No comments about Paducah: Frontier To The Atomic Age (KY) (Making of America).

No comments about AAA Central States / Provinces: Arkansas, Colorado, Illinois, Iowa, Kansa, Louisiana, Manitoba, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oklahoma, Ontario, Sakatchewan, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin: Plus Mexico Insurance Information (North American Regional Series 2004, 2004-521803, 037886519203).

1 comments about Bolivia: The Bradt Travel Guide.

1. Bolivia, named after Simon Bolivar, Latin America's greatest Liberator, is an undiscovered gem and David Atkinson's guide on Bolivia has a wealth of background information and his cultural, economic and ecological commentaries are excellent. Bolivia is one of the top ten nations in the world for bio-diversity and Bolivia is the home for 22 national parks and 60 protected areas - Atkinson's coverage of these areas is exemplary.
   
   David has a great descriptive writing style and the sidebars throughout the book are gems. He provides good background information on the standard "must visit" locations: La Paz, Sucre, Potosi, Uyuni, Santa Cruz, Rurenabaque, Lake Titicaca and Copacabana.
   
   However, if you are going to travel to more remote locations; or if you are going overland into Brazil; or if you seek to journey into the Bolivian Amazon then this guide falls short. No Coverage.
   
   Also the guide's "health" section is paltry and it skims over the health problems that you could encounter in Bolivia. The maps are sophomoric and the city maps are cluttered and difficult to use (however, this is true of all Bradt guides).
   
   Finally, this guide could have been a strong contender among Bolivia Guides, however Atkinson's accommodation and restaurant recommendations are dismal. Some of the properties I checked out were closed, and, I found far too many of the hotels/hostels listed in this guide to be hovels, dumps or worse. A guide MUST give it readers reliable and accurate recommendations.
   
   Though there is enough in this guide to make it a nice addition to another guide, if I had to buy just one guide, I would select "Lonely Planet: Bolivia 2007 (highly recommended - see my review). Conditionally recommended

No comments about Vamos a Puerto Rico / Puerto Rico (Vamos a / a Visit to. . ., (Spanish).).

5 comments about Realm of the Incas.

1. Max Milligan's "Realm of the Incas" is described as a celebration of the extraordinary diversity at the heart of Tithuantinsuyo, or, "Land of the Four Quarters", and that's true, but it is more, much more, for Max is a man deeply in love, in love with a majestic, mysterious and beautiful country and its people. We, the readers of this book, are privileged, privileged to be presented with such a breathtakingly beautiful and wonderful perspective from one so passionate about his subject.

   Max Milligan is an outstanding photographer and his magical photographs take us places we've never been before, and make us want to go to them just as soon as we can. His text continues to entice us - to know more about the majestic moments of past and present in Peru's fabled Realm of the Incas.

   If your interested in the myths, beliefs and customs of the wonderfully diverse inhabitants of areas such as the Andes, Cuzco, the Amazon, or the Sacred Valley of the Incas, and their rich biodiversity, this book is definitely for you!




2. Wonderful succession of photographs of Inca country accompanied by very personal observations by the photographer, whose love for the region shines through in his text as well as his pictures. Though not a photographer myself, I particular enjoyed some of his comments on how and where certain shots were taken. I can vouch for the accuracy of the depictions, which provide a fine overview of one of the more fascinating parts of the planet.



3. For those who've been to Peru, this book is a terrific souvenir. The photographs are stunning, interesting and some are unusual, almost abstract; the text is informative and clever and the book covers much of Peru... For those who have not been to Peru, this is an invitation. The book sold out in England. Very worth the price. Top notch.



4. This is an excellent book. We did extensive travel in Peru and the book clearly captured what we had learnt.



5. 
   Max Milligan is an international art photographer who work hangs in private and corporate collections worldwide. All his photographs are naturally lit without the use of flash or filters, and with no subsequent manipulation. You can see an extraordinary collection of his photos, including many from this book, on his website. Google Max Milligan .
   
   Realm of the Incas was published by HarperCollins in 2001. "The Times" [of London] listed it as one of its Top Ten Travel Books of the Year. This edition sold out quickly, but it has been republished by Idlewild. I believe the two editions are identical.
   
   "New Scientist" wrote that this is a "stunning visual odyssey of Inca past and present. It presents nine beautifully conceived photographic essays." I agree completely. The first edition from HarperCollins is a great bargain; if you can't find it, do yourself a great favor and buy the Idelwild edition.
   
   Robert C. Ross
   Robert C. Ross 2008

No comments about Fort Lauderdale, FL (Images of America (Arcadia Publishing)).

1 comments about Your Travel Guide to America's Old West (Passport to History).

1. Part of a series which takes children back through history to previous time periods, this book by Rita Markel is most enjoyable and very informative. The layout is very pleasing - the background color and texture to each page is reminiscent of old documents, there are interesting photos, as well as pictures of items mentioned in the text. I especially liked the side bars which include trivia, safety tips, things not to be missed etc. The book is written in the present tense and advises the reader on a wealth of necessary information to help decide where to go and what to see in America's old west. Ms. Markel tells it like it is (for you feel you are going to be there very soon). It is clearly a very well-researched book, but it's never boring, and one can gallop along at a good pace. There are all kinds of fascinating tidbits in this book eg. nitroglycerin used for blasting railroad tunnels was known as "bang juice"; women were allowed to vote, hold political office and serve on juries in Wyoming from 1869. There is also lots of diversity in this book, with plenty of references to Native American and African American culture, as well as Mexican and Chinese contributions to the old west. Women's issues are also frequently mentioned. The book talks about how to get around, money, local customs, what to wear, where to stay, and what to eat. At the end is a nice clear timeline, a glossary and pronunciation guide. As a teacher, I would recommend this book to students and parents (upper elementary, lower middle school) as a great place to go and get a genuine feel what the old west is/was like!

No comments about A World in Focus - Central & South America (A World in Focus).

5 comments about The New Key to Costa Rica (New Key Guides).

1. Absolutely the best of the four (you can guess the other three) books we took, because this on focuses on the off-beat and the green. Use it to locate the indepth Costa Rica, the one that gets you away from everyone else and makes you feel happy about it.



2. [...]The 18th edition of New Key to Costa Rica improves upon a veritable classic.
   
   2006 marks the 30th anniversary of the guidebook which guides travelers toward
   tasteful family-run lodgings and communities that are actively protecting the rural environment.
   
   Written in a style that feels like a conversation with a travel guide, the New Key provides countless insights about the culture, the environment and the people of Costa Rica.
   
   First authored by Jane Wallace, the book was then updated by her daughter Beatrice Blake and Anne Becher. Beatrice prepared this edition alone, but it is easy to see that the text has been guided by a number of joyful souls.
   
   In 1992 this book was the first guidebook to use a green-rating system. In this edition, the rating system is downplayed in favor of focusing on community efforts.
   
   Focusing on family farm visits allows Blake to show travelers the connections among organic agriculture, appropriate energy technology and diverse ecosystems. She writes: "By visiting these communities, not only will you meet some lovely people, but you will be inspired by their ability to put innovative principles into practice."
   
   For travelers wishing to experience tropical nature, there is no better immersion than visiting the communities that are at the forefront of conservation.
   
   Exciting adventure sports are not omitted. One of the highlights of the book is a review of the country's best canopy tours. Additional "adventure reports" showcase innovative efforts throughout the country.
   
   Among the informative sidebars are capsule reviews of the Talamanca Ecotourism Network, the Sarapiquí Conservation Learning Center and turtle watching at Ostional Wildlife Refuge.
   
   New Key to Costa Rica covers all the bases - from the practical details of deciding when and where to go to tips on learning Spanish and volunteer vacations. For those seeking an eco trip, this book is a must.



3. I used this book, and the community-based eco-tourism agency recommended in this book, to plan a two-week trip. I was alone, female, and non-Spanish speaking. I had the time of my life. Everything went off without a hitch. Great people, waterfalls, food, views, and adventures galore. Thanks to the author. None of the other guidebooks came close to the insight and accuracy of this guide.



4. This guide was the better of the two I bought....and the other one was Fodor's. New Key was accurate, impartial, and covered lots of different kinds of stuff....



5. We have been to CR for a visit and are now considering the BIG move. This book covers every you would need to know and surprises you with information you didn't think of. We have even shared this information with our family that has lived there for 5 years and it has helped them. It also gave a brief but interesting history of Costa Rica as well as current government, economics and culture. Does a good job of explaining the cultural differences which are most important to the person considering a move anywhere! One thing I might stress... the author states several times that English is taught in the schools. This might lead you to believe that you will have little problem with communication. In our trip last year to the Central Valley and the Pacific Coast we did not meet one person that understood us or could speak to us in English. I highly advise, begin you Spanish Lessons before your anticipated trip!

4 comments about Hike America Virginia: An Atlas of Virginia's Greatest Hiking Adventures (Hike America Series).

1. Terrific book! Not only does it provide all the necessities for hiking in Virginia, it also provides a great deal of entertainment. Anyone considering braving the wilds of the Old Dominion shouldn't be without this book. The authors assembled everything a person needs to know about hiking the state. I was dumbfounded by the volume of information provided including: nearby lodgings for those nights before (or after) a trek, trail maps, things to watch for and things to avoid. Novice and experienced hikers will get value from this book.

   Most suprisingly, I found it a really funny read! The authors have a great sense of humor and the anecdotes they share will tickle you. I found myself wanting to hike some of the trails they cover just to see where some of these events took place!

   Overall, a great book - they obviously love hiking and their enthusiasm for it rubs off. Fortunately, they couple it with sage guidance.




2. Everything, and we're talking every last thing, you will want or need to know about hiking in Virginia. Comprehensive, yet does not overwhelm with information. This feature owes a great deal to the editorial layout. The pages themselves are aesthetically pleasing, with beautiful photos and interesting sidebars, and information is easy to find. No digging through indexes and tables of contents and flipping through endless chapters to find trail information. You can give it a quick read and get all the essentials, or take a little bit more time and peruse the more in-depth accounts of the trails (which are delightful, by the way).

   A special recommendation for including some of the more out-of-the-way and unique hiking destinations (such as the Eastern Virginia shore points, and the Southwest Highlands). I want to Hike Virginia!




3. In my opinion this is the best hiking book for Virginia. The trail guides are accurate and provide great information. I originally borrowed this book from the Library and then had a hard time finding this book online for sale, eventually discovered that this book is now under the title of "Hiking Virginia" and is published by Falcon.



4. I think this book is now A Falcon Guide HIKING VIRGINIA by local
   hikers Bill & Mary Burnham. ISBN 0-7627-2747-0. HIGHLY RECOMMEND also.
   I also have the Hike Pennsylvania (Hike America Series)too. GREAT BOOK.
   Hikes in order of region and close proximity (great for planning)
   Hike Specs, how to get there, Hike Miles and Directions to the 1/10th of mile.
   Trail Map overlaid on TopoMap. Elevation Graph in verical and horizontal measurements.