching too many of one type of fish, etc. What is great about this book is that Ms. Muir does not deal in hazy generalities. She takes you step by step and shows you specifically how certain actions cause certain changes in the environment, often unforseen. There is nothing simplistic in her observations and she knows there are no easy answers. She lays out the data for you and you can come to your own conclusions. But what really takes this book to another level is the fascinating biographical information that Ms. Muir provides concerning the many, many New Englanders that invented the machines of the Industrial Revolution and kept the economy vibrant as the importance of agriculture diminished. The way this book is put together is very unusual, due to the combination of all of the above factors and in the space of 248 pages you will learn a great deal of information. The research Ms. Muir must have done in writing this book is staggering and her knowledge across many different areas is amazing. Don't miss reading this book.



3. Using a pond near her home in Newton, MA as a backdrop, Diana Muir weaves a compelling view of New England history, which she argues is a series of ecological crises.

   From pre-Columbian times, Muir says, New England was populated by individuals struggling on a land that was not conducive to making a living. Radical solutions to unsolvable problems were their only escape. In the 1790s, when farming was the only occupation, a growing population and a soil spent by generations of misuse, resulted in a dearth of farmable land. With no prospects and no future, individuals like Eli Whitney and Thomas Blanchard, were forced to look for creative solutions to society's problems and set in motion an industrial revolution.

   I was particularly intrigued by the story of Frederick Tudor, the man who in 1806 introduced ice to Martinique. It is one thing to sell ice to people who because of their location, understand the concept. It is quite another, to sell ice to people who have never experienced it, to say nothing about the practical necessities of ice houses to warehouse the product.

   His father's real estate speculation losses left Tudor with nothing but ambition and a house with a pond in Saugus, MA. He succeeded after two difficult decades. There was always a wrinkle to be solved before a fortune could be built. Iceboxes had to be designed and then marketed in southern ports to people who had to be taught how to preserve it.

   This phenomenon explains why there so many Crystal and Silver Lakes dot the New England landscape, relics of an enterprising age. Savvy ice dealers understood that attractive names sell products. For a brief period even Muir's Bullough's Pond was briefly renamed Silver Lake.

   Diana Muir e-mailed me twice during the past two years introducing her book to me. Having read her book, I am grateful for her persistence. If you enjoy reading unique looks at our history, I implore not to wait for her to contact you. Read her book; you will not regret it.




4. Other reviewers have discussed the virtues of the book, so I will only add that the lessons to be learned from this well written and fascinating study are relevant to the entire planet, not just New England. As such, the book is highly recommended to anyone anywhere who is interested in mankind's relationship to the environment and its effects on culture and economics.



5. Ms Muir is a great storyteller. I was interested in the topic and prepared to slog through boring text to learn something, but this was AMAZING. Read like a novel. She sees inter-relationships and draws conclusions which taught me a lot. Now I want to read everything she's written. I was sorry when I finished this book.

1 comments about American Map Cape Cod Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket Southeastern Massachusetts: Martha's Vineyard & Nantucket, Southeastern Massachusetts (American Map).

1. It is awesome and I think anyone traveling should pick one up because there is nothing that compares except maybe GPS!

5 comments about The Cheap Bastard's Guide to New York City: A Native New Yorker's Secrets of Living the Good Life--for Free!.

1. I do not think I have ever returned a book after I bought it (grad school books don't fall in this category). But sadly, I had to return this book to Barnes and Nobel a week after I bought this particular book. The mistake was mine. I did not check to see when it was printed. The copy that I bought for close to $15 in Oct 2006 was printed in 2004...it was 2 years old! No wonder I did not find it useful. For starters, quite a few of the phone numbers were incorrect, and then from there things went downhill for me.
   
   Two years ago, this must have been a useful book to have, but today with the Internet, and specifically Google a reader's patience and threshold for incorrect information is very low. And, I clearly fall in that category.
   
   If you happen to see it in your local library or a book shop, do browse through it for there are useful nuggets of information to travel and live in the Big Apple.



2. This book gives great info for the budget minded person who is planning a move to the Big Apple (me). It's written with a sense of humor. Very honest, good information!



3. If ever there was a city where it pays to be cheap, it'd be in New York, one of the most expensive cities in the world - and from a native New Yorker comes a book which packs in over a thousand listings of free opportunities to be found there, from wine tastings and music to dance, games and fitness. From small clubs and select, limited events to low-rent, no-fee apartments, THE CHEAP BASTARD'S GUIDE TO NEW YORK CITY is a must for any visitor or new resident on a budget.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



4. This was a great purchase!! It came in good time. I'm not sure about the content because It was a present for a friend but she hasn't had any complaints so as far as i know excellent!!



5. Well done Cheap Bastard!! You could take some of the ideas in this book and do them anywhere!! Some of the things you'd have to actaully live in New York but if you're trying to stick to a budget I'd recommend this book for sure, however...you NEED to plan!! Some things need to be booked at least 2 weeks in advance and if you leave a message be prepared to follow up...give yourself enough time to plan on some of the free tours!!

2 comments about Fodor's The Thirteen Colonies, 1st Edition: Relive America's First Days---Explore Revolutionary War Sites, Colonial Homesteads, 18th-Century Seaports, and More (Travel Historic America).

1. This is an excellent guide for those wanting to visit places associated with the events of the American Revolution. It is divided into sections by state with a brief overview of the state. Each state is divided into sub-sections by city/town/village (depending on the size of the site). Under each sub-section is an overview of the area's history and the role it played in the revolution, plus a comprehensive listing of colonial era houses, museums, monuments, battle fields, etc. Each listing includes a description and some history (for the most important ones), plus contact information, hours of operation, etc. Most of the town/city sections have a listing of historic eateries and lodgings.
   We have used this book throughout this summer, and we have had one of the best vacations ever! We were thrilled to find many Revolutionary War sites throughout our state which we did not know about. We even visited some Dutch Colonial houses in the heart of New York City! We had no idea that such things could survive in New York. It was truly amazing to see these houses, and that alone would have made it worthwile to purchase this book. We recommend that anyone wanting to visit any of the sites listed, calls ahead to confirm the hours, etc. We run into several places that were being restored and were closed to the public. Not a fun thing to find out, after traveling any length of time to get there. Also, as some of these sites are quite small and run by very small staff, their hours of operation can be by appointment, again good reason to call ahead.



2. This is an excellent guide for those wanting to visit places associated with the events of the American Revolution. It is divided into sections by state with a brief overview of the state. Each state is divided into sub-sections by city/town/village (depending on the size of the site). Under each sub-section is an overview of the area's history and the role it played in the revolution, plus a comprehensive listing of colonial era houses, museums, monuments, battle fields, etc. Each listing includes a description and some history (for the most important ones), plus contact information, hours of operation, etc. Most of the town/city sections have a listing of historic eateries and lodgings.
   We have used this book throughout this summer, and we have had one of the best vacations ever! We were thrilled to find many Revolutionary War sites throughout our state which we did not know about. We even visited some Dutch Colonial houses in the heart of New York City! We had no idea that such things could survive in New York. It was truly amazing to see these houses, and that alone would have made it worthwile to purchase this book. We recommend that anyone wanting to visit any of the sites listed, calls ahead to confirm the hours, etc. We run into several places that were being restored and were closed to the public. Not a fun thing to find out, after traveling any length of time to get there. Also, as some of these sites are quite small and run by very small staff, their hours of operation can be by appointment, again good reason to call ahead.

2 comments about Time For Tea, A: Travels Through China and India in Search of Tea.

1. This book is WONDERFUL! Be forewarned, however: you WILL begin to guzzle litre after litre of tea during the reading of this book. Mr. Goodwin gives an absolutely wonderful first-person account of his often hilarious travels investigating the tea trade, from its' beginnings in Canton to the present day. A MUST for anyone who loves tea - and I'd rate Mr. Goodwin's writing style on a par with Pico Iyer's. A good read, full of humour and information...



2. I read this book when it first came out, and I really loved it. I still refer to the facts I learned within; just last week I was explaining Lapsang Souchong to an Irishman. I was left feeling that I knew Mr. Goodwin, and contemplated finding him and making him my husband, primarily so we could travel together.

5 comments about Maine: An Explorer's Guide, Thirteenth Edition (Maine : An Explorer's Guide).

1. This was just a so so book on Maine. It has some good stuff and some not so good stuff. I bought it because it was the only one in the store with an extensive section on the little town of Kittery which is near the border with New Hampshire. It was a good section and I got a lot of information and use out of it. However, when I started reading the rest of the book I kind of got a little lost. The sections on "where to eat" and "selective shopping" were confusing because they were organized differently. They've put phone numbers for places without an area code and directions like "North along Route 1" which doesn't make any sense to me not knowing where anything in Maine is. I suppose it would be a really good book for someone with some knowledge about Maine or someone who actually lives there and wants to get away for the weekend or something. On the plus side the maps were really good and the photos were nice (black and white, but nice). My copy had five pages in a row that were upside down. Not sure what that's all about. I wasn't able to make it to Maine on a trip I made to the area, but I plan to go one of these days and I will take this book with me when I do because it still has a lot of good information.



2. My husband and I re-located to Maine in 1995. We have used this book extensively to plan day and weekend trips around the state. There are so many wonderful places to explore and this book always gives us some good tips and starting points. We currently have the 10th edition.



3. This is the guidebook we include in each of our B&B rooms.
   Guests frequently take it with them on their day trips and
   I have found it to be full of very comprehensive information
   on what the State of Maine has to offer.



4. "Maine: An Explorer's Guide" was my first purchase in the series. Since then, I have used "Vermont..." and "Maryland...". While perhaps not ideal for novices in a region, they are excellent for one who has some familiarity with the state one is visiting. The descriptions of history, geography, cultural and recreational offerings; and the listings of inviting, independent restaurants, shops and accommodations have always been accurate, informative and insightful. If you are likely to visit more than once, or stay longer than a few days, this is the book for you. As a piece of advice, buy a good map to go with it.



5. This book is awesome. We love Maine and this book has helped us explore it. I tell everyone I know to buy this book if they are going to Maine, whether it's their first or 30th time there.

No comments about American Map New Hampshire State (American Map).

No comments about The Rockbound Coast: Travels in Maine.

4 comments about Seasons of Maine.

1. Bill Hubbell's work always shines with a superb technical clarity and artistic insight. This book continues his tradition of technical and artistic genius as he covers his favorite subject matter in Maine.

   This book brings a breadth and scope of vision to these images of Maine that will inspire you. (...as they have me.)




2. My favorite photograph in this wonderful book is the very last one - it captures the diversity, the geography, the activities, and the natural beauty of our state. Those of us who are lucky enough to live here in Maine can be proud of Bill Hubbell's appreciation of its beauty and majesty. I might add that the other 139 photos are close runners-up for my favorites!

   Jean's captions inform and enhance what the eye may have missed, while the mind is transported to "places you'd rather be". I'm glad I'm not "from away".




3. If you want to know where to go, and the special places to see in Maine, this book will serve as an inspiration for the unconventional traveller. It captures with its beautiful photography and concise, evocative prose the essence of all that the state has to offer. I have lived in Maine for 12 years and looking through the book reminded me of some of the beautiful places I have been, but it also showed me how many other places are left to explore! Unlike a regular tour guide, these photos bring the places to life and draw you in -- after seeing them I am inspired to make a list of places to go. Some of the photographs are almost painterly in style, there is one of a Native American sitting by the river on a rock at daybreak which is haunting -- mist hovers on the distant bend in the river while the man is gazing in sharp focus at the coming day. This would be a great gift for anyone you know who loves Maine.



4. I have never lived in Maine, but have vacationed there. This book certainly captures the majestic beauty of one America's most breathtaking states. Hubbell's work displays the classic "old New Engalnd" landscape each of his pictures. All of the photos, from the ocean to mountains, are just magnificent. This book makes you want to live there!