3 comments about Hidden Coast: Coastal Adventures from Alaska to Mexico.

1. I would have liked to write a favorable review of this book because I enjoy kayaking and being out in nature. Unfortunately it fails to convey the sense of high adventure, wonder, and splendor that are a part of every kayak outing in such remote and pristine locations. Instead, it laments the loss of ancient ways and cultures, and scolds modern man for his intrusions.

   I'm all in favor of no-impact camping and preserving pristine shorelines. As I started each chapter I hoped this would be where the book got interesting! But alas it disappointed.




2. Just a counter-review to the latest. The first edition was chocked full of page-sized award winning pics. This is NOT a how-to or narrative. It is essentially a picture book including some words by the author introducing and explaining the pics and area. If you want to be inspired to paddle the west coast of Canada and North West US....pick it up, fantastic look/read.



3. Joel Rogers is well known in the Pacific Northwest for being an excellent photographer, with a strong interest in sea kayaking. Many kayaking calendars and rowing calendars are photographed by Rogers. He's also a decent writer. This book is quite a beautiful description, in words and Roger's excellent photos, of kayaking trips from the Seattle/Tacoma area all the way up into Western Canada, including stops at locations not usually seen by man. Quite an interesting, quintessentially Pacific Northwest travel book -- provided that travel is on the water.

1 comments about Frommer's Walking Tours: San Francisco (Frommer's Walking Tours).

1. The Venice version of the Frommer Walking Tours was great so my wife and I had high hopes for this book during our trip to San Francisco this week. One problem which we faced was the age of the book...it was printed in 1995 so many businesses have disappeared and several museums have moved in the interim (notably the Asian Art Museum and the SF Museum of Modern Art). We were surprised, however, to note that several buildings are shown incorrectly on the maps of the tour, including the SF Public Library in the Civic Center.
   
   In addition, the author focuses quite a bit on shopping rather than historical details. This causes problems when she points out notable antiques shops that have disappeared. I guess it's a challenge to write a travel guide to a very vibrant city like San Francisco compared to a more historical city like Venice. Locations move constantly in San Francisco while Venice's magic is how it remains timeless. If you decide to use this book to tour San Francisco (and I recommend walking tours in this wonderful city) I'd suggest a visit to Google to check the routes prior to heading to the city and setting out on your own. Enjoy!

No comments about CONDE' NAST JOHANSENS RECOMMENDED HOTELS, INNS AND RESORTS - THE AMERICAS, ATLANTIC, CARIBBEAN, PACIFIC 2009 (Johansens Recommended Hotels Inns and Resorts: North America, Bermuda, Caribbean Pacific).

No comments about Fodor's The Lewis and Clark Trail, 1st Edition (Travel Historic America).

5 comments about Maryland Delaware Atlas & Gazetteer (State Atlas & Gazetteer).

1. I originally used Delorme road maps of NH, VT, ME & NY when I hiked extensively in the High Peaks of New England. They were EXTREMELY helpful in navigating the confusing mess of old logging roads, etc.
   
   I bought this map while planning a cycling trip from Virginia Beach to Philadelphia. While it looks like it's probably the best thing out there which would give road maps of the entire state, it doesn't show as much detail as a local map would.



2. These state gazetteers make traveling the back roads a pleasure, and is a great value from Amazon.



3. The only atlas I've found which shows the whole penninsula. That makes it easy to find directions around traffic without using two or three maps. Wonderful for those of us who know the major routes but always wondered to where the side routes lead.



4. We bought this map/gazetteer in preparation for our trip to Maryland. I am satisfied with the quality of the atlas, it's easy to read and well organized.



5. As a native Mainer and longtime owner of the Maine Atlas and Gazeteer from DeLorme's, I had high expectations of the Maryland one. And I really had a need for it too - I commute there for business about 40 weeks a year.
   
   I am very disappointed by this product. It has nowhere near the detail or resolution that the original Maine one does. (I think every dirt road in the State of Maine is clearly marked!)
   
   I shudder to think about what the Gazeteer would be for a state like CA or AK ... somebody else will have to find out!

No comments about Rand McNally Long Beach, Ca Easyfinder Plus Map (Easyfinder Plus).

4 comments about Albemarle: A Story of Landscape and American Identity.

1. This is a fabulous book for anyone who lives in, has ever visited, or has ever even thought of visiting Albemarle County, V.A. The history is extremely well written, and the photographs are out-of-this-world beautiful! I highly recommend it!



2. Don't be deceived by the physical dimensions of Albemarle and beautiful photos it contains. This is more than just a coffee table book, thanks to Wingtips author Avery Chenoweth's elevating prose. The book will manage to trigger the sensory memories of anyone who has ever spent any time Charlottesville.



3. As a teenager, I spent years wandering around the Albemarle County countryside. Not literally wandering for the whole year, but a still lot of time in all seasons. More than 10 years later I've still yet to see everything, as Albemarle is rather like a small European country. Small but remarkably varied with pockets of unique 'kingdoms' hidden all around.
   
   Anyway, in all those days of wandering through fields of llamas, being chased by farmed buffalo and generally getting lost in the woods at all hours, Albemarle County never looked this good. It is remarkable how truly picturesque this place becomes through the lens and pen of the photographer and the author. Much better than the real thing.
   
   If you are interested in Albemarle, you don't need to come here and see it yourself. Stay at home and read this book instead.



4. Nothing wrong with the content of the book but for a coffee table book, this one from Amazon had several flaws. Yes the cost was less than buying at the bookstore but the bookstore copy probably wouldn't have wrinkled pages and pages still stuck together with the edges uncut. Really shoddy quality.

2 comments about Then & Now: Thirty-six Years in the Rockies.

1. This book was originally written by my great-grandfather Robert Vaughn who came to this country from Wales. He wrote the book for his daughter, Arvonia Elizabeth Vaughn Sprague. The original book is extremely interesting, as it gives a very graphic view of what life was like in Montana during the latter part of the 1800s. I am intentionally spelling Vaughn this way because it was altered when he was getting a title for some land that he purchased. In Robert Vaughn's original book, the spelling of his name is the same throughout the book. I have not read Walter's reprint of Robert Vaughn's book, but the incorrect spelling of Vaughn's name and the fact that none of the descendents of Robert Vaughn were ever consulted about this book raises concerns about the accuracy of this book. My rating reflects the quality of the original book.



2. This book was originally written by my Great-grandfather, Robert Vaughn, who came to this country from Wales. He wrote the book for his daughter, Arvonia Elizabeth Vaughn Sprague. The original book is extremely interesting, as it gives a very graphic view of what life was like in Montana during the latter part of the 1800s. I am intentionally spelling Vaughn this way because it was altered when he was getting a title for some land that he purchased. In Robert Vaughn's original book, the spelling of his name is the same throughout the book. I have not read Walter's reprint of Robert Vaughn's book, but the incorrect spelling of Vaughn's name and the fact that none of the descendents of Robert Vaughn were ever consulted about this book raises concerns about the accuracy of this book. My rating reflects the quality of the original book.

1 comments about A Guide to Contemporary Plains Indians.

1. I just completed a 24 state tour of the Central, Northwest, West Coast, and Southwest. I visited several National Parks, Indian Reservations, National Forests, and state capitols. I purchased Ms Strutin's book, "A Guide to Contemporary Plains Indians" at one of the Parks.
   I found that this book tells rather candidly and concisely what happened to the American Indians of the Great Plains. How we took their land through false promises, deception and sheer force. I've been delivering this message to all who would listen for many years. In this book are many details of the atrocities committed during the settling of the Plains by the white man. I was so impressed by this book, that I've searched the web for an address for Ms Strutin, in order to abtain pernission to excerpt her accounts on my website and in my online journal. I've not been successful in my search, but I will continue. The message contained in this book should be spread. I would highly recommend this book to anyone interested in American Indian history.
   Greywolf0518

2 comments about Streetwise New Jersey Map - Laminated State Road Map of New Jersey - Folding pocket size travel map (Streetwise) (Streetwise (Streetwise Maps)).

1. it's made of solid... paperboard? plastic? carfboard? well whatever it is, it's good quality. it's got a lot of detail. very useful.



2. This fold out laminated map is very good for seeing the major cities through New Jersey. It is compact but it's not exactly pocket sized.