No comments about Washington, DC (Eyewitness Top Ten Travel Guides).

5 comments about Moon Handbooks Cuba.

1. Christopher Baker has written an absolutely fabulous guide book to Cuba. It's clearly written, with wit and charm, and it's very obvious that he spent a lot of time in the country exploring the things he talks about. Few things are mentioned in passing - if he's put it in here, you can be sure he's included a fair amount of detail. A good buy.



2. This is the most extensive and best written travel guide for Cuba. It covers everything you can see there. If it doesn't list some places, that means it's nothing to do there. The guide is a bit outdated, especially the restaurant sections. In such cases we consulted the Rough Guide to Cuba, which is more up-to-date, but covers much less than a Moon Handbook. I hope it will be updated soon.



3. I've never gone on an overseas adventure without a guide book, and usually they are good for a few phone numbers and museum hours, but mostly end up being dead weight in your pack. This book on Cuba was like a lifeline during my adventure in Fidel's homeland. Anyone who has been to this pearl of the caribbean know's the social, political and economical ocean that is the Cuba of today is 100,000 leagues deep, and as a foreigner you feel as though you are caught, tumbling, in a wave not knowing which way is up. This book helps to make sense of Cubas past, while helping you to understand the nuances that hint to its uncertain future. A true pleasure to explore, with my Moon's book in hand!



4. Chris Baker knows Cuba intimately. This guidebook is hands down better than the others (in fact, forget Lonely Planet on Cuba - trust me). It contains a brief history of culture and politics (the two entwined in this country) as well as in-depth coverage of the sites you want to see.
   
   Cuba is not a country where information is readily obtained. This writer shows he's knows his stuff, and has done years of homework. Read it closely.
   
   What you will need to supplement this guide are three things:
   
   1. A list of "casa particulars" or private rooms in private homes. The ones listed in Moon are already too popular and nearly impossible to get a reservation. (There are websites that will help you with this, or just ask a cab driver in Cuba to show you a few homes.)
   
   2. Restaurants. Moon does not include many of the the newer, better, private restaurants. No one goes to Cuba for the food, but nothing is worse than overpaying for a mediocre meal. Ask around for the good places, or do a search on Lonely Planet's Thorn Tree web postings.
   
   3. Clubs and bars. Some of the ones listed are institutions, but in Cuba the nightlife venues changes constantly. Ask locals, don't waste your money at some of the tourist traps mentioned in Moon.
   
   Have a good time!



5. This is an excellent thoroughly researched, detailed book as stated in other reviews.
   
   However, in the very lengthy and informative history and pre-reading section, the author's bias against Castro permeates his writing.
   Thus he presents a biased viewpoint; he discusses more the inefficiencies of the revolution rather than the advantages.
   He does warn us subtly of his bias however.
   
   The best thing would just be to go to cuba and see for yourself.

No comments about Texas Indian Trails.

2 comments about Martinique, Guadeloupe, Dominica & St. Lucia (Martinique Guadeloupe Dominica & St Lucia).

1. Lynne Sullivan's Martinique, Guadeloupe, Dominica & St. Lucia Alive focuses on the best of the regions, from shopping to outdoors activities and nightclubs. All details on customs, culture and opportunities are covered for destination-bound visitors.



2. My wife and I went to St. Lucia in April. We had prepared for our trip by reading all this book had to say about the island, which was very helpful in planning day trips, money exchange, restaurants, etc. We took the book with us and it was extremely helpful with maps when we drove around the island, and the different side trips off the main road. I would highly recommend it to any who are planning a trip to that area!

1 comments about Discovery Travel Adventure Whale Watching (Discovery Travel Adventures).

1. This is an excellent guide to whale watching in the northern hemisphere (pity it does not cover the southern though). It has all the information one would need to plan an excellent nature (read. whale and dolphin watching) getaway and has some interesting introductions. I have read and reread this book several times due to its style of writing (there are several authors penning different chapters, each with their own unique style). Helps you to picture the whale watching spots in your head. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in going for whale watching excursions in the nothern hemisphere!

2 comments about Mountain Bike America: Ohio: An Atlas of Ohio's Greatest Off-Road Bicycle Rides (Mountain Bike America Guides).

1. Finally someone has done a through guide book of ohio. The information in this book could be a little more up to date, but that is a little hard to due with trail expansions and closures. I'm extremely happy to see the book because I met the author while riding at mickeys mountain, in norteast ohio, with two friends. Although the author put some of the pictures with different trails . I'm on page 137, in the front. Needless to say I was stoked to see my photo in print.



2. A useful book for the first timer to mountain biking in Ohio. Ohio sensibly divided into regions. Each region forms a chapters so routes which are close together geographically are also close together in the book. The edition (2000) we bought (second hand) is a bit dated, some of the routes have changed or been extended and new routes not in the book have been built. Having said this the book gives a good indication of where mountain bike routes can be found in Ohio and having identified these locations more up to date information can be obtained by researching the locations else where i.e. on the internet. On some of the routes in the book the sketch maps and list of instructions were all we required to complete the route but on other routes a good local map was essential.

1 comments about North Carolina Is My Home (pb) (Broadcast Tie-Ins).

1. Through prose, pictures and poems, this book gives one the "feel" of truely being a North Carolinian. Even if you have never visited the state, you can laugh, cry and dream as Charles Kuralt paints picture words of his home. A lovely relaxing read.

1 comments about Buffalo Country: A Northern Plains Narrative.

1. Remember falling asleep in American History class? That's because "Buffalo Country" wasn't your textbook. If all you recall from Earth Science 101 is a box of nameless rocks on a shelf, Ed Raventon was NOT your teacher!
   Ed tracks bison through the northern plains where I meet heroes and scoundrels among the traders, settlers, explorers and soldiers. I couldn't imagine the thunder of sound as thousands of buffalo lumbered through the Black Hills...but NOW I can!
   The only way to improve on Mr. Raventon's book "Buffalo Country" is to make the trip to the northern plains yourself...and that's what I plan to do soon - on my motorcycle - with "Buffalo Country" in my saddlebag!

1 comments about Michelin 2005 Road Atlas USA/Canada/Mexico.

1. Unlike most road atlases of the USA this one doesn't stop at state borders, but just continues on the next logical page - excellent design.
   Altogether a really good publication.

No comments about Idaho Montana Wyoming: Road Map (Travelvision State Maps).