1 comments about Rock & Roll Traveler Great Britain and Ireland, 1st Edition: The Ultimate Guide to Famous Rock Hangouts Past and Present (Fodor's Rock & Roll Travellers Great Britain and Ireland).

1. The obsessive who knew every stop on every single bus route in Manchester has written...er...an obsessive book....

2 comments about One Hundred English Gardens: The Best of the English Heritage Parks and Gardens Register.

1. Beautiful - serene - inspirational. A home and a garden like ones in the book is my piece of Heaven on earth.

   Beautifully illustrated - enough to touch and feel the warmth and glory of Nature!




2. Is there anything nearer paradise on earth than a Capability Brown garden stretching into the distance around an English stately home? Gardening has always been a specialty of the English, and a must for the aristocracy. This book attempts to document the most memorably successful results found on country estates. Attempts, I say, because catching the essence of a garden in a photograph is not an easy task, and one at which the makers of this book do not entirely succeed, in my opinion. To be sure there are some impressively atmospheric images here; of the Mausoleum at Castle Howard for instance, or some mysteriously misty takes at Haddon Hall.
   Other images however are harshly, unnaturally colored, with reds leaping of the page. Some have artificially added blue skies, most notably that of the garden at Sudeley Castle, which looks like a cheap Seventies postcard. There is a graininess to the pictures as well, and some are printed out of focus. Thicker, glossy paper would have helped. All in all not what you would expect of such a highbrow (and high price) publisher like Rizzoli. An additional disappointment is that because 100 gardens are covered, we get to see only one or two images of each of them - the book only has just over 200 pages. To enjoy a really successful garden book of this kind, I would advise you to look out for the dazzling, newly published "The Gardens at Buckingham Palace" by Brown and Sykes.

1 comments about Backroad Bicycling in Western Massachusetts: 30 Rides in the Berkshires, Hampshire County, the Mohawk Trail, and the Pioneer Valley, First Edition.

1. I have just received my copy of this book and wanted others to know that the roads described as 'backroads' are not necessarily so. Route 116, Damon Road in Northampton, Old Deerfield, Route 9 through Williamsburg...they are all fine roads, but some are actually quite heavily traveled. These are not the dirt roads shown on the cover! Though the rides may be fine for some (even most) they are not as quiet and safe for children as you might be expecting.

4 comments about The House on Nauset Marsh: A Cape Cod Memoir, Fiftieth Anniversary Edition.

1. Wyman Richardson's account of life on Cape Cod, first published in 1947, is a delight to read even tho' much has changed on the Cape since then. This is a book to treasure in the dead of winter when one longs to 'feel the whims of the sea'or 'hear the slow low pitch of a cricket's song.' Richardson, besides being a physician, is a first rate nature writer. His 'other' life comes alive as he describes morning in the old farmhouse where 'you can look out the south windows over the ...grassy hills...over the blue water of Nauset Marsh' and in the early morning 'an orange moon slipping behind the western horizon.' Richardson paints pictures with words that draw the reader, however briefly, into the pages of his book. First rate. I loved it.



2. I picked up this book looking for a unique, personal perspective on life on Cape Cod. What I got was long-winded discussions of fishing. If you're into long descriptions of and justifications for fishing and duck hunting--you might like this book. The book is also annoyingly written. The author switches voice all over the place: back and for from "I" to "you" to "one." I found that very distracting. He doesn't seem to know that much about the Cape either. If you want ruminations on the quiet of nature--don't bother; try Thoreau's Cape Cod or Henry Beston's The Outermost House.



3. Set in a small farm house on a Cape Cod marsh in a the 1940s and early 50s, it portrays the Cape in a time before masses of visitors changed it from an isolated backwater to an overrun tourist destination (a change that seems to have taken over so many parts of our country). I spent summers on the Cape as a young boy in the late 50s and early sixties, and Richardson's writing brings back that sense of wild emptiness and special light that used to make Cape Cod so special. The writing and lovely illustrations recall a time when you could have a hand in the gathering of your own food and take joy in the beauty of the process. We have gained much smugness and lost so much else since then; the House on Nauset Marsh brings back a sense of how lives connected to nature used to be.



4. This is an important book because it, like Thoreau's journals, is a record of a particular place at a particular time. What did it look like then? What plants, birds, fish came and went? How did people think about the place? These questions are answered in writing that transports you back in time to an apparently quieter and more leisurely world. Yes, there's a bit too much on fishing and hunting for my taste, but I find that I just skip those chapters when I go back to this book, as I do every couple of years. A must for anyone trying to get a handle on Cape Cod.

5 comments about Fun Places to Go with Children in New England: 4th Edition, Over 500 Listings, Completely Revised & Updated.

1. A travel book cannot be all things to all people. This book tries, within the parameters set by the authors, to try to find places unique to New England, that are fun for parents and kids. In this, they do succeed.

   But because they cover *all* the New England states, each section is necessarily full of capsule information, and no useful maps. (the state map of MA, for example, doesn't even show some of the towns mentioned in the text, or show where sites are located in relation to each other) It's basically a useful list with phone numbers, addresses and hours. The authors assume that the reader will have maps available, since written directions are nonexistent. So, I'm not sure if this a travel guide for native New Englanders, or visitors. Either way, it's damned inconvenient.

   It did surprise me with some of the selections - like Harvard's Museum of Culture and Natural History and Myopia Polo; but coming from Boston myself, I noticed there wasn't a heck of a lot "new" in the MA section. In all fairness, it's hard to come up with new kid friendly sites in Boston. Most guidebooks cover that territory exhaustively. Restaurants are featured in each section (excellent idea) but no listing tells you how near the eateries are located to sites. Do you need to make special trips to eat out?

   Another quibble I've got is that many of the sites chosen assume that readers are families with older children. However, it is angled for families going on weekends or vacations together, so I can't complain too much about the limited number of listings for those with toddlers in tow.

   I sound pretty negative. I bought this book expecting to find lots more listings relevant to my needs (at this time), and am only partially satisfied. However, the authors have done their homework. You can tell that they visited the sites they mention, and that's no small thing. What they do say about the places they visited has a ring of authenticity, and I feel I can trust their word. It's hard work researching (esp with children in tow)...now if only they could fix up the flaws.




2. Not just the usual suspects, like the Children's Museum in Boston, but some intriguing possibilities, like a lobsterboat cruise in Maine and polo matches in Massachusetts. It's obvious that the authors searched high and low to come up with some inspired, creative choices. This book is a great gift for expectant parents; everybody we've given it to has raved about its usefulness. This is the kind of book you'll reach for, time and time again. We've discovered nearby places like a butterfly arboretum and a museum with real suits of armor, that we didn't know existed. A good family guide for native New Englanders and vacationers alike.



3. I bought this book thinking it would be really great to find some new and different places to take my son. Well we have gone to these new areas but didn't get to do anything because they were out of business. I'm sure that they were all there in 1998 but it is now 2001 and there should have been some updating and checking on these places. I already knew of quite a few places in the book by doing web searches. Save yourself the money and look for places on the web.



4. I bought the 4th edition of this book, copyright 2003, looking for fun local places to go with our three year old son. I do see many places that I hadn't though of on my own which will be fun to try. But I can also see that we will need to call ahead before going anywhere recommended in this book! The most glaring example of outdated information that I found was the authors' recommnedation, "as New Englanders," to make sure to attend a Hartford Whalers game. Well, that will prove a little difficult as the Whalers played their last game in 1997! It's always a good idea to call ahead when travelling somewhere mentioned in a travel guide. With this book it's essential.



5. The book I ordered is terrific because it's a resource that I need. However, some of the information, such as the fee, admission prices & etc. have not been updated. (they have gone up since it's publication.) The delivery of the item was timely. I am happy with it.

5 comments about Boston For Dummies (Dummies Travel).

1. I bought this because I've read some books in the Dummies series. After finally figuring out where we wanted to stay in Boston (location/hotel), I realized that this is all this book is good for. Yes, it does include a lot of tourist information, but the layout of the book just makes it hard to read. Or uninteresting. I used it just for the location of stay and that's it. I'm going to buy Frommers book on Boston and use it during my trip since Frommers' book layout is much better and includes the same types of maps. I've used Frommers many times for different trips.

   I think if you just need a starter book to get your trip going, then this is a good book to look at, but I wouldn't bring it along while you're on the trip. Maybe go visit your public library instead of buying it or try to find it used. And, if you're comfortable with the internet, you could just find out the information you need before going on your trip by using some of the travel sites available to get info and opinions.




2. Hard to use and poorly laid out. Doesn't list attractions and restaurants by neighborhood, so you are out and about but you can't find a recommended restaurant in the area. Very frustrating. This book is best used to hold the hotel door open while the bellman unloads your luggage. If you go to Boston, have fun!...but DON'T BUY THIS BOOK. Froemmer's does it better in their sleep.



3. I was surprised to see other reviewers having such a strong dislike for this travel book, though I can see their points. I've been to Boston once before, and I'm not sure this book would make as much sense to someone who hasn't already been to beantown.
   
   I found the hotel information to be the most helpful. And the book is sprinkled with many practical, locals tips.
   
   The restaurant section was ok, but the recommendations didn't seem very diverse and (as one other reviewer pointed out) things aren't laid out by neighborhood unless you look at the one page index at the end of the chapter.
   
   This book coupled with active internet searches works well. Many of my searches began from links found in the book.
   
   Alternatives to this book that I can recommend are both the Frommer's 'Boston' or their 'Irreverent Guide'. Both are solid with good tips for the first time traveler.



4. This book is written where it helps novice and experienced travelers alike. Having never been to Boston before, I examined at least a dozen tour guide books before selecting this one. It offered more information in an easy to understand format than any of the others. Along with lots of maps, it also has phone numbers and website addresses of the numerous attractions that Beantown has to offer. While in Boston, I frequently referred back to this book, saving lots of time and frustration. Well worth the price.



5. Sure, there are glossier books, more compact books, and niche books for budget and underground traveling in Boston. When you want to get down to basics and do some armchair planning, Boston for Dummies is a great resource. Could you get a lot of this info off the Internet? You bet. Pair this with something sexier like a Lonely Planet Guide, and you are all set, though.
   
   The opening chapters follow a natural chronological progression through the steps of trip planning-picking the time of year for your trip, roughing out a budget, planning accommodations, and getting to Boston. The dining chapter is a so-so index of restaurants sorted by neighborhood, by cuisine, and by price. All the famous spots are represented, as well as some lesser-known restaurants, and everything is depicted on a large city map. Author Marie Morris then delves into the top sights of this historic American city, followed by specialized attractions for kids, teens, art lovers, sports fans, and those who prefer guided tours.
   
   For those who want guidance but not a full guided tour, Morris provides dozens of sample trip outlines that range from shopping expeditions, to 3 day Boston and 5 day Boston trips, to Boston with kids, and a series of great day trips in the Boston area. My chief complaint about other Boston-area books is that they assume a knowledge of the outer boroughs and mention places which are really only practical for dedicated day trips, not as a part of the experience of Boston proper. Morris succeeds by listing attractions outside Boston along with advice about how to get there, get the maximum enjoyment out of your day trip, and how long to devote to travel time.
   
   Nightlife is mentioned, but for anyone looking to party in Boston, seek out a more specialized guide book and make use of Internet services like Citysearch. There is plenty of basic information, but any party-hearty tourist is going to need more information, especially if staying more than a few nights.
   
   Morris concludes her guidebook with something everyone is going to need after a few days in the Northeast-the top 10 free Boston-area attractions.

No comments about Hidden Boston and Cape Cod: Including Cambridge, Lexington, Concord, Provincetown, Martha's Vineyard, and Nantucket (Hidden Travel).

1 comments about The Prince & the Infanta: The Cultural Politics of the Spanish Match.

1. This is a superb book. Dr. Glynn Redworth managed to weave the facts of this historical event in a most intriguing style. I had a great deal of difficulty putting this book down. Indeed, if all history were written in this manner it would make reading it far more interesting. I'm looking forward to his next book. Brilliant!

2 comments about New England (Eyewitness Travel Guides).

1. These travel guides are the best! I have used them all over Europe, so decided to try it for the States. I like the city center maps, pictures and Place to Eat and Places to Stay. We have traveled for years with a plane ticket, ATM card and one of these travel guides. Makes being a gypsy easy!



2. If you are going to take a tour of New England this is a must have book. It includes great ideas for touring around Maine, Massachusetts, Vermont, New Hampshire, and Connecticut. If you are only going to Boston you are probably better off buying the cheaper Boston guide but any tour of New England needs this book. The pictures are great and as always the division by region is a great way to see things. Whether you are touring the whole thing or just a few states this book is an excellent start.

1 comments about Weekends for Two in New England: 50 Romantic Getaways Second Edition (Weekends for Two).

1. This book in mostly just an advertisement for the hotels and B&Bs included therein. No helpful tips about when to travel, what sites to see. I was looking to get some ideas for my honeymoon in New England but I will be returning this ASAP. A major disappointment. You will do better with a basic Frommer's or Fodor's guide and some websites.