1 comments about Real City: Downtown Los Angeles Inside/Out.

1. This book started as a commission from the Los Angeles Public Library for Marissa Roth to take photographs of Los Angeles' downtown. In this completed form, it combines her photographs with D.J. Waldie's words in a clear-eyed and/yet loving paean to the city.

   Roth presents startlingly beautiful, stark black and white photographs of underground parking garages and murals, freeway underpasses and Chinatown neon, barbershops and street scenes. Waldie's passages are elegant and sparely poetic, from explanations of why downtown streets are 36 degrees off the true grid which rules most US cities (including much of the rest of this one) to the legend of La Llorona, with detours into the Church of Our City of The Angels and musings on the nature of downtown(s).

   Throughout the book, there is an awareness in both images and text of the special quality of the light that shines over Los Angeles and the shadows it casts. It's an aspect of life here that I have not seen addressed elsewhere, which I find surprising as it ensures that L.A. can not be mistaken for any other city, especially on an autumn afternoon when the sun is low.

   Altogether, the combination of beauty and information makes this book a wonderful addition to any collection of books on Los Angeles, American cities, or photography.

3 comments about Moving to Los Angeles: The Practical Companion to Your New City, from Stepping in to Stepping Out (Moving to... Series).

1. I travel for a living and absolutely need guides to help me navigate. This book is not only the best I've found but the most affordable too. A must for anyone visiting Los Angeles.



2. Chapter Two of this book is titled, "Choosing a Neighborhood". The chapter goes from page 18 to page 95. While that may sound like a lot of information, much of it is not as useful as you would think, and is probably out of date since this book was published in 1996. Not all the neighborhoods are listed, and those that are, are clumped together, for instance, "Hollywood, Hollywood Hills and West Hollywood." If you've ever been to LA, you'll know that this covers quite a bit of territory and these areas are related only by their geographical location. The feel of the different neighborhoods is quite different. The author doesn't go into enough detail about the neighborhoods to allow you to make a well-informed decision of where you want to look for a residence. Then, as if to take up space in order to justify charging a higher price for a 220 page book, the author lists where to eat in each neighborhood, and where you can find the police station, libraries, hospitals, landmarks, etc. This is info that is listed in the yellow pages. You'll find that info out when you move. Give us pages filled with information that will really help us choose a neighborhood. Write something helpful like, "If you live in the upper part of the Hollywood Hills, it will probably take you half an hour to get to work if you work in Century City, and 45 minutes to downtown LA." Something useful. Also, since this book was published in 1996, many of the places to eat and grocery stores may not even be there any more. Or there may be better places built since then. Leave that space-wasting info out of the book. If I had been able to review this book in a bookstore before I bought it, I wouldn't have bought it.



3. Avoid this book! It is a waste of money. I just moved to LA from the east coast and this book provided very little useful information. For starters, most of the telephone numbers that are provided are either disconnected or wrong. Also, much of the information on setting up utilities is outdated. The grossest errors, however, can be found in the chapter on neighborhoods, where prices are given for different types of apartments and houses. I found all of them to be $200 - $500 a month less than the actual prices of housing out here. I am sure that there must be more accurate moving guides out there somewhere. If not, then go it alone. You will be better off finding the information yourself than trusting this guide!

No comments about Area Map of Malibu: Including The Santa Monica Mountains National Recreation Area.

2 comments about The Rough Guide to Los Angeles 4 (Rough Guide Travel Guides).

1. The fourth edition of the Rough Guide to Los Angeles lives up to the outstanding reputation of the travel publishing company. One of the best features of the Rough Guide is its crystal-clear yet fine type, printed on durable and thin pages, so that a ton of information get packed into a compact format. This is all accompanied by a glossy front section providing an overview of the highlights of the City of Angels.
   
   The Rough Guide sticks to a tried-and-true format, starting with the basics, then providing detailed coverage of ten sections of the city (including Orange County, which probably doesn't want to be considered a part of LA). Inland coverage extends only to Pasadena, so this is a better bet for coastal travel than it is for going into the eastern portions of the Los Angeles area. The last third of the book contains listing for accommodations, restaurants, bars, shopping, and activities. The selection of budget motels is a bit limited (beyond Motel 6), so anyone looking for a good deal on accommodations should head towards the Internet for a search. The restaurant and bar listings (organized by region and also indexed by type) are comprehensive and provide a good starting place to finding the spot to fit a traveler's mood.
   
   The book concludes with contextual information about Los Angeles, including history essays, references to LA in film, and books set in LA. As a reader, I appreciate that the basic must-have facts are in the front, with the optional history section relegated to the back of the book. The maps are second to none, with exquisite detail and major areas of interest well-identified.
   
   The Rough Guide to Los Angeles is a worthwhile investment for any pleasure-seeker, business traveler, weekend tourist, and even the hardened local who would like to know a bit more about the multitudes of activities LA has to offer.



2. I always buy the Rough Guide series when I'm traveling to a new city. It's English perspective is refreshing and the books are always well written. The problem with this writer is an obvious disgust with America and even more so he makes a trip to Disneyland sound like a visit to a landfill. My wife's spirits were crushed when she read his condescending, dim, hateful view of American Legend Walt Disney's magical park nearly ending our vacation there. Walt just wanted the huddled masses to enjoy his work...make us all feel better. This writer does not. After reading this book for 5 minutes you will be likely to cancel your trip. Too bad because most of the Rough Guide travel series is top shelf.

5 comments about Barkley: A Dog's Journey.

1. If you are fortunate to share life with a pet you loved so much that its death left a hole in your heart, then "Barkley, A Dog's Journey" by Al Martinez is a book you will appreciate. Al and his wife adored Barkley to the degree they wanted to celebrate the pleasure he brought by spending two weeks traveling with their dog and recording their emotions and Barkley's reactions to this adventure as his death neared. Despite tears, the story left a warm feeling, reminding me of one pet whose life and death I never forgot.



2. Barkley danced into our lives one night last fall, a tail-wagging bundle of energy that belied the cancer that would end his life in a few months. My wife, Roseanne, and I welcomed him and Joanne and Al Martinez into our home, knowing that Barkley was on his last journey and grateful for the chance to share a bit of it with him.
   
   We were greatly saddened when the inevitable happened, but Barkley returned to us a few weeks ago in the shape of his own book.
   
   Martinez has brought his black and white English Springer Spaniel back to lifewith his poetic, funny, sad, and profound writing. Barkley's book is more than just a story about a dog's final journey. It is a look at life, sometimes through a dog's eyes, sometimes through the eyes of the people who loved him.
   
   Even if you have never had a dog, you can know Barkley through his story. You surely will love him through his book.
   
   Gayle Montgomery
   Florence, Oregon



3. Who else will greet you wagging his tail whether or not you bring him a treat? My cats just look at me with distain for being gone all day. But a dog is always happy to see you. There is nothing like a cold, wet nose and wagging tail to wake you in the morning. It hurts to loose any pet but there are sometimes exceptionally special ones and Barkley obviously was. He gave a lot of love but he got a lot in return. Any animal lover will love this book. It brings a few tears but it brings lots of smiles too.



4. I very much enjoyed reading this writer's tribute to his beloved Springer Spaniel which includes their final road trip together.



5. I am lucky enough to read Mr Martinez' columns in the LA Times twice a week. This book is an extension of some of his columns and is a great description of the trip that he and Cinelli took with Barkley once they found out he was dying. You can even picture what he's describing, as though you are there with them. But it's more than that. Read it and you'll see. Strongly recommended.

3 comments about Moon Metro Los Angeles: Unfold the City (Moon Metro).

1. L.A. is not a walking city. I loved these maps that helped me navigate the different areas of L.A.. Everything is clear: freeway exits, shopping and clubs districts. Really good guide for hanging out in L.A.



2. This book really helped while my husband and I went to L.A. for a vacation. The book has highlighted the most interesting areas of the city and made the ciy managable. Each highlighted area has its own fold out map with places to see and things to do. This is a great feature for driving around the city because you don't have a huge map to deal with (so chances are you won't wreck the rental car). Each highlighted area has infomation and a bit of history provided. The book also has pages in the back with detailed descriptions of interesting sites, resturants, hotels, etc. This book helps the tourist explore one area at a time. I highly recommend this book, and the metro moon series for the traveler.



3. On a recent visit to LA, I needed an easy-to-use resource just to get my bearings around this expansive and convoluted city. This led to my purchase of the Moon Metro guide, which is as sleek a handbook as one could envision for the visiting tourist. In my subsequent and constant usage of the book, I became increasingly disenchanted with the fragmentation of its presentation, as its editors focus on nine selected tourist areas rather than looking at the city from a navigational standpoint. On the plus side, the guidebook starts with helpful fold-out maps of the nine areas with key attractions identified and located. The nine areas are Santa Monica/Venice, Westwood/UCLA, Beverly Hills, West Hollywood/Melrose, La Brea/Fairfax, Hollywood, Los Feliz/Silverlake, Downtown/Little Tokyo/Chinatown, and further afield, Pasadena.
   
   The rest of the book consists of listings within those areas under the sections - sights, restaurants, nightlife, shops, art and leisure, and hotels. The trendy and well-trodden are included but also some interesting idiosyncratic recommendations like the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust on Wilshire. However, the parts ultimately do not add up to a useful whole, at least for anyone looking for a more cohesive view of the city. If you want to go to any attraction outside of the areas, for example, the Huntington Library, Universal Studios or the Getty Center, you may find mention of them in some generalized map or not at all.
   
   More problematic is how there is little guidance given on using the freeways or major thoroughfares to get from one area to the other. Unlike New York, LA is a city of scattered jewels very often separated by miles and miles of congested roadway. It seems the format of the Moon Metro guide is more conducive to more urbanized spaces whose attractions are within walking and subway commuting distances. Granted the book is a nice portable size, but you will still need to purchase an extensive city map and likely a more comprehensive tourbook of the area to make sure you take the most advantage of your trip to LA.

No comments about Zagat 2005 Los Angeles So. California Restaurants (Zagat Survey: Los Angeles and Southern California Restaurants Leather).

No comments about Los Angeles Birds.

4 comments about Frommer's Irreverent Guide to Los Angeles.

1. This is not your typical travel guide. In fact, it's more like a mini sociological study of LA with great tips on where to watch the natives in their local habitat. LA isn't so much a city as it is a collection of neighborhoods, and author Jeff Spurrier does a great job of describing how this all works. The book is a handy size for carrying along, so you can take advantage of the manuy great maps as you tour the area. Spurrier warns you again and again that the only way to really get around LA is by car, but he does offer alternatives for those intimidated by the freeways and/or parking dilemma. His selection of hotels and restaurants is broad - everything from Beverly Hills luxury to places with lots of attitude but not much polish. In many ways, the rest of the book is an ideal primer for anyone moving to LA or planning to spend lots of time there. Not only will you find a carefully selected list of recreational options, but you will also get helpful hints on when to go and how to get there. There is a great section on what to do - and not to do - with children, but there is no mention of Disneyland. Indicative, I think, of how this book is a true insider's guide to the city, not just a promotion for tourisim.



2. As an LA native, I must say that this book is right on the money. Although I'd have to disagree when the author refers to "the city" as consisting only of Downtown (any true native knows that "the city" is Mulholland to the 10, and Downtown to the beach!), everything else is just perfect. I learned things that even my 26 years of exploring never showed me. It's a great book for travellers, especially those who have never been and don't have friends here (it is truly difficult to navigate the SIZE of Los Angeles without a guide!) . But it's also a great book for those of us who have lived here all of our lives!



3. Whether you are visiting Los Angeles or live here, this book is filled with things to do that you never would have thought of or even knew existed. Tons of fun!



4. What an awful book! I first bought the "Irreverent Guide to Rome" and my husband & I loved it. (He lived in Rome for 6 years & said the description were dead-on accurate). So I decided to buy the book for LA, my home town. What a mistake! Unlike the witty, cultured, perceptive guide to Rome, this book is unfunny, rude, snide, classist, name-dropping, & way off the mark. The lovely, funky, beach community of Venice is slammed for having "weirdos, bums and scum." A popular Indian restaurant is described as being good, but "hold the cholera, please." Not funny! Luckily, I also bought Lonely Planet: Los Angeles, which was much, much better.

No comments about American Map Los Angeles / San Diego CA Slicker (City Slicker).