3 comments about One Hundred & One Beautiful Small Towns in Mexico (101 Towns).

1. One Hundred & One Beautiful Small Towns in Mexico
   
   What a fantastic resource for discovering the hidden gems of Mexico. We're planning a trip south, where the dollar will still deliver good value, and are thrilled that we found this book. It's packed with beautiful photographs, informative summaries, a selection of hotel and restaurant recommendations in each location and a regional index to help the reader/traveler organize and plan an itinerary. It covers the places we're all familiar with, but this book also reveals a whole new Mexico that you don't hear much about from the travel websites and agents.
   It's not the sort of book you take with you. It's one you want to have before you plan. Who knew about the turquoise lagoons of Bacalar? Or the "dance of the fliers" in Papantla? If you're looking for an exciting and exotic cultural adventure or just wanting to know more about Mexico, get this book!



2. This is a beautiful book with some great photography about some of the "unknown" places in Mexico. It goes beyond the Cancun and Cabo San Lucas and transports you to another side of Mexico that few people know. Small, charming villages that still preserve the colonial history and the traditions that make them special and makes you evoke a period in history long gone. The descriptions are short and I will have love it if there was a more detailed map of where these places are located and how to reach them.



3. This is a great book detailing many beautiful small Mexican cities .The pictures and the information provided are first class.

5 comments about Cashing In on a Second Home in Mexico: How to Buy, Rent and Profit from Property South of the Border.

1. I "bought" a home in Puerto Pensaco two years ago. I am still trying to get my Fideicomiso. While everything looks like it will turn out ok, I sure wish i had read this book first. If nothing else I would have understood the process better and would have know what questions to ask and what documents to look for.
   
   A very informative book and I highly recommend it to anyone thinking about buying in Mexico. It will increase you comfort level trmendously.



2. I found this book very informative. It covered all aspects of buying property in Mexcio and information on specific areas of the country. Even though he promotes Stewart Title Insurance I see how this is an important area to consider when purchasing in Mexico. I learned a lot and will keep this book for future reference.



3. Book in great condition. Easy reading, and many good pointers on moving to Mexico. Great information on email address for help on subject of renting or owning property. Think it will be very usefull.



4. This book, although it does occaionally contain tidbits of information specific to the Mexican real estate process, contains alot of information general in nature such as chapter seven: "Calculating your discretionary income"; or chapter nine: "Strategies to find (and keep) good renters".
   
   Much of the book is written more like a travel or tour guide such as chapter one: "Top 10 locations that will appreciate over time"; or chapter five: "Sharing the stories of people and places" including "a trip across the border to the dentist".
   
   Pertinent and useful infomation is presented in chapter seventeen: "Understanding taxes: what to expect from Uncle Sam".



5. I am in the process of buying a house in Mexico. I am buying in Baja and the info in the book really helped me. So far, so good. Fortunately, I'm buying from a reputable developer and my purchase so far has been exactly the way the book detailed that it should go. I think this is a great book to show you what the sale should look like so that you can tell when it is legit or not. Great info source.

5 comments about Falling...in Love with San Miguel: Retiring to Mexico on Social Security.

1. I thoroughly enjoyed Carol and Norma's insightful book about their new life in San Miguel de Allende! It was wonderfully written and gives true meaning of what it is like for two Americans to adapt to life in a foreign country. I enjoyed reading the book for what it is.....their life and experiences in living in Mexico and is well balanced in pointing out both the positives and negatives in their new life there. However, from reading the book, it is obvious that San Miguel de Allende has a lot more positive aspects of living there than there are negatives. It is exciting to find out that IT IS possible to live there on Social Security income. Don't make the mistake of thinking that this book is something that it isn't. It is not a pure how-to book about San Miguel de Allende, nor do I think that the authors intended it to be that way. It is a heartfelt story about their new life and their descriptions of their everyday life there. I have read many books by Americans adapting to forming a new life in Mexico, and this is the best one that I have read! I would recommend it to anyone and everyone because each person will find an insightful and meaningful part that reaches them personally.



2. LOVED IT! LOVED IT! LOVED IT! A must read for anyone going to San Miguel or leaving it and wanting to experience and retain the flavor of a remarkable Mexican community. The book is a practical, informative narrative that povides a shared ecperience of the cultue, the history and a forenigner's adaptation to a changed quality of life. It's an invaluable resource that will help you appreciate and retain the experiences found in making a transition to living with or taking with you all that San Miguel has to offer. James Sutton, USA-Michigan



3. A lesbian couple move to San Miguel and we are given a blow-by-blow account of where they shopped, what they bought, what they ate, and what they saw. The book got a little tedious toward the end, but weeks after finishing the book I find myself thinking thinking about them and the little town. I wish them well. The book made me decide not to move there myself, although I might like to visit.



4. There is AMAZING detail in this great little book!! It is easy to understand and straight forward. Packed full of important details that I would never even thought of. The authors confidence, wide ranged and well researched knowledge not to mention their infectious enthusiasm will have you booking your flight and moving to this gem of a town. Give this book to your partner at their retirement party! We already lived in Mexico when we bought this book and were amazed at all we learned!



5. I bought this book because it was about an area of Mexico that I intend to visit. I wasn't let down. It was like an intimate conversation with the authors about the place in which they live, a place they love. An added bonus was the historical information about Mexico and the descriptions of trips to Oaxaca and other sites in the country. A good read. For me, it was a page turner.

5 comments about Mexican Days: Journeys into the Heart of Mexico.

1. I read Tony Cohan's earlier book, "On Mexican Time" after several of my friends had visited and even moved to San Miguel. It inspired me to visit and my wife and I have now been there 3 times, and will be going back soon. In just our short times there, we have also noticed the changes that Cohan points out in "Mexican Days." It is still beautiful and a great place to visit (or live) but much busier and more of a tourist destination than a few years ago.
   
   This new book makes me want to visit other parts of Mexico. It also makes me want to learn more of the history and language. Most of us in the U.S.A. see Mexico only as the poor country to the south and have no idea of how diverse and rich the culture is, how many different ethnic groups make up Mexico, how beautiful and varied the countryside is, and how fascinating and tragic the history is. This book does a great job of telling those stories.
   
   This is a wonderfully written, very personal, account of travels in parts of Mexico that we do not often hear about. I only wish it could have been longer and that Cohan could have written about some of the other places I have heard about, but never visited, such as Morelia, Delores Hidalgo, and the Copper Canyon. Maybe there will be a volume 2. I definitely recommend it to anyone interested in or about to travel to Mexico.



2. Mexican Days is a travel book of sorts, but equally an exploration of themes and moods impinging on the author's own life. The book fails to deliver more wide ranging information and insights into lives of average Mexicans - hence my comment about Juan Fulano (Mexico's version of John Q. Public, or Joe Sixpack). The author writes mostly about people of his own disposition/situation (expatriot, artist, intellectual and world traveler).
   
   Here are examples of missing information. After returning to San Miguel the author takes a taxi to a nearby shrine, the physical features of which (as usual) he describes very nicely, and afterward catches a ride back to town in a Coca Cola delivery truck. To my surprise - as someone who has traveled widely in Mexico - nothing, ni una palabra is written about any conversation with the truck driver, someone likely in the Juan Fulano category. In my experience, most Mexicans in this situation would be curious about their gringo passenger and eager for conversation. If no such conversation took place the driver was certainly very disappointed.
   
   Secondly, the writer tells about spending a few weeks in the city of Xalapa (or Jalapa) Veracruz, and conveys a sense of the weather and physical features of that beautiful city. But he pretty much misses the boat regarding other key elements of local life. Yes, there are university faculty and students in the cafes, artists, etc., but a lot more - including hordes of political officeholders and hangers-on (Xalapa is the state capital, where I once lived).
   
   In sum, Mexican Days is beautifully written, often fun to read, and informative as far as it goes, but not as interesting as his excellent earlier book, On Mexican Time. I wish I could recommend a book dealing more comprehensively with Mexican life, but I am out of date (I traveled and lived in Mexico in the 1960s and 1970s). As a starter, however, I suggest the old but wonderful book by Oscar Lewis, Children of Sanchez, as well as Carlos Fuentes' novels.



3. Interesting stories written as if to an old freind. Very good look at the mexican expat experience from a living there view point without the "How To".



4. Without having read any of Cohan's other books, discovering "Mexican Days" was like finding a new friend. I loved Cohan's writing, and more than that, I came away from the book having been truly inspired to return to Mexico. In the meantime, I have a whole list of new things to explore through the Internet and other books. Cohan has piqued my interest in a variety of topics: new Mexican artists to discover, details about Mayan history to flush out, new dishes to make, and a list of places to visit on my return.
   
   As an expat, Cohan's approach to travel writing is among the best that I have found. His tastes and interests parallel mine; he writes about much of what I would like to explore myself, never getting bogged down. His infusion of personal friendships and meetings into his writing makes it feel like you are there with Cohan, as the ultimate insider.
   
   I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves travel or Mexico. There is much to enjoy here. I really feel like Cohan has given me a new door into a country that I thought I knew. It doesn't get any better than that.



5. I have lived in Mexico for four years and visited most of the places Tony desctibes in this book.
   
   I marked fully 32 passages for reading to friends--both my Mexico friends (for that delicious experience of "insider" recognition and laughs) and my friends in the States, to convey glimpses of our real experience here. And several of those friends will receive this book as a gift!
   
   This book is a MOST enjoyable read. It's a cliche to say I couldn't put it down, but I really couldn't. I read the whole thing in two sittings!
   
   Tony captures the spirit of Mexico with great accuracy and poetry! His many fun anecdotes, and the characters we get to meet make the book both educaional and pleasurable. I like the way Tony gently weaves his own story into the narrative, making us each think about our own relationships to the issues in his life.
   
   Here is a sampling of the passages I marked that I couldn't wait to share with others: An evocative description of "topes;" a triptych "mural" of the history of San Miguel--both idealized and actual; an amazing comment: ". .it's the noble gesture, not the result, that redeems a life!"-- (worth an evening's discussion!); a comment about the decreasing usefulness of the term "expatriate;" a great passage about not having anyone to sue in Mexico and being thrown back on our own resources; a most imaginative comparison between Junipara Serra and Edward James!! -- and between John Huston and Luis Bunuel; coming home to a party in progress on Tony's own rented patio and a comment on the cultural differences that suggests; the increasingly generic global middle class.
   
   Tony Cohan's writing is an inspiration; his story-telling, fully engaging; his turn-of-phrase, a genuine pleasure!

2 comments about 50 Hikes in Northern New Mexico: From Chaco Canyon to the High Peaks of the Sangre de Cristos (50 Hikes).

1. i own many hiking guides, but this one is a favorite! i highly recommend it for all levels of hikers.



2. As a resident of Southern Colorado, I was looking for a guide of nearby geological, historical, archaeological, and topographical interesting day hikes and backpacking trips. This guide is exactly what I was looking for. I would recommend it to anyone interested in expanding their knowledge and opportunities for adventure in Northern New Mexico!

1 comments about The Spell of New Mexico.

1. This is a must read for anyone seriously interested in the state of New Mexico.

1 comments about Moon Guadalajara: Including Lake Chapala (Moon Handbooks).

1. Having lived in Guadalajara for four years 35 years ago I knew that the city had grown substantially and I would need a guide book to get around. This book is very complete and up to date, much better than I had expected. I especially like the "Getaways" section that suggests day trips all around the region.

2 comments about Moon New Mexico (Moon Handbooks).

1. The artistic color photos as well as the organized layout of Zora O'Neill's New Mexico Moon Handbook caught my eye immediately. Even though I have traveled to New Mexico numerous times, this book entices me to read and learn more about this most diverse state. The more time I spend reading this book,the more difficult it is putting it down. The author's punchy writing style sets this book apart from other guidebooks. It is uncluttered, yet rich with historical, cultural and culinary information as well as with practical advice. This is a must for anybody traveling to New Mexico.



2. As a frequent visitor to New Mexico, I must suggest Zora
   O'Neill's handbook as an informative and helpful guide for anyone planning to travel there. New Mexico has much to offer, for artists, sports enthusiasts, historians, culinary experts, nature lovers, etc. This book addresses a myriad of interests in addition to being
   a practical guide for tourists. Ms. O'Neill's insights and practical, interesting tips make it a book for all. The maps are great and the pictures timely. It is in no way cumbersome as the varied information it offers is concise and easy to read. Buy it - you'll love it!

3 comments about Colonial Mexico 2 Ed: A Guide to Historic Districts and Towns.

1. I think this is an excellent book. I was delighted to find a guidebook that focuses on such an under appreciated topic. It is well researched and well writen. It describes many of the major colonial towns in central and southern Mexico. It provides a brief history for each town, describes the significant buildings, as well as near bye attractions. The maps are accurate and easy to read. It will be one of the few guide books that I bring on my next trip to Mexico.



2. Ok, go and buy this book. I am saying this because it is indeed a good read on Mexico and its historic towns and not just because this author devotes 16 pages to my adopted town of Guanajuato!
   
   Doug Bower
   Author: THE PLAIN TRUTH ABOUT LIVING IN MEXICO



3. This is a great book on the "silver cities' of mexico. Reads like a novel, not a tour guide. very informative and entertaining. I've been to a few of the cities mentioned and now I feel I have to go back to see some of the things I missed!! A wonderful guide to parts of Mexico well worth exploring.

5 comments about Baja California & Los Cabos (Regional Guide).

1. the moon book is like reading a code many times, difficult to obtain the info you desire. the costs of rooms and cafes are in layers, $ $$ $$$ or over $25, $25-50 etc, and you never really know if it costs $25 or $50, same with meals, and it has no easy to find color map, requiring one to search thru the different sections to find a black & white map covering a large area, and then you have to try and find the area of interest.
   the lonely planet is about 1/3 as thick, has prices for room and meals in every range, and specific dollar amounts. somehow it was able to jam enormous user needed info into a small space and leave out much of the vague data in the moon book. Easy to carry and a real joy to look thru.



2. My wife and me chose this LP guide for our recent trip to Baja Norte. I actually enjoyed Palmerlee's writing style and his side commentaries on the Baja music scene and other topics of interest. However, there were just too many cases of inaccurate information. For example, Palmerlee says a taxi from Ensenada to La Bufadora is about $12 when actually the round trip cost given to us by numerous taxi drivers was $40. He then says (correctly) that you can save money by taking a $1 bus to the town of Maneadora. But from there, he says, you must hitchhike to La Bufadora. The truth is, as we discovered by talking to the locals, you can easily catch another $1 bus from Maneadero to La Bufadora. Thus avoiding the hitchhiking which many people, including my wife, would not want to try.
   
   Another problem was that the hotel recommendations were too often off the the mark. For example, at the highly recommended Hotel Los Pelicanos in Rosarito we were taken to a dark, dreary room by a very unfriendly hotel receptionist. Of course, we chose not to stay there.
   
   I know that prices change and good places go bad. But still this book just had too many inaccuracies for me to recommend it. In fact, my wife started saying we should read what the Lonely Planet guide said and then do the opposite. I think this was probably a bit of an overstatement on her part. But still I'm sure this is the last thing LP wants to hear from it's readers. By the way, Lonely Planet is still my favorite publisher of travel guides. But hopefully the book we purchase for our next trip will provide better information.



3. A trip to the Cabos usually does not involve a great deal of land travel as the Baja peninsula is long. But casual tourist and serious visitors alike can learn from this compact guide book. It is the best of the travel books dedicated to Baja that I have seen.



4. I was very disappointed in this book. I bought it soley for San Jose Del Cabo & Cabo San Lucas information, & a lot of restaurants & even resorts were missing. I found the sections on those two areas lacking in historial, cultural, sightseeing, restaurants, hotels and just about all "areas" of information. I would not recommend it if you want information on the two areas I mentioned above.



5. I just got back from sailing down the pacific coast of baja cal. and this book was worth every penny. while this book was not written for sailing the information it had on small coastal villages was accurate and up to date. the historical sidebars were also quite interesting. Great Job!