2 comments about Just Enough Greek (Just Enough).

1. A pretty handy book. One good point is that it has phonetics so you don't have to learn the cyrillics...even though it's a good idea to. ;) It gives you the basics on how to ask things to get around.



2. This is a nice compact little phrasebook in the Passport Just Enough series. Besides the phrasebook, it includes an alphabet and pronunciation guide, everyday expressions, a map of Greece, and a considerable reference section of 30 pages containing some grammatical notes on the language, months and dates, numbers, country names, and so on.

   The phrasebook portion is divided up into 18 chapters, such as Accommodations, General Shopping, Health, Eating and Drinking Out, Leisure, and there was also Asking if Things Are Allowed, and Crossing the Border. The everyday Expression section contains phrases like "I don't speak Greek," and "Where's the toilet?"--surely an important phrase to know in any language or country. :-)

   I only have one complaint, which is that the type looks a little too dark and heavy, just short of looking sort of smudgy, probably because of the cheap paper. There's also the Lonely Planet and Berlitz compact phrasebooks, which are printed on better paper, but they're almost twice the price of this one, since it's only five dollars. But overall this is a fine little phrasebook and the only reason I give it four stars is because of the print. Other than that it's a great value at the price.

   Also please note that the Amazon listing of the book says it's out of print and out of stock, but I found a copy recently at a Border's Books. Not sure if that means it's been recently reprinted in a new edition or not, but it might now be available again, so check if you're interested.

5 comments about The Seventh Wonder.

1. This is an engaging, well-written travel book. I loved all the details about the destinations,the history about the wonders and their links to contemporary society.
   
   The research is superb and thorough; I loved the idea of including GPS coordinates.
   
   I highly recomnend this book to travelers and history fans.



2. This is a thought provoking, educational, sacrilegious, hysterically funny, and practical travel guide. Or is it a study of historically significant architecture, the cultures that built it and the effect of those people and their construction on society thereafter, infused with GPS coordinates, cuisine commentary, bathroom humor and international pickup lines. I just finished reading the book twice in two days and cannot figure out if I was more entertained or enlightened. I'm motivated to trace the author's footsteps, avoid his pitfalls (literally), and capture the real life Indiana Jones experience of which the author wrote. Come to think about it, I did have that experience from my couch. The writing is first rate without being condescending. The book reads as fast and easy as a supermarket tabloid, which initially conceals the author's intelligence, the vast research that he must have done, and his knowledge of history. The author's fabulous sense of humor and insightful commentary on society and religion never make history books or travel guides, which therefore makes this book ultimately unclassifiable, with the exception of a great thought provoking book from which to simultaneously learn and laugh.



3. I actually went on the Egypt leg of the trip with the author, and I was pleasantly surprised at how well this book was written and how damn funny it is. Some of our misadventures on the trip made me so mad, the author and I did not speak for five years.
   
   In any case, Juan mixes history with a generous slab of humor and sprinkles it liberally with his superb wit to produce a fantastic falafel of a travelogue. A few good stories were left out like the guy at the bazaar who begged us to buy two King Tut paperweights or his child would not get the kidney transplant. (feigned urgency is a common sales tactic). The GPS coordinates are a nice touch as are the cross references to relevant books to learn more about this topic or that.
   
   This is certainly a book worth having just in case these seven wonders get blown to smithereens in the current WAR OF TERROR (oops, I mean war ON terror)... if things continue down the current path, we may never get to enjoy these wonders again. Oh well, it'll all be for a good cause. Like driving SUVs...



4. The Seventh Wonder is part solid history book and part entertaining travel chronicle. This book details the author's expedition to rediscover the world's seven ancient wonders: the Colossus of Rhodes, the Tomb of King Mausolus, the Temple of Diana, the Statue of Zeus, The Great Pyramids, the Lighthouse of Pharos, and the Hanging Gardens of Babylon. The author took a three week vacation to locate and stand at the original locations of each of these ancient masterpieces. Though all but The Great Pyramids stood in forgotten ruin, the author's only regret at the end of his trip was that due to the war in Iraq he could not visit and verify the seventh wonder, the Hanging Gardens of Babylon.
   
   The Seventh Wonder contained the perfect blend of background information about the purpose, construction, and stories surrounding each ancient wonder with the author's travel experiences while in Greece, Egypt, and Turkey. It's such a shame that structures that defined such hope, culture, and the life energy of so many peoples could crumble into disrepair, ruin, and the locations lost in time. Despite this, I think that an expedition to rediscover these sites would be an amazing journey. Until, I can book my own tour, The Seventh Wonder is a great alternative.



5. I loved this book! JC Villar is a wonderful writer; I felt as though I was right there with him to the extent that I could almost visualize some of the places he describes. He manages to impart a deep knowledge of the history and culture without being pedantic - he just casually slips it in. And his asides are hilarious! If you enjoy Bill Bryson, you'll love this book. Can't wait to read about more of JC Villar's travels and adventures.

No comments about Map of Santorini (Maps of Greek Islands).

1 comments about A Coloring book of the Odyssey from the art of Ancient Greece.

1. Having seen some of these works, actually coloring these pages is just not an option.

5 comments about Fodor's Greece, 6th Edition (Fodor's Gold Guides).

1. This is a great book that I would recommend to anyone who is or would like to go to Greece. This book helped me find everything from when to go to what to do when I got there. I'd like to say thanks to Fodor's. They made the planning of my trip so easy, it was fun!



2. My wife and I went to Greece this Fall and used this book a lot both before and during the trip. We were in Athens, Mykonos, and Nafplion in the Peloponnese. We found this book very helpful for hotels, restaurants and some of the sites. However, we thought the book should have more maps of the town, like the Independent Traveler and the Rough Guide. We also had Frommer's and we found that there was about 50% overlap in the recommended hotels and restaurants, so having both books was definitely helpful although Fodor's was marginally better than Frommers'. It makes you wonder, though, why Fodor's didn't think Frommers' places were worth including, and vice versa. After all, there aren't that many places to stay in some of these places.



3. I just returned from my third trip to Greece, where I took my new copy of Fodor's Greece. Although there is some interesting information in this book, it failed in many areas, from providing sufficient information to find places mentioned in the book, to omitting important information all together. I have traveled Europe since the 70s, always purchasing a guide book, but have never had one that was of so little help, and it is the only one I have thrown away mid trip. Many seasoned travelers agree, and recommend the Lonely Planet guide. I believe Fodor's has lost a lot since earlier days when it was much more helpful.



4. I bought this book while planning an 8-day trip to Crete. I liked that the book had suggested itineraries for 1, 3 and 7 day trips. The 30 pages on Crete were divided into eastern and western Crete - I ended up spending half my trip on each end of the island. Based on the very good descriptions of what each town and region are like and have to offer, I selected sites to visit and was not disappointed. I did end up seeing many of the places identified as Fodor's Choice, and have to agee that those were some of the best cities and sites. I also liked that in the descriptions of each area it mentioned if the place was a particularly touristy place, and was able to avoid those spots. I cannot comment on the listing of restaurants and hotels, as I did not use these. I prefer to look for inns on-line and pick my restaurants when hunger strikes. Overall, I was very happy with the book. The only caveat is that it was too thick to carry around, so I would have liked a book just about Crete and not all of Greece.



5. I found everything I was looking for in Fodor's Greece 2008. I have been in Athens before, but a long time ago and want to take an island cruise this time. The information was very precise, it listed all cruise lines and gave me details that I could not find on Internet.
   It has no pictures, and a fold-out city map, only a minor flaw in my mind. I always buy city maps locally on the day of my arrival.
   The guide suggests itineries and gives a descriptions of many hotels, even says which rooms have the best views. I was very pleased with the guide.

5 comments about This Way to Paradise--Dancing on the Tables.

1. A candid insight into how Lindos on the island of Rhodes (Rhodos) grew to be what it is today.

   The book is based on the experiences of the author over a 35-year association with Lindos, and provides marvellous detail of how a very typical, unspoilt Greek village became an icon for European mass tourism. But more than just a historical account, it provides a human element to the effects of change.

   The characters and the interaction between the locals and the foreigners (some very famous) are described with great detail and sense of humour. Some of these encounters are quite outrageous and need to be read.

   Willard Manus has included many personal details of the events that shaped the lives of himself and his family, and these are very touching at times.

   The commentary relating to Greek and world events that occurred during the period covered by the book is written in such a way that it links these events with the lives of local people and close associates of the author.

   Whilst entertaining, 'This Way to Paradise - Dancing on the Tables' is also touched by sadness both for the individuals described in the book and for the way that Lindos changed.

   I first discovered the book on sale in Lindos Library (which bizarrely doubles up as a Laundromat!) during one of my many visits to the village. I found it fascinating and enjoyed reading every page.

   If you have never visited Lindos then this book should wet your appetite. But if you are a regular visitor and have fallen in love with the place, the book should answer many of the questions that will have arisen in your mind.




2. The title itself explains a lot of the intentions of the author, which mainly consist of relating his experiences as an expatriate in the lovely town of Lindos on Rhodes Island.

   What separates Willard Manus' book from others of the genre--such as The Island of the Second Vision by Albert Vigoleis Thelen, which relates Thelen's sometimes surreal experiences on Mallorca from the early '30s to the days of the Spanish civil war--is that Manus includes some juicy gossip about people who are in no way unknown, such as the Pink Floyd band, novelist Richard Hughes and film director Hans Geissendorfer.

   The entire change the village, Greece and the world suffered from the early '60s to the late '80s can be experienced reading this book and this atmosphere of change can be felt chapter after chapter. The tone of the book subtly moves from the unencumbered times before the Greek dictatorship of the Junta to the wild times of flower power to the almost senseless times of the '80s .

   Personally, I would have liked a less superficial way of dealing with the Greek folk culture and a cover that depicts a little more of the reality of the '90s in Lindos than the almost idyllic image from the late '70s. But this book makes a wonderful read!

   Overall, I would say it is two thumbs up, and it is surely one of the few books that I have encountered that urged me to read it from cover to cover in one sitting.

   - Alf B. Meier (This report first appeared in IslandMani...)




3. I bought the book whilst in Lindos in the summer of 2000, and i found it an entertaining, yet informative book about the village.

   I had been to Lindos before and the stories in the book cease to amaze me, I know many of the characters personally and feel it is a great way to get to know the village better.

   Overall it is a wonderful fusion, the characters set against the traditional Greek village life makes it a book for everyone, regardless of whether they have been to Lindos or not.




4. This book is witty, well-written and a joy to read. It accurately depicts both the joys and tribulations of living in Greece!! Buy a copy and head for any Greek island!!

   Sandy Pappas




5. This book is much more than just a memoir about the author's life in Lindos on the Greek Island of Rhodes. It's more than just a collection of stories about the people whose paths he crossed. And it's more than an historical review how Lindos changed dramatically over the course of 35 years. The book is all those things, but what makes this book great is that it is, at it's core, an tale of adventure. By all accounts, Willard Manus has lived quite a remarkable life. He could have easily settled down in the US suburbs at any point along his journey (and this book is definitely about the journey of life). But instead Lindos kept calling to him, beckoning him to return. It's a story that will inspire anyone who has put his or her dreams on hold for whatever reason.
   
   I think you'll get the most out of this book if you have actually visited the Greek Islands (perhaps Turkey too). Although I never went there until well after mass tourism had been embraced, I have experienced places that are as tranquil and unspoiled as the Lindos of the early 1960s as described by Manus, and also to places that have become as tacky and overcrowded as the Lindos of the late 1990s and beyond. It's a no-brainer for me to choose which I prefer, and I can only imagine what it must have been like for Manus to witness the profound changes that Lindos underwent.
   
   But the point of the book is not to warn of the dangers of mass tourism or to criticize the way the people of Lindos responded to their newfound wealth. It is a wonderful lesson about the importance of following one's dreams and living the life that's waiting for you. And you can't top that.

4 comments about Greece From the Air.

1. I especially like shots that include the Mediterranean, which can be mind-bogglingly blue. Even those parts of Greece that look barren and stony when you're on the ground take on a whole new texture and beauty when photographed from the air.



2. I have never in my life seen such absolutely incredible photos. If you want to see Greece at its absolute best, nothing else can compare. There are a number of photos here that by themselves are worth the price of the book. I can never recall having a book that is as captivating the 100th time I look through it as the first time. The picture of the fisherman in his boat seemingly floating on air is just simply the most amazing photo I've ever seen.

   If you have any friends or relatives who are Greek or have been to Greece, this is absolutely the best gift you can give them.




3. Whether or not you've been to Greece, a breeze through this book gives you a feeling of being there, taking you to the country's most popular and beautiful sites from a perspective unavailable to most. Although the colors and uniqueness are difficult to portray, this comes very close. The photo of Zakynthos made me cry, and the photo of a village wedding stirred my soul. It is a beloved addition to my collection, and an album of understanding for those who have never seen it in person--simply look through its pages and see Greece.

   I give this book 5 stars for what it presents, but I think the true heart of Greece lies not only in the chalk-white cliffs and Greek blue waters, but also in its people (which of course are difficult to photograph from the air!).




4. This is a truly unique book. These aerial photographs are masterful artwork. The photographer has captured some of the most enchanting spots in Greece with expert use of natural light. Strolling through this book over and over again makes me see a land that is even more beautiful from the air than from the land; makes me see a beauty that previously I could only feel. The photo of the Skiathos fisherman in his boat suspended in the sea is absolutely magical! Going through this book after you return from Greece takes you back. Reading it before you visit impels you to go. Exquisite!
   
   Reviewed by David Lundberg, author of Olympic Wandering: Time Travel Through Greece

No comments about Greece Before History: An Archaeological Companion and Guide.

3 comments about Megan In Ancient Greece Pb (Magic Attic Club).

1. When Megan finds herself in ancient Greece, she almost immediately gets herself in trouble because she is bothered by the submissive role women there are expected to play. But by being her usual adventureous self, she manages to save the day (as usual) and win the respect of her (in Ancient Greece) male cousin. Another fun book!



2. Megan Ryder is a 12-year-old girl who lives with her mother . Megan has a friend named Ellie. Ellie has an attic with an old steamer trunk and every trip she takes the trunk has more clothes. This time when Megan slipped on a tunic and looked in the mirror she traveled into Ancient Greece.That night in Greece someone steals a very precious thing from the temple.Will Megan be able to find what was stolen?Will she be able to find who steals it?You'll be able to find all these answers in this book full of adveture.Over-all I think this book was exciting and shoud be suitable for any age to read.



3. Megan is very excited about the fifth-grade haunted hayride that she helped plan. So when the hayride has to be canceled due to rain, Megan is extremely disappointed. She decides to visit the Magic Attic, hoping an adventure there will take her mind off the canceled event. Megan travels back in time to the life of a young girl in Ancient Greece. Her uncle and cousin have built a new temple to Demeter, but there is a plot underfoot to sabotage it. Megan is determined to stop the villains but soon learns that will be difficult, due to the rules young girls of Ancient Greece are expected to follow.
   
   This is a good read for young girls who are fans of the Magic Attic club, who enjoy time travel adventures, or who are interested in the world of Ancient Greece. The short length will appeal to reluctant readers as well, and there is some education information about what life was like for the people of Ancient Greece, in particular women and girls.

3 comments about Michelin Greece (Michelin Maps).

1. This is the most complete general map of Greece I have come across to date. The map is very clear, and, for the most part, up to date. Names of towns are in Greek and English. Excellent for planning your travel in Greece, or finding your way through Greece when lost.



2. This is a good travel map of Greece. If you plan to drive in the country, you might want more detail. As a tourist you will find this map gives you the picture you need of the entire country and adjacent features.



3. We used this map while driving around Crete and mainland Greece for 2 weeks. It's probably about as good as you can get for Greece where nearly all the roads between cities do not have names or numbers (besides the handful of national roads) and most of the exits do not have a number or street/highway name - just the name of 1 or 2 cities that you can drive to from that exit. It has a nice table with reasonably accurate driving times and distances between cities. It would have been nice if it included some detailed maps of the major cities on the back. It is sometimes difficult driving from the highway down to the old part of town since most guide books only shows the streets for the old/historic part of town. If you are driving in western Crete, I would suggest picking up the more detailed free map you can get at the Chania airport to supplement this one.