5 comments about Round Ireland with a Fridge.

1. Tony Hawks is a legend. Absolutly brilliant.... one of the few books which have actually made me laugh out loud. Be wary of reading in public places because the constant smile/giggling to yourself can prove to be a little socially akward.



2. 'Round Ireland With a Fridge' is the first of Tony Hawks' two books inspired by a loony bet with a friend. I liked this book well enough, but I think it falls a bit short in comparison with his 2004 follow-up, Playing the Moldovans at Tennis, which I think is pure genius - an inspiring work never to be dislodged from my Top 10. It's brilliant.
   
   In 'Round Ireland,' I give Tony credit for recognizing the role that morning DJ Gerry Ryan had in his success. Ryan literally put the whole country on alert for Tony. He set the tone for Hawks' circumnavigation of the Isle when he called it "a totally purposeless idea, but a d-mn fine one." That Ireland rallied to that call is a testament to a wonderful country and its good-natured people.



3. I plan to order several more copies of this book and give it to many of my friends. It makes me laugh out loud! Very well written.



4. This is a laugh-out-loud funny book. After reading it, I wanted to visit Ireland. Sure, the premise of the book is a bit ridiculous. Traveling around Ireland with fridge to win a bet. However, the author consistently points this out himself. The people he meets are interesting, and his take on them (and the adventure as a whole) is well written and worth reading. As a bonus for those who can't read, there are many pictures in the middle of the book.



5. I enjoyed this book about Tony's adventures in Ireland. Like the cover says--he made a drunken bet no one expected him to keep, kept it anyway, and ended up with this adventure.
   
   I, and several others in my bookclub, have no desire to see the stand up comedian in person. He didn't really come off as a funny guy in the book, particularly because he bombed both times he had a chance to show his stuff, but the book is delightful because it is peopled with quirky unforgettable characters and there's a wry humor in the writing.
   
   SPOILER:
   Tony's success in getting around Ireland with the fridge was definitely due to the call-in radio show that followed him from the beginning. He hardly struggled to hitch. Or find a place to sleep. Or eat. But that never diminished my desire to continue reading. It actually made me want to read more--to see how popular the guy could get. The adventure was fun to follow to the end, which was the funniest part of the book with its wonderfully anticlimactic kitchen appliance parade. I think the Irish people redeemed themselves there.
   
   Don't read this book to discover Ireland--it's not a travel story of that sort. You do get some nice imagery/descriptions, but not enough to make it a standout feature of the book. You get more about the people than the land.
   
   One neg is that I really don't feel like I know Tony Hawks much by the end of the book. You know more about some of the Irish characters than you know about him. Very little background info/motivation for actions, etc. is offered, and I wonder why. A little bit (not a ton) of that would have improved the story for me. Another neg is that the book made it seem as if all of Ireland is drunk all the time. It might be because Tony hung out mainly in bars, but it seemed like an unfair implication (then again, I am very unfamiliar with Ireland and Irish people).
   
   In the end, this is a fun read about a crazy adventure in Ireland.

5 comments about AA Road Atlas: Ireland (Road Atlas).

1. These maps are the most accurate maps you can buy, and if you are driving in Ireland or England or any country in Europe, I advise you to purchase it



2. 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.



3. 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!



4. 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.



5. 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!

1 comments about Fodor's Ireland 2008 (Fodor's Gold Guides).

1. I used Frommer's and Fodor's both for my recent Ireland trip. I think Frommer's had better detail about sights, for example more accurate times when the sites were open. I usually check the book out of the library and if I really like it then I buy it. I probably used Frommer's more on my vacation because I like the way it is written more but Fodor's had some info that was not in Frommer's and it is interesting to see what attractions they rate well compared to Frommer's. If both books like an attraction then you know it is going to be worth the trip! I really like to deeply research my vacation location so I enjoyed reading both books.

5 comments about The Endurance: Shackleton's Legendary Antarctic Expedition.

1. My only wish for this world today is that Shackleton could lead us the way he lead the men of the Endurance. Yes, he made mistakes, we all do. But he triumphed over those errors and brought all souls home. He was able to keep his men together emotionally while they were apart physically until they were reunited again. This is a story that I have read numerous times and one that I will return to again and again. Well written and well illustrated with actual photographs from the ship's photographer.



2. Excellent book; well presented with photo's. Difficult to put down. It was recommended by Jeff Masters from Weather Underground and is well worth reading. It is surprising the amount of difficulty that people can experience and survive. It really shows how leadership and discipline, something we lack in our socitey, can be used to assist in goal attainment.



3. The Endurance, by Caroline Alexander, is an exceptionally well-written epic about the human will to survive. The story begins with legendary Antarctic explorer Sir Ernest Shackleton and his crew's daring quest to be the first to cross the continent of Antarctica. But bad luck and poor planning leave their ship, the Endurance, trapped in the Antarctic ice. As their ship is slowly crushed by the ice, the crew realizes that their journey is no longer about discovery, but survival. The crew eventually leaves the safety of their ship to brave the dangerous floes of the Antarctic ice, because "what the ice gets, the ice keeps" (Alexander 3).
   Now laid before the crew is a situation that is "not merely formidable; it was, as every sailing man of the company knew, impossible" (Alexander 133). Shackleton's brilliant leadership and determination bring his men to safety from the brink of death, and his optimism keeps his crew believing that they can still survive. The diary entries of the crew leave nothing to speculation about the hardships of the men of the Endurance. From their lack of food and dry clothes, to the freezing Antarctic weather, the men of the Endurance survive for almost two years in a land not at all hospitable to humans.
   As with every story, a picture is worth a thousand words. The breathtaking pictures by Frank Hurley put the reader right onto the ice with the crew. The reader can witness the sheer cliffs, never ending ice floes, and the break up of the Endurance, just as seen by the men of the ship themselves. Alexander truly puts the reader into the minds of the crew, and shows the Antarctic from the crew's eyes. This tale of survival brilliantly documents one of history's most daring stories of survival.



4. Caroline Alexander's The Endurance, the memoir of Sir Ernest Shackleton's 1914 Antarctic expedition, is a relentlessly intriguing story, even with its few passages of slow, monotonous detail. This recollection of the voyage and survival of the Endurance is consistently awe-inspiring in its seemingly mythical events and journeys of Shackleton's 28 men. The artistic weaving of the crew's diaries and quotes with the haunting photographs of Frank Hurley, the expedition's photographer, is powerful and, for the most part, attention consuming. Its only problem is a few passages of too much detail, creating a slow, less interesting pace for the story.
   
   The amazing situations and actions of the men, particularly Shackleton, is what made the book so enjoyable. The men lived in sub zero degree weather for over a year, eventually journeying almost 80 miles in three wooden life boats, but still come across as normal human beings. They argue about wives and hold grudges over dead pets. It is Shackleton, the timeless leader that he is, who creates something special from these men and drives them to safety. His ability to draw from others and please all (only Chippy McNish expressed any unhappiness during the journey) is an awe-inspiring feat that exemplifies what a great leader is and should be. The most amazing accomplishment of the expedition, created by the men and Shackleton alike, was the 800-mile journey by six men in a 22-foot-long life boat through a hurricane in the most inhospitable ocean in the world. When they finally made contact with civilization, they met another sailing crew. Frank Worsley recorded the following interaction with one man in particular: "He said he had been at sea over 40 years; that he knew this stormy Southern Ocean intimately, [...] and that never had he heard of such a wonderful feat of daring seamanship as bringing the 22-foot open boat from Elephant Island to South Georgia [...]. All the seamen present then came forward and solemnly shook hands with us in turn" (Alexander 166-167). To impress fellow seamen of the day, not to mention Norwegian seamen, truly displays the power of the accomplishments of the Endurance and the intriguing nature of the book. What made it all better was the care and leadership of Shackleton. After such an unbelievable adventure, he did not take time to celebrate, but turned to the help of the Chilean government in order to complete his journey. According to Shackleton, "[...] the grace and strength that had brought them so far would count for nothing if, when they eventually arrived, they found even one man dead on Elephant Island" (Alexander 169) The incredible strength and leadership of Shackleton, along with the endurance and misfortune of the crew in The Endurance leads to a very interesting read and an unforgettable story.



5. Caroline Alexander's work of non-fiction The Endurance is a wonderful read, effectively portraying Shackleton's Antarctic expedition in an exciting and enjoyable manner. Alexander effectively uses the journals of the members of the expedition to demonstrate the feelings of the crewmen about their plight, their leader, and other members of the crew. One such example would be from the diary of Frank Worsley, the skipper of Endurance, describing crewmate Timothy McCarthy. "`He is the most irrepressible optimist I've ever met,' Worsley wrote in his navigating book,'" (Alexander 148). In addition, Alexander also demonstrates how optimism can lead to survival in situations in which the odds are heavily stacked against it. "`Optimism,' Shackleton once said, `is true moral courage'," (Alexander 56). Alexander's choice to include this Shackleton quote demonstrates how she believes that optimism is important in a time of crisis. The one aspect of the book that is mildly irritating, however, is the placement of the pictures. There are many pages of pictures placed at seemingly random intervals throughout the book, and this can cause quite some confusion due to the fact that the pictures often interrupt a sentence or a paragraph. However, overall The Endurance is a wonderful book about facing impossible odds and living to tell the tale.

5 comments about The Electrifying Trilogy Box Set.

1. just wanted to write that in the original issue, these books, [Morrigan's Cross, etc] were called 'The Circle Trilogy'.



2. This trilogy is a great read. NR continues to deliver, even in the vampire world. I used to read a lot of Anne Rice, but some of her novels got a bit too graphic for me in parts, so I kind of fell out of them. NR told a beautiful story without being gross and I appluad her, as always.



3. This is a story line that I read could again and again; in fact I've read it twice to date. It has all of the elements that I enjoy - time travel, witches, mythical creatures, vampires, and romance. The characters are vibrant, they jump off the page. I have read nearly all of Nora Roberts's books and this trilogy is sure to be one of my all time favorites.



4. Ilove Nora Roberts but these books were a bit "out there" and not as entertaining as previous books.



5. Thank you for making that comment, because I just ordered the set believing it to be different from the Circle Trilogy and now I've ended up with books I've got home already! I'm disappointed by the confusing information.

5 comments about Ireland (Country Guide).

1. I went to Ireland in November, and this guide was all I really needed. In smaller towns like Westport or Galway, this guide never led me astray. In Dublin, however, I had some major disagreements with the assessments and ratings of some of the restaurants and pubs. If you're going to be in Dublin for more than a few days, there are probably better Dublin-specific guide books, but all in all, this is a very good overall book for traveling the Emerald Isle.



2. Sorry folks, I thought this book was wreched. I have been to Europe several times before, and usually enjoy the Lonely Planet series- I can credit 2 great vacations to their recommendations. Sorely disappointed in this edition. Terrible information regarding public transportation (which was significantly less available than in other major european cities- and which I would have liked to know)- there was no mention of the fact that in order to get the student fares on the train system, you have to come in to the country with a 'student identification card' that you have to apply for weeks ahead of time. Visiting Ireland is nearly worthless if you don't rent a car, I found out by the end of the trip from my own experience. Sorry Lonely Planet, this time, my trip was more costly than anticipated, significantly less exciting, and I came back feeling "eehhh" about the whole country.



3. I've been using Lonely Planet guide books for over 15 years, for all parts of the world---Africa, Europe, SE Asia, N America--and this is definitely the worst I've seen. I paid full price and wish I had read it (or the other reviews here) first.
   
   A quick symbol of what's wrong with this book: The back cover, in an obvious effort to appeal to the Irish-American market, touts the book's usefulness for those wanting to "Get Back to Your Roots: hints and tips on researching the family tree." Not really my thing, but okay. Problem is, the entirety of information on genealogy consists of a tiny text box on p.682 that basically tells you to go buy some other books. Thanks! This same pattern is repeated throughout the book: endless efforts to appeal to a series of niche audiences (especially those w/ the $ to shell-out for the thing) with absolutely nothing treated in depth.
   
   More serious problems:
   --very thin information about transportation, particularly in less-traveled areas. thin info on ferries, driving, trains
   
   --maps mediocre
   
   --almost nothing discussing regional cultures, local histories, etc. Just a thin overview in the front
   
   --coverage is best for those regions likely to be overrun by US tourists; other areas practically ignored
   
   --the bias in accommodations is towards the high- and low-ends with the kinds of places most travelers would be interested in and able to stay at ignored (as with genealogical info, the list of websites giving accommodation info is far more useful than anything in the book itself)
   
   --the border is pretty much a non-entity these days, but the differences between the two countries aren't discussed at all, or practicalities like driving a rental car across the border
   
   (A minor point: is LP putting the orientation information (directories, getting to/from, health, etc) in the back of all its books, or just this one? The front seems a much more useful/obvious place to look for that kind of thing.)
   
   In the end, the book isn't terrible--it just isn't very good. And that's hard to justify in an era when much of the information it contains can be had for free online.



4. If only have room for one Ireland travel guide, this is the one to take. I took four different guides with me on my recent trip (the other three were Eyewitness Travel, AAA, and Rick Steves), and I found Lonely Planet to be the most useful. It has good detail on all tourist destinations on the island, including those off the beaten path and in the Midlands. It's well organized, with useful maps.



5. After painfully attempting to plan my honeymoon to Ireland with another type of tour-guide, I decided to return to the one that made my trips to Thailand and Costa Rica truly memorable. What can I say? Lonely Planet never ceases to amaze me!! Their FULL review of countries caters to ALL types of travelers, including those on a budget. The other guides' authors write their reviews of primarily expensive places to eat and stay. They also write as if they were being compensated by the reviewees (which they probably are). Not Lonely Planet. These are by far the best guides out there...I will never purchace any other type of tour-guide.

1 comments about Frommer's Ireland 2008 (Frommer's Complete).

1. I used Frommer's and Fodor's both for my recent Ireland trip. I think Frommer's had better detail about sights, for example: more accurate times when the sites were open. I usually check the book out of the library and if I really like it then I buy it. I probably used Frommer's more on my vacation.

5 comments about Viking Ships At Sunrise (Magic Tree House 15, paper).

1. I think you should buy this book because Mary Pope Osborne has great illustrations in this book.The book is about Jack and Annie.The story is set to Ireland a long time ago and they gt in truble with some vikings.You have to read the book to find out what happens.



2. I read The Magic Treehouse # 15: Viking Ships at Sunrise. This book is very good. Whenever Jack and Annie want to visit a place, they point to a picture and say, "I wish to go there." Morgan sent Jack and Annie to Ireland to solve a mystery. They had many adventures. The most exciting part of the book was when the serpent rose out of the water.
   
   I learned some interesting facts when I read this book. Ireland is a country in Europe. Each day there is a dark hour in Ireland. Vikings were very dangerous.
   
   I would recommend this book for three reasons. It teaches you interesting things about Ireland and its history. The characters were realistic, and you can relate to them. This book was very funny. The Magic Treehouse #15: Viking Ships at Sunrise is a great book.



3. My 1st grader hates to put it down, he would rather read Magic Tree House books, than play video games. He even reads them to his class and explains the story for show and tell. In his kindergarten class the teacher would also let him read the Magic Tree House books out loud, not to give her a break, but to promote reading out loud. Great books!



4. When my son REQUESTED "Magic Tree House" books I knew they had to be great reading! I ordered the complete 40 book series. He's almost 9 yrs old and reading two "Magic Tree House" books a day.



5. My four year old son is in love with this chapter series! A friend suggested it to us since he seemed ready for a more advanced reading material at bedtime. My husband reads him a chapter every night...sometimes more because they don't want to stop. It's become a great tradition for them, and something they both look forward to. We love that there are so many in the collection! Start with number 1 and just continue. :)

5 comments about Ireland (Eyewitness Travel Guides).

1. If you're taking a trip to Ireland and have never been,
   or even if you've been multiple times, this guide is
   indespensible. Packed with interesting and pertinent
   information it will also help you navigate the Island
   like a native. The best of AAA maps and directions are
   usually useless within towns and small cities. The
   3-d maps of town centers solve this problem nicely
   for travellers driving themselves. As another reviewer
   commented, it's lists of accomodations and restaurants
   are far fom comprehensive, but it does give a good
   sampling of each in all regions. And if you're just
   roaming freely not following a strict itenerary, the
   book will nearly overwhelm you with destination ideas.



2. Excellent book for anyone going to Ireland for a few days or a few weeks. Compact, with most important information in details, yet quite complete for the other sights. Easy to take with. A good example of excellent DK travel guides. Not all of them worth 5 stars, but this one does.



3. Although Eyewitness Travel Guides may offer more visual guidance than other guide books, they are still quite terrible. Maps are difficult to read and information is inconsistent.



4. The ET Guide combines good, accurate detail on a wide variety of locations with lush, color illustrations throughout. The close-up maps of prime tourist destinations were particularly good. It's not as good as Lonely Planet in covering secondary destinations, but its coverage of the major destinations, such as Dublin, is more focused and more useful for those on short trips.



5. After using my DK Germany guide while in Germany I will never travel to another country without having bought the book for it. DK Publishing is true to their rich informative heritage with this Ireland guide and offer an expansive amount of information in a compact and retainable form. This product is a must-buy if you are heading to Ireland any time soon.

5 comments about Rick Steves' Ireland 2008 (Rick Steves).

1. The book if full of Rick's usual great information. I wish the pictures were in color and had captions. There were just tiny black and white photos of places and things that might be pretty, but without a description you have no idea what they are!



2. We have used Rick Steaves books in Italy, Germany, England and Holland and have not been disappointed.



3. Rick Steves' Ireland 2008 is like your brother (your very detailed and analytical exploring brother) writing home with the in's and out's of each city and stop in Ireland. Hitting highlights and lowlights, Rick leaves no Irish pebble unturned for the common traveler. If you have a question about Ireland, it is most likely answered in this book; if not, then Rick has made himself available through his websites if you need further information. It is very helpful to not walk into a new situation unprepared and Rick's Ireland 2008 has proved most helpful!



4. Ireland offers visitors a diversity of memorable places to visit, memorable people to encounter, and memorable opportunities for recreation. Rick Steves is a seasoned and experienced travel writer and in collaboration with Ireland specialist Pat O'Connor has authored the "Rick Steves' Ireland 2008", a compact, 425-page travel guide that is packed from first page to last with informed and informative information for tourists and business travelers to the villages, towns, and countryside of the Republic of Ireland in the south, as well as the cities and counties of Northern Ireland. Of special note is the introductory chapter dedicated to the best use of this outstanding guide for planning a trip whether of short or extended duration, practicalities when traveling, money, sightseeing, sleeping, eating, 'Traveling as a Temporary Local', and 'Back Door Travel Philosophy'. Another special section is devoted to Irish history, art, literature, language, and an Irish-Yankee Vocabulary. Enhanced with appendices on resources; money matters; telephones, emails, and postal mails; transportation; holidays and festivals; conversions and climate; an essential packing checklist; and a sample hotel reservation form, "Rick Steves' Ireland 2008" is an ideal and enthusiastically recommended guide for anyone anticipating a trip to the Emerald Isle.



5. Rick Steve's book is a down-to-earth book that gives so much information to which you can relate. It's a wonderful guide.