3 comments about Molokai: An Island in Time.

1. Moloka`i, An Island In Time is a gorgeously photographed and beautifully designed art book depicting the Hawaiian island of Molokai in a way that nothing before this ever has. The design is by Robin Rickabaugh, who some might remember as the guiding force behind the stunning "Oregon Rainbow" magazine of the 1970s.Photos from this book were excerpted by National Geographic Magazine for an article on Molokai in the 1980s.Precious little has been published about this amazing island, and travel magazine articles to this day do not even give readers a glimpse of what Richard Cooke reveals in this wonderful book.Indeed, Molokai, An Island In Time was the inspiration behind my own book, Driving & Discovering Maui and Molokai. Up until I found Richard's book, I had no idea that Molokai was such a beautiful destination.



2. Having had the opportunity to live on Molokai and experience its beauty and power first hand, this book is the only work that I've seen that captures so much of Molokai's essence. Rik's aloha and connectedness to this land and her people shines through each and every picture. And the words accompanying the pictures are genuine and heartfelt.

   So many Molokai people and special places are immortalized in his pictures including slack key guitarist Kelii Mawae, fisherman extraordinaire and noni farmer. I read and gaze at this book over and over and never tire of it. It reconnects me with Molokai.

   Enjoy! And if you are interested in ancient history of this powerful place, I suggest 'Tales from the Night Rainbow' by Pali Jae Lee and Koko Willis.




3. Having had the opportunity to live on Molokai and experience its beauty and power first hand, this book is the only work that I've seen that captures so much of Molokai's essence. Rik's aloha and connectedness to this land and her people shines through each and every picture. And the words accompanying the pictures are genuine and heartfelt.

   So many Molokai people and special places are immortalized in his pictures including slack key guitarist Kelii Mawae, fisherman extraordinaire and noni farmer. I read and gaze at this book over and over and never tire of it. It reconnects me with Molokai.

   Enjoy! And if you are interested in ancient history of this powerful place, I suggest 'Tales from the Night Rainbow' by Pali Jae Lee and Koko Willis.

No comments about Images of Asian Religions: Texts And Contexts (Asian Religions & Culture).

No comments about Wallpaper City Guides Business - Boxed Set ("Wallpaper*" City Guides).

No comments about Exploring Osaka: Japan's Second City.

No comments about Jesting Pilate: Travels Through India, Burma, Malaya, Japan, China, and America (Armchair Traveller).

No comments about Return to Tsugaru.

1 comments about Introducing Kyoto (Origami Classroom).

1. The clearest expression of the Japanese genius is always found in the small...the simple expression of an essential character and insight. In that sense, this book itself exemplifies its subject; the city of Kyoto, Japan's cultural heart. A map on the inside cover with locations of treasured sites begins our orientation. A foreward by Donald Keene evokes his experience of the grace and pleasures of Kyoto and locates us in the poetic character of the city. The visual and tangible is the key to any understanding of Japan and for most of us it is the only route around the barrier of language. It is surprising, but perfectly appropriate, to find our next stage is not text but a series of photographs that rank among the best this writer has seen on the subject (if only as a collection of superb photographs this book would be a bargain). These photographs lead to text that gives us, clearly and succinctly, a brief history of the city.which, in turn, is followed by another series of photographs with examples of daily life and craft continuing the past into the present. A list of principal festivals, line drawings of selected costumes and artifacts, a chronology of Japanese history(on the inside back cover) interspersed through the book all follow the principle of focusing on the essential.. As an introduction to Kyoto this little book is exemplary; as a capsuled insight into Japanese culture it is indispensible.

5 comments about Tokyo Q 2001-2002.

1. In addition to the online travel shorts they have published (I think on a weekly base), this is a great little book to carry to Tokyo. It's a quick read (2 hours, so you can read it 6 times over on the flight) with many memorable stories and experiences that made me looking forward to enjoy the city, aside from the typical tourist attractions. This is for those who want to see Tokyo from the insider's view as many hidden gems (restaurants, shops, backalleys) are revealed in this guide. However, this guide could've been even better is it had more points of interest for those ages 17-25, rather than mostly for ages 30+ type of interest.



2. To the ill-informed, Ken Rickety and his dancing poodles may succeed in presenting Tokyo as wonderfully incomprehensible, just as Dave Barry makes it appear extraterrestrial. But one must wonder how far from "Home Sweet Tokyo" TQ's collective travels has taken it to arrive at such twaddle. Tokyo is a big city, and as such has an abundance of quirkiness. But so too have Chicago, Copenhagen and Lima, to name but a few. Dig deeper, and the reader will quickly discover Rickety's sun has long set: The mindset of his ilk has never fully been able to ford the eighties, a decade that irrevocably changed the course of Tokyo. Rickety's is a world of jazz, and quaint coffee shops, and bath houses, and factory workers benignly breaking the antiquated codes of their parents' generation. Although perhaps fascinating to the social historian, these facets have little to do with the Tokyo of 2001. Somebody please tell him; but politely, of course.



3. Tokyo Q ... is an English language web site that covers the cultural scene in Tokyo. This book pulls together many of the reviews and listings published over the years.

   It's a small book. The listings do not attempt to be comprehensive, and don't cover the mainstream hotels and restaurants you'll find in the typical guidebooks. It tries to be the guide your friend who's lived in Tokyo for 10 years would write, sharing his favorite places.

   There's a photo of a sketch map in the center of the book which explains the neighborhoods of central Tokyo. On a recent business trip, I found this the single most useful two pages in any guidebook (and I bought several). I still needed the others to get around, but now I had a perceptual map of what I was doing.

   If you're just going on business, you can probably skip this book. If you have a few days to explore, it's probably worth picking up. Don't miss Rick Kennedy's book, Little Adventures in Tokyo, which is essential for an exploratory newbie.




4. This little book won a spot in my bag every day I was in Tokyo, and that is the best of compliments when you are out exploring a city all day and want to travel light. I used it mostly for restaurants and it never steered me wrong. I quickly tossed my copy of Zagat Tokyo because it is biased to the most expensive places, TokyoQ has excellent listings in all price ranges organised by type of food. Dining is a huge part of the Tokyo experience and it's worth seeking out great restaurants. A couple of the places I chose from this book were a bit out of the way but well worth it.

   Directions are not always given, which annoyed me until I accepted the fact that the only way to find an address in Tokyo is to find a police box and ask. Apparantly giving directions really is the main purpose of the Tokyo police.

   I enjoyed the attention given to modern Architecture, an other main component of the Tokyo experience. I also loved the little sketch of neighborhoods, not a road map but more of a personality map. The sento section is much more extensive than I found elsewhere and an experience not to be missed.

   TokyoQ is not an all-inclusive guide book, but it does an excellent job of filling in the gaps left by the others.




5. This is a terrific book by literate, droll writers who really love and know the city. It's extremely idiosyncratic, which is part of its pleasure. How many other guides would give so much coverage to sento (public bath houses) or serious appraisals of 5-buck noodle joints? I only wish they would keep to their promise and update it annually.

1 comments about Japan.

1. This book is an excellent introduction to Japan. The author, P. Sean Bramble, is an American who has lived and worked in Japan for the past fifteen years. As a result, Mr. Bramble has a unique perspective that benefits the reader and distinguishes his book from others on the subject. I found the book an entertaining, yet respectful, look at life in modern day Japan. It's a quick read and provides much useful information for a person seeking to rapidly understand the culture. Recommendated for both business and vacation travellers.

1 comments about The Traveler's Guide to Japanese Pilgrimages (Travel).

1. Provides background information, history, and photos of 2 popular Buddhist pilgrimage routes in Japan, one of 33 temples (the Saigoku Kannon pilgrimage) and another of 88 temples (the Kobo Daishi pilgrimage) on the island of Shikoku. I used this book as my primary guide for my own Saigoku Kannon pilgrimage, and found the author's directions accurate and reliable! The author writes with knowledge and respect of these places. Even if you are not contemplating a religious journey, it has great info on sites not on most tourist routes. I would definitely look into any further editions/updates of this guide.