No comments about Rand McNally Oklahoma State Map (State Maps-USA).

3 comments about Culture Shock! Brazil: A Guide to Customs & Etiquette.

1. I had to wait for either this book to be released or reprinted (I cant remeber what the delay was)and now I see its even hard to find on Amazon! But that being said....its worth it! I bought it before moving to Brazil...even though I did not experience any "culture shock" I did learn alot from this book!Great language phrases and help plus I loved the portuguese proverbs of type it occasionally included. Once I was speaking about the "Brazilian Miracle" and some other stuff to an American friend and my Brazilian buddy said "man, you know more about Brazils history than me"....it was just info. I picked up from this book. Great info. about contacts, visas, food and much more. If you are going to stay any time in Brazil (other than a weeks vacation...say 30 days or more) then its a must have!



2. I had told my new boyfriend a lot about my country, and the way Brazilian culture is. It was amazing when he came home with this book, and read some parts to me. The writer gives an incredible description of the Brazilian soul, our culture and passions, and things I never realized are part of our life. The author of "Culture Shock" probably knows more about us Brazilians than we do, probably because you see better when you see from outside.
   I was so impressed by the way Volker Poelzl describes what I am, the details given in the book made me feel like I was looking at the mirror.Whenever I start learning about a new culture, I won't hesitate to buy one of his books. By seeing the wonderful job that "Brazil (Culture Shock!)" is, I have no doubts about how brilliant this guy is.



3. This book was very informative. When I found out that I was going to Brazil I went out and bought about 6 different books about the country. All lot of the books showed the "touristy" side of Brazil without really informing you about what to expect. I flew through this book quickly because it was really interesting and informative. It really got me prepared for what I needed to have a nice trip while not putting me to sleep! Its worth the ten bucks!

5 comments about Lost in the Amazon: The True Story of Five Men and their Desperate Battle for Survival (Discovery books).

1. If they have a worst book contest, this one will be a contender. Save your money.



2. As I read the book I continued to wish that the author had been eaten by a jaguar or left on the tree. DON'T believe the title. I'm guessing the author could become lost in the local Wal-Mart if he didn't have his guides. He never was lost in this "adventure".



3. Just imagine the martial-arts blowhard from Napoleon Dynamite boring everybody to death with the story of how God saved him from having to walk in the rain for a few days. That's this book. The author manages to embody all the worst of hick America; he's weepy, bombastic, swaggering, ignorant and self-important all at once. It's something of a feat, I suppose, but one hardly deserving praise.
   If you want to see how much better the Brits do this sort of thing, read Benedict Allen's book Through Jaguar Eyes, a funny, understated and literate account of a much braver journey through the same part of the world.



4. This book chronicles the trip of 5 men through the Amazon. Though the trip was planned and charted, details like inaccurate hand-drawn maps drawn by people who had never been there, food left behind "because it was too heavy", boat accidents, money running out, and other surprises along the way changed the trip entirely. The trip that was intended as a photographic expedition turned into a spiritual excursion. The adventure carries you along though the book.



5. If you want an exciting read, this is the book! However, get the BOOK, not this audio reading. After reading the book and wanting it for my collection, I accidentally ordered the audio version. Figuring it might be interesting to listen to in the car, I opened it. Bad move. The narrator feels he has a talent for voices and dialects he should not attempt. One of the key figures, 'Darcy', sounds like a flamboyant gay decorator, instead of the New Englander that he is supposed to be. I find myself getting more irritated at the butchering of the voice effects and less able to concentrate on what is a very intense adventure and an excellent read for teens through adults.

No comments about Touring the Backroads of North Carolina's Upper Coast (Touring the Backroads).

2 comments about Cuba Classics: A Celebration of Vintage American Automobiles.

1. Chris Baker is the preeminent travel writer covering Cuba today. His guidebooks for National Geographic Traveler and Moon Publishing are biblical Baedekers for anyone traveling to the island. "Mi Moto Fidel," his book-length journey around the island on a BMW motorcycle, reads like a Hemingwayan novel -- and has garnered prestigious writing awards. Now, with "Cuba Classics," Baker has taken his already impressive act to a new level, displaying his skill as a photographer, which is nothing short of artistry. His stunning photographs of vintage American autos -- so plentiful in Cuba -- are not only wonderful depictions of cars not seen in the U.S. for decades, but are the subjects of photos that demonstrate a photographer's instinctively artistic command of format, color, tone, and lighting. Settings for the autos often speak to the greater issue of the Cuban landscape, both urban and rural. It's a must book for car buffs, for anyone interested in photographic artistry, for anyone enamoured of beautiful writing. As a long-time fan of Baker's journalism, I have found myself asking what else could he possibly do to present another aspect of this island country he knows and loves? "Cuba Classics" is the latest answer to that question. Kudos.



2. Yes, we've all seen great photos of classic cars in Cuba--but this book will make you swoon. Your knees will buckle, and you will become feverish with desire to get yourself to Cuba as soon as possible. Magnificent.

No comments about Small Earthquake in Chile: New, Revised, and Expanded Edition of the Classic Account of Allende's Chile.

1 comments about North Carolina Curiosities, 3rd: Jerry Bledsoe's Guide to Outlandish Things to See and Do in North Carolina.

1. I grew up reading Jerry Bledsoe in the Greensboro Daily News. I enjoyed his columns then and I enjoyed NC Curiosities even more! I thought I knew a lot about the Tarheel State until I poured over this book! It made me want to go back on a pilgrimage to visit all the crazy places I never knew existed and to re-visit all the places I know so well, but which apparently have curious secrets!
   Jules Shepard, author of Nearly Normal Cooking For Gluten-Free Eating: A Fresh Approach to Cooking and Living Without Wheat or Gluten

3 comments about Mountain Bike America: Virginia, 2nd: An Atlas of Virginia's Greatest Off-Road Bicycle Rdes.

1. Mountain Bike VA is an excellent book for the mountain bike enthusiast or just someone who enjoys biking at a more leisurely pace. Divided by VA Counties; each ride has detailed instructions on how to reach the trailhead, associated costs, distances, type of trail, difficulty, a trail diagram which includes a trail terrain profile, a couple of pictures and a witty, descriptive narrative. Well worth the minor cost and then some. I highly recommend it.



2. I found the format of this book to be quite useful. Trails are divided into geographic regions with detailed instructions on how to get to the trailhead. Each trail in the book has a standard trail map, an elevation map (useful to gauge the trail's difficulty), some text to give more detailed directions, and other trail details such as parking fees, whether or not you can bring your dog, etc. Don't buy this book if you are interested in riding in the Lynchburg / Bedford / Roanoke area as it seems the author has not spent a great deal of time in this part of the state. Otherwise, Northern and Eastern VA are well covered.



3. This book is well organized and detailed. I have not been lost due to bad intel and have thoroughly enjoyed each trail so far. The difficulty ratings are fair, too. The lists of 'best rides' at the beginning of the book that go beyond geography are very nice.

5 comments about Lonely Planet Venezuela.

1. We normally swear by Lonely Planet guides (to southern Africa, Central America, SE Asia), but this one to Venezuela is far and away the most inadequate: Sometimes I wondered if the author had even set foot in the country, or if he just called up his buddies who in turn passed along 2nd-hand information. For starters, many of his write-ups are meant for people traveling in private cars; this is by no means a "back-packer's" guide. Sometimes, for example, we'd be interested in a particular place the author described, only to be disappointed that the place was accessible only by private vehicle or you could walk to it but had to cross 6-lane highways (quite common in Caracas). Furthermore, this guidebook provides nothing that other guidebooks on the country provide: in sum, Lonely Planet Venezuela rides on the otherwise strong LP reputation; it's of no merit and could actually be the source of a lot of headaches. I hope for the upcoming edition the author actually visits Venezuela! LP should know better...



2. We took two guides with us to Venezuela during our July 2006 trip. One was Fodor's, one was Lonely Planet. Both were valueable for their insights into culture and customs, but only Lonely Planet offered practical information such as names and phone numbers for hotels and attractions. That said, much of the information was outdated or deceptive. For instance, food and taxi service in Venezuela is very expensive! (not the $5 a meal lonely planet represents). Caracas is not set up for tourists and many of the areas are unsafe to travel without a local guide. Also, finding an offical place to change money can be challenging, I recommend using taxi drivers who are readily available. Good luck! You may need it.



3. I've used Lonely Planet (LP) guides in several nations now, and each time the LP guide has proven highly readable and practical, but never flawless. This Venezuela guide seems to have a few more flaws and omissions than expected. True, the book has that wealth of practical information on budget hotels, restuarants, night life, busses, the metro, travel tips, etc., plus some decent maps, and it captures the nation's lively character. But a couple city maps omit vital parts of town, prices are occasionally off mark, and the book omits words on dangers to pedestrians from speeding drivers or the congestion in Caracas. The author's exalted view of the Museum of Contemporary Art in Caracas left me puzzled, and travelers should understand that at this writing free speech seems questionable under the rule of left-leaning President Hugo Chavez.
   
   One wonders if LP authors occasionally fail to complete their homework and merely reprint old information. This LP guide is useful but needs a few corrections, and travelers that speak a little Spanish might be advised to call ahead.



4. I have been using Lonely Planet guides for years. However, I was surprisingly disappointed with this guide for Venezuela. To me, both writers seem so enamored with the country that they could have been writing for the national tourism office. Much of the info is out of date, and important details -- for example, about less-traveled bus routes, or warnings about dangerous neighborhoods -- were missing entirely. For this country, I would recommend that you consider another guidebook, preferably one which has been written more recently. (Note to Lonely Planet: consider updating your guide books more often for countries that are in as much transition as VZ).



5. overall a poor attempt devotes way too much space to Caracas, as most travellers I've met here get out of there as quickly as possible. Just not enough information about important areas especially the north east of the country. Not recommended.

No comments about Texas Indian Trails.