5 comments about Big Island of Hawaii Handbook: Including Hawaii Volcanoes National Park, the Kona Coast, and Waipio Valley (Moon Handbooks).

1. This book was a gift to me. I would never have purchased such a stodgy looking guide if I saw it in the bookstore. I actually got the larger Hawaii Handbook covering all of the Hawaiian islands. This book is the Big Island section of that book and includes comprehensive general Hawaiian island information as well. If someone is planning a multiple island trip they should go for the bigger book. Even if you are not going to Hawaii but want to know about Hawaii get this one. I devoured this book during the long flight to Hawaii and must say it was by far the very best travel guide that I have ever read and used to any destination. (And I have read them all.) It is so comprehensive and the writing is so well done that reading all of the information was almost like reading a page turner novel for me. I could not get enough. Once we were in Hawaii we found this guide totally indispensible. We traveled with a few other nice guides but, with all of their color photograpy and fancy maps, eventually this one was the only one we felt was worthwhile. (You can get all the maps you will ever need once you get there.) After touring extensively I read it with even more interest on the long flight home. We plan to return to tour just the Big Island and this is the one we will bring. It is not glitzy it is the real thing. Enjoy.



2. I like a guidebook with lots of pictures and detailed maps and this one lacks both. Knowing exactly where I am when I'm driving is probably my number one necessity. For armchair traveling and tourists with time to read this 400 page book provides interesting background.



3. I have found on 3 previous trips to the Big Island, in recent years that, Robert Nilsen's "Moon Big Island of Hawai'i" is vastly superior and is
   "The Best of the Best" when comparing the many others that are on the
   market, including some well known ones. This being the 3rd updated edition that we have used, we find it to be very up to date and that is sometimes very hard to do, when business's seem to change overnight, at times on the Big Island. His writing skills allow for easy reading
   and enjoyment, while showing his knowledge and love for the Big Island. Mr Nilson takes pride in the work that he does and when there seems to be an issue, with one of his recommendations, he takes the time to acknowledge your etter and sees to it that, if the issue is true, his recommendation will change in the next updated edition.
   
   My recommendation: This is a needed book on any venture to the Big Island of Hawai'i, whether your 1st, your 10th or more, as it is "The Best of the Best!!!!" You will find it well worn, upon your return, and may have friends and family wanting to borrow it for their trip,as well!



4. Big Island of Hawai'i Including Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park is the Moon Handbooks guide for tourists and travelers, and like all books in the Moon series, is packed cover to cover with absolutely everything one needs to know to make the most of a Hawai'i vacation or business trip. Focusing specifically on Hawai'i's Big Island rather than the rest of the chain, chapters cover Kona, South Kohala, North Kohala, The Saddle Road, Hamakua Coast, Hilo, Puna, and Ka'u and Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park. From tips for getting around to health and safety advice to extensive directions, maps, black-and-white photographs, recommended hotels, hours for ideal eateries and gift shops, sports and recreation facilities, and much more, Big Island of Hawai'i is a compact, information-laden guide that no traveler to Hawai'i's Big Island should be without.



5. Obviously, from the reviews here, people want/expect different things from their guidebooks but my wife and I have done a lot of traveling to a lot of places and found this one of the best we've ever used.
   
   This book covers everything a traveler could need -- where to stay, where to eat, where to shop; and whatever your taste in activities, from museums to water sports, from golf to horticulture, it's well covered here, with full details of the where, the when, the phone number, and any little quirky info like "avoid Tuesdays," or "be aware of the riptides." (Is there anybody out there who WOULDN'T want to know there are riptides?)
   
   It's also very comprehensive -- not too surprising, of course, when it only has to cover a relatively small island - some books this size cover a whole country!

No comments about Inside Passage: Along the Wild Pacific Coast from Seattle to Alaska.

No comments about A water tour of Seattle.

No comments about Seattle Birds: An Introduction to Familiar Species in King County.

1 comments about The Lobster Kids' Guide to Exploring Seattle.

1. This is the book I was looking for. Knowing Seattle like the back of my hand I still needed inspiration for playing tourist with my kids in Seattle. And who better to write a guide to Seattle with children than two women who wrote for the top Seattle family magazines. This book will not only give you ideas on what to do, it will tell you what to expect to spend, how long you should plan to be there, what else is in the neighborhood, helpful hints to make the outing more enjoyable, and just about anything else you'd need to know about doing it. I now not only have a full week of adventures planned for this summer but ideas of other things to do for a long time to come. Yeah!

1 comments about Seattle.

1. I got this book through my library, and I was amazed. The pictures are wonderful! Some of the pictures are so good, I want to go and take them myself. Great book for anyone trying to get a glimpse of Seattle and it's charm.

2 comments about Access Seattle (4th ed).

1. I really liked how well Seattle was described, though in a very general manner. Small glimpses of the city were given and well critiqued. Very helpful, even for relocation.



2. This is as good as a guidebook can get.

   It is concise- it is not a encylopedia volume to lug around town; It is informative- with history of the city and its surroundings, the book is very thorough and written very very well; It is well illustrated- restaurants, hotels, attractions are color-coded differently and there are a ton of great illustrations that really do justice to the charm of the city.

   Despite having grown up in Seattle, this book opened my eyes to a whole new world of places to go and restaurants to check out that I previously didn't see.

   I would like to shake the hand of the man who put together such a fine guidebook- I have one for the Washington DC area as well!

No comments about Seattle & the Olympic Peninsula for Dummies.

No comments about Seattle, Washington Street Map.

5 comments about Bringing Out Baby: Seattle and the Eastside: Places to Take Babies and Toddlers.

1. I have three young kids under age 5 and this book has been a life saver for those days when I've just got to get out of the house and don't know where to go. The libraries and community centers are a welcome change to Chuck E.Cheese and I look forward to visiting the child friendly restaurants.



2. I was recently in Seattle over the holidays and came across Bringing Out Baby. The book was great for me because I knew nothing about the city and it gave me plenty of ideas for enjoying time out with my children. The book is very informative and well organized. I passed it on to my host who is 6 months pregnant. I'm sure it will be a great reference guide for her too.



3. This book is great for those not familiar with the area and have kids under 3. However, I didn't find the book to be as comprehensive as I thought it would be. I can name two wonderful toddler parks in Kirkland that were not even mentioned in the book. Informing the reader as to which parks have restrooms is VERY beneficial. However, if you have "Out and About Seattle with Kids," skip buying this book.



4. As a dad who works too much, Julia makes it easy to figure out what to do with my kids. Insightful accurate and fun, I open the book, pick a page and we go. A great resource



5. I used to live in Seattle- We recently moved from there to South Florida, and I was very sad to see that there are no good guide books here like "Bringing out Baby".I had gotten used to carrying my copy in my diaper bag where ever I went in Seattle. I have two very young children and found the book so useful in my everyday outings.It is thorough, yet easy to read and it saved me time-I could bring my children to places knowing exactly what to expect. I wish Ms. Detering knew Fort Lauderdale as well as she knows Seattle- I miss being able to find good places quickly. I have passed my well used copy to a friend and I highly recommend it to any new parent or parent to be in the Seattle area.