1 comments about Norway: The Complete Guide with the Best of Oslo, Bergen, the Fjords and the Far North (4th ed).

1. This book is a good high-level snapshot of what Norway has to offer. However, once I was wandering the streets of Oslo, I wished that I had a book with greater selection and one that offered a few more off-beat places to visit. By following this book's direction, I felt like I was traveling down the same road as thousands of other tourists. In addition, the book's maps lacked sufficient detail. I think there are better Norway books to be had.

No comments about Oslo and Bergen Insight Pocket Guide (Insight Pocket Guides).

1 comments about Hammond International Norway/ Sweden (International Series).

1. We just came back from driving around Norway and Sweden for 10 days. This map was excellent--better than most that we saw there. We even helped a few other travelers find roads on our map that they couldn't find on the ones they had. However, it lacks any sort of distance reference--which will drive you crazy. No box for driving times city to city, and would you believe no scale! I ripped it off of the hard cover because it was too hard to fold up to drive with otherwise. This map is HUGE! But because it is so big it is easy to find everything. However, the scale will throw you off--it doesn't look like it will take so long to get everywhere. It is great for showing the roads well though--right down to the curves and corners--easy to find where you are on the map at nearly any given time.
   
   Advice: Expect it to take longer than it looks on the map. The old roads are very narrow and often one lane, so you are pulling over to fit on-coming traffic which really slows down the time it takes to get places. Plus all of those photo stops! The new roads are good but not that fast most of the time because they often just end at car ferries. Allow about 45 min to 75 min for each ferry crossing, because you will usually have to wait 10 min to 30 min. to board and for it to shove off, and then the crossing and unloading time. They are very efficient but not at quick as a bridge. Don't skip all of the old roads for tunnels--you will miss all of the best scenery! And don't feel you have to take a cruise ship to see the fjords--we think we had a better view from the roads because we kept going up and down all of the hillsides in and out of the fjords. You can always take a boat excursion on individual fjords if you want to get out on the water. If you are going in the summer don't skip your shorts and sunblock because you just checked the average temps. on the computer. Even though it is usually chilly, it was over 80 degrees F the whole time we were there and we mostly had pants and jackets in our cases because the average was supposed to be about 60 degrees. Look at YHA Hostels for sleeping--they were fantastic in Scandinavia and great for families and couples, but buy a YHA membership and book early.
   
   This map is a must if you are driving around Norway and Sweden, but you should buy another general map so you can check driving times and distance.

No comments about Journey Through Norway (Journey Through...).

5 comments about Fellowship of Ghosts: A Journey Through the Mountains of Norway.

1. I just finished this travel memoir, THE FELLOWSHIP OF GHOSTS by Paul Watkins about his solitary hiking trip through the lesser traveled area of Norway that lies just below Trondheim. I gave it 3 stars in relative to a general audience, but for those who have a genuine interest in this type of trip, it is a definite 5 star find.
   
   The title is derived from the guidebooks that inform his journey, all written by Englishmen long-dead. It seems there is precious little available on this region of the world other than books written 100 or more years ago.
   
   The book itself is an inner exploration of a trekk. Words often fail this experienced writer as he attempts to convey the timelessness and the depths of silence that accompany him as he hangs suspended outside of the 21st century. He also explores the meaning of being a Norwegian, delving into our cultural differences and the meaning of Norway's Viking history.
   
   Although I know Norway rather well, this Central region (Jotunheimen and Dovrefjell) was a bit of a no man's land in 1967 when I was there for extended studies. I did not see much of it, and was told it was a place for the hardiest of souls, or, alternatively, It was the realm of trolls and giants. It seems little tamed over the past 40 years by this account. I only wish I was strong enough now to attempt to emulate his itinerary!
   
   The book is a refreshing change from the derring-do approach of many mountaineering books and may serve to initiate some young minds about the value of such travels----But I suspect the most receptive audience will be people like me, who have already trekked through vast wilderness areas. We will certainly sit in our armchairs and relive our travels as we read through this book----



2. Paul Watkins' "The Fellowship of Ghosts" is equal parts highly readable travelogue and introspective musings as the author hikes and travels through the mountains of Central Norway. The ghosts of the title are earlier, mostly English, authors who wrote about their travels in the mountains of Norway: Watkins travels much of the same ground and notes what has and has not changed. As an American graduate of an English boarding school, the author is in a position to critique his precessors.
   
   Watkins' interest in Norway is stirred when, as a college student working on a fishing boat, he is injured in an accident. During his convalescence, a shipmate entertains him with stories of his Norwegian homeland. Watkins is enthralled by the stories and visits as soon as he is well. The experience never quite leaves him, and the present book is oriented around Watkins' second visit many years later.
   
   The area of Watkins's travel is Central Norway, specifically the Rondale, Jotunheimen, and Dovrefjell ranges, beautiful and still largely underdeveloped country. Watkins' observant eye captures a series of vignettes of the fickle weather, the austere tourist facilities, the magnificent terrain, and of his sense of mysticism inspired by the experience of being there. In these mountains, man is not the center of the universe and defines himself against an epic natural landscape. Watkins finds both the outer beauty of the mountains and a measure of inner peace.
   
   Part of Watkins's commentary is a comparison of the marauding Viking stereotype against the kind and honest, if stoic, Norwegians with whom he has contact. Watkins touches on the long history and extensive mythology of Norway in a manner that provides context to his travels and to the Norwegian customs he encounters. Watkins' prose is wry and entertaining, often at his own expense as an American who speaks virtually no Norwegian.
   
   It is unfortunate that the book has only one map and a single photograph of the author in the mountains. This reviewer was able to follow Watkins' adventures with a medium scale map of central Norway.
   
   This book is highly recommended to those who have visited central Norway or plan to do so. It is not meant to be a travel guide but will provide some perspective to enhance the experience of those who cover the same ground.



3. If you're a travel buff or fantasize about travel, you'll find this tale of Watkins' journey through the mountainous terrain of central Norway a page turner. His descriptions of ladscapes are vivid. Additionally, he aquaints the reader with the people, customs, and foods of the area. In fact, he does a phenomenal job such that if you really get into the book, you'll feel as if you've traveled to central Norway yourself. He carries books by those before him who have already made the journey. He uses previous tales of Norwegian travels to guide his tour. These are his ghosts, i.e. the ones before him. He constantly refers to these previous works, giving the reader a synopsis of previous travels by others in addition to the vivid description of his own account. If you're a sightseer and enjoy the outdoors, you will likely enjoy Watkins' tale. If, on the other hand, you prefer to spend you time indoors and in the city, you might find his tale quite dull. I thoroughly enjoyed the book, but I love the outdoors, state and national parks etc.



4. I am an American lving in Norway. I bought the book based on the other reviews I found here, thinking it might give some fresh insight into my adopted country. Not so. It seems to be a chronicle of a two-week vacation in Norway, half of it driving around in a rented car and staying in expensive mountain hotels -- "Norway lite". Watkins didn't spend enough time here or get deep enough into the mountains to write about them with any real authority. The few nights he was actually out in a tent he camped a few hundred meters from a tourist hut, and his hikes were all day hikes that didn't take him all that far from the roads. He seems to avoid contact with the locals, and never really avails himself of Norway's marvelous huts, which make long treks possible with a reasonable measure of comfort and security. (In some of the less-visited mountain areas, it is common to have a comfortably furnished old farm buliding, built of logs and with a turf roof, all to yourself!) His gasping account of his ascent up Storronden makes it sound much more difficult than it is -- because it is located directly above one of the huts, it is a suitable hike for six year-olds. His descriptions of the mountains are sorely lacking -- Rondane and Jotunheimen are dramatically different mountain landscapes, but you would never know it from this book. Even the cover photo is a misleading composite that has little to do with the content of the book. Finally, he regularly misspells and misuses Norwegian words. Some proofreading by someone who knows the language should be a minimum requirement for a book like this. You are better off tracking down and reading some of the 'ghosts' of the title -- Three in Norway by Two of Them is an absolute classic. There are many other, better books about Norway and Norwegians.



5. This is a very superficial account of a "hiking" trip that involves rental cars and hotels. It's basically a short series of day hikes with too many irrelevant reminiscences of his days at Eton.
   
   I was offended by his repeated use of the old term for Sami people and the region of northern Norway that they inhabit (comparable to using racist terms for African-Americans).
   
   I was very surprised to see that the book was so poorly edited. My guess would have been that National Geographic would have access to proper fonts for Norwegian and people who can edit place names, etc. I also was very surprised that someone who teaches writing would have such a wordy writing style (for example, "the reason is because"). It just all added up to a very careless type of writing. Again, I would think National Geographic would be able to find editors to help an author overcome these kinds of things.
   
   It's a shame. Norway is a wonderful country, and an in-depth travel book would be such fun to read; however, this is not that book. There's not much here that you couldn't get in a tourist guidebook.

2 comments about Fodor's Norway, 8th Edition (Fodor's Gold Guides).

1. If you expect any pictures to give you a feel for the place, then don't buy this book. The picture on the cover is the only thing you'll get.
   Where I'm coming from: I don't travel to shop, eat, meet the locals or absorb new culture: I go to see beautiful man-made and natural wonders. An hour spent at a sidewalk cafe absorbing the "atmosphere" is an hour that could be spent seeing more of a castle, cathedral, museum, mountain, lake etc.
   Perhaps if you already know what you want to see, what's worth seeing in Norway, then the information in the book might be useful. But if you've never been to the place before, BUY THE EYEWITNESS SERIES books, they have pictures and 3D perspective drawings of specific neighborhoods give a nice feel for what one might want to see.



2. Fodor's latest tour guide to Norway is, like other editions in this series, heavy on facts for planning and light on wow factor. This edition, a compact 200 pages, provides plenty of information for planning a trip to Norway, especially for the traveler who has already made the decision to go.
   
   The guide provides a useful summary of Norway's many attractions, lots of information on traveling to and around Norway, and breakdowns by region of the principal attractions. Oslo gets lots of coverage as the major city, principal point of entry, and home of the best shopping and museum hopping. The guide also provides lots of information about the spectacular west coast of Norway, the fjord country, based on its status as a major tourist destination. Interior Norway gets rather less coverage but can be just as rewarding for the traveler looking for quiet forests and mountains. Each section typically includes suggestions for accomodations and dining. Each section also includes sketch maps that might be used as the basis of a tour itinerary.
   
   Norway has a somewhat limited road network, but compensates with excellent internal air and rail systems. Travelers may wish to consider these options in planning their movement around Norway, a surprisingly large country.
   
   Fodor's Norway does not have any photographs or other illustrations beyond maps; visitors seeking a sense of place and scale will have to consult elsewhere. The level of detail in such a compact guide is also limited. Travelers with particular interests such as hiking are advised to consult more detailed guides on Norway's trail and hut system.
   
   This guide is recommended to the traveler planning a first trip to Norway and needing lots of basic facts with which to plan.

1 comments about The Norway Bed & Breakfast Book.

1. We have been to Norway 8 times and never had seen your book. We found many places that we didn't know about. We will find it very helpful on our next trip this summer. Written well and you can find any area of the country that you want.

2 comments about Walking in Norway (Cicerone Guide).

1. "Walking in Norway" is a compact guide to long distance hiking in the mountains and high plateaus of Norway. Norway is blessed with some exceptionally beautiful national parks featuring mountains, lakes, and huge open areas above treeline. Connie Roos has provided planning information to take advantage of 20 selected routes located in the Hardanger, Jotunheimen, Rondane, Dovre, Trollheimen, and northern Norway regions. Her focus is on multi-day hikes, although hikers may choose to do only segments of the routes described. Her information includes a sketch map for each area, terrain profile, and narrative description of the distance and conditions of each major path segment. There is also a small selection of photographs that provide some sense of scale. Roos has provided some valuable information on how to reach the various hiking regions, whether by car, bus, or train, and on how the distinctive Norwegian mountain hut system works.
   
   Hikers should pay close attention to Roos' comments on clothing. The Norwegian mountain regions are subject to highly variable weather conditions. The isolation of many of these areas means hikers will be thrown on their resources in the event of bad weather.
   
   Hikers should also expect to invest in maps of the areas where they plan to hike. The sketch maps in the book are not sufficiently detailed for routefinding.
   
   This book is highly recommended to the dedicated hiker looking for opportunities in the still mostly wild interior of Norway.



2. I was dissapointed that this guide didn't contain more information. What it has is excellent and useful but it needs much more. Important information like temperature is missing, and it says none of the walks are for the inexperienced person. However as it appears to be the best there is on walking in Norway, it's worth buying.

1 comments about Living in Norway (Living In...).

1. "Living in Norway" is a pictorial tour throughout Norway of days gone by in quiet solitude between the grand fjords with the majestic mountains on all sides. The book is divided into the four seasons: fall, winter, spring and summer. You can experience the beauty of Norway through all seasons. Winter time in Norway is long, and the daylight hours few, but the homes are gaily decorated throughout the dark winter days. When it comes to antiques, here you can see them in their natural surroundings. This book offers hundreds of color photographs, but don't forget to read the text, it is a fantastic tour of Norway. The "hytta" or cabins the norwegians used in the summer days are featured, many of the old hytta still exist and open their doors to guests as do American bed and breakfasts. Some of the hytta remain with the original families, others have been purchased for private use or for overnight stays. Traditional rosmalling on the walls and the "box beds" will guide you through times gone by. An intimate tour through the summer home of Edvard Grieg and his wife will delight you and amaze you to discover that this is also the final resting place of the Greig's. But more awaits. The modern Norwegian homes are smartly represented also, from a simple concrete structure in Oslo decorated to please someone with an eye for new-age artwork, these glimpses inside the homes of Norway and excellent stories about their histories may leave you wondering how to find these places. No fear, among the last pages of the book are addresses for each of these homes if you would like to include one of these homes on your next trip to Norway. No matter if you wish to visit a Nordland harbor with it's peaceful calm fjord, or a Gudbrandsdalen farm which is linked to the 3 series trilogy written by Nobel prizewinner Sigrid Undset (The Bridal Wreath, The Mistress of Husaby, The Cross), you will find a rich selection of Norwegian homes, interior and exterior, modern or antique. As you read the book, it will look handsome on your coffee table. It makes an excellent gift for a family member who would enjoy reading about days gone by in Norway and living in modern Norway. If you desire to decorate your home norwegian style, ideas abound in the book. How about a stroll along Karl Johan street in Oslo to find a excellent restaurant with a historical past? A great book for Norwegian genealogists interested in farm life also. This book is rich in text and photographs, and the book is so inexpensive. Enjoy!

5 comments about Following the Alaskan Dream.

1. Marilyn literally takes you aboard with her and her family. I almost got sea sick. LOL Marilyn is articulate and tells it like it is. She doesn't sugar coat the unfortunate happenings. You will laugh, you will cry and you will get angry at certain characters. All in all a wonderful read.



2. Vivid portrayal of southeast Alaska's vanishing fishing industry. Sharing the author's lifetime of experiences I could almost feel salt spray in my face. A must-read for anyone who has lived in this beautiful country, has visited there, or dreams of Alaska.



3. Besides telling the not-to-be-put-down story of her life, the author has created a historical document of southeastern Alaska, including the changes that occured during her many years there. The book is also a source of inspirational quotations which embody the Alaskan spirit. Marilyn Jordan George is a multitalented person; I am glad she penned her life story.



4. I bought this book at a book-signing Marilyn was having at Mendenhall Glacier Visitors Center in Alaska. I was was there on a side trip from a cruise ship, and it was my lucky day. Marilyn autographed it for me, and I took it back to the ship - where it hardly left my hands for the balance of the cruise, and on the plane home. What a great book! Reading this account of Marilyn's early life with her husband in Alaska is like becoming a part of her family. You suffer with them when they don't find fish, and rejoice with them when the year is good. You see in your mind's eye the beauty of Alaskan waters, and can almost smell the salty air as they hunt the elusive salmon. You rejoice in the birth of each child, and marvel at their life aboard a small fishing boat. You live with them in the tiny cabin they build on land. Written in the first person, Marilyn brings you to Alaska and into her family with a wealth of details, and with a skill and honesty to be admired. The book deserves every one of it's Five Stars rating. Do yourself a favor and buy it for some long weekend when you want a really good read. You will not regret it!



5. My husband and I had just spent a number of fascinating days exploring The Pan Handle of Alaska (Southeast Alaska)-Which included-a number of communities that are only reached by boat or plane, as well as gliding among the ice floats in an area called Tracy's Arm to view a large glacier. When we landed in Petersberg we visited the museum and met Marilyn Jordan George. We could not resist buying her book; Following The Alaskan Dream.
   We have both read it and have both thoroughly enjoyed it. The author gives you a detailed account of how life was lived during her days of salmon trolling in Southeast Alaska. Marilyn recounts the good-times and the trials of raising a family living on a boat, while salmon trolling with her husband, Skip Jordan.
   It was most gratifying to read and enjoy a book that represents how positive thinking and a zest for life can give you such great pleasure. I was very sorry it ended---and hoped that there will be a sequel. Eliot Marshall/Klatzkin-Yardley, Pa.