5 comments about The Rough Guide to Hawaii 3 (Rough Guide Travel Guides).

1. A well-organized book that does a very good job of detailing what there is to see and do on the major islands of Hawaii. Especially useful are the cross-reference notes found within the margins, and various "favorite" lists found within each section. Greg never steered us wrong. Also, an excellent reference for those who wish to camp or hike.



2. This is a comprehensive guidebook for all the Hawaiian islands. It covers a lot of history and a lot of the sites. It also provides some basic information about hotels and restaurants. The pictures are somewhat lacking, but the text provides excellent descriptions. If you need one guidebook, this may be it, but it leaves out some stuff that is worth seeing or doing.



3. THe rough guide hawaii is an ok guidebook, it does leave out some sights and things, but what i don't particularly like about it, is how critical the author is. he is very opinionated, he seems not to like lu'aus or the bigger resorts, and alot of the more popular landmarks he thinks arent worth visiting. although the book does have alot of information, i don't really like the "criticalness" of the author. having been to hawaii 6 times, The best guides for hawaii i can reccomend, are wizard publication's "big island/maui/kauai revealed" guidebooks, as they are written by people whom actually live in hawaii.



4. My wife and I spent a couple weeks driving around Hawaii, and kind of went crazy on the historical sites, museums, and hikes. We found this book the most helpful because it was fairly complete (it does try to cover an entire state in one book) and current. Additionally, it provided a lot of historic context, allowing you to understand why each site was intersting. This is especially important if you visit some out of the way sites on the big island (like south point, or the birthplace of Kamehmeha... hope I got the spelling right) that don't provide a lot of information at the sites.

   This was my favorite of the Hawaii guidebooks (and maybe my favorite travel guide ever) BECAUSE it was so opinionated. So many guidebooks just rattle off long lists of places to see, eat, and stay, and don't really tell you how interesting, authentic, or nice any of them are. I find that an unopinionated travel book is not too useful, and reads like a set of ads. This book provides enough information or context for you to decide for yourself whether or not you share the author's taste, so you can easily choose which recommendations to follow or ignore. On the whole, we found the restaurant and hotel recommendations pretty accurate.




5. As guidebooks to Hawaii go, the Rough Guide is a reasonably comprehensive resource with solid, middle-of-the-road information about all the islands. The challenge in covering the whole state within a single tome is that author Greg Ward has to pitch his research at a necessary cursory level and spends approximately 60-70 pages on each island. Consequently, if you choose to focus on one or two islands, as most travelers do, the book ends up being somewhat lacking on the details that really can separate a good vacation from a great one.
   
   Beyond the color maps in the middle, the book is all text, so it does require concentration to absorb much of the information presented. However, Ward provides helpful information on preparing for your trip, choosing accommodations and eateries, and exploring the more popular attractions. What's missing is the off-the-beaten path insight that, for example, Andrew Doughty provides in spades in his book, "Maui Revealed". The other gap is a vivid perspective on what the must-do activities are. Consequently, this is not an all-encompassing resource but one that needs to be complemented by other books that specialize on the islands you visit or the personal research you need to conduct on your own. Regardless, it's still a solid resource.

5 comments about Art As Politics: Re-crafting Identities, Tourism, And Power in Tana Toraja, Indonesia (Southeast Asia--Politics, Meaning and Memory).

1. Art as Politics is a thought provoking and very readable account of how tourism, world religions, and Indonesian politics have changed the lives and culture of the Toraja. (The Toraja people are a minority ethnic group on the island of Sulawesi.) What first attracted my attention was the striking carved portrait on the cover. The artistic skill of the Toraja artisans is truly noteworthy which gives this book a particular importance in understanding how culture shapes art. Adams describes in warm and vivid detail the changes the Toraja have faced over the past two decades and how this has affected their artistic productions as well as their attitudes about their art. In addition, the production quality of the color photos and other illustrations is praiseworthy. One thing that modern Western culture has obscured about art is the importance of social-cultural constraints and rewards. In the West we follow along with Romantic notions of Art as the product of the isolated genius. However, art generally was and probably still is mostly produced to serve social and religious purposes. Adams describes the complexities of the Toraja attitudes about their art and culture in the sometimes traumatic interplay of tradition and modern society that Indonesia has experienced since the 70s. While interested in the art of other cultures, I have only taken one college anthropology course, yet I had no difficulty following the points expressed. The people in this book really come alive and the author has a very readable and involving manner of expression. Armchair travelers, people interested in other cultures with strong religious traditions, and people interested in ethnic arts will love this book.



2. first off, I must say that the topic itself is not that bad, the author tries to demonstrate how the art of the Toraja people of Indonesians has been politicized (even though i disagree with her methods, she really brings too much personal emotion into her research). but i must say that the book seems to just keep on going on about something that could have been written about in half the length. she reuses the same concepts and experiences to create new chapters.....pretty disappointed



3. Kathleen Adams' finely written book especially proves the value of an anthropologist studying with and knowing a group of people over decades--thus creating a rich cultural epic. This is a complex yet very readable account of the mountain dwelling Sa'dan Toraja of Sulawesi, Indonesia. The author illuminates histories (from a number of views), the inevitable dynamism of art forms, and honest ethnographic experiences. She brings to life the people in her book within intricate stories reflecting the pressures of history-- brilliantly linking art and life through the changes of time. This is an anthropology of art and of an Indonesian people that deeply resonates today. Rich in description and humanity, meticulous in references, theoretically sophisticated, and many-layered in meanings, the book is also refreshingly lively and engaging in writing style. A welcome break from overly jargonistic books that seem to be written for ten people to read. Anyone interested in learning of other cultures, Indonesia, the people of Toraja, artistic processes, the workings of history, good story-telling, and impressive cultural anthropology will enjoy this book. Really a gem.



4. This is a thoughtful academic book that is fascinating to read. Seldom do scholars treat their subject with such a personal touch and still attain a high academic level. Adams shows clearly and in a highly readable fashion how the Toraja are able to use their art as a vehicle for political expression. Adams includes lot of nuanced insight in her pages, showing the intricate ways in which these highland people have adapted and preserved their culture despite the constant intrusions of the outside world. An outstanding book in every way.



5. This is a fascinating book on studying the art of an Indonesian group and how it relates to politics. The author also shares a lot about her fieldwork, how she got the information she did and what daily life was like when she was doing her research there. A must-read for anyone who ever wondered what it would be like to be an anthropologist studying another group!

No comments about A Pocket Guide to the Big Island.

4 comments about Hawaii Off the Beaten Path, 7th (Off the Beaten Path Series).

1. This book is full of little pleasant surprises hidden from the tourists to the Hawaiian islands. We espcially like the narrative descriptions of the road to Hana and the one-day drive one can do in the upcountry region of Haleakala on Maui. It also provides information on parts of Oahu where tourists hardly set foot, like the Waianae coast. We found it helpful but wish it were a little better organized by bullets or headings. The long narratives can really drag and make the book not as easy to use. But overall, it is a book worth buying for those who wish to see a little more of the real Hawaii.



2. Provides same "off the beaten path" information that can be found in better organized general travel guides like: the "Unofficial Guide to Hawaii"



3. I got this book for my mom, who was planning a trip to Hawaii. She has been before, so I thought she might want to see some of the "off the beaten path" sights, instead of the usual tourist stuff. There were a lot of interesting things in the book, though it wasn't as in depth as I was hoping for. Definitely worth taking a look at - I plan on borrowing it before my own trip to Hawaii. :)



4. The good thing about this book is that it talks about many of the scenic sites and other things that you can do for free. It's also good about telling you about historic societies and museums where you can find history of the culture. But most of the sites they mention are listed in the the other books that I have (Maui Revealed and The Big Island Revealed). These two books cover much more information, and cover the same information as this book, but in more detail. For instanace, this book will tell you that there's a legend associated with a certain place, and make a small mention of it, but the Revealed books explain it more. I didn't find anything in here that I didn't see in my other books. It's a good book, but unfortunately someone out-did it.

1 comments about A Portrait of Molokai (2nd Edition).

1. I purchased the book before my trip hoping to learn about the place. It's not a bad book, but I didn't feel like I learned much from it. It is more of a love letter written by the author who is a local resident and business owner in Kaunakakai. The photos are nice although not spectacular, and there are plenty of them, giving a good general overview. During my trip a friend loaned me a Lonely Planet guide to Hawaii which I got much more out of as far as learning about Molokai.

5 comments about Surfer's Guide to Hawaii.

1. stun



2. While this is A great guide for beginners with lots of surfing tips, the author only seems to offer good detail and research about Oahu, and many of the other major well known breaks. For the most part, the other islands don't get very good coverage. The author only lists 4 surf spots for the Big Island! If going to one of the other islands, the Beaches Guide books to each of the Hawaiian Islands by John Clark is much more informative about finding surf spots, as well as giving snorkeling and local history of the places.



3. FEW REALIZE THAT GREG IS A STAFF WRITER @HNA (HAWAII NEWSPAPER AGENCY). THE MAN KNOWS HOW TO WRITE AND HAS A DEEP UNDERSTANDING OF WHAT AND WHERE THINGS ARE HAPPENING. THE BOOK IS A VIRTUAL ROAD MAP OF OUR SURF SPOTS IN THE ISLANDS. IF A SURF TRIP TO HAWAII IS IN THE CARDS, BE SURE TO PICK IT UP. I ASSURE YOU THAT YOU WILL HAVE NO REGRETS.



4. it was the best book of surfing Ihave ever read. I live in Colorado and I'm going to Kauai in a couple of days and now I am so stoked to go



5. I read this book in one breadth -- it's not the deepest book you will find on surfing but it is very pleasant to read. It goes over all majjor techniques and discusses a bunch of different wave situations. At the end of the book, there's a small chapter dedicated to exotic styles of surfing which is really hip. There's detailed descriptions of styles like Rendell Jump Jones and Mauaian Dancing. They are pretty advanced and the book doesn't go into too much detail, but you can deffinitely get the gist of it and start exercising.

   The best about the book is that it has a number of pointers to other sources, which are really good. The bibliogrpahy lists a bunch of the classics of wurfing and where they could be found. I would definitely recommend this book for a casual and informative read.

3 comments about Access Hawaii 8e (Access Hawaii).

1. For the last 40 years I have been visiting the Hawaiian Islands, for the last 15 I have been using "Access Hawaii" as my guide. It gives you the tools to have a great day of adventure, sharing the not so common places of interest that some of us find exceptionally interesting. They also tell of all the typical "tourist traps" but give you the inside story on it. From Hotels to dining, excursions, basic island info and the "Best Of" sections, this book is like gold. I have read them all and have yet to discover a better guide to help you have a perfect vacation. The reviews they provide in the book are as accurate as I have ever seen and I have never been dissapointed when arriving at or eating at the locations they suggest. This is definately a "two thumbs up" way to explore the Hawaiian Islands!



2. I have many in the series of Access guides. I love the color coded key. Blue for Hotels, Green for shopping, Red for food, etc. The numbered maps make it easy to find your hotel and everything nearby! The Hawaii book was outstanding, as expected.



3. The Access books are always well written, concise, and packed with interesting trivia. My only complaint is that Hawaii hasn't been updated in a while (about 3-4 years) so most of the restaurants we came across weren't listed, which was disappointing. The tourist spots generally don't change, though, and the maps and other factual information is terrific. Whether you are a first time visitor to the islands or a seasoned traveler, you will find these books to be well organized, helpful, and packed with useful information.

No comments about Pana O`Ahu: Sacred Stones, Sacred Land (Latitude 20 Book).

No comments about Kidding Around the Hawaiian Islands: A Young Person's Guide (Kidding Around).

No comments about Rand McNally Easyfinder Honolulu/Waikiki, Hawaii (Rand McNally).