2 comments about Fodor's Washington, D.C. 2008: with Mount Vernon, Old Town Alexandria & Annapolis (Fodor's Gold Guides).

1. FODOR'S WASHINGTON D.C. 2008 is a great book about the Washington D.C. area, covering both the city itself and its Maryland and Virginia suburbs, including Annapolis, MD and Arlington and Alexandria, VA. Whether you're traveling to the area, or are simply proud of being an American, this book is for you.



2. This guide was very informative. It included all dimensions of the DC area in an organized fashion. The map was convenient to use. School chaperones used this book to gather the details they would need for the recent student tour of the city.

5 comments about No Reservations: Around the World on an Empty Stomach.

1. In this breezy book, there is an amusing photo of an In-n-Out Double-Double Burger with a pile of fries amid far more exotic dishes highlighted in the montage of images that constitute a chapter appropriately called "Food Porn". What I especially like about the photos is how real the dishes look since they have not been immaculately presented by a Williams-Sonoma food stylist. The food looks exactly how you would expect to see it if you were to order it at a street kiosk in Kolkata or a back-alley café in Hong Kong. This laissez-faire attitude accurately captures the spirit of this companion book to Anthony Bourdain's No Reservations TV series now in its fourth season on the Travel Channel.
   
   Anyone who has read Bourdain's Kitchen Confidential: Adventures in the Culinary Underbelly or The Nasty Bits: Collected Varietal Cuts, Usable Trim, Scraps, and Bones, or seen his previous series, A Cook's Tour, on the Food Network, already knows his unique blend of streetwise sarcasm and culinary adventurousness. Fortunately, Bourdain doesn't alter his style one iota with his latest entry and immerses himself even more into the idiosyncratic cultures and customs that made his previous global travels so enjoyable. The book is, more or less, a photo album of stills taken from the show organized by geographic region. You see photos such as a warthog being pulled apart for cooking by Namibian tribesmen, a roast pig on glorious display in a Balinese street market, tireless workers in a duck processing plant in Montreal, and even what's left of the defunct Twinkie factory in Cleveland. In between, he inserts more personal photos of himself alongside the local inhabitants.
   
   On top of it all, Bourdain contributes his characteristic blurbs albeit briefly - sometimes obnoxious but usually quite amusing in his acid-tongued belligerence. It wouldn't be Bourdain if he wasn't a snarky jerk, but he compensates with his audacious palette and his innate ability to bond with most everyone he meets no matter how trying the circumstance. You have to respect a man who will try anything once, whether it's fourteen courses of foie gras or a sizable hunk of raw seal. Ironically, the most interesting chapter has nothing to do with food as it involves his inopportune presence in Beirut when the Israel-Lebanon conflict broke out. He vividly recounts how he and his crew were evacuated by the U.S. Marines amid skirmishes with Hezbollah supporters. By all means, experience the show first for a more complete sensory experience (except for taste, of course), but the book is still a fine keepsake of Bourdain's cocksure culinary audacity.



2. Yes, this is THE companion book to one of the most awesome shows on television right now. I was slightly disappointed that there was not more commentary, however, one redeeming factor and a reason you should have this book is for the "Best and Worst Bathrooms" around the world. Makes you glad for the dingy porcelain throne you have or jealous you don't live in Japan!
   Chocked full of photos taken during Bourdain's wild tours around the globe, this is a fantastic coffee table book for chefs across the board. Unfortunately, the book does not do the show justice and if you ever have the chance to partake of Bourdain's scathing wit and alcoholic charm, please do so! And yes, I hate Rachel Ray too my friend...I hate her too.



3. I should have perused this in more detail at the bookstore, but alas I got too excited to see another book by Mr. Bourdain. I finally looked at it this weekend and much to my disdain it is primarily pictures. Nice pictures, but only pictures nonetheless. There is some minor text but not enough. I was hoping to find out more back stories about what happened, biting commentary (related to the episode not FoddTV "chefs")maybe lists of places from the show, recommendations of restaurants to eat at, etc.
   
   I am a huge fan of Anthony Bourdain and of No Reservations, this book just didn't cut it for me.



4. If you're new to the works of Anthony Bourdain as well as his Travel Channel TV show "No Reservations" then this book might not be the best place for you to start. While the volume itself is a very handsome and well-produced book with oodles of great photos and minimal text, this particular title was written for the fan of Bourdain's ongoing TV series with plenty of behind-the-scenes glimpses at the adventures in getting his show made as well as snippets of appreciation toward his beloved crew. Fans of the show will find much to like as each country visited in the show's 3 year span is re-visited with familiar still shots of memorable moments we've seen before as well as new material. The highlights of the book though occur at the very end where Bourdain hilariously rates the best and worst toilets he and his crew have encountered in their world travels.



5. Do you like food? Travel? A wiseass chain smoking New York host? Then this is for you! A great book by a really cool guy, about a really cool show. It's an overview of places around the world Tony Bourdain and crew visited and featured on No Reservations, and it's filled with information that never, ever, EVER could have made it on the air. True fans of No Reservations might get more out of this than a reader who has never watched the show but anyone can pick this up and catch the tone and flavor of one of cable TV's most uniquely audacious hour-long events.

5 comments about Inventing Niagara: Beauty, Power, and Lies.

1. As a Niagara Falls native, who has traveled all over the world and lived in several other parts of the country before returning to WNY, I found this book to be right on target. It was an engaging and easy read. Although I also thought I knew a lot about the history of the region, this wonderful book filled in a lot of blanks for me. It also made me remember the "good old days" when Niagara Falls was a destination to be enjoyed.



2. It was very enjoyable. Ginger Strand showed the very great diversity of history that constitutes the foundation of "present circumstances" at innumerable discernable geographic regions. This type of story is of value to many more people than just those who have lived there. I also thought that her presentation was well-balanced between facts, stories, and weirdness. I have already recommended her book to my day-job boss and one of my co-workers.



3. There may be many reasons for going to Niagara Falls. Sure, you have to be awed by the spectacular falls themselves. You might go to start up a marriage, or to re-start one. You might go gamble. "I went to Niagara Falls because I wanted to laugh at it," says Ginger Strand, author of _Inventing Niagara: Beauty, Power, and Lies_ (Simon and Schuster), and she finds plenty of the historical and regional environs funny. But wanting to laugh was the reason she went there during her college years, just to smirk at the tackiness and kitsch. She has been going back, though, over and over since then, because "I do love hydroinfrastructure - water tunnels, reservoirs, canals, sewers, aqueducts." She finds it inspiring, but she also finds that the natural wonder that everyone loves about the falls is not natural at all. It has been used, changed, prettified, trivialized, exploited, and poisoned. There is thus a great deal of amusement in this wide-ranging account, but a good deal of loss and sadness as well.
   
   "Niagara Falls as a natural wonder does not exist anymore." It is originally hard to believe this. It is not surprising that the water does not fall exactly as it did three hundred, or three thousand, years ago, but it is surprising how much people have made the changes happen in recent years. This is not entirely because of using the water for hydroelectric power, although this is certainly one cause of the change. The waterfall has hours of operation. In the summer, and during the daytime, when people come to see the falls in action, the water gets turned up to maximum flow. At night, it gets dialed back "like a fancy massaging showerhead" so that more electricity is generated. No more than half the water that could go over the falls actually does so, and an engineer assures Strand that yes, if they wanted, the power companies could divert all the water to the generators with none for the tourists. The effect on the scenery of the reduced flow has been minimized by huge engineering projects, tinkering with the flow and diverting it so that it goes evenly over Horseshoe Falls, for instance. The fall of the water is not all that has changed, of course. The "Free Niagara" movement, guided by the famous landscape architect Frederic Law Olmsted, proposed to make the surroundings of the falls to be picturesque and spiritually elevating. Strand writes that this was questionable social engineering. Worse than that, it hid the hydrodynamic and chemical exploitation of the area as industry sprang up to take advantage of the water's power. Only later did atrocities like the toxic dumps of the Love Canal come to light. There is a long history of utopian dreams for the region, but few of them have come true.
   
   Much of Strand's book is therefore distressing. Humans have tried to do what they always try to do, take control of nature for reasons esthetic, and especially commercial, and whatever successes have come are inextricably linked to failures. The pessimism does not mean that Strand's book is preachy. There are stories of shrunken heads here, and Jo-Jo the Dog-Faced Boy, and fake Indian legends, and of course the peculiar thrills of those who go over the falls in barrels. There is a great deal of fun here. Strand writes, "On every level, Niagara Falls is a monument to the ways America falsifies its relationship to nature, reshaping its contours, redirecting its force, claiming to submit to its will while imposing our own upon it." There is plenty of documentation here of this theme, but Strand still travels to Niagara every chance she gets. She is continually amazed at the landfills or the other examples of disharmony with nature, but that's not important. The real amazement, and she writes about it heartily and endearingly, comes from the big, green spectacle of water, falling. Anyone reading this entertaining account will understand how well-placed is her obsession.



4. This book tells us of the REALITY of the destruction of Niagara County NY. I enjoyed this book so much that I bought a copy for all my family members who are still living in the area. Many of them had no clue of the environmental damage going on around them. This book is a MUST read for anyone living in Niagara County NY.
   
   The book reads like a movie and you can "see" all that is happening throughout the time periods. Then when you hit chapter 8, your mouth will literally hang wide open when you see what greed, and ignorance has done to such a beautiful place. I was born in that area but I am sorry to say I will never return to it. Now I understand why so many people are dropping from cancer back there. There is a saying in Lockport NY as told to me by my sister and it is; "Everyone knows someone with cancer."
   
   Nothing will change back there until the people are educated and informed about their surroundings but the powers that be hide reality. So I'm hoping this book gets into the hands of the people back there.
   
   This is an eye opening reality. I recommend it to everyone no matter where on this planet you live. The things that happened in that area are still happening all around the world. We are killing ourselves.
   
   Thank you Ms. Strand for writing a book that takes us through history, the good, the bad, and the ugly. Excellent!!!!



5. In "Inventing Niagara:..." Ginger Strand writes a comprehensive albeit brief history of the Niagara Falls region without once mentioning Lockport Dolomite. She explores some myths, including the Maid of the Mist and Love Canal. For a non-native, she shows a real fondness for the area. The book is a good introduction to the area. Ms. Strand's style isn't academic, but she includes an extensive bibliography which gives the reader a path toward further study. She's done her homework but doesn't show off. As an engineer, I might have liked more technical discussion of the chemical and power plants, in lieu of the red-hat stories.
   
   The history of the area is rich with dreams, schemes, scams and characters. In about 350 pages, Ms. Strand brings them to life. You root for the area, but like Wile E. coyote's plans, things never seem to go as designed. You see the area go from frontier gateway to commerce center to crucial wartime (1812) site to industrial mecca to tourists' paradise and back and never quite getting it right. All the time there's some true believer guiding the Michigan on its course.
   
   The single reason to (buy and) read this book is for Ms. Strand's interviews and interactions with the locals. The funniest bit, that doesn't quite happen, is when she gets the Power Vista manager to shut the Falls off, because he can. Through her, you get to see the passion that the area inspires in people. From historians to preservationists to ex-Linde workers people want what they believe is best for the area. You get a feel for the power that the area holds over people. Sadly Ms. Strand didn't get to interview Robert Moses. That would have been entertaining.
   
   If you plan to make a pilgrimage to Niagara Falls, I recommend this book before coming. After you watch water fall over rocks for 10 minutes, the book might inspire you to look further.
   
   If you're an aspiring civic planner, I recommend this book. Think of this as the Goofus (of Goofus and Gallant) book.
   I would also recommend this book for schools and home-school libraries, especially in Western NY.
   
   -30-

5 comments about A Vineyard in Tuscany: A Wine Lover's Dream.

1. Mr. Mate's charming and funny story of realizing his dream to own a vineyard in Tuscany is not to be missed, and is even better than his earlier book, The Hills of Tuscany. Mr. Mate's humor, warmth and friendliness come shining through in his wonderful tales of his Italian friends and neighbors, the Italian way of life, and his exploits renovating an ancient friary and developing an award-winning winery in the beautiful town of Montalcino.



2. Out of all the book I have read on Italy, A Vineyard in Tuscany is the funniest and at the same time the most informing book about life in this southern part of Tuscany. Ma`te` has a great ways with words and offers a rare glimpse into secret world of Italian Culture. Other reviewers have summarized the book; I will not do that now. Instead I will speak of how the book affected me. Just the mere thought of the word "Bulls eye" puts a broad smile on my face. When I first read the passage where it's located, I laughed so loudly my wife rushed into the room to see if I were ok. Ma'te' lets us see the dry subtle humor of the people in this area. Although it does a great job of showing the warmth and passion of Tuscans when it comes to food, wine and business, the region itself is the star of book.
   On our first trip to Italy 5 years ago, my wife and I did the usual Milan, Venice, Rome triangle with one day in Tuscany kind of trip. By luck we had chosen the Banfi Castle to dine in and stayed in the near-by hill town of Montalcino for just one night. My wife and I concluded that this 24 hour period was the best of the entire trip. Every year since then we have returned to the tiny village of San Angelo Scolo for days of relaxation, great hospitality, food, wine and the beautiful land of Tuscany. Little did we know that Ma`te` had restored his estate, planted a vineyard and discovered ancient cities and springs just minutes away. Tuscany is that kind of place where adventure and surprises lurk around every turn. Reading his book brought back fantastic experiences of our trips there. We will be back to San Angelo Scolo in 37 days, after reading this book I wish I were there now. I highly recommend it to people who are dreaming of a trip to Tuscany or experienced travelers.



3. Ferenc Mate's second book on Italy (buy the first one "Hills of Tuscany" also, they are distinctly a matched set to be enjoyed one after the other) is, if possible, even better than the first one. He had a wonderful understanding of Italian culture and is able to convey that to his reader. If you have ever visited Italy, or are planning to, then his books are a must read. One of the things I really like about Mr. Mate's writing is it is appealing to both men and women. I love being able to discuss a book with my husband. In fact with this one, it is the first time I have heard my husband laugh out loud while reading. At first I thought he was choking and when I ran into the room he said "honey, it's the part where he is driving the tractor". Michael and I spend two weeks in Tuscany every May and truly, in this book, the essence of the Montalcino area is captured and wrapped up like a Christmas present for the reader.



4. A Vinyard in Tuscany by Ferenc Mate is the second in a series on life in Tuscany. In a genre loosely known as expats move to Tuscany, Mate is truly in a class by himself. If Frances Mayes is the standard ,then Ferenc Mate far excells her in poetry , lyrical description , humor and sensitivity. If after reading this book, you don't want his life then you better check your pulse. A love song to Tuscany and the art of wine, makes Frances Mayes akin to watching paint dry. Read The Hills of Tuscany as well which he wrote about first moving there 20 years ago.



5. Based on the other reviews, I had high hopes for this book; I expected a more thorough story of his experience starting his own vineyard, people he had interacted with and the "terrior" of his vineyard embedded with light-hearted anecdotes. Instead, I found the details lacking. Little time is spent on the characters who appeared in the book, the restoration of the estate, planting and cultivating of the vineyard, wine-making decisions, and his (and his family's) tie to the place. The fact that this book is written in many short chapters averaging less than 10 pages each should have been the first sign. I do not doubt that Mr. Mate will be an interesting guy to have a drink with, and I am sure that he has many interesting stories to tell. But after reading this book, I get a feeling that this is a tale of a wealthy individual (despite his repetitive mentioning of being/getting poor as a result of this endeavor) who spent his way to have people make great wines from a land he has purchased. While this statement may not do him justice, and perhaps that is what this book is meant to be, but more on the people, more on the place, more on his (or the wine maker/consultant's) philosophy of how to cultivate the land and make a great wine will greatly improve the book.

5 comments about Mexico (Country Guide).

1. Unlike any other guide books, LP Guide books are still better for budget travelers, and had more information than any other Mexico guide books. However, Since it had published in 2006, update is needed because the price aren't the same as book described.



2. as like any other lonely planet series, it's nice to have for journey.
   there are plenty of informations and nice maps in the book.
   but, in some parts, it's out of dated.
   For example, I planned to stay at Vallaloid, because book says there are very cheap nice hostel. but it was closed.. like 1 and half year ago.
   maybe all the fees should be changed (You should add money about 10 % more or more than 10%)
   but it's like another guidebook.
   you can meet lots of travellers who travel with lonely planet.
   you will enjoy this book for making your route for traveling.
   but don't rely on your book, too much.
   you can get good information in the information center,
   and from local people or even traveler.



3. The Lonely Planet was good to have along but shouldn't be used singularly. We were glad we had two other guides along. Some of the LP info was dated but in Mexico the pace was slow and we went with the flow.



4. Honestly, you don't even need to buy this, because everyone else will have one if you're staying at hostels. But I took it on a 2-week trip in May 2008, and it does the job. I wasn't disappointed with any of the hostels or restaurants that were recommended, and they all existed, which is nice.
   
   A few minor criticisms:
   
   The Mexico City Metro map is awful. Too gray and too hard to read. The maps in the station are easier to use to navigate, which is sad.
   All the prices are in dollars. That's just silly, and sometimes confusing since they use $ for pesos in Mexico. Further, all the prices are wrong. I assume this is because it's a couple of years old, but maybe it's because the exchange rate changed. In particular, every single archaeological attraction was a different price (48 pesos, not $3.50).
   The abbreviations for the bus services are annoying since they don't use them locally.
   Should the Author's Choice hostel in a Lonely Planet really be a $325 / night room?



5. I've used these guide books for years. Chalcatzingo, Morales isn't even in the book. It's an important Olmec site. The major museum in Mexico City (National Anthropology) wasn't high lighted in the index. You have to hunt through every museo entry and there are many. This stuff is annoying.

5 comments about Jupiters Travels: Four Years Around the World on a Triumph.

1. What can you say about "Jupiters Travels" that hasn't already been said? It's the quintessential motorcycle travel book, a book that inspired many men to undertake similar adventures. (Just watch Long Way Round or read Motorcycle Therapy: A Canadian Adventure in Central America to enjoy the stories of two such men.) Ted Simon will make you shake your head in wonder of his good fortune (at times) and his calm assurance that all will be well under circumstances that would make most men abandon hope. Well written and thought provoking, this is a must read for any motorcycle adventure enthusiast.



2. Contnet of trip around world found to be good however the way it is written it gets extremely boring and at time hard to understand. Have read "Long Way Round" and found that book to be great, but "Jupiters Travels" was dull.



3. This book is almost impossible to put down and is absolutely inspiring to read. Deaf to the pleas of my wife and children I read on into the night. I often felt I was actually there with Ted as he copes with some pretty dire stuff. As a New Zealand motorcyclist living in India I could relate so much to his experiences. More needs to be written about the amazing opportunities to ride in India, so perhaps with this as my inspiration its my turn.



4. This book is extremely well written. The author eludes to his journalism profession and it is eveident. A little too much "who am I" searching to suit me. Nonetheless, I enjoyed this book.



5. This book is about Ted Simon's experince of riding around the world. Not only does he write about his actual experinces, but he also writes about how he feels. Some parts of the trip are glossed over in just a paragraph while others take pages and pages. It was very interesting to see hwo he felt the trip changed his life. I would have given the book five stars, but it bogs down in places. This book is more about an adventure around the world than it is about motorcycling. Overall, it is a great story and worth reading.

5 comments about The Unofficial Guide to Washington, D.C. (Unofficial Guides).

1. What I liked: the review and description of the museums and the breakdown of public and tour transportion options. Other than that I feel I was missing out on a true city experience. The restaurant reviews were all over the place (and I think it could use more selection; or perhaps a map for the walking tourist to find great places to chow). No sense/description of the neighborhoods. How about good places for music/culture? Not included here. I would have also appreciated some pictures. All in all, it helped with a trip but I was disappointed.



2. The first half of the book deals with background information, which is relatively unnecessary; while the second part is much more useful. You can plan which spots you are gonna visit and find out the hours and touring tips. If the book can focus on that, it will be much slimmer to carry.



3. I used this book on a recent visit to see some friends in D.C. They work during the day so I knew I'd need to entertain myself. This book was great for info on tourist sites. I love that it gives the closest metro stop and other things to do nearby. The restaurant reviews were also helpful. It gave a great explanation of the metro system so I felt quite confident buying tickets. The maps were adequate (not spectacular), and I can't comment on the lodging info since I stayed with friends. My friend was so impressed with my info that she kept the book. I guess I'll have to borrow it back the next time I visit.



4. This book proved itself utterly invaluable on our recent American History vacation in and around Washington DC. I can say that this small investment brought at least 50 times its value back in cost and time savings. If you are planning a trip to the DC area, you owe it to yourself to pick this resource up and buy it at least six months in advance or preferably sooner. The currency of this book seems perfect and I found no errors in it whatsoever.



5. Used this book to plan what to see in a limited 3 day visit and was very pleased. Also bought Eyewitness guide, but this is the one I'll be taking along.

No comments about Fodor's Montreal and Quebec City 2008 (Fodor's Gold Guides).

5 comments about US Rolled Map (M Series World Wall Maps) (M Series U.S.A. Wall Maps).

1. These maps were timely, match the colors in my room perfectly and I really like them.



2. The size, color, clarity, shipping time, price are just great! BUT, this may be good if you have only grown-up children. The paper is so thin that your toddler may tear up or scribble on it and you cannot use it anymore! I wish I bought the laminated one. but come on...., the price is just double. so, I have to compromise....if you dont care about spending about 4,5 extra dollars, I would suggest you to go for the laminated one, though it is said to be very thin lamination.



3. M Series Us Deluxe (M Series U.S.A. Wall Maps)
   
   Damaged in shipping. Looks as if pkg, was hastily and carelessly "patched up". Map ended up creased.



4. This is a nice map. I use it in my kindergarten class. I laminated it for durability and hope to be able to use it for many years.



5. I purchased this and the "World Map" together from Amazon, since they are made by the same company on the same material, much of my review will be the same:
   
   I was hunting for maps large enough for a 6 and 10 year old to look at and comprehend, but cheap enough to be replaced once things change or the kids did too much damage to it.
   
   The positives - this map is correct, it's large (we tacked them up in the hallway to the kids' rooms) and it's very colorful, which is good for 6 year olds. It has time zones, capitals, waterways, and mountain ranges all clearly marked
   
   The negatives - it's not laminated, now if I was buying this for myself that would be fine, but the paper is also some strange form of paper that attracts and holds small sticky fingerprints. Being maps, little fingers are naturally attracted like magnets.
   
   If you are making the purchase for an adult or a classroom, or if you intend to frame it, then I highly recommend this map. If you are buying for little ones, I'd spend the extra money to get a laminated version.
   
   One last note - if you purchase from Amazon, they are not particularly well packed. They put them in a tube that is too large for the map so it bangs around and the ends get a bit bent up. Also they don't tape the ends of the tube so I had to have a second one sent after my first tube arrived empty and without ends on it. (It was actually the world map that was missing from the tube, but this one was packed in the same manner)

2 comments about Frommer's Seattle 2008 (Frommer's Complete).

1. FROMMER'S SEATTLE 2008 is a great new version of Frommer's great guidebook on the Emerald City. It tells you about great shopping, dining, exercise, recreation, and sightseeing. It does miss a lot of the malls, as well as lacking anything on local radio stations, so be sure to get the new version of LONELY PLANET SEATTLE in February, as well as FODOR'S SEATTLE 4TH EDITION, THE NEWCOMER'S HANDBOOK FOR SEATTLE, the new version of BEST PLACES SEATTLE, and THE SEATTLE GUIDEBOOK, 12TH EDITION, in addition to this one.



2. We had great success with Frommer's in two previous cities on our extended trip, so we were excited that we had purchased Frommer's Guide to Seattle. It told us everything we needed to be successful tourists in the Pacific Northwest. We only had one day to be tourists, so after determining what we wanted to do--my wife and I had three kids in tow--we chose to be the ultimate tourists and spend time watching fish salesmen throw fish around at Pike's Market and walk around that part of the city. Later, we spent the afternoon in the Pacific Science Center and enjoyed the many interactive exhibits available there. Overall, I believe having Frommer's is a necessity if you want to accomplish the most you can, especially if you have a short time and are on a limited budget (like us).