3 comments about Munich Laminated Pocket Map by Pocket-Pilot.

1. We just used a number of Pocket Pilot Maps on a recent trip; Munich, Vienna, Prague, and Berlin. We carried them everywhere and they were very helpful. They aren't enough to use on their own when planning a trip, and their list of "must sees" didn't agree entirely with ours or other travel books, but I still highly recommend having this map with you for every city you go. We wish we had had them for every city we went, but they don't all exist. The easy-to-fold-in-different-directions flexibility was great, as was the fact that it was laminated (we did have some rain and snow, and would even look at the maps over meals or drinks). Overall, I say these are a must buy, but don't rely on them on their own. We enjoyed using the Rick Steve's books to help with our planning, and then found the Knopf MapGuides a perfect match with our pocket-pilots. Both are fairly small and both are helpful in different ways. Don't forget to check out your local libraries for the Rick Steve's and Knopf guides, but you'll definitely want to buy your own personal copy of the pocket-pilots. Happy travels!



2. Great map for pedestrian and subway travel. Very durable. Perfect size to carry in pocket.



3. After going over many options for maps in my local bookstore, and several chain bookstores I choose pocket pilot. It is made from a tear resistant/water resistant material, its the perfect size, very readable and easy to fold.

3 comments about The Spiritual Traveler: The Guide to Sacred Sites and Pilgrim Routes in Britain (Spiritual Traveler).

1. This book covers all types of sacred sites. From stone circles like Stonehenge, to Cathedrals and the legends surrounding Glastonbury. Gives great historical background. I gave this book 4 stars because I would have liked to have seen more photos. Otherwise a wonderful book for people planning to travel to Britain or those who want to learn more about it's sacred sites.



2. If you are interested in medieval religious sites and traditions in the British Isles, check out The Spiritual Traveler. This fascinating book covers it all, beginning with the spiritual history of the land, from prehistoric times, progressing to the landscape and its features, such as holy wells and pilgrim routes, and finally giving detailed itineraries with highlights and lesser known points of interest. More than a simple guidebook, it can take you to stone circles and megalithic tombs, abbey ruins, medieval synagogues, majestic cathedrals, and dozens of places in between. It also provides explanations of different customs, myths, and traditions. Illustrated with line drawings and photographs, perusing this compact volume will make you want to book your flight and pack your bags. Don't forget your camera!



3. This is more than a simple traveler's guide book. It provides the detailed history, significance and practices surrounding the sacred sites of Britain, including many lesser-known sites. The book gives the reader a foundation necessary for truly understanding and experiencing the sacred sites. I highly recommend this book for anyone who wants to visit Britain's sacred sites and come away with more than a snap-shot view.

5 comments about Dances with Luigi: A Grandson's Search for His Italian Roots.

1. I "lived" the experience with Paul Paolicelli as I read this book. Always wanting to not just visit, but to live in the land of my ancestors, to experience the culture, the people, just to experience the life.

   Mr. Paolicelli has to be richer for this experience.

   I recommend it to all of Italian descent and to anyone wanting to experience the culture of your family, no matter what heritage.




2. Dances with Luigi is a great novel for those who wish to trace their roots of from lineage of Southern Italian or Sicilian family heritage. The author's writing style is closer to that of a TV reporter then to the writings of an author. hIs character depiction of Luigi is strong. HIs adventures searching for his grandfather's roots form Rome to out -of-the way villages in Southern Italy take interesting twists and turns, especially when addressing concurrent themes of Mussollini and WWII. Some of the mini-stories hit the mark when family ties make sense, while other unrelated moments make the reader think that the novel could have been written with a lot less information. At any rate, the novel is intriguing for Italian-Americans to read.



3. For those of you who are under 40, never knew your great grand parents and have have built a family tree that traces your roots back to Italy,this is a especially helpful in understanding your ancestors beyond their years of birth, marriage, and death. I have read several books on immigration and Italian Americans and this is by far the most personal; with many examples of things such as why second or third generation Italians never learned the Italian language, why our ancestors left Italy, why so many were illiterate, intermarriage in the small towns, etc. There is literally a lesson in almost every chapter that makes me feel closer to my ancestors that I never even met. I am getting more copies for my relatives.



4. I am an avid reader always looking to match books with people I love. This book hit the exact right spot as a gift for an Italian-American friend. She is not a reader so getting her a book is risky. She called me to say she set her alarm early to get up early and read more of this book! She has now purchsed copies for all her side of the family, and contacted the author (he has something in the works)
   Give it a try!



5. I was happy to accompany Paul Paolicelli on his travels through Italy. His search for the man behind the title of "Grandfather" was evocatively and lyrically emotional, without being overly sentimental. Mr Paolicelli was steadfast in his desire not only to help his father, but to discover his family history, which had retained little connection with the family of his parents in their Southern Italian villages. His character depictions are exceptionally memorable; from Uncles, to the friends who accompany him on this journey, and finally, to his grandfather. This book is a warm read on a cold winter's day as it truly warms the heart.
   
   Don't think however, that this is just a book about people. Mr Paolicelli masterfully intersperses his narrative with historical context, fabulous descriptions of the places he visits, and his friend Luigi keeps us entertained with his philosphy on life, love, laughter, facism and the Italian culture.
   
   This book is about searching for what makes us all who we are...... our history and our roots. Like many of us who have begun a search to discover the family we never knew, there are many fascinating, sad, funny, but ultimately real characters that flow through our genes. Mr Paolicelli was lucky, that he could make this journey to the recent past and I for one was very happy to go along for the ride.

5 comments about Dorling Kindersley Travel Guides : Kid's London.

1. This kids' version of the popular Dorling Kindersley guidebooks has many full color photographs on each page to help kids to visualize sites they may want to visit. The book contains a two-page spread about the Millenium Dome, and mention of the London Eye, two new sites you won't find in older travel books. The information in this book is similar to that in the adult version; it's just condensed so there is less text to wade through, and the information focuses on aspects of each area that will be of interest to the younger generation. For instance, under Covent Garden, you'll read about the street performers (who juggle swords and such) rather than the antique market. Basically, you can find this information elsewhere, but if you want to give your kids a guide that they can read on their own on the airplane, this is a nice book for the money. In the back of the book are some write-in quizes and journal pages for that interactive element. It even has a little pocket in the back for saving ticket stubs and other souvenirs.



2. Home sick, for a place you've never seen? It's a great book, not just for kids. Packed full of facts and trivia. The pictures are great.



3. We bought this book for our 10 year old as part of our vacation planning process. It really helped her feel part of the process and empowered her to choose things she was most interested in seeing. We bought a different more comprehensive guide for the adults but still really appreciated the information and presentation in this kids' book. I wish there were more books in this series. We would have loved to have similar ones for our trip to Rome or our upcoming trip to Paris.



4. This book was OK. It got my kids excited but it didn't have much practical info. This cannot be to only book you use to plan your trip.



5. We have a teddy bear who is traveling the USA and abroad. While he is visiting an area we learn more about it. Our teddy is in Englad so we check this book out at the library. It full of full color photos that gave us a good idea of places and things that our teddy may be seeing. Full of information! Great for kids!

5 comments about Frommer's London Day by Day (Frommer's Day by Day).

1. Though it is smaller than your average travel guide, I think that this is a great book that shows how to explore London broken down on a day-by-day basis, like the name of the book implies. There are great pictures (probably my favorite part of any travel guide), as well as a good map of London and its Underground system map that are essential for getting around the city. It is well worth purchasing before traveling across the pond.



2. I just got back from a five day trip to London showing my wife the sights on her visit. This book was our primary guide for two major reasons.
   
   1. The day by day itineries show the must sees, including where the must see's are in the museums. If you know you're going to be there for a few days, you might wish to regroup them a bit (moving some things from one day to another) to ease a bit of travel, but are excellent overall.
   
   2. The whole thing fits in your back pocket! Most travel guides now are encyclopedias you leave in the hotel room. This one with its convenient fold out high level street plan and Underground map made getting around very easy. The pull out detailed map in the map offers even more detail once you're downtown.
   
   Also, the restaurant guides were superb, important when the pound is $2.00! We really like the Audley and Rules.
   
   BTW, you can also get to Paddington station from Heathrow via the "Heathrow Connection". It's half the price of the Heathrow Express and only takes ten minutes more time. Essentially it's the local train on the same line.



3. This book was very helpful to me in planning my trip to London. The map included is very helpful as well. I recommend it.



4. These guides are small, convenient and helpful. The favorite thing I like about this book is the foldout map of the Tube in the front cover, as well as the larger foldout map of London snapped into the back cover. There is very little bulk to this very helpful guide. I highly recommend it!



5. This book contains basic "best of" nuggets of information. First-time travelers should be well equipped to visit the main highlights of London. The plastic-covered tri-fold map of the subway and of the main attractions (which is built into the book's front cover) is sturdy, easy to access, and just the right size. The fold-up map (stored in a pocket in the back of the book)would be cumbersome to use while standing on a street corner, but the detailed site maps within the book are very helpful.
   
   Note that the publication date is 2006, so some attraction prices may have increased (for instance, as of 2/2008, the Tower of London's entrance fee is 16 BP, not the listed 14 BP). However, you can use web addresses listed in this guide to double check prices.
   
   If you're looking for "off the beaten path" sites to visit, you may want to supplement "London Day by Day" with a more comprehensive guidebook (i.e., the thick books you leave in your hotel room as reference).
   
   Advice for travelers: Take advantage of the subway (tube), which is easy to use, safe, and much cheaper than a cab. Also, considering the weak dollar, take advantage of the many free (and spectacular) museums: National Gallery, V&A, Tate Modern, and British Museum are my favorites.

5 comments about CIAO BAMBINO!: A Child's Tour of Italy.

1. We were so disappointed with this book that we returned it. For the price, it's a very thin book - only 30 pages. For preparing a child for a trip to Italy, the illustrations were especially disppointing. Only a few offered images of what might be seen in Italy. Most of the others were generic illustrations that could have been set anywhere, such as a child and his stuffed bear eating a pizza, the circle of a flashlight beam on the pavement.



2. I am an American of Italian descent and proud of my heritage. I purchased Ciao Bambino! to read to my grandchildren, Gianna and Dante. It's an excellent introduction to simple Italian words. Nicki"
   Date: 7/21/2005 Rated by Buyer: nicki_filipponi



3. What a wonderful introduction for young children to the Italian culture and language -- not to mention the notion of international travel in general! My daughter (4 yrs old at the time of purchase) loved it - particularly the opportunity to learn the Italian words. For a fairly short book (which I think is a good thing for young children) there are actually quite a few Italian vocabulary words presented in a fun, engaging way. The illustrations are charming and sweet.



4. I don't know if I was more disappointed or angered at this little insignificant but dangerous book. The contents has very little to do with what children, who travel to Italy, will ever encounter. What I find it does is continue the negative strereotyping of the Italians. Really! No one stomps on grapes and a child who will visit a farm in Italy will hardly see such outdated stereotypical occurrences. Can food be the only thing one would like of Italy? Of course, since the book failed to explain what other things of wonder a child might see. I bought this for my grandchildren, as sadly there are very few book on Italy with some italian words. I returned the book because I would NEVER introduce Italy to my grandchildren this way. A very expensive book that perpatuates outdated images. Poor job.



5. My daughter used this book with her 4-year-old students at the preschool where she teaches. Each month her students learn about a country so this book was used when they were learning about Italy. The students loved it! They wanted that book read everyday. They truely enjoyed the book especially since it was told from a young boy's perspective. My daughter says she will use the book in future studies about Italy.

2 comments about Kosovo (Bradt Travel Guide).

1. I bought this book because I will start to work in Kosovo in the next few months.
   I already read this book and it is full of precious information you really need while being there.
   I already have experience with Bradt Travel guide for Macedonia while I was there also for my job.
   The books are very usefull and contain a lot of information about almost everything.
   This is at this point the only tourist guide existing about Kosovo.
   Buy it !!



2. This is the best travel book about Kosovo - highly informative, balanced approach to the diverse ethnicities, easy to read, and properly presents Kosovo as welcoming to visitors with fantastic natural beauty and travel costs significantly below most of Europe. Although I have been to Kosovo several times during the last few years, this book has opened my eyes to what I have missed.

No comments about Ireland - Culture Smart!: a quick guide to customs and etiquette (Culture Smart!).

2 comments about Barcelona Pocket Pilot Map.

1. I've used these Pocket Pilot maps for years for different cities throughout the world. They work great. They fold down small enough to easily pack in your pocket but still have enough detail to get you around to most addresses. They also list major hotels, major shopping centers, churches and other points of interest which is very helpful as a tourist if you're staying in a larger hotel. They also have a subway map of the city and the subway stops and which lines are served are clearly shown on the city map plus a close approximation of where the entrance/exits are for the subways. They're very durable don't get destroyed by being stuffed into your pockets.



2. This map is the perfect size to carry in a back pocket. Easy to use while walking.

1 comments about Classic British Literature: Boswell's Life of Johnson, complete, all six volumes in a single file, with active table of contents.

1. This e-text is taken from a good edition of the Life of Johnson - the problem is that the text has been entered page by page, footnotes and all, so that after reading one page of text, you sometimes have to move through two or three pages of extensive footnotes before you get to the next page. I suppose it would be useful if you are searching for a particular passage, but it is not useful if you just want to read the Life of Dr. Johnson.