2 comments about In the Footsteps of Genghis Khan (Kolowalu Books).

1. John DeFrancis is a name that anyone with any serious interest in things Chinese will probably recognise. He's written and researched more than one Chinese-language dictionary, and is the author of many books on things Japanese and Chinese both.
   
   He had a wealth of experience to draw upon, to include travelling, as the title states, in the footsteps of Genghis Khan through Northern China--a journey that would be impossible today due to the despo--er, because of political problems.
   
   Reading this book, I was priveliged to learn many things about the folkways and history of China that I never saw in other books, and I was entertained all the way through. Not many books make it to my "Keeper" list, but this one's a cinch.



2. Many professors have written memoirs of their early years -- how they got into the field, early academic experiences, etc. One of my favorites in this genre is E. Ullendorff's "The Two Zions". This book is not quite that kind of memoir. Instead, it is a travel narrative of the author's 1935 trek through the Gobi desert and on the Yellow River. The narrative account of life in rural 1935 China is fascinating, and makes this well worth reading. Anyone expecting tons of information on Chinese (based on all his other books) will find little. But the book is a great adventure tale and I recommend it.

1 comments about The Itravelbooks Guide to Hawaii the Platinum Edition.

1. cheap and portable and very full of information---this paperback is the best buy I know of for a quick trip to Hawaii

1 comments about Hawaii's Natural Wonders.

1. This slightly oversized book (10.9 x 8.2) is a quick and concise overview of Hawaii's "natural wonders", arranged into chapters:
   
   - volcanoes
   - landforms
   - islands and oceans
   - rain forests and vegetation
   - waterfalls, rivers, and streams
   - rocky coasts and beaches
   - sunrise and sunset
   
   The photographs are by Douglas Peebles, with the accompanying text written by Jan Tenbruggencate, a former science writer for the Honolulu Advertiser.
   
   The photos are fabulous, but limited, as you might expect in an 80 page publication. This is really suited as a souvenir book of a Hawaii experience, or a book to wet an future traveler's appetite.
   
   It's not really a hardback book, but rather a "stiff cover" book.
   
   The text and photos complement each other well. However, there are probably better "picture books" for the money.

No comments about Viewbook Island of Kauai (Hawaii's beautiful islands viewbook).

No comments about Insideout O'ahu & Honolulu City Guide (Oahu and Honolulu Inside Out City Guide).

No comments about America's Favorite Inns, B&Bs, & Small Hotels: The West Coast (America's Favorite Inns, B&B's, and Small Hotels the West Coast).

No comments about Kauai Edge: A Photographic Portfolio.

No comments about Ethnobotany of the Hawaiians (Lyon Arboretum Series, 5).

5 comments about Maui and Lana'i, 9th Edition: Making the Most of Your Family Vacation.

1. We just returned from Maui, and took 3 books with us. Fodor's, Frommer's, and this one. By far, this book was the best of them. Having all three while on the island was the best way to compare the books. Driving to various locations or eating in various locales while reading the same section in all 3 books is about the best way a fellow tourist can evaluate them.

   The content, accuracy of information, and organization of this books makes it the winner in our opinion.




2. I bought six different guides before our first trip to Maui. After our trip, I compared what they all had to say about the numerous activities we had crammed into seven days. I felt that this one was by far the most accurate and honest. The authors aren't afraid to let you know that something may not live up to your expectations. I loaned my copy to a couple of friends, and they found it equally useful. Some of the big-name guides were surprisingly out of date and inaccurate. Anyway, you can trust this one.



3. We have recently returned from a week in Maui and a week in Kauai. This was our Maui guidebook, and although it did lead us to the perfectly beautiful Kapalua Bay, it was not worth the volume and weight it added to my luggage. Another guidebook, "The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook", Doughty/Friedman was smaller and lighter, yet packed with valuable information. I'm stll searching for the ultimate Maui guidebook. Next time, I'll leave this book on the shelf.



4. accurate and extensive information. right on the money! felt it was WELL worth the space and weight in the suitcase.



5. I reviewed the 8th edition of this book in an earlier review. Now that we are planning a second trip, I shelled out the pukas to buy the 9th version! I was so impressed by the authors' accuracy I knew in advance that I would not be disappointed.

   If you are a returning visitor to the islands, spend the money and get the new version. A lot has changed over the years, so why risk missing something important? Compare the price of the book to the price of your trip, and you'll see that it's one of the best investments you'll make. And there are a lot of uses for the book, too! We made notes in our book during our trip. Re-reading the book later brings back memories, almost like a scrap book.

   Don't listen to anyone else that slams this book. Heck, maybe they work for the competition!

   ;) Steve

1 comments about Extreme Adventures Hawaii (Serial) (Hawaii).

1. If you've seen enough of the standard guides on Hawaii, try this one out as an alternative to the regularity of the norm. We discovered lots of amazing "locals only" secrets from this book. You will too if you are going to HI for outdoor activity.