1 comments about National Geographic Traveler: Ireland.

1. I have been to Ireland 3 times,have used several guides,and have a substantial collection of Irish literature and pictorial
   books.When I saw this book,I immediately saw it was very different.I am also very familiar with National Geographic Field Guides from birding.Back in 1983,they published "Birds of North America" and rapidly became the preferred book for birders.Every birder I know has a copy.They even update their copy with each new addition.These Bird Guides are used in the field,take a great amount of hard use,in all kinds of weather,and in spite of it all,still hold together.Not only that,there is no other better all purpose guide.To date, it has sold over 1 1/2 million copies and more are coming.This has been a marvelous feat because of all the guides already published,and the personal preferences of birders.Although the National Geographic have great resources and talents,they enlisted Jon Dunn,in my opinion,the top Birder in North America,as it's Editor in Chief.
   I have reviewed this book some time ago.(February 6,2005 and November 15,2005)
   I have gone into all this because I immediately saw the same professionalism applied to this Travel Guide.We all know that after the trip is over,the travel guide gets the heave-ho,since it goes rapidly out of date,and becomes more so very soon.Even someone planning a trip wants the latest info on restaurants,hotels,prices,etc.;and that's fair enough.However,that is where this Guide shines.It does a super job of covering what is to be seen,excellent maps,great history and background.This is all done with excellent photos,illustrations and all in color and printed on top of the line paper,then using the best construction that will stand up to all the wear and tear imaginable.
   Just to go back to bird guides,there is so much to cover,a choice must be made.If up to date accomodations,restaurants and prices are your interest,you should get a book that stresses those things.
   I would suggest you read some of the reviews written on other Guides in this series;they really do a good job on this .Just search under "Traveler National Geographic" where you'll find Nat Geo Guides for many cities and countries.
   This is more than a travel guide,it is as much a Reference book on Ireland and will be kept and often returned to as a reminder of your travels.Some have suggested it is a companion that shouls be left at home.I can't agree because this will be an excellent book to have with you when looking at anything you see in your travels.
   Info on accomodations,restaurants and prices isn't much help when you visit Bru na Boinne (page 268)but this ook will be.
   On one of my visits to Ireland I went to Kilmainham Goal and was particularly impressed with the job of describing this National Treasure.It did it so well,I could almost hear the song "Grace",one of the all time great Irish ballads describing the people involved and efforts to make Ireland "A Nation Once Again".
   If you want to know what to see, and why, when you visit Ireland;I can't think of any guide that does it as well.

3 comments about Portrait of Ireland: Landscapes, Treasures, Traditions (Dorling Kindersley Travel Guides).

1. In Dorling Kindersley's unique and highly readable style, Protrait of Ireland takes the reader to Ireland through photgraphs and interesting facts. Perfect for all ages, Portrait of Ireland offers snippets of information enabling even the smallest attention span to glean valuable information about Ireland.



2. Essentially a travel guide in a large format, this book makes an exceptional gift for anyone with a hint of Irish blood or an interest in the Emerald Isle. Beautiful images are married to very readable text and interesting sidebars and facts. Printed on glossy, coffee-table-book paper, the pictures really jump out, grab you, and drag into the incredible scenery and history of one of the most spellbinding islands on earth.



3. I received this book as a gift from a dear friend who knows just how much I love Ireland. She was right on the mark with "Eyewitness Travel Portrait of Ireland". This book has it all!

   It starts out with basic info; finding Ireland on a map, it's history, landscape, wildlife and people. It then moves on to a region by region review of places to visit and the towns/sights to be seen. The book has a ton of information as well as beautiful photographs to give you a feeling of what you'd see. I especially liked that the hardback book I have is bigger and easier to view than it's soft cover counter part. I've seen the smaller version and, even though the information is the same, you lose a lot in trying to see those teeny, tiny pictures. Go for the big one if you have the room! There's not much difference between them in price.

   If you plan on going to Ireland I can only suggest you suppliment this book with a guide like Frommer's that give you places to eat and stay as well as all the prices. "Travel Portrait" lists which places have fees but not exact amounts. It also lists which towns have market days, which sights require fees and offer tours, which ones are handicap accessible and what the open and close dates are for most places.

   I love this book and you will, too. It is well worth owning!

1 comments about Claws of the Crab: Georgia and Armenia in Crisis.

1. Book Review

   Brook, Stephen. Claws of the Crab: Georgia and Armenia in Crisis. Sinclair-Stevenson, 1992.

   This is another treasure of a book about the Caucasus that I unearthed from the bowels of the Wandsworth Public Library system in south London. Only one other person had borrowed it, back in September 1999 when I was working in the Georgian capital of Tbilisi. Reading this book, I discovered that Stephen Brook had got there before me when all the exciting stuff was happening at the start of the nineties. Independence from the Soviet Union, the overthrow of the tyrannical president Zviad Gamsakhurdia and the battles for Nagorno Karabakh - Brook was there or thereabouts. Studiedly sympathetic to the Armenians and guardedly admiring of the Georgians, Claws of the Crab is a rare eyewitness account of many of the events that made independent Georgia and Armenia what they are today. Suffice to say that there's been remarkably little change since the book's completion in 1992.

No comments about Blue Guide Ireland, Ninth Edition.

No comments about The Coast of West Cork.

No comments about Eating Scenery: West Cork, the People & the Place.

No comments about Collins Clans Map Of Scotland (Collins British Isles and Ireland Maps).

2 comments about Knopf Guide: Ireland (Knopf Guides Ireland).

1. Don't expect to find nice hotels or a good place to eat with these guides - they focus on the art, history and culture of the country. I used this guide, along with a "practical" one while traveling in Ireland and found it very handy for gaining a deeper understanding of Ireland. The background information "Ireland as seen by writers" in particular, is especially insightful. In a nutshell - use Lets Go or something for hotels, but use this to get the most out of your trip.



2. I cannot reccomend this book highly enough!
   
   This book is not so much a travel guide (although it is that too to an extent) as it is a pocket sized, crash course in everything you need to know to truly appreciate your trip to Ireland.
   
   This book is filled with wonderfull artwork and photograpy and contains sections on history, cuisine, geology, arts, flora and fauna, just about everything you'd want to know about Ireland and what makes it a special place to visit.
   
   You will feel that you have a much broader general understanding of Ireland after you read this book.
   
   The book itself is nicely sized for travel, with a solid, vinyl cover.
   
   You will need a more detailed "travel guide" to compliment this book on your trip as this book does not go into many specifics such as directions to individual sites, route planners, times, fees etc. It is also lacking detailed local maps. For these things pick up a "Fodors Guide" which has them and IMHO makes the best Travel Guide series.

1 comments about Bed and Breakfast Guide 2008 (AA Lifestyle Guides).

1. The AA Guides are usually trustworthy and this guide is no exception. Although it does not list the B&Bs in the bottom range of prices, the B&Bs it does list are good quality for the money. They meet very specific standards which most travelers to Great Britain from the USA expect. I like the fact that they include pictures and list the criteria I was looking for (child friendly, area attractions, non-smoking). I like, too, that if your experience at one of the listed B&Bs differ from their description, you can notify the AA and they will review the property again. Other guides do not do this.

No comments about Secret Places of the West Cork Coast.