3 comments about The Palm Spring Diner's Bible: A Restaurant Guide for Palm Springs, Cathedral City, Rancho Mirage, Palm Desert, Indian Wells, La Quinta, Bermuda Dunes, Indio, and Desert Hot Springs.

1. the most comprehensive guide in the desert, I especially liked the not recommended restaurants. rarely do you see a guide that dares to do that. It is obvious that this book is not advertiser driven and can tell the truth. Excellent!



2. I have been caught in the desert many times and now will never starve.
   
   Cannot say enough positive things about this text. The only change I would ever dream of making is perhaps including a thermos.
   
   Bret L. Thompson



3. Like the actual Bible according to Mark, Luke & John, this `Diner's Bible' is up to the same scrutiny and up to your own interpretation. Don't count on YOU receiving the same service and quality of food as this author. And, do not count out some of the other fine restaurants in the Palm Desert area out! - Like Bing Crosby's in Rancho Mirage. This restaurant deserves a 4 star rating for the food and ambiance, YET, this author does not even include it in his book and then goes off and rates BLEND in La Quinta with a 4 stars and it is not that at all. My husband and I went there to celebrate our special 40th wedding anniversary because we trusted in this Diner's Bible. It was not at all how the author described it. Service was awful with no acknowledgment for our anniversary; the waiter did not know the menu's food or wine and he kept us waiting for over 20 minutes (after the plates were cleared) before we flagged down another waiter to ask for our bill. We spent over $200 for two and would have gotten better service at MacDonald's. Sad for the chef because the food was great but won't go there again and told our friends about the bad service. The bad service left a bad taste in our month.

5 comments about Kennedy Space Center: Gateway to Space.

1. This book is typical of many current glossy coffee-table books about space:
   
   -- the title is misleading as only a small part of the book is actually about KSC or even the Cape Canaveral area in general
   
   -- it is riddled with errors, and not just wrong dates and technical points, but fundamental misconceptions about the political and military background of many space projects.
   
   -- it tries to cram a general history of space flight into too small a format and leaves out a lot.
   
   -- there are no maps or diagrams, only pretty pictures.
   
   If you want hard information about the Cape, get "Go For Launch!" instead of this worthless book.



2. NASA's Kennedy Space Center is the gateway to the stars for U.S. space efforts, and there's no better person to explore its history than an author who is an expert on space and space exploration. It's the only complete history of the Center and provides armchair readers with a complete tour of Center history, operations, and launch efforts. The mission-by-mission coverage leaves out nothing.



3. Like David Shomper I too was involved in many of the events chronicled in David West
   Reynolds's book and feel qualified to comment. While the book makes for an interesting read or
   as a coffee table decoration (great photos) it had a disappointingly large number of errors that a
   good technical review should have caught. I started writing them down but lost impetus as I progressed through the book and I'm sure I missed more. I did not duplicate David Shomper's comments except to expand on one of them. Hopefully, if I list those I did notice the author can incorporate changes in any subsequent editions.
   
   Page 33 The Saturn V second stage was manufactured by North American Aviation, later North American Rockwell, at Seal Beach, California - not by Douglas.
   
   Page 35 Photo - is not inside the VAB. It is on Pad 37.
   
   Page 62 The lighthouse on the Cape was built in 1868 and moved to its current location in 1894. The 1847 lighthouse was torn down to provide the foundation for the new lighthouse.
   
   Page 72 Photo - not sure where this photo was taken but it is definitely not at the Cape in 1953
   
   Page 77 The author appears confused about the Redstone/Jupiter nomenclature, which is understandable - Von Braun's people used misleading names to facilitate range launch priorities at the Cape in the late 50's.
   
   Basically the Redstone missile was a MRBM with a range of some 200 miles while the Jupiter missile was an IRBM with a range of nearly 2000 miles.
   
   However when two solid upper stages were added to an extended length Redstone it was named the Jupiter C (the `C' standing for `composite reentry test vehicle). A modified Jupiter C with a fourth stage was named the Juno I. The Juno I naming occurred officially after the first Explorer launch so that its launch vehicle is usually incorrectly called a Jupiter C (or partially correct as a modified Jupiter C) in books and articles when it was, in reality, a Juno I.
   
   When a larger booster was required the same three solid upper stages were added to a Jupiter first stage and it was named the Juno II. It was used for several subsequent space probes.
   
   With all that understood the following corrections apply:
   
   Jupiter C was not more powerful than the Thor and could not send a one-ton warhead 1850 miles down range. I believe the author was referring to the Jupiter IRBM.
   
   Pad 26 was built for the Jupiter IRBM program not Jupiter C, which was basically still a Redstone, although the latter in its Redstone and Juno I versions were launched from Pad 26A.
   
   The new name for the Explorer modified Jupiter C launch vehicle was Juno I, not Juno and not to be confused with the bigger more powerful Juno II.
   
   Page 82 The Redstone launch vehicle used alcohol as its fuel, not kerosene.
   
   Page 86 The Mercury Atlas 3 flight flew in April 1961, not May, and was destroyed by the Range Safety Officer after it failed to program. It was not in the clouds at the time - I was watching it from the roof of Hangar J.
   
   Page 89 The blockhouse at Pad 14 did not have a second storey - the only Atlas blockhouse to have a second storey was at Pad 36 (Atlas - Centaur)
   
   Page 131 Photo. There are no S-1B's in the picture - just S-1C's.
   
   Page 137 Kerosene was only one of he fuels for the Saturn V - no mention is made of the massive liquid hydrogen tank that was required for the second and third stages.
   
   Page 140 A typical failing of many write-ups on the Apollo program is to totally omit any mention of the ACE (automatic checkout Equipment) stations in the MSOB. It was from these control rooms that all spacecraft checkout, monitor and launch support for both the CSM and the LM were conducted. These stations were just yards from the astronaut quarters on the third floor. The only spacecraft representative in the LCC was a coordination link between the ACE Station and the LV test director.
   
   Page 144 After previous sections that glorified Martin and Grumman the third paragraph on this page is totally unnecessary and demeaning of North American, a company that shouldered some of the major challenges of the Apollo program. The author should read "Angle of Attack", the story of Harrison Storms, to understand some of the immense issues involved and exactly what role NASA played in the design deficiencies that contributed to the Apollo 1 fire and S II design. The contribution of North American and its thousands of dedicated workers to the Apollo program deserves better than the snide comments in this paragraph.
   
   Page 147 While the immensity of the sound and fury of a Saturn V launch is impressive 3 miles away I never felt any heat transfer across that distance and I watched several.
   
   Page 148 Photo - The Saturn V did not launch Apollo 7. The photo is of the S IVB, the second stage of the Apollo 7 Saturn 1B launch vehicle. The fact that the panels on the spacecraft LM adaptor (or SLA in NASA terminology) are open but still attached show that it was Apollo 7, the only manned flight that the SLA panels were not disconnected and released. It should also be added that the SLA was attached to the Instrument Unit (or IU) built by IBM. This was a vitally important part of the stack and has been totally omitted in the book. It contained all the flight control electronics for the Saturn 1B and V vehicles. The IU was mounted atop the S IVB and was the last and uppermost constituent part of the booster.
   
   
   Page 150 Another shot at North American. The Apollo 13 tank failure was more than a communication error and shouldn't be cavalierly placed at North American's doorstep.
   
   Page 157 Since the Columbia accident NASA has always had a "rescue" shuttle in the flow.
   
   Page 172 Photo caption - the Navaho shown is the only configuration that ever flew, the G 26, which used two Rocketdyne engines on its booster rocket, not three. It was definitely NOT the forerunner of the Redstone, which first flew three years earlier. However the Navaho Rocketdyne engines, using lox and kerosene, went on to form the basis for the engines that subsequently powered the Jupiter, Thor, Atlas and Saturn.
   
   Page 174 The company North American Aviation became North American Rockwell in 1967 and finally Rockwell International in early 1973. To say that in the mid 70's "NAA was struggling to build the spacecraft" is incorrect both in the company name and the struggling aspect. Based on this and other comments I don't think the author had much respect for the company that built the X-15, the Apollo spacecraft, the Saturn S II and the shuttle orbiter! Maybe he had bad sources.
   
   Page 181 The convoy does not off-load fuels and toxins on the runway.
   
   Page 183 The windblown white sand at the White Sands Space Harbor should be more correctly identified as gypsum, not sand.
   
   Page 186 Orbiter Processing Facility 3, or Hangar 3 as the author calls it, was originally built by the USAF at Vandenberg AFB. It was excessed after Challenger when the planned USAF shuttle flights from the west coast were cancelled and moved to KSC.
   
   Page 186 Residual hypergolic propellants are not drained from their systems to safe the vehicle unless specific access or repair warrants draining. Residuals remain on board throughout the flow.
   
   Page 194 Gaseous hydrogen and oxygen clouds do not spontaneously ignite when mixed.
   
   Page 196 The sound suppression water flow commences at T-16 seconds, not 6.6 secs., and reaches peak flow of 900,00 gpm at T +9 seconds. It is exhausted in about 25 seconds.



4. Easy to read and understand. It gives a comprehensive story of the Kennedy Space Center as well as the various missions NASA has undertaken. I understand now the different types of rockets and the history leading up to the Apollo 11 successful moon walk. This book was a page-turner. I could not put it down and read it all in one weekend.



5. In addition to errors of fact, this book contains a poor selection of photographs. There are limited views of the equipment and structures on the site, such as launch pads, gantries, and blockhouses, and no compreshensive annotated maps showing the evolution and layout of the Space Center are provided. Many of the photographs are not even of the Kennedy Space Center or directly related activities and are more suitable for a brief overview of limited aspects of the manned space program. There are very few actual launch photos, and many of the significant unmanned and manned launch vehicles are omitted entirely. Military missiles are severely unrepresented; although, they formed the basis of much of the testing done there and were the precursors for many space boosters. The only significant coverage in this area is that of the V-2; however, it is overdone given that the V-2 was a minor player in the U. S. space program and was overshadowed by many other rockets, including Redstone, Atlas, Thor, and Titan.
   
   This is not a good book on the topic and is severely hampered by the poor and unrepresentative choice of photographs. I would not recommend it for either its content or visual value.

3 comments about Miami And The Keys (Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guides).

1. We love other DK "Eyewitness Guides," but this one didn't cut the mustard. It worked well as an travel overview of the region, but failed to mention several important points such as days and hours of operation and entrance fees to attractions, which we were stung by several times. A specific example was their recommendation of snorkeling at John Pennekamp Coral Reef State Park. The book lists it as one of the best snorkeling spots in the U.S., but failed to mention that in order to see anything other than sea grass and the occassional crab, you are required to make reservations on a guided snorkeling boat. The guide also lacked directions. The maps that were included were insufficient. The restaurant recommendations we tried were fine, though, and we appreciated, as usual, the fine photos and "streetsmart" section.



2. Nice! Excellent! You may need to get Lonely Planet's 'Miami & the Keys' for such a metropolis as Miami & the Keys. But still one of the simple books on travel for this region.



3. This book was updated in 2005 and 2007 -- but those editions don't seem to be available through Amazon. Why is that?

5 comments about PassPorter Walt Disney World 2007: The Unique Travel Guide, Planner, Organizer, Journal, and Keepsake! (Passporter Walt Disney World).

1. This is a wonderful tool to help you plan and organize your trip. There is a tremendous amount of valuable information, as well as tips to navigate to the park(s. I would highly recommend it to anyone who is planning a trip to visit the mouse :)



2. The best guide i ever bought! Very detailed and well organized. Wonderful layout. Made my Disney planning very easy.. Can't imagine looking through another guide.



3. The PassPorter came very highly recommended, and it would be a great book if I hadn't done any homework first for our trip to Disney. But the information covered here can be found on websites and discussion boards dedicated to Disney. The pockets in back are nice, but not worth the cost of the whole book. Reviews were fine, but again, the info can be found many other places. I got a lot more out of the Unofficial Guide, personally.



4. book ordered never arrived !!!! got refund but not the point would not ahve ordered book if I had not wanted it. very disappointing it was for a gift.



5. I first purchased the PassPorter in 1998 and update it and use it every time we go to Disney. It is filled with plans, maps and iteneraries that save you time and money. They give you ideas to have fun throughout the parks, shops and resorts and they keep thier publications up to date for any changes that are taking place in the parks. In addition, you can sign on to the website to print out updates since the books printing. For any first time Disney traveler or veterans alike, the PassPorter is a great tool in planning and organizing your trip, as well as a great way to keep your momentos, receipts and jot down your favorite things.

3 comments about Birding Florida: Over 200 Prime Birding Sites at 54 Locations (Where to Bird).

1. 
   Brian did a great job researching the Birding Locations for this book. The book is divided into areas of the state and their most popular and successful birding location. Brian gives clear directions to hot spots and provides lists of species and the best time of year to see them at each location. I put the book to the test when I took a trip to the Belle Glade Area of Florida. All of his information was useful and accurate. Brian is one of Florida's top birders and has personally visited each of the locations multiple times.
   
   Buy the book, you won't be sorry.



2. The book has many birding sites throughout the state of Florida. My complaint is that the book does not contain maps of the sites. There are large maps with no detail. The birding sites are shown as a number on the map with no detail on how to get there. For that you must read through a paragraph of directions to multiple locations. It is almost impossible to use on the road. In order to use the book, you will need to research the sites on the internet and print a map. For reference, look at "Birding Georgia" by Giff Beaton (same publisher). This book has very good maps. Hopefully this book will add the maps in later editions.



3. Of the more than 700 species of bird known to annually spend some time on the North American continent, over 500 of these species are or may be found be found in Florida. If you want to observe these birds, Birding Florida, coupled with the Great Florida Birding Trail Guides, is all the birder needs to find and observe the many species of birds available there
   
   The 500 species found in Florida are broken down into 343 species that regularly occur and 154 vagrant species. Using the standard definitions for status: residents - species that are present year round and/or nest and breed in the state, visitors - species that are present in the state all or part of the year but do not breed or nest in the state, and migrants - species that pass through the state in the spring or fall while going to other areas to breed or nest, the author describes 58 areas within the state where birders may observe birds of interest. Florida has 151 resident species which the author has divided the into 37 year round resident species and 25 summer visitors found in the state only in the spring and summer that are especially sought out by birders with another 52 species that may be found in areas other than Florida but still of interest.
   
   The book contains nine maps of which eight are regional maps showing the location of each of the birding areas. While the book does not contain an individual map for any location, explicit directions for driving to each area are given, and each area is referenced using plate numbers and grid locations to the Delorme© Florida Atlas and Gazetteer so I didn't object to the lack of maps. The final chapter book presents a list of the 343 regularly occurring species that includes a state range map, and a brief description of the 154 vagrant species noted. All species have been verified by the Records Committee of the Florida Ornithological Society.

1 comments about Rosemary Beach.

1. This book offers an attractive photographic portrait of Rosemary Beach Florida, a Duany Plater-Zybeck (DPZ) designed community. This beautifully executed tome shows the charm and character that can be achieved in a new community when the principles of good urban design are followed.
   
   For anyone who decries the fact that they are no new porches being created on streets where kids can walk to neighborhood schools, this book is proof positive that you just aren't buying property from developers who have a proper view of the potential of new construction and good planning.

3 comments about Florida's Fabulous Canoe and Kayak Trail Guide (Florida's Fabulous Nature).

1. Winston Williams has created yet another fabulous book about Florida. This kayak and canoe guide is not only informative, it's gorgeous. Divided into regions, the maps provide paddlers with state-sponsored trails, landing sites, and driving directions. This book is a definite "must have" for the Floridian paddler.



2. My husband and I just started kayaking and this is the greatest book for finding places to go. The pictures are excellent and there are descriptions of the different rivers as well as maps of where to put in and things to look for. I think that if you canoe or kayak in Florida, this book is a MUST HAVE!!!! In fact, we have several rivers mapped out to go on as soon as we can!!



3. while the information is well presented there is little detail; futhermore, the florida state park service produces more info and it's free-

4 comments about The Florida Keys Dive Guide, Revised Edition.

1. As a beginning diver, I found this book to be very informative. It lists practically every reef in the Florida Keys. I especially like the reef maps which show what there is to see at what depth. Then after each reef map, there are photos of what there is to see at that site. It is a paperback, but it has glossy pages and great photos. I thought it was an excellent book - at a value price!



2. This is the best diving book about the Keys in this website. It is a fascinating look at many of the bigger reefs in the Keys. We used this book as a reference source for creating our website. It is filled with beautiful photos, all taken on the reefs described therein. It has diveplan maps to follow, history, fish descriptions, and many other helpful facts relevant to divers.



3. I found this book to be an excellent review of diving sites in the Fla. Keys. Not only did it describe sites but the drawings describing dives from boats was excellent! I cannot say enough about how well this book is presented and it should be an invaluable resource for all of us who dive in the Keys



4. This book can please every scuba diver interested on the Florida Keys. Great layout; nice, glossy paper; loads of inspiring pictures; super cool maps of EACH dive site; expert advice from knowledgeable writers who clearly love the Keys.
   For such a beautiful book - though not hard-cased, it can fare well on a diver's coffee-table - this guide is a GREAT value for the money. This book provides substantial help in preparing for your first trips to the only living reef in the continental USA. It can also inspire the seasoned Florida diver to remember the good times underwater and how precious the Keys are.
   A fitting tribute to a nature wonder... a most useful guide for a diving vacation... Highly recommended!

No comments about Fodor's Miami & Miami Beach, 6th Edition (Fodor's Gold Guides).

1 comments about Fishing Florida's Flats: A Guide to Bonefish, Tarpon, Permit, and Much More (Wild Florida).

1. This is one of the best books ever compiled and published about specific regionalized fishing techniques. It might just rival Vic Dunaway's classic, Baits, Rigs and Tackle. The investment of $24.95 will pay for itself on your first outing on the water and you might want to check out the other books by Maizler. He's in a class by himself when bringing authoritative fishing basics to life for the reader. Number one on my list of presents to give people that fish -- novice or expert alike.