2 comments about The Rough Guide to Argentina 3rd Edition.

1. Purchased this for my daughter, who was preparing for a semester abroad. It helped her get a good idea of what to expect in Argentina.



2. This was my first Rough Guide purchase as I have always been a fan of Lonely Planet. I bought the Argentina guide since it was published recently and used it specifically for a trip to Buenos Aires. I thought that the information was relatively good in terms of descriptions of neighborhoods in general, but not detailed enough for my tastes. Pricing is difficult, even for a very recent edition, due to the inflation in Argentina. However, I prefer Lonely Plant for giving more substantive historical backgrounds in their guides as well as telling it as it is in their hotel, restaurant, etc. reviews.

5 comments about The Complete Guide to Walt Disney World.

1. I purchased this book right before a fall trip to Disney World with my 3 teenagers, and it was the best thing I did. A lot of detailed information about restaurants and tips on where to get good snacks was right on target. We were able to find some wonderful out-of-the-way places to eat for a good value while in the parks that we may not have stumbled upon on our own. The book also recommends various attractions by placing a check mark next to them, which helps plan your day if you are trying to make the most of your time. Overall, this is an excellent book with exceptional insights.



2. We have always used the Unofficial guide but discovered the Complete WDW just recently. This book has a myriad of awesome colorful pictures--here's what WDW looks like! The only drawback is that, unlike the Unofficial guide, this book doesn't ever criticize WDW or give actual reader input.
   
   Bottom line: it's worth the money. WDW lovers will read and reread the book!



3. This book would be a great read even if you don't have a trip to WDW coming up! I am a huge Disney fan and have been known to buy guidebooks just to read and keep myself updated on the changes and such. This book can truly stand alone and is so much more than a helpful planning guide! Little unknown facts and figures, interesting stories along with all of basic information that is essential in planning an enjoyable trip to WDW all in one neat little package! The pictures are incredible too! It does have a lot of information so order it well in advance of your trip! This is definitely one for the list of "must haves" if you are about to travel to WDW for your first time!



4. My family is going to Disney next June. I wanted a book that would give me information on everything. Love this book.. it tells you what is a good time to go on a ride, tells you whether it is scary for pre-schoolers. It is an amazing book, plus has so many wonderful pictures.



5. This is current and up to date information on the rides at WDW. It is in depth descriptions for those who need to know every last little turn and drop on all the rides, not just the popular ones. Would definitely say everyone should have this whether it's your first or hundredth trip to Disney!!

4 comments about Bolivia (Country Guide).

1. A great overview of the country and certainly an essential companion to any trip to this underrated country. Food and festival entries are particularly good and help in any trip planning. Always impressed with the quality of LP publications and the recommendations were good.



2. I come to Bolivia twice a year and over the past three years I have reviewed more than a dozen guides on Bolivia and this is the best guide available.
   
   Lonely Planet guides are known for their no-nonsense, off-the-beaten-path advise. The descriptions of the towns and cities are top rate. Each area has its history and climate explained. This is one of the few guides that will give you the population and altitude of major cities and towns. Kudos!
   
   The "must see" places are listed and explained. Trekking routes are explained and mapped! There are excellent descriptions of the seven geographical areas of Bolivia (Southern Altiplano, Central Highlands, Eastern Lowlands, Amazon Basin, etc.). The section on health is "top drawer" and needs to be read before traveling here. Sidebars, or text boxes, are found throughout the book and provide you with wonderful sources of miscellaneous information, i.e., "Bolivar - El Liberatador," "Traditional Andean Musical Instruments," etc., .
   
   There are two other books that can enhance your time in Bolivia. The first is, William Powers' excellent and powerful account of living in Bolivia, "Whispering in the Giant's Ear" and Herbert Klien's, "A Concise Short History of Bolivia". In short, this is the most current(as of Sept. 2007) and best guide out. Strongly Recommended.



3. I have used a ton of different guidebooks in my travels, but I always come back to Lonely Planet. That is the one I always have packed with me when I go.
   
   This is the essential guidebook for all who are travelling to Bolivia. I used the Lonely Planet Guidebook for Bolivia when I went a few years ago and I just bought this one since I am planning a trip to Bolivia next summer. Lonely Planet has never let me down.



4. Very satisfied with my purchase. Exactly as expected and came in a very timely manner.

1 comments about The Rough Guide to Buenos Aires 1 (Rough Guide Travel Guides).

1. We just returned from an incredible two-week stay in Buenos Aires and the new Rough Guide to Buenos Aires was an essential part of our experience. Unlike other BA guidebooks we've read about on amazon.com, this guide is up to date and accurate (the fact that it's brand new helps). We liked its in-depth coverage of neighborhoods and good maps. The restaurant recommendations were very good.
   
   A few restaurants were not where they were shown on the Rough Guide maps (Un Altra Volta in Palermo and Rigoletto in Recoleta) but we learned quickly to go by the address in the book, not the dot on the map. Another pet peeve is that the restaurants are listed in their own section in the back rather than within each neighborhood section so we found ourselves doing more flipping back and forth than we thought was necessary. Other than these small hassles though we highly recommend the book. We had also purchased used copies of Time Out Buenos Aires and Lonely Planet Buenos Aires, neither of which we even cracked open.

1 comments about Insight FlexiMap Buenos Aires (Insight Flexi Map).

1. I bought this map for my first two week trip to Buenos Aires in 2006. Used it to walk around and BA is a great walking city. The map covers all the tourist areas of BA and I do not recall once something was wrong with the map. Included in the map is a diagram of the subway and on the map itself are the stops. Which I found helpful to find the closet subway stop to my destination. I can recommend this map for people who like to walk.
   
   One more thing, the map is laminated so I could write on it and draw dots on it as a reference point.
   
   Bill

5 comments about Time Out Buenos Aires (Time Out Guides).

1. To start off, I have to say that I usually do not write any reviews for items purchased on Amazon, but for the Time Out Buenos Aires Guide I really have to make an exception.
   This Book is just fantastic. I moved to Buenos Aires for the summer and I had never been nor had any idea of what the city would be like. With this Guide book I have been to the most amazing and most interesting places. Putting the sightseeing apart this book is so up-to-date on the restaurant, bar and nightlife scene that I have never been out of place. I have met so many interesting people in only 2 weeks because of this book. It just makes a huge difference having an idea of where to go and what to do at any certain day. So if you are planning on going to Buenos Aires for whatever reason, do yourself and your experience a favor and buy this book.
   It's an overall well-rounded guide, that gives you Buenos Aires on paper.



2. After searching through many guidebooks, I settled for TimeOut, and let me tell you, I am glad that I did.
   
   This book gave me everything I needed to know about beautiful Buenos Aires. The places that my Argentine friend recommended to me were all listed in this book, so that shows you how good it is!
   
   Definitely must buy this before going to Buenos Aires, or Argentina itself. Great read, great pictures, great food in Argentina! :)



3. All the information you need to know.......where to go, what to see and how to do it.......The small, compact size made the guide easy to carry and go with at all times.



4. Despite what others said about this book containing lots of ads, it's compact (easy to carry along) and very useful. A good buy.



5. Good read - lots of useful suggestions. Very good on the barrios or neighborhoods.
   Somewhat out of date - e.g. the Sydney Opera House style nightclub referenced in the section on the docks has apparently been burned out for several years.

5 comments about Moon Living Abroad in Costa Rica (Living Abroad).

1. Great current book. Thoughtful information about all your needs when you live in Costa Rica and how to leave the USA



2. The author has done a nice job on this book. It is well very well written and seemingly well-researched. The only thing that bothers me is that the author does NOT live in Costa Rica and ONLY comes here to update her guide. I wonder how much she really knows about the country because she spends so little time here.



3. This wonderful, practical and well written book helped me move to Costa Rica several years ago. It covered just about everything I needed to know to make a successful transition to a new culture and society, and all the details that go with it.
   
   It is well organized and has many useful tips, examples, and lists of contacts. It is realistic and down to earth.
   
   I heartily recommend this book for anyone thinking of moving to Costa Rica.
   
   I love Costa Rica, but know that it isn't for everyone. It is a very different culture, with it's own unique way of doing things. Be sure to rent a place and live in the country for at least a year before you buy.
   
   Learning Spanish is vital. Contrary to common myth, most Costa Ricans don't speak English, and learning Spanish is not only good manners for a resident, it is also the key that will unlock the beauty and joy of the culture.
   
   Pura Vida!



4. Over the past two decades, growing numbers of Americans have migrated to Costa Rica and made homes and lives for themselves that are comfortable, adventurous, memorable, and eminently satisfying. Erin Van Rheenen was one of those who left her life in the United States behind and settled in Costa Rica. She draws upon her own experience and expertise to author this newly updated and expanded second edition of "Living Abroad In Costa Rica", a travel guide and instructional manual for Americans considering moving to this beautiful nation. Included in this thoroughly 'user friendly' manual is a wealth of practical information on setting up your daily life including the issues of visas, finances, employment, education, and health care. Informed and informative, "Living Abroad In Costa Rica" also addresses how to rent or buy a home that fits diverse needs and a range of budgets, the best places to live, as well as learning the language and understanding the culture. "Living Abroad In Costa Rica" is an essential and enthusiastically recommended instructional guide for anyone considering establishing themselves in Costa Rica whether in the form of a vacation home or a permanent residence.



5. This work answers more questions about moving, to and living in, Costa Rica than I could think to ask. Info is provided in an unbiased way so that you understand both the positives and negatives. We're taking the next step, a visit to CR, but will now be armed with a wealth of info, and will be aware of what to look for. Great Buy!

5 comments about Galapagos: A Natural History.

1. I am a biologist that has been working in the Galapagos as a Naturalist leading tours there for the last 6 years. Michael Jackson's book is the "Bible" for the beginning naturalist and certainly more than adequate for the casual "ecotourist". Jackson covers all major aspects of the history, geology, ecology, and biology of the islands. In the "biology" section, he gives a clear, concise, but thorough group-by-group treatment of all major taxa including plants, reptiles, land and sea birds, mammals, and a brief section covering marine life. While there are other guidebooks available, none come close to the accuracy, clarity of presentation, and logical format of this book. Of particular usefulness are the many photos, tables, and graphs which provide a visual representation of many of the topics discussed and a synthesis of large amounts of data.



2. I just recently returned from the Galapagos Islands, and the book that guided me throughout my journey was this book by M.H. Jackson. Very easy to find the animal you are looking, and also helps to discover more creatures to look for. Helped explain things further from what the guides had said. Also helped me in answering many people's questions about different creatures. A Great book! A must for all travelers to the galapagos in search of unique wildlife.



3. Every naturalist guide in the Galapagos has this book. They also sell this book at the Charles Darwin Center in Santa Cruz, and it is a must read. It explains how the islands came about and what makes them so unique. I highly recommend this book!



4. My wife and I bought Jackson's book in preparation for a trip to the Galapagos. The book served us well; when we arrived at the islands we felt that we were almost on a first-name basis with all the fantastic creatures and plants that make the Galapagos such a fascinating place. The book is considerably more than just a field guide; it includes information on the islands' history, their environmental and ecological setting, and the conservation efforts being made to preserve this truly unique place. And, as the title indicates, the book provides a lot of natural history, not just a brief summary of bare facts about each animal or plant. Not only is it a fine guide, it is a most enjoyable read.



5. I would imagine that most visitors to the Galapaos are not naturalists. For those without a strong background in natural sciences, I would highly recommend this book. The book is easy and fun to read, detailed without being tedious. The photos are amazing and the author's passion for the islands is evident. If you only have time to read one book, this is one I would advise a Galapagos visitor to read in advance of their trip.

5 comments about Lonely Planet Argentina.

1. So we're in BA last week with this guide, and we're trying to go to some of the restaurants this book recommends. But the book is so OUT OF DATE that the restaurants have CLOSED DOWN. I don't know how this book is for the less traveled parts of Argentina, but for Buenos Aires, it is USELESS.



2. If you are a student, make less than $25K a year, and enjoy staying in rudown versions of Motel 6, then this book might be for you.
   
   First, Argentina is no longer the bargain the authors claim it is. Outside of BA, you can get a decent meal on the cheap, but other than that, expect to pay $90 and up for a decent hotel. Many of the references in the book come from online entries and clearly have not been checked for quality, cleanliness, etc.
   
   Second, per the review(s) below, many of the recommended restaurants have closed - in BA, you are better off going to Puerto Madero and picking a reataurant at random - they are all good.
   
   Third, keep in mind that AR got hammered by the peso devaluation and many cities are still recovering. Cordoba and others can be less than an idyllic vacation spot.
   
   Conclusion - if you are seeking a quality vacation, you are better off using a good travel agancy. You get what you pay for in AR, notwithstanding the claims of the authors.



3. Excellent guide for someone taking a trip to Argentina. It was supplemented with Time Out Patagonia. Precise in the level of information provided. It was used extensively during the 8 thousand mile trip by car.



4. This is probably the best travel guide out there for Argentina. However, I wish it had more information for Uruguay and more details about other areas besides Buenos Aires. I also recommend Time out Buenos Aires to help keep up with the new restuarants.



5. Lonely Planet misses the mark so badly on Argentina that there is no way anyone should give it a good review. The section on Buenos Aires is absolutely terrible. The free literature that our hotel left in our room was far superior to Lonely Planet's research. As a whole this guide book is geared towards homeless people that are for some reason traveling around South America. So many of the hotels that the book describes as "clean" are absolute dumps. If you do not book one of the "high-end" suggestions in Buenos Aires, I guarantee that you will not be staying in a nice hotel. Restaraunt and sight-seeing recommendations barely scratch the surface of what there is to eat and see in Argentina. In total, it appears that no work or thought was put into creating this guide book. Definitely not worth the money.

5 comments about Alive.

1. What would it be like being stranded in the Andes with very little food or water? Well Alive by Piers Paul Read might give you an idea. This emotional, and yet exciting non fiction book accurately depicts the terrible seventy-two days a team of Uruguayan rugby players and their relatives experience. The setting of the book is in the Andes Mountains, Uruguay, Chili, and takes place in 1972. The theme of this book is man's will to survive is more powerful than anything. The main characters of this moderately paced book would be the last sixteen survivors, the two strongest of them being Fernando Parrado and Roberto Canessa, who play a big role in the survival of them all. After being stranded for seventy-two days in the Andes Mountains this small rugby team forms a special bond and learns the true meanings of life. I think this is a very exciting, but gory book and would recommend it to anybody but only if you have a strong stomach because there are many references to dead bodies and eating human flesh. These rugby players show us that with faith and a strong will to survive we can overcome large obstacles.



2. This is the only book I've ever read where I caught myself shielding my eyes so as not to know quite so much about the fine points of cannibalism. I ended up skipping about two pages detailing the butchering of the bodies, which organs are the most nutritious, etc. However, the author was just doing his job and there's only a few pages involving cannibalism.
   
   The plane came down in a snow field at 11,500 feet elevation, higher than the highest mountain in California by comparison. This put them far above the timber line in a frigid place devoid of all life -- not even a fly or a blade of grass. Due to incompetence on the part of search and rescue operations and also a so-called psychic who had the rescuers searching everywhere but the right place, the survivors were presumed dead and left to fend for themselves for 72 days, and would likely have never been found were it not for the daring feats of mountaineering by two of the survivors who went on an arduous 8 day trek out of the mountains and into Chile in search of rescuers.
   
   With no food it was inevitable the group would have to eat the dead if they were survive. As someone explained, your survival instincts and your appetite will not only lead you to eat the dead, but eventually to savor it. Then, when the two expeditionaries finally connected with civilization, a peasant tossed them a crust of bread and their appetite for human flesh evaporated.
   
   As horrifying as it was, there is an upbeat message in this book about the unshakeable will to live, about the utility of human solidarity in the face of death, and the mystical communion between the survivors and their dead comrades who saved their lives by providing the nourishment to survive.
   
   This book has been around a long time. It's a page-turner and millions have read it, especially in South America where this event was known simply as the Andes crash, and the survivors are still celebrated as heroes. Google it if you want and you'll find lots more info, photos, and a Google map reference to the exact spot the wrecked fuselage came to rest.



3. Once I finally got into the book, this was a good story of survival. The men and women who crashed in the Andes had to overcome horrible situations -- injuries from the crash, an avalanche, and then the lack of food. What they did to survive was admirable, even if some may judge them harshly over their decision to eat the flesh of their dead friends.
   
   That being said, though, the story moves so slowly, and the author's writing style is so staid, that it took me forever to actually feel like I was reading something worthwhile.
   
   A good story, but it's a journey to plod through it.



4. This is a very interesting book. My wife and I were living in Uruguay when this occured and I recall all the anxiety until they were found. Also, recently, our son was in a conference in California where Nando Parrado, one of the survivors, spoke. Nando has also written a book about the crash and survival.
   The book Alive is a bit gruesome at points, but realistic about the guys' survival. There was shown a great deal of determination and desire to live on their part.
   In general, very good.



5. It's become a bit of trivial fodder: In 1972, a plane carrying a Uraguayan rugby team and their friends crashed in the Andes. They survived there for over 70 days, doing whatever was necessary to survive, sustained on their faith, and the hope that they could one day break beyond the prison of the mountains and reach civilization.
   
   Since the story HAS become a piece of trivia, it's important that we read something that makes us understand the underlying humanity of the situation. To that end, Read's book is almost a necessity. It details day-to-day life in the crashed plane, and attempts of the Uraguayan families to find their missing loved ones.
   
   The great thing about "Alive" is that it chronicles the event in a somewhat detached manner. At first, this might seem odd; after all, such a tragic event is an emotionally-charged topic, especially once you get down to the human element. However, to tell the tale with emotion is to get LOST in the tale. To overcome this, read uses a scientific, detached description of events, which ultimately leads the reader to ponder the horrific reality these people went through. It is a very successful storytelling mode, which only hits a few snags (he insists upon calling cannibalism "anthropophagy," and admits in the introduction that some of the survivors felt the book didn't go into enough detail about the friendship they felt for each other). Also, there is the fact that this book dates back to 1974, only two years after the events; it would be nice to know how the survivors faced the rest of their lives.
   
   Still, the book is thorough, and it's dry, almost dead-pan style is the only real way of describing the events that unfolded, without getting lost within the maze of emotions (actually, the dry delivery almost makes things even more horrible; don't read this book if you are squeamish). "Alive" is a tale of horrific events that tested the limits of humanity. It is a must-read for anyone interested in what being human really means.