5 comments about Holy Cow: An Indian Adventure.

1. I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Sarah has a quirky sense of humor that explores India in all its contrasts and contradictions. Like Sarah, I also have a background in psychology and I appreciated her interest in trying to understand why people are the way they are. For instance, through personal exploration she tries to discover why people are attracted to various religions and the role these practices and beliefs play in their lives.



2. I've re-read this book about 5 or 6 times and each time found something different to enjoy. Ms. MacDonald is an engaging writer and her journey of understanding India (and Indians) will keep you reading until the last pages.



3. I was looking for a lived-there book and this one is it! Fun, serious, always insightful observations shared by the author--who does not take herself seriously.



4. I'm a prolific reader and there are only a handful of books I've started and not bothered to finish. "Holy Cow" is one of them.
   
   MacDonald spends a lot of time describing how awful she found India, how little she thinks of Hinduism, and how WONDERFUL her WONDERFUL career in WONDERFUL Australia was (who outside of Australia has ever heard of her or her WONDERFUL work on Australian radio?) -- but mostly what she does is whine about how nothing on earth meets her rather adolescent standards.
   
   I gave up after 100 pages of her tedious complaining.



5. In the beginning of the book, I was shocked at the harsh words that the author used to talk about India. In fact, I couldn't believe that one of my Indian friends, who is from Punjab (wait until you read how she feels about them) actually made it through the book without throwing it away. When we talked about this, he told me to give it a chance. He said that MacDonald's adventure in India is actually very beautiful and entertaining and that her initial culture shock (coming from Australia) goes away.
   
   And--he was right! Not only was the story hilarious, but it was honest, and descriptive. I could see the colors of the women's sari's and could almost smell the dust and smog in Delhi. Not only that, I think that Sarah captured the beauty of the people of India and the variety of cultures, religions and beliefs that thrive there.
   
   This book is a must read for anyone who is interested in India, has been there, or who would like a good laugh. But be prepared to be shocked at times, to feel scared for Sarah & Jonathon and to miss India when they leave.
   
   The authors initial obervations of India are a little harsh, and a bit offensive, but give it time. As she grows and the story grows you will fall in love with her adventure!

5 comments about Michelin Italy: Tourist and Motoring Atlas (Michelin Tourist and Motoring Atlas : Italy).

1. Map is has an easy to read scale and user friendly spiral book binding. Although I almost always have my GPS with me, this map is great to get an overview of routes, serve as a back-up when the GPS malfunctions, plan alternative routes and see what other interesting places are near-by.



2. This is our second purchase of the Michelin Italy Atlas as we used the first so much that pages were torn and missing. We find it to be one of our better map guides for traveling in Italy.



3. I haven't field tested this atlas yet, but I like it already. Its very light, so it won't be a burden in my carry-on. It has detailed maps of a lot of towns too.



4. Rick Stevens says the traditional road atlas needs be 1/300,000 or larger scale in order to be useful for guiding drivers on the road. This atlas has the right scale.
   
   I have a GPS navigator (Tomtom GO 720) which works very well in Europe, I almost thought the traditional atlas was no longer necessary. But after two instances occurred to me during my 2-week driving in Europe (June 2008), I am very glad I had brought this atlas with me as a backup to my GPS.
   
   In the first instance, a scenic mountain pass identified by the GPS was closed midway, I must rely on the atlas to reroute. In the second instance, the entire traffic on our side of motorway stopped completely due to a traffic accident ahead. I had to rely on the atlas, ignoring instructions from GPS, and driving through country roads to reach my destination.
   
   The paper and printing quality of the atlas is first class. It's a worthwhile investment. Take it with you even you have a GPS already!



5. I hoped that the Michelin Italy Atlas was a good paper (pages), but the pages are very fine (fine pages), not good to travel by car (pratical).
   
   Thank you.

2 comments about Australia (Country Guide).

1. This book is a wealth of information all contained in one volume. The travel tips, itineraries and even restaurant information are well researched. My only complaint is I'd like to see more detailed maps of some of the more off the beaten path areas - such as Kirra Beach, were I am going. Other than that, this book is a great product and I'd highly recommend it for anyone going to Australia for their first time.



2. good book that will be great assistance in planning trip to Oz, as well as during my journey

5 comments about When Heaven and Earth Changed Places: Tie-In Edition.

1. Not having lived a very memorable life, my own writing has leaned toward fiction. Nevertheless, I tend to judge memoirs--and this is a good one--by the same standards I use for great literary fiction. One of those standards is the opener, or first line, in this case, "SUFFOCATE HER!" the midwife told my mother when I came into the world.
   
   This is what we in the business call a 'zinger,' the equal of Camus' "Mother died today." or Melville's "Call me Ishmael." What a beginning! On trial for her life right from the git-go. This opener effectively signalled the continuous trials and potential consequences Le Ly would face for the rest of her life. She would have to come from stern stock if she were to survive, and her mother held her genetic end up with her smokin' response to the midwife, "I will bury her when she stops breathing. Now get out of here."
   
   I have been a student of the Vietnam War since I first joined the Army as a chopper pilot in 1967--ironic because I've never set foot in that unfortunate land. I suppose I'm motivated by survivor's guilt. Anyway, Le Ly's fine memoir anchors a good bit of my newly won understanding of that longest and strangest of American wars. Coming from a Republican military family and growing up in the Cold War as I did, I believed at the time that everybody knew about and accepted the Domino Theory. And with my father a Korean War veteran (as well as WWII and Vietnam) I believed that any communists that were brazen enough to encroach from the north could be pushed back with a proper dose of American military muscle. I served in S. Korea myself many years after that war and things seemed to be plugging along rather nicely, thus preserving in my mind the validity of the Domino Theory. Then came Vietnam and the awful realization that we were not invincible. Hell, we got our butts kicked! Initial study from an unbiased source--General Westmoreland--suggested that America didn't lose the war, the South Vietnamese did. And he was right in a sense. Marvin the ARVN was quite content to sit back and let Joe slug it out with the VC and the NVA. I couldn't understand this. How could they take such a lackadaisical attitude about the fate of their nation when they had so much at stake? Did this mean they were for communism??? How could anybody with half a brain be FOR communism? I am not and never have been a practicioner of 'Jane Fonda logic' wherein if America makes a few mistakes, then the injured party must be lily-white, Q.E.D. I could see what rats the VC and NVA were. I knew they were just a front for a repressive dictatorship. Why couldn't the South Vietnamese see that? I was baffled.
   
   Well, along comes a nice lady with the incongruous name of Le Ly Hayslip, who writes a book about those very South Vietnamese who didn't care about their government, or their nation (at least as we Americans tried to define it for them), or to my great surprise, communism or democracy or freedom (again as we defined that term). All they really cared about was getting the rice crop in and raising a few sons to do the same. Then the VC came into their village and beat everybody up, so they felt obliged to follow communism. Most of them didn't really know what that meant, but if the VC would stop beating them up, they'd learn a few songs and dig a few bunkers, then get back to the rice crop. The VC would leave and the Vietnamese Republicans would come in and beat them up again. So they were obliged to pay a few bribes and act 'patriotic' so the new bully would go away and again they could get back to the rice crop. This bizarre pattern only seemed normal to them. Throughout their recent past they had always been plagued by one bully or another--the French with their Morrocan allies, the VC, the NVA, the Republicans, the Americans--they were all the same to them. There was always somebody trying to get between them and their rice paddies. Deep down inside they were as apolitical as the grains of rice they were so diligently trying to harvest. You can eat rice. you can't eat dogma. The rice had fed them for generations. The VC et al. only fed them baloney. I get it now, Le Ly. Thank you.
   
   --Ejner Fulsang, author of "A Knavish Piece of Work." Aarhus Publishing, 2006



2. Le Ly Hayslip has gone through one of the worst wars in American history. And she has lived. Past the rape, past the sexual inequality, past the emotional destruction of her family, past the threats and brushes with death. Le Ly Hayslip now is an accomplished author and owns several real estates throughout California.
   
   This is a powerful memoir and I will not rob it of that. However, the only reason I gave it 3 stars (an "It was OK" rating) instead of 4 is because I feel that Hayslip could have cut out about... maybe 1/6th of the book out and nothing will have been missed. Not that it didn't relate to the story, but Hayslip does occasionally go off about this or that, her re-arrival back to Vietnam as an adult also heads towards the digressing end of the spectrum a lot of time and sometimes she goes from reporting her troubles and potential sympathy to just plain whining. Perfect for the college kid looking to dig as much quotes and intangibles to write an essay (as was I) but as a reader I felt it was too much.
   
   Overall, still an excellent read.



3. An honestly told story by an author able to see both sides. This is a also a story of forgiveness. Her story is a heroic journey and the author gives the reader a perspective into the many ways the Vietnam War has affected Americans and Vietnamese Americans.



4. Recommended by my Vietnamese tour guide in October 2007, this book describes the dreadful plight of those Vietnamese families living on the border between North and South Vietnam in what the Vietnamese term the "American War". During the day, the villagers had to demonstrate allegiance to the South and at night the VC demanded their loyalty. The families would not leave their land as their ancestors are buried there. The authors, Le Ly Hayslip and her son James, describe her experiences in surviving the hell imposed upon her family by the opposing forces and her eventual emigration to the USA. The sequel, "Child of War, Woman of Peace", describes the difficulties she experienced as a Vietnamese in the USA.



5. This book is a page-turner, an amazing non-fictional look at the lives of people caught between the southern regime and the Viet Cong during the Viet Nam conflict. The protagonist herself gives an intimate view of her life that is too strange to believe.

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 No Shortcuts to the Top: Climbing the World's 14 Highest Peaks.

1. Excellent. Well written and takes you to the summit of some of the world's nost inhospitable places.



2. In retrospect, I have no idea why I purchased the book No Shortcuts to the Top other than I thought I'd enjoy learning more about mountain climbing. In reality, this book is much more than just about mountain climbing. It shows the true nature of the man that is Ed Viesturs and his life's work on the mountain. I was thoroughly impressed about Ed's approach to climbing and his philosophy on climbing and life. I assumed, incorrectly, that all mountain climbers were over the top, macho men, with a desire to get famous before the end. Ed would be welcomed as a friend in almost any organization. What a complete view of many of the recent historical mountain events and climbers from all over the world from an expert in the field.



3. If you are interested in big mountain climbing (armchair or otherwise), this book will give you a peek into the life of one mountaineer. Ed talks about "acceptable risk", physical sacrifices, finanical sacrifieces, practicalities of climbing. This is not a "Into Thin Air" drama, but rather a solid account of one man's journey.



4. Ed Viesturs is a very inspiring man. An absolute legend in my book.
   I have watched the IMAX documentaries on Everest and am always inspired and moved to tears.
   It did surprise me that he was not a little more discreet when describing his adventures with a fellow female climber though.



5. I enjoy reading about mountaineering and eagerly await all new books on the subject. I am a long time fan of Ed Viesturs; he has amazing accomplishments. The most significant of which -- he is STILL ALIVE!!!The book was insightful and interesting in the many ways he has carefully accomplished his goals.

5 comments about American Shaolin: Flying Kicks, Buddhist Monks, and the Legend of Iron Crotch: An Odyssey in theNew China.

1. Although this is a nonfiction memoir, it reads like a very funny novel. Beware of reading this in public, unless you don't mind laughing really hard and having people staring at you. (ie iron crotch monks, coke dealing, midnight mistresses, etc). Interestingly there were moments that were also very touching and could really bring a tear to person.
   
   Despite this, the book gave some very fascinating, presumably accurate, first person account about China in the 90's, kungfu, and the most importantly the people there.
   
   the writing was extraordinary and fluid. The author has a way of making you understand and feel emotions for the characters he describes, monks, vendor, evil administrators and yes the author himself, without boring you with deep analysis.
   
   summary: funny read, sometimes sad, but mostly funny and informative and did I mentioned funny.



2. Matthew Polly's adventures in China make for a very fascinating book. I couldn't put this book down. He provides great insight on China in the early 90s, while at the same time weaving a humorous tale of a Westerner trying to survive in Asia. Anyone who has spent time in Asia can relate to Polly's observations...however, he does so with great wit and the keen insight only someone fluent in the language could provide.



3. A friend from my karate class recommended this book; Matthew Polly traveled to the Shaolin temple in the early 1990's to learn Kungfu from the Shaolin monks. Seems included in his inadequacies (short list provided) was a self perception as a coward. This "cowardly" young man traveled alone, thousands of miles, against the advice of friends and family, to an alien land and very different culture, to a place with a political and economic system that most americans feared at the time. There he immersed himself into the brutal training of Shaolin kungfu for two years and he writes about it here. His list of inadequacies wisely didn't include limp writing skills because this travelogue is absorbing and witty. A more personal rather than political PJ O'Rourke in his "Holiday's From Hell" period, you really get a feel for the experience Matthew Polly goes through. You get to feel you know the friend's Matthew makes at the Temple, which is particularly charming as the exotic cultures of late 20th century China and the martial Monk is rendered familiar in his writing. Very enjoyable!



4. I really enjoyed this book. It had me chuckling out loud numerous times. I agree with the Publisher's Weekly review that Polly loses focus in the last 100 pages. Nonetheless, very enjoyable.



5. A must-read for anyone interested in travel, martial arts, language, or cultural exchange. There were a few times that I raised my eyebrows, wondering whether Polly exaggerated some of his experiences, but who cares? His book is intensely entertaining and interesting.

5 comments about Swahili: Lonely Planet Phrasebook.

1. I had this guide when I went to Kenya, and I highly recommend it! It was very useful when I got very ill and needed to explain to a Swahili speaking doctor what was wrong with me. I also used it when I'd go to the Masai Markets and I always got a much better deal when I'd barter in Swahili. The Kenyans can speak English, but they appreciate it when you try to speak to them in Swahili.
   
   I loved this guide so much I am buying copies for the members of my family who will be joining me for a holiday in Kenya this coming year.
   
   It's an absolute must for any traveler!



2. This small hand-sized book is an excellent resource. Sections are seperated by practical categories (like food, social, and practical). Very easy to read, and really has everything you would need to get around.



3. This course to teach yourself Swahili is easy for anybody - all you need is to take time and study.



4. For a compact book on Swahili this is the best I've seen. The contents of this little gem were easily divided into useful and practical sections, covering a broader use of the language than I've come across in other similar type books. Each section was uniquely and clearly identifiable allowing faster access to put your fingertips on the words or phrases you need. This book also succeeds in helping the reader obtain a basic yet concrete understanding of the Swahili language where other similar books have attempted but failed.



5. We used this book before and during our volunteer trip to Kenya.
   It's a great resource, helps a lot, has all the basic things you wanna know (actually much more than you're going to need for a short trip), as well as slangs and even a few surprises (what to say in very specific situations, like when you're drunk or having sex (I'm guessing if they put this on the book, it must be because people asked for it)).
   There are a few phrases they recommend I found out nobody uses anymore, and a few others that are used by people in the coast, but not by people in Nairobi area or other parts of the country, for example.
   But still, I recommend it.
   It's very small, fits in your pocket.
   But there's so much information you really need to do your homework, study it before your trip, and mark the pages that interest you.

5 comments about Rand McNally World Wall Map: Laminated : M Series (M Series Map of the World).

1. My main complaint is that the lamination is very thin! When secured to the wall with push-pins, it tears-off very quickly! Just thought that people who're interested in this should know about it!



2. I gave this product 4 stars because Russia is still one big area not broken up into its sections. Guessing it was made before 1990? Expo dry erase markers come off very easily. Map is large and I it's just what I expected!



3. I needed a map for a school project. I loved the fact it was already lamenated!



4. I particularly like this this over sized map of the world as it stands out in itself. The finish allows one to point to different places unhesitatingly knowing they will not mar the finish. Because the countries are in tones of varying colors and labeled with eye friendly sizes, it is easier to spend more time checking out places you wish to locate. You also get a better sense of distances versus looking on a globe. This map is not only a great reference and teaching tool, it lends itself to be on the wall of your study or office.



5. I bought these for my son's 9th b-day, I hung it on his wall with blue painters tape, We didn't need anything fancy just something that if he had a question he could go look it up himself. It's not the worlds sturdiest map, but if you are looking for something simple it's perfect.

5 comments about Tokyo City Atlas: A Bilingual Guide (3rd Ed.).

1. Is this the best bilingual atlas out there? Probably so. However, at 8.2 x 5.9 x 0.5 inches, it's slim, but extremely wide and tall. This is unfortunate, as it makes it so it does not fit into your pocket or a small purse.
   
   Admittedly it's easier to read, but often times, you're having to open this up in cramped quarters (of which there are plenty in Japan), and it's a lot more convenient to pull this out of a pocket vs a backpack in a congested area. There are several pocketable Tokyo atlases written in Japanese only, and it's a shame they don't have a bilingual edition of those, as it would be a lot easier to carry.
   
   At 5 years old, it's a bit outdated, as a good chunk of the city has changed already. It's a shame that they don't update this at least once every 2 years. Still, a must-buy if you plan on going solo or off the beaten path. If you plan on hanging out with a tour group or locals, it's unlikely that you'll need this.



2. Si no quieres andar perdido y poder encontrar las direcciones, por ejemplo la de tu hotel, este atlas es vital, sobre todo hablando de una ciudad tan grande como Tokyo.
   Viene en ingles y japones, cosa muy importante (asi puedes pedir a un autoctono que te ayude a encontrar un sitio con el mapa).
   Tiene mucha informacion turistica (museos, ryokans, puntos de interes..)
   Y sobre todo tiene los numeros de los bloques escritos en el mapa, que es la unica forma de localizar una direccion en una ciudad en la que muchas calles
   no tienen nombre.
   Resumiendo, si no lo tienes andaras perdido y si lo tienes no.........



3. You won't get lost with this atlas. The best thing is: all exits from subways are numbered, so you will always find the right way out. I highly recommend it.



4. Tokyo is a very complex city to get around in. If you are going to be there on your own much, get this. Trust me - you need it. And it is very well done to boot.



5. This was my "go to" book on our trip to Japan. One of the most useful features was being able to determine which door to take when exiting a subway station -as many of them are huge and have many exits. This saved us a bit of time. The subway/train map was also very helpful.