No comments about The Seattle & Vancouver Book, A Complete Guide: Includes the Olympic Peninsula, Victoria & More (Great Destinations).

No comments about The Thomas Guide 2009 Seattle & King County (King County Street Guide and Directory).

No comments about Bringing Out Baby: Places to Take Babies and Toddlers : Seattle, the Eastside, and South Snohomish County.

5 comments about Skid Road.

1. What I do not like about the book is that it focusses a little too much on the political history of the town rather than on the people who made up the population. A little time was spent on the initial Chinese American population, but more time could have been spent on those and other immigrant cultures that have historically made up the city.

   Even so, it's still worth the effort. It is a fun read, and, though dated, it still kept me laughing unexpectedly over and over again.




2. This is the consensus choice among local historians and writers for the best history of Seattle's founding, and it deserves to be. Morgan's portraits of pioneers like Doc Maynard and Arthur Denny are exhilirating and informative, and the book reads like a collection of excellent short stories rather than a dry recollection. If you are familiar with Seattle, this will change the way you look at Pioneer Square and the waterfront, but a knowledge of the city is not necessary to enjoy these stories of a city's establishment and maturation.



3. I just loved this book. It was required to read for a History class. I couldn't put the book down. I read it in a weekend. I learned so much about Seattle, and the wild characters that help to create and establish Seattle. I never knew such people help to built Seattle.

   Now I know The history behind the street names in seattle, and more about the history in Seattle that I would have never had know.

   I'd love to read more books that this authors has written.




4. Skid Road by Murray Morgan has become somewhat of a classic in the Seattle area, where having read it is basically an indication that you know something about the history of the city.

   The book itself is not really what many people would refer to as a history book, however. The subtitle says it all: "an informal portrait." While the book can be read and enjoyed with little or no knowledge of Seattle history, this is a book that's best read for the purpose of providing vivid color to one's understanding of the history of the city. If you're looking for a traditional history with lots of data, maps, and so forth there are better places to begin.

   But as a work of literature this is a wonderful book. Morgan is an amazing writer and storyteller, and Skid Road serves as a wonderful example of what local history writing can be. If you have a strong appreciation of quality writing this book will hold your attention even if you have no interest in Seattle.




5. This is the great popular history of Seattle. Learn about the pioneers behind the downtown streetnames: Denny, Stewart, Mercer, and more. Yes, there was history here before Grunge -- and it was even more earthy.
   
   The colorful stories just don't stop:
6. the founding and abandonment of Alki (now West Seattle);
7. the "Battle of Seattle," with the settlers hiding in a fort;
8. Chief Sealth's myth and legacy;
9. the Great Seattle Fire that burnt down Pioneer Square, and the landfill into the Sound that rebuilt it;
10. how Seattle overtook Tacoma as the dominant city on Puget Sound by luring miners bound for the Yukon Gold Rush with the promise of "the best whorehouses north of San Francisco" and, of course, provisions for the trail and for prospecting;
11. the 1909 Alaska-Yukon-Pacific Exposition on the University of Washington grounds, designed by the Olmstead Brothers (of Central Park fame);
12. Seattle's mixed role in the anti-Chinese mob violence that swept up the Pacific coast in the 1880s;
13. the outrageously mammoth public works projects sluicing Denny Hill flat, using the dirt for landfill on the waterfront, and creating the worlds largest man-made island in the harbor;
14. the Seattle General Strike of 1919 that prompted a nation-wide red scare;

and more and more and more.

It makes me breathless just to type this! A very enjoyable read, in a breezy story-telling style, Skid Road gives you more of a flavor of where Seattle came from in just a few hours than anything else.

3 comments about Seattle City Walks: Exploring Seattle Neighborhoods on Foot.

1. as a recent transplant to seattle & a new dog owner, i love this book. it maps out about 10 walks to take in different neighborhoods- fremont, queen anne, the international district, etc. and lists the time each should take as well as a wealth of information. there are features on buildings you'll see, maps, suggested parking places, and more. it's much more interesting than your standard guidebook that just lists museums & stuff.



2. I AM NOT A RESIDENT OF SEATTLE, BUT I VISIT AS OFTEN AS I CAN. I HAVE READ THIS BOOK WITH GREAT ENJOYMENT. IT IS VERY INFORMATIVE AND EASY TO READ.



3. As a newcomer to Seattle, I have made good use of this book. When searching for a place to live, it really gave me a taste of each neighbourhood. The walks are fun and informative, with accurate maps, great layout, and something to interest everyone. So, if you are kean to learn the history of Seattle neighbourhoods, this book is a must.

5 comments about The Wizard of Seattle.

1. I looked at the book because I saw It was Kay Hooper already one of my favorite writers. The title screamed time-travel so I bought it when I started reading I could not put it down. From the first when the Orphan Serena knocks on Merlins door I was Captivated by them both.liked that they did the time-travel with a reason and together it was like a mystery, romance & sci-fi together Serena's spirit and Richards caring enough to risk everything on a chance to fix something made wrong a very long time before he was born. So they can stay together. I have reread it so much I had to get another copy. When I finished reading it I menttioned it to my friend he borrowed it and also liked it and loaned it to a friend who also really liked it. It took awhile to get it back. liked that they did the time travel on purpose and together



2. I enjoyed this story very much. It kept me reading on to find out the puzzles to their problems. One outstanding drawback for me was Serena's story background. I felt it needed more telling. We learn about his background and parents but nothing of hers except a few comments. Apart from that, the different twists and personalities make for good reading. I enjoyed the history and on going relationship Merlin and Serena had between them. I thought they complimented each other very well. In fact, I think the repartees in this story were excellent! I enjoyed her "unusual" experience that changes her view of him, adding humor and more spice to the relationship. The fact that Merlin was older (10 yrs.) didn't bother me and I thought his personality as a young Master Wizard & guardian, discovering he had latent feelings, comical. Wizards being raised in a scholarly and distant fashion for millenniums, having an important human element bred out of them, not lost but unused and dormant. In the trip to the past to attempt to repair the problems of the present, the countryside descriptions were a little too bazaar but the Curtain was very sinister and added uncertain danger. The strangeness of a split and dying society with the added element of the second romance was good, rushed but good. The story is about finding the missing element, that vital element that brings us together beyond sex and I found it touching.
   However, I think this would have been just as good a story without the hero and heroine being so strikingly beautiful and might have even added a little more interest to it. I am a little tired of them always being so perfect but with problems. So, ...although I think this an enjoyable read, I give it 4 stars and look forward to reading the next Kay Hooper story.



3. I really enjoyed this book when it first came out. I recently read it again and was a little annoyed at Serena. What a whiny, baby. I can't understand why the wizard even cares about her. Boo hoo, he doesn't love me. Boo hoo, I'm too sexy why doesn't he love me? Please!! This is an interesting read, but Serena is annoying.



4. For a short story fiction book I thought it quite fun and a great little read. This book would be great for a cold rainey day to curl up with. I really enjoyed it!



5. THE WIZARD OF SEATTLE by Kay Hooper is a paranormal romance revolving around a master wizard and his apprentice who travel back in time to Atlantis (right before it is destroyed). The purpose of traveling back in time is to discover why the wizard society has made it illegal for women to be wizards - and possibly change that for the better. Otherwise, the master wizard, Richard, will be forced to take away the powers of his apprentice, Serena, the girl he loves.
   
   I gave the book four stars because I thought both Serena and Richard were interesting characters, the premise was original, and the wizard society fascinating. I especially enjoyed the portrayal of life and customs of the citizens of Atlantis. Once they traveled back into time to Atlantis, I was hooked.
   
   However, I didn't enjoy the first few chapters of the book, so it took me a while to get past them. The prologue in Atlantis had a brutal scene, and the introductory chapter with Serena was cheesy, so combined, they put me off. However, once I got past them, the book became much more enjoyable.
   
   One of the strangest things about this romance was that I thought the love scene between the bad guy and his concubine was better described and much steamier than the actual love scene between our hero and heroine. That was disappointing.
   
   Regardless, I still enjoyed the book and would recommend it to anyone interested in time-travel or fantasy romances.
   
   ***Other fun time-travel romances include A KNIGHT IN SHINING ARMOR by Jude Deveraux or THE AUTUMN LORD by Susan Sizemore. If you are interested in wizards, try THE BRIDE FINDER by Susan Carroll.****

3 comments about Take a Hike Seattle: Hikes Within Two Hours of the City.

1. We're new to Seattle, and find the outdoor options almost overwhelming. Cascades? Olympics? Mount Ranier? Something else? This book lists plenty of hikes for all experience levels, nearly all of which you can do in a day. There's a great variety, and almost every one of them sounds appealing. We like it a lot!



2. We bought this book for our family trip to Seattle. This was an excellent guide to our outdoor adventure. This is a must buy for outdoor travel lovers.



3. Take a Hike Seattle was a labor of love for me. I included many of my favorite hikes in the Seattle area. I hiked every trail and ensured that all descriptions and directions are spot-on accurate. All hike listings are day hikes within 2 hours of Seattle. Listings range from kid-friendly walks to amazing wilderness hikes. With maps, directions, and short summaries, Take a Hike Seattle is a guide geared to help you easily pick a hike and get on the trail
   
   Cheers, Scott

No comments about Rand Mcnally Seattle, Washington.

3 comments about Best Places Seattle: The Locals' Guide to the Best Resturants, Lodging, Sights, Shopping, and More! (Best Places).

1. This guide was amazing! I was extremely pleased with it & I will definetly buy more "Best Places" guides in the future.



2. We keep a copy of this book in our guest room. Lots of people who have stayed with us have used it and have been very happy with the information it contains (short trips to take or activities to do in and around the Seattle area).

   My only criticism is that the section with restaurant recommendations is lacking -- but the dining culture of Seattle changes so frequently that this isn't a significant negative for a general-purpose "Best Places" book.




3. I think this is a pretty awful guidebook. After doing going onto Seattle Citysearch, we found a lot of recommendations that weren't even mentioned in the book. Ivar's, Crabpot, that had raving reviews, and even mentioned in the city's free brochures weren't mentioned. It didn't really tell me what they thought about each place. I don't want a babbling description of a place, but more of "great food!" or "don't miss!" or "it might not be worth the money"
   
   Some of the Top 25 attractions I would question. For example, Pioneer Square was very desolate on the weekend. From the locals, we got the impression that it's more a nightlife center. Also, if you're not into doing every little touristy stuff and spending the money, i don't think you can find anything to do, according to the book!
   
   For a person that's going for the first time trying to find out what is good to see or do, it is awful. The brochures and maps collection in the hotels and stores were more helpful, and that's sad.

5 comments about Artificial Imagination.

1. ReKalpanik S. takes us through his arrival in USA as a student and subsequent travel to several places - San Francisco, Seattle, Nashville, and San Diego. In each places, he focuses on similar aspect of his life as a technologist and an immigrant - acceptance by local people, standing out as a ethnic minority and foreign born, life as a technology execuitve and family life. In addition, he covers local food, people, culture and sources of enjoyment, joy, and finally, and his quest for love and balance.
   
   
   He adds so much meaning, passion and humor, he is so open with the readers that I felt like I was reading a private letter that someone would write only to their best friends.
   
   The writing is refreshingly unexpected, humorous and meaningful. Great read!!



2. 
   This book takes many life concepts expressed in different forms and combine them in a mishmash. He structures the 12 different personal essays, each highlighting a particular transitional period in his life or a specific experience in to a beautiful collage of experiences in this book very successfully. What a funny memoir!
   
   Kalpanik S. is a fine writer with a lot to say about a lot of things and a unique way of making you laugh! I highly recommend her book.



3. As a travelogue, Welcome to the USA is pretty good, Kalpanik certainly made me think about wanting to go to San Diego, Seattle and Nashville.
   
   as a character. Kalpanik seems simultaneously incredibly thoughtful and serious and yet someone who has a carefree attitude towards life, someone who handle life as it happens!
   
   It's a light reading, and yet thoughtful; funny yet serious; conversational yet literary!



4. Whether you ever wondered about meaning of it all, or you want to read something light amusing, or want to see places like Seattle, San Diego, and Nashville from the eyes of the writer, or vicariously live the life of a student at University of California, this book is for you!
   
   This book combines elements from good humor, a memoir, a scenic travelogue, a touching love story, science fiction and philosophy.
   
   The author, pretends to be an Artificial Imagination computer program simulating human creativity, describes the life/career journey of a modern nomad through the Hi Tech world of California and Washington (Settle). The book is clever, witty and obviously written by someone very intelligent but still manages to be very down to earth and funny! it's light reading, the author has a conversational style, you feel as if you are reading a letter from a close friend!!



5. This is the story of a brilliant young man who seems to be always on the move, moving from one interesting city to the other.
   
   At the beginning, the author leaves New Delhi for US, where he is awarded a fellowship to study at University of California, but he gets caught into culture shock, as well as an internal dilemma, seeking a deeper meaning of life. While he is most vulnerable, he manages to fall in love with one his student but is unable to express his feelings.
   
   Then he seems to have gone through the roller coaster ride of the technology industry emerging as a winner, a successful technologist leading a group of innovators.
   
   We end in beautiful San Diego, with a moving story about how the author and his family face the Inferno, the great wildfires of 2007.
   
   I don't believe anyone has experienced living unless they have ventured around like the author has. It is in his narratives, his reaction to the challenges he faces and his observations of people and culture of various places that he truly shines.
   
   It is my top read of the year!