5 comments about Belfast Diary: War as a Way of Life.

1. This book was recommended to me as excellent reading about the Troubles, particularly for Americans. I whole-heartedly agree; it is all that and more. Conroy does describe the daily workings of life in Northern Ireland but he also tackles the prejudices and ignorance of Americans (and the U.S. government) when it comes to the political climate in Northern Ireland. He pulls no punches and sugar-coats no issues. He explicates the situation as he sees it and is not afraid to indict those who turn blind eyes. The version I read was older so I have not yet seen the updated book that includes information on semi-recent IRA ceasefires. But I do think many of Conroy's observations are still applicable, changes in administration notwithstanding. He describes the intolerant view towards Sinn Fein taken by the American government in the 80s and the biased, oversimplified treatment of the Troubles by the American media. Indeed as Conroy notes it has not been hard to sell the British point-of-view to American audiences but what of the counterpoint? When do proponents of the other side get a chance? Conroy also concludes that for as long as Northern Ireland remains a British enclave, continued violence is guaranteed. For that reason alone, Americans owe it to themselves to read _Belfast Diary_.



2. of what it is like to live, work and experience the turmoil of "The Troubles." Conroy covered the Troubles the right way...he went in and lived among the people in Belfast instead of swooping in for drive-by interviews like too many journalists have done in the past. He also manages to convey what he experienced while maintaining objectivity...this skill when dealing with terrorist and paramilitary violence is something writers covering the "War on Terror" these days could learn from. Required reading for anybody interested in Northern Ireland, its history and how to possibly make a better future in that wartorn nation...



3. I really enjoyed this book. I thought that Conroy did a great job putting the 'Troubles' in Belfast into perspective from an American living in the midst of it all. Having visted the area that he writes of brought back memories. I referred to his map at least 50 times during my reading of the book to recall the streets that I walked in relation to where he wrote the book and spent his time in Belfast. I highly recommend this book.



4. Not only do I admire John Conroy's writing, but I admire his courage to put himself right in the middle of 'the troubles' just to get the story right. It would one thing if Conroy was a Belfast resident and was just reporting on his day to day life, but he is not. He is an American who more or less stumbled upon this assignment and saw it through.
   
   It struck me a few times in the book just how close Conroy was coming to being killed in a place where death is a way of life. He is to be commended for this and we owe a debt of gratitude for making this sacrifice just so we could get a look right from the belly of the beast.



5. John Conroy performed a courageous feat of journalism with this book. As an American writer he put himself in the midst of the conflict and in incredible danger at times to capture the true picture of Belfast in the 80's. The stories of the people he encountered and the tough environment he experienced and witnessed is indispensible reading for anyone who wants to understand what the conflict was all about at the street level.
   While Belfast seems to be enjoying more peaceful times at the moment this book is a reminder of just how volatile a political climate there is and provides the reader with a much fuller understanding of the how , the why and major developments in the Troubles in Northern Ireland.

5 comments about Travels with Alice.

1. After hearing Mr. Trillin speak on a public radio talk show, I thought I'd love to read one of his books, as I found him so amusing. As it turns out, I found this book very boring. I've traveled in many of the countries he mentioned but found his descriptions of food and place uninteresting and found myself skipping over many parts trying to get to something interesting. Little mention was made of Alice. His two daughters played a bigger part in the rendition and it was mostly about Calvin. I don't know if I'd care to try another of his books.



2. This is my second Trillin book, after Tepper Isn't Going Out Today. I quite enjoyed that book, and when the most recent Alice book came out and was being promoted, I became interested in going back to some of Trillin's earlier works, especially those featuring Alice.
   
   This slight volume was a nice, easy read with family vacation stories fairly universal in this culture. Kids with fussy appetites, parents balancing out "just hanging around" vs "force-feeding culture down the kids' throats", etc etc. Trillin's got a nice wry, easy-going manner that I found comfortable and friendly.
   
   There were times I found myself skimming the overdone descriptions of the food he enjoyed. I get that that's one of Trillin's "things" - he's a foodie. But it's just not all that interesting when described to such the nth degree.
   
   I enjoyed, most of all, passages involving his interactions with his two daughters. Funny and sweet without being cloying or sentimental. If I have one complaint with the book, it's that the titular Alice makes only rare, and not especially interesting, appearances. Trillin seems not that interested in the experiences his wife had on their trips, or in the experiences he shared with his wife on their trips. Very interested in his own deal. Which is fine. But given the title, I had hoped for a bit more in the way of a loving, fun reflection on their shared experiences.
   
   Good book, recommended.



3. It was a mistake to buy this book. It was so boring that I did not finish it. Having read a more recently published book about The life and death of Alice, I expected a better book.



4. Travels with Alice arrived within two weeks after it was ordered. It was in perfect condition as described, though it was a used copy. I find that the choices of books I have made with Amazon are always aptly described. Amazon is where I order all of my books and CDs.



5. Calvin Trillin has been traveling with his wife (Alice) and his daughters for years, mainly on holidays, and he wrote this funny book about it. His main interest is food, but Alice is also very fond of views. He deplores the fact that Alice is a three meals a day person!
   He makes you feel as if you're traveling with them and has a new angle on a lot of things. If you like a funny (maybe not always super accurate) travelogue, this book is for you!

5 comments about French Country Hideaways: Vacationing At Private Chateaus & Manors in Rural France.

1. Do you like to dream of travel? Or do you really go to France, leaving the beaten track to experience the very best countryside, cuisine, elegance and hospitality? Either way, this stunning book is perfect for you!
   
   Casey O'Brien Blondes has found, meticulously researched, and visited 36 authentic chateaux and manor houses that welcome travelers. More than that, she describes the spirit and character of each place so vividly that you can practically smell the pungent rosemary in the kitchen or the antique roses you might find on your bedside table. While soaking up the history of the place or meeting the family, you will revel in the beauty of Stephanie Cardon's incandescent photographs. This is also an unusual and glorious resource for interior designers, filled with color and charm from austere to cozy.



2. I can only comment on the pictures in this book because I haven't had time to read the text lately. The pictures of the exteriors of the chateaus and manors are very well done. There are some nice photos of the interiors - what one would typically expect in a book of this title. Nothing was surprising and I wouldn't exactly call the interiors fabulous. For truly fabulous interiors I would suggest: The French Chateau by Christiane de Nicolay-Mazery & The French Country House, also by Christiane de Nicolay-Mazery.



3. This is a great book for someone who is thinking of staying at a private French chateau or at a country manor. The book is divided into different regions of France, beautifully illustrating both the exteriors with their stunning views as well as the interiors of these places. One learns some information about the current owners of these charming dwellings. For each residence, there is a list of places to visit recommended by the owners. At the back of the book there is useful information on each chateau or manor such as the address, phone number, fax number, and often email address and website. This is a great travel aid for someone who planning a special vacation in rural France. Great decorating ideas too!



4. This book is very informative and interesting. I leave it on my cocktail table so I can always refer and review the book and its photos.



5. As a residential home design company "Jeff Andrews Custom Home Design Inc." [...]. This book has been a great addition to our library. Clients contact me asking for all kinds of architectural styles and designs from all over the world. This book was a great help in capturing the French Country Style for my clients.

No comments about This is Britain.

5 comments about AA Road Atlas Ireland (Aa Atlases and Maps).

1. I will first comment that I have not yet used this atlas in Ireland so I presume information to be accurate. I ordered this as an extra item to the two fold-out maps I was primarily interested in to qualify for free shipping, but will be leaving the maps behind. The scale (1:200,000 or 1" = 3.16 miles) is 2x the scale of the better of the two fold-out maps (Michelen Ireland #712). I will be using it both for driving and for reference in traveling by bus/train. At 8-1/4" x 11-5/8" x 1/4" thick it fits nicely in the outer sleeve of my backpack. I find the Michelen Ireland #712 fold-out map, while a nicely detailed map, somewhat thick and cumbersome to fold. This bound atlas handles nicely.



2. This atlas was absolutely useless during our trip to Ireland. It did NOT provide detailed maps of the cities, and the layout and organization was horrible! The free map we got from the Rental Car Agency was of more use than this atlas. Do NOT buy this product!



3. I am planning a trip to Ireland where I will rent a car to tour the places I wish to visit. This promises to help navigate the country.



4. AA Road Atlas: Ireland (Road Atlas)Just returned from a road trip in Ireland with my girlfriends, this was invaluable, very easy to read, a must far all attempting to drive the roads in Ireland!



5. This atlas is inferior to the Ordnance Survey Atlas (ISBN 978-1-905511-40-2). We bought the AA atlas before our Ireland trip and found we needed the Ordnance Survey atlas once we got there.

3 comments about The Little Black Book of Paris (Little Black Books) (Little Black Books).

1. Beautiful little book that gives you the basics. The recommendations are mid to high end so don't expect lonely planet suggestions. The book also has a complete set of maps of the city as well as the Metro map. It is also very small, like a moleskine notebook, so it can easily fit anywhere. It's an elegant gift for anyone going to Paris, whether it's the first time or return visit.



2. I found this book on a shelf in a Parisian rental apartment. What a great discovery!! Of all the general tourist guides to Paris that I've read over the yrs, this is the at the top--clear, great info and suggestions not found in other guides, very lightweight which makes carrying it easy, a convenient elastic to bookmark. I love its size and information.
   While I don't care if I look like wahat i ma--a tourist-fFor those who are somewhat afraid of looking too obviously like a tourist, this book is so small and discreet, youcould be perusing anything !
   Hopefully it will eventually be released in a 2008 or 2009 edition, although its suggestions are quite current (i.e. restaurants, tour sites, etc) and extrememly useful in the 2006 edition.
   
   Thank you, Vesna Neskow!



3. Super compact guide on Paris... just about everything you will need to find your way around the City of Lights! Bonjour!

No comments about Britannia in Brief: The Scoop on All Things British.

5 comments about Hungarian: Lonely Planet Phrasebook.

1. Well, I am a native speaker of Hungarian myself, so I was quite curious to see this book.
   For the most part, I found it very good.
   The main part of the book, the phrases are quite good and natural - it really shows that they had native speakers check it.
   The phrases cover all sorts of issues from shopping to visiting a doctor or even dating and having sex!
   The boxed texts on culture are also quite good and often amusing.
   It has only 12 pages on grammar, but that's quite spot on.
   It does include a box on present tense verb conjugation (taking vowel harmony into account!), and has even devoted a whole page to conjugating four common, but irregular verbs (come, go, eat, drink). Another box conjugates "to be" and yet another shows the suffixes for possessions. I guess it's quite OK for the space.
   The 2000 word dictionary at the back is quite comprehensive.
   A weaker point is the "phonetical transliteration" system used - Hungarian is written fully phonetically in its original form (thankfully also presented here), but the phonetical transliteration provided here for English-speakers may result in blank looks in many cases - you could always choose to ignore it.
   The intro contains useful facts about the history and roots of the language, though the map showing where Hungarian is supposedly spoken might raise some eyebrows in neighbouring countries! ;-)
   The layout is attractive, with color illustrations.
   I even like the cover (different from what is shown on Amazon)- certainly better than a kitshy horseman or traditionally clad dancer could have been! ;-)
   Overall: RECOMMENDED.
   If you are planning to spend any time away from the major cities and tourist areas, you will find it VERY useful!



2. I took one term of Hungarian in college, and I've been to Hungary a few times (but only for a few days each time). So I tried getting this book to relearn some of the language before going back to Hungary this year. It helped me do just that, and I was able to converse with plenty of non-English speaking Hungarians. This is a well-written book.
   
   But how much will this book help you if you don't know Hungarian at all? I'm not so sure. To communicate in a language, I think you really need to hear it spoken and painstakingly learn a bunch of vocabulary words (I like using flashcards to do this). I think it will be more of a help to those who already know something about the language, or at least have access to someone who can help them practice it.
   
   I'm glad I got this book. I recommend it.



3. This pocket book is a must-have for anyone who, like me, has an interest in learning Hungarian or who plans to visit Hungary. Concise & comprehensive, it's a winner. The only drawback is that the 'pronunciation' provided seems to be geared to travelers from the UK &, as such, can cause difficulties for No. Americans. This ancient, beautifully soft, & richly vocalic language is certainly complicated for an English speaker. Along with a Törkenczy grammar any traveler should be speedily humming along in party town Budapest. These people are warm, friendly, & openly admire most anyone willing to tackle their tongue, not to mention the cuisine & the wines!



4. With help from this guidebook I was able to pronounce words off of menus well enough to where servers were pleased with me and eager to help me out. My last phrasebook left people in Poland laughing at me as the phonetic guides led me astray. The problem with this guide is that it was not correct with some of the basic words a traveller would want. Our hotel staff told us that we were using antiquated, formal versions for certain greetings and interactive words, and gave a lesson on what to say (and when) instead. We also found that we got blank stares when we asked about dinner at a resturant. We pointed out the word in the book and the server looked very confused. I guess this book fails to even provide a correct translation for "dinner"...and who knows what else? I was glad to have this book along -- it is basically useful -- but I've got to assume other guides do a better job with getting some of the basics right. If you book at a big hotel you can save a few dollars by getting a free, accurate lesson from the staffers, and forgetting this guide.



5. I love this book. It's small enough to just throw in your bag and go when you are exploring a new city. Since moving to Budapest, it has come in handy several times over - and the pronunciation is superb! It has every helpful phrase you need when traveling abroad!
   
   I think this book could be used for travelers of any age - though the "romance" section may be limited to the younger population.
   
   One thing I would like to see in future publications though is maybe a map of the city - or at least a map of the metro.
   
   I would buy this book - and others from the series - without hesitation in the future. I am a huge fan of Lonely Planet products so having this book in my library is just the icing on the cake!

1 comments about Finland - Culture Smart!: a quick guide to customs and etiquette (Culture Smart!).

1. The Culture Smart! series offers the traveler a manual for being less of a boor, and this volume is no exception. It is good humored and clear, with lots of useful information.
   
   For the armchair traveler, it offers an opportunity to go deeper than the hotel and place descriptions in the usual guidebook; think of it as a guide to the (fascinating) psyche of Finland.
   
   I'd like to have had a section on how to pronounce Finnish words and a few polite phrases, but yes, I can get a phrase book for that.

2 comments about Michelin Green Guide Germany (Michelin Green Guides).

1. Green guide is good for maps and color sections of book. I am not a fan of the way it is organized alphabetically instead of by region. It is also a bit heavy for carrying around in a backpack.



2. This is my first experience with a Michelin Green Guide -- from the libary. Once I found the section I was looking for, it had useful information. The trouble was finding it! For example, I was looking for the Black Forest. It's not in the alphabetical listing of "Selcted SIghts" as "Black Forest". The index has one page reference which is in the front 'regions' section, and there's no mention of the German name for the region (which is how it's listed alphabetically). Looking in the index for a town I knew was in the region, I found it's page reference in the section "Schwarzwald (Black Forest)". That's what I was looking for -- success -- but not how I prefer to find my information. Frommer's and Rick Steves both organize by region which makes more sense to me.