5 comments about Walking the Trail: One Man's Journey along the Cherokee Trail of Tears.

1. For the trip of your life, read Walking the Trail. It's filled with heart, information, adventure, soul, beauty, saddness, humor and haunting stories. The story of the Cherokee and the author's step by step journey along the Trail of Tears is the story of the human condition.



2. I found this book captivating! Once I started glancing at a few sections, I had to buy it and interrupted another book I was reading - I couldn't put it down. The intertwining of his experiences in tracing the Trail of Tears, symbolically backwards returning to the original Trail's origin as those who were forced to walk 900 miles to Indian Territory in 1838 never could, with bits of Cherokee history and traditions was very well written. The imagery and sounds were real and you get a little of the sense of his journey. This is a must read for anyone with Native American, and especially Cherokee, blood in their heritage. Others will perhaps gain an appreciation of our country in 1838 and 150 years later.



3. There are not enough words to describe what this book meant to me. How about just repeating...wonderful, wonderful, wonderful......I so wish I knew him.



4. What a wonderful job Ellis did in writing this story. He mentions Cherokee history then and now, describes the road he's walking on, the people he meets along the way (to include the proverbial weirdoes that make good travelogues so appealing), the emotional ups and downs of physical exertion. Even the daily weather and how it affected his mood was well described.
   
   I especially appreciated his story about the crow and how the crow became the symbol of the Cherokee Nation. I went to visit the Musuem of the Cherokee Indian in Cherokee, North Carolina because of this book. That was money well-spent and very educational.
   
   The phrase that sticks out in my mind (I read this book two years ago) is his phrase "Men and boys will always want something from a woman." That is so true...



5. This is such an amazing subject matter, I expected a richer more robust adventure story about the Trail of Tears. This book really let me down, it was tedious, sappy and boring.

No comments about Rand McNally Los Angeles & Vicinity, California: Major Roads & Highways (Rand McNally Folded Map: Cities).

5 comments about Retro Chic: A Guide to Fabulous Vintage and Designer Resale Shopping in North America and Online.

1. I think the mark of a good guidebook is one that can tell you new things about your hometown. Retro Chic is a *great* guidebookbook. I purchased my copy at home in Seattle, and was pleased to see that my favorite retro sources were included -- as well as several new favorites I hadn't heard about before. The information on online resources is also quite helpful, and introduced me to a whole new way of shopping for unique resale fashions. I took Retro Chic with me on a business trip to Los Angeles last week, and was able to do some wonderfully affordable consignment shopping in a city that's completely foreign to me. What a fantastic resource!

   This DOES NOT appear to be a book in which the authors were paid for reviewing particular stores. The information is well organized, up-to-date, and gives plenty of clues about the stores it reviews. Listings are honest and cover a wide variety of topics, ranging from price scales and credit cards accepted to the kind of merchandise available.

   This book is a great resource for anyone with a retro fetish, and a no-hassle way for people new to the "scene" to find great resale outlets in their home town, on vacation, or online. I highly recommend Retro Chic and have bought copies as gifts for two friends who recently moved across country.




2. What a fabulous resource for lovers of vintage clothing! I have learned about stores in Toronto that I would never have found otherwise. The detailed store descriptions are wonderful - it's interesting to learn about the history of the stores, as well as about their owners.
   And what a helpful book when travelling to other cities in North America! Thank you!



3. I LOVED this book, not only was it extremely informative, but it was very practical-the $ labels were the best! I used it on a very important project and it didn't let me down once! This resource was very helpful. It is a book for anyone who has been bitten by the vintage-shopping bug. Happy shopping!



4. This book is basically just a list of resale stores in some bigger cities. The same information could be obtained in twenty minutes with some basic research.



5. This book is fabulous. Not only does it explore (and I use the word "explore" because these listings go way beyond mere addresses and phone numbers) about 500 vintage and contemporary designer resale stores all over the U.S., Canada and Online, but with the information offered on each store (what kind of merchandise is carried, price range, return policy, store owner's personal collections, description of the store itself, etc.), I feel much more confident about shopping for my newest passion, vintage clothing (almost like the authors are holding my hand and walking me thru). I also found the section that describes designers from the '20s to the '80s, along with an explanation of what was going on the world during those times, fascinating. The glossary of fashion terms is also helpful, and I loved the listings of vintage expos all over the U.S. The quotes from costume designers, and learning about vintage pieces worn by Hollywood celebrities, is definately a fun bonus. Bravo!

5 comments about A Walk in the Woods.

1. I started out really enjoying this book, the first half is pretty funny. The second part, not so much. Bryson contradicts his words with his actions. He berates the forestry dept.(often with good reason) but writes about his friend Katz leaving a trail of trash as they walk the trail. The part where he gives up and drives a portion is boring and negative. The second and last parts seem to be filler, making a longish short story in a book. The author didn't seem interested in finishing the book and frankly neither was I. Borrow it from the library and skim the first part.



2. Having spent many nights on the AT and the surrounding towns I found this book delightful. It's full of great snapshots of life under the canopy, trudging up and down the muddy trail, encountering people who seems equally strange to you as you do to them. Bryson brings his experience of living abroad and the subsequent well-honed observational skills to the simple act of walking and being part of nature. A fun, thoughtful and well done book.



3. Bill Bryson once again brings his reader's along with him on an adventure in the wilderness. No disappointment here. Whether looking for a light read with a little satire and humor or really looking for some information to help you along the trail, this read does it all. Bill Bryson invites the reader along the trail with the ability to laugh at himself and in a non-offensive manner laugh at other's misfortunes the reader is not merely stuck on the 2100 mile trail with "Bill" but also finds himself in Bill's footsteps. A must read: 1) for plain entertainment; 2) for the information about embarking upon such an expedition, or 3) to have a laugh. This book has it all. Share it with your children.



4. Like all the other Bryon books I have read, this gem will make you howl with delight. It also has a more serious side than his other works I have enjoyed. In addition, don't be surprised if you finish inspired to take a long hike of your own...



5. Having fell in love with the audio version of Bryson's The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid, I decided to give A Walk in the Woods a try. This audio is also read by the author.
   
   Bill Bryson moved to Hanover, New Hampshire, and soon after realizes the the Appalachian Trail, at least part of it, is close by. After doing some reading about the trail, he thought it would be pretty cool to hike the trail which runs from Georgia to Maine. He solicits friends and family to join him, and even puts notes in his holiday cards inviting people to hike "the trail".
   
   The only person to respond to his invitation was an old college buddy, that he never got along with too well...Steven Katz. The two of them are like the "odd couple". Bryson is very prepared, having shopped for all the essentials for the trip, and packed very well. Katz, is like Oscar with his duffle bag well packed with Snickers Bars and Little Debbie cakes, all the essentials he felt he'd need. When Katz' bag gets a little too heavy, he tosses the water bottle...who needs water on a hike in the South right?. Their hike began in Georgia, and last about 6 weeks or 500 miles.
   
   The book was very amusing. In addition there is a bit of history about the Appalachian Trail, as well as environmental and ecological issues neatly laced into the story. Great travel Memoir.

1 comments about Texas: A Photographic Tour (Highsmith, Carol M., Photographic Tour.).

1. What an amazing book for the price: incredible photography, solid and helpful captions, some fascinating old black-and-white photos, even a full-page oil painting of my favorite Texas scene: bluebonnets in Hill Country in the spring. This inexpensive book is a high-quality effort and very well researched. Everybody knows Texas is a vast place. But most books dwell on the cowboy scenes. In this one, Carol Highsmith and Ted Landphair catch the best of every part of the state. On one page, there might be a fabulous sunrise (or is it sunset?) shot of a windmill on the prairie, then a shot of Billy Bob's honky-tonk in Fort Worth, then a stunning city skyline shot of Dallas or Houston. Even the Dr. Pepper Museum in Waco is in this book. This is a tour, all right, at a great price. A keepsake book for sure. I gave so many away as gifts, I almost forgot to keep one for myself.

4 comments about Lighthouses of the Carolinas: A Short History and Guide.

1. I love the book! It has tons of never before seen historical images of Carolinas beacons, plus eight pages of color images. It is factual, but not dry. The author has presented the history and current condition of each of the mentioned beacons in an informative and interesting way. I live along North Carolina's coast and I never knew about a couple of our beacons. I like the maps and directions that show right where each beacon can be found. I also like the Points of Interest section at the end of each chapter that reveal other historic sites and tours that are near to the lighthouses.



2. I really enjoyed this book. The content was well-researched and presented in an organized manner. I found the subject matter very interesting without being boring. It also made me want to take a few weeks off of work to explore the coastline. I had no idea that there were so many historical lighthouses in this one area. It was also obvious that the author loves her work. The details as welll as added points of interest make this a very well rounded book. I highly recommend it! I am also looking forward to her next release.



3. This is a good, concise, accurate book. I took it with my on my travels to see the lighthouses in North Carolina. As I traveled, it was helpful in finding each lighthouse and reading about the history. It was also helpful in finding one particular lighthouse which was in a very remote location. Thanks. I recommend it highly.



4. My family is planning a trip to the North Carolina coast to visit the various lighthouses. We find this book very helpful in planning that trip. Gives lot of details on each of the lighthouses listed.

No comments about The Rough Guide to Oregon & Washington 1 (Rough Guide Travel Guides).

5 comments about The Way Out: A True Story of Ruin and Survival.

1. I loved this book, which is a feast for the soul. The novel profiles an inner and outer journey of two men through the most intense enviornment. Beyond the physical endurance required to pass this route, the 2 men reflect on their past struggles with socitenty, family and personal demons.
   
   It's another incredible book by Childs, and I think marks a change in his writing style. Rather than a collection of journeys, this is a single story which becomes a lengend or tale.
   
   Read this book. It reaches into the soul of men, in a way few contemporary stories can.



2. With all due respect (I find most of Craig's other books written with both elegance and restraint; amd his solo explorations acts of courage and surrender.), these two men went out for a month, with top-of-the-line gear, plenty of food (cached and otherwise) and, in fact, were in no real danger. A real survivor is a grandmother on food stamps, taking care of and loving five grand-kids, in a roach motel, with no vehicle and a greedy landlord.
   Or a woman with a double mastectomy, who finds out she had bone cancer and decides it is time to learn how to drum because she has wanted to all her life, and knows each 3-month check-up might be her last.



3. Where most people go to resorts or on a cruise for time away from their everyday lives, Craig Childs and his close friend and traveling companion Dirk Vaughn walk the desolate deserts, canyons and chasms of the American West.
   
   The Way Out describes Childs' walk through a forgotten and imposing fracture in the crust of the earth rarely if ever seen by white people. The indigenous tribes through millennia have passed this way, but until Childs and Vaughn receive permission from an elder Dine shepherd, no one has walked this route in recent times.
   
   Childs' style of writing is metaphorical. It engages you and makes one understand the element he is traveling like no other author I have read. It flows like prose from the early days of the last century when authors painted their stories with words.
   
   In the short period of time that the two men spend in their search through this chasm, they reflect on the lives they have led that have brought them to this adventure. Childs' life is one of dark memories that would have pushed those without his outlook upon life to the depths of depression. In his compatriot Vaughn, we meet a man that has seen the distasteful underbelly of big city crime in his days as a police officer.
   
   Yet neither man allows those past experiences to dampen their spirit in their quest to explore the forgotten realm in which they have intentionally placed themselves.
   
   I must admit, I almost put this book down. But as I forged forward I began to understand the author's style and what he was trying to communicate.
   
   Armchair Interviews says: The Way Out will make you take solitary stock of what has happened along your own walk through life.



4. A two-weep trip through the American Southwest with a good friends turns into a challenge which will test friendship and survival skills in THE WAY OUT: A TRUE STORY OF RUIN AND SURVIVAL. Any with a special affection for the Southwest will find vivid descriptions of its terrain and desolation as they enjoy this memoir of survival, a hit in hardcover and newly available in paperback to provide a hard-hitting account of discovery.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



5. The Way Out is a book you'll want to read over and over again. It's just too powerful to fully absorb in one reading. As with "The Secret Knowledge of Water", Mr. Childs leads you into the very psyche of Living Land. He bears his soul and humbles himself before a chasm of rock. An absolute master of imagery and metaphor, Mr. Childs doesn't just take you into the majesty of a canyon or the solitude of the desert, he empties you out there so that you might fill again. "The Way Out" is his best work yet.
   
   Susan Haley, Author
   RAINY DAY PEOPLE

5 comments about Walker of Time.

1. The book I've read is called the "Walker of Time". The reading level is not too hard and not too easy. I would recommend this book to the people who like reading adventure books. As you read through this book, it gives you a good atmosphere and you will feel like you are in the story. This story is based on time travelling. The main character is called Walker or Wayma in Hopi language. Walker had to travel and confront dangerous situation. He had to travel to find out about the time travelling. As he travels through in the story, he finds new companies. Such as when Walker was blackout because of the thunderstorm and when he woke up the first thing he saw was this white American called Tag. After that he met flute maiden and more like white rabbit and the eagle. This story is like "Wizard Of Oz" because as he travel he met new friends.This book is kind of a gentle, flowing of ideas.After all, if you are a real adventure book reader, you should get a copy of "Walker of Time".



2. A few years ago my mom got me this book for my birthday, and I thought I'd try it out. It turned out to be the best book I have ever read, and I am not exagerating! I have read it every year since I got it, and I strongly suggest you read it, and realize what I'm talking about. The adventure and suspense is great, as well as the dialogue and strong characters you will want to meet. Take my word for it, once you pick it up, you'll never want to put it down!



3. My dad bought this book for me a few years ago and I didn't think i would like it but i tried it out anyway. it was the best book ever. i lent it out to so many people that i never got it back but everyone who read it loved it.



4. I have just read a book called walker of time and it was amazing.
   I would recommend it for people aged from 10 to 50.

   It is about a Hopi indian boy called Walker who travels back in time 600 years. While he is travelling back in time a young white boy manages to get zapped back as well. Walker knows he's been sent back for a reason, but what??

   It is half an adventure and half a sad story.




5. I picked this book up for a little bit of light reading when I visited the Grand Canyon last week. It is a "teen" reader, but I found it really enjoyable. It's an easy read like a "Harry Potter" novel. It's a definite page turner.
   
   I enjoyed the novel because it explores the questions to why the Native Americans who lived in the cliff dwellings of Walnut Canyon left and where they may have gone. Shortly after finishing this novel, I visited Mesa Verde National Park and explored the Balcony house. The ranger's talk explored many of the same theories that the book's story is based upon.

1 comments about Streetwise California Map - Laminated State Road Map of California - Folding pocket size travel map (Streetwise (Streetwise Maps)).

1. Oh how I adore these Streetwise maps! I can unfold them and RE-FOLD them with a minimum of fuss and no tearing... As compact as a regular map, laminated to withstand my coffee habits in the car, and quickly read while I'm wondering where I'm supposed to be going. They won't correct my wrong way tendencies but they'll definitely help!