5 comments about Birnbaum's Disneyland Resort 2008 (Birnbaum's Disneyland Resort).

1. The book is very helpful in planning a Disneyland vacation. It has information on everything to do there and in the surrounding area.



2. Great book with lots of information for anyone traveling. My nine-year-old son is the biggest fan of the book, he can't put it down!



3. I enjoyed reading this guide. I understand that it is written with a Disney slant but that was what I was looking for. Excellent information is provided. This is a must read for a for time visitor or someone who just wants a refresher on all that Disney has to offer.



4. Very helpful, easy to read, great guide to add to the excitement of getting ready for the trip of a lifetime for us travelling from Australia in October 2008, but also provides you with essential information. Also brought "the unofficial guide to disneyland" which is also very good, but we keep picking up this one because of the pictures and ease of finding information.



5. It was very thorough about times, content of restaurants, rides, themes.
   It gave helpful hints about best hours and days to visit each area.
   Even a few coupons included.

5 comments about Scenic Driving Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks, 2nd (Scenic Driving Series).

1. This second edition adds two new drives, and updated information from the 1999 edition.
   
   Most surprising, for a guidebook, is the intimacy of tone, and enthusiasm for the parks and the beauty of the surrounding areas.
   
   This book contains substantial, and well researched information on the historical, geological and natural features of the parks, and the tone is that of a close and intimate friend, sitting in your passenger seat, pointing out the window and exclaiming, "Hey! Look at that!"
   
   Far from the staid and removed tone of many guidebooks, this book is truly an "Insiders' Guide," and makes me want to check out the other books in the series.



2. This book was right on the money with all the things to see while driving through the parks. In combination with this book Outdoor Family Guide to Yellowstone & Grand Teton National Parks (Outdoor Family Guides) and the Trails Illustrated maps of both parks:
   Trails Illustrated Yellowstone Map Old Faithful
   Trails Illustrated Mammoth Hotsprings Yellowstone National Park NW
   Trails Illustrated Tower Canyon Yellowstone National Park NE
   Trails Illustrated Yellowstone Lake Yellowstone National Park SE
   National Geographic Trails Illustrated Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming, USA: Topo Map (Trails Illustrated - Topo Maps USA)
   (which can also be purchased at http://www.ngmapstore.com), we had a very easy time getting around the park and where things were located. It made planning a whiz!



3. We used this book every day we were in Yellowstone. It was such a help in planning each day, knowing where to stop, what to expect in terms of how long hikes were, finding restaurants and shops, etc. I would read the information about each place aloud to the kids, which helped pass the time between stops. One word of caution, though. We are not the type of family that does a lot of hiking, camping, climbing, etc. We did find that some of her descriptions of the difficulty of the hikes and trails were a bit underestimated. Between the heat and the altitude, this is important to keep in mind! Other than that, I think this is a must have!



4. I used this guide extensively on a 3-day drive through both parks. It's packed with information and is well written and organized. Highly recommended.



5. After reading the reviews for this book, I purchased it as I went on a quick tour through Yellowstone and the Grand Tetons. I was very disappointed. The trips are listed from point-to-point around the Grand Loop. However, if you are driving the loop in the opposite direction, the book is very difficult to follow. It doesn't give driving distances for the points of interest. The book gives an estimated driving time from one (i.e. Mammoth to Old Faithful) to another, and mentions some points of interest along the way, but the reader is left to guess where along the drive it might be.
   
   Be aware that the park access fees have changed since the book was printed. Other than that, I did not notice any major discrepancies.
   
   Another minor gripe is that none of the pictures are in color, but are clearly color photos printed to black and white. For the price of the book, they should be in color; heck, even the Lonely Planet series uses color pictures. If not using artistic or color photos, I'd rather have more substance to the book itself.
   
   I always travel with multiple guides and was glad that I did, especially for the Yellowstone portion of the trip, and would recommend the "Yellowstone Treasures Travelers Companion" instead. It had the same or more information than this book, listed mileage to each point of interest from either direction, and had color photos.
   
   http://www.amazon.com/Yellowstone-Treasures-Travelers-Companion-National/dp/0970687311/ref=pd_bbs_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1213397462&sr=1-1

5 comments about Iron and Silk.

1. I've seen this movie some 15 years ago and very much enjoyed to see it again.



2. "Iron and Silk" is a delightful book and film. I had the pleasure of reading the book awhile ago; but was delighted to see the film in a local Asian film festival in my community.
   
   The author Mark Salzman plays Mark Franklin in the movie of the same name. It is a memoir (a true story) of Mark's travel and teaching experiences in China (Changsha, Hunan Province). The events took place during 1982 - 1984 and Mark became as much of a student of Chinese life, martial arts, calligraphy, tai chi as he was a teacher of the Middle Aged English Teachers (a group of Chinese Russian teachers at the Hunan Medical College who had been told to forget Russian and now learn English).
   
   Mark always wanted to be a Kung Fu master growing up, and he took lessons from a local teacher; but always felt like the smallest kid on the block. From a young age, he loved all things Asian. His mother was a musician and his father a social worker; but he found that he had developed an exceptional talent for the cello. He was admitted to Yale at 16 because of his cello expertise; but soon decided that he would major in Chinese languages and philosophy (again not much of a surprise). As part of a Yale program, he found himself traveling to Changsha, Hunan Province, China to teach English to a group of Chinese Russian teachers who were being asked to retrain. For two (2) years he lived, taught and learned a great deal in China about the Chinese people and also about himself.
   
   He always wanted to study martial arts from a true wushu master and was fortunate enough to find as his teacher, the grand master himself: Pan Qingfu (known as the Iron Fist). Pan was the best in the world and was known as the Iron Fist because he punched a heavy iron plate 10,000 times a day! Mark was also learning Tai Chi and Chinese manners and etiquette from Teacher Wei and calligraphy as well from other teachers.
   
   Mark soon found that "as a student in America, he had searched for ancient wisdom, as a teacher in China, he learned to find it in himself." Mark Salzman, when interviewed, stated: "Learning about another culture doesn't mean you have to reject your own, It allows you to see yourself from another perspective, see your good side and your bad side and appreciate what you have." Some will say that the book and the movie focus on martial arts and in part that is one of the major themes; but the blending and the co-existence of the two cultures in the classroom and in social interactions is illuminating.
   
   There are many humorous and philosophical revelations in both the book and movie. Telling Mark that he has a big nose by saying, "You have a very 3 dimensional face"...is probably the most diplomatic way of stating the obvious. Mark might have been able to name the book, "Let's Make a Regulation" if he wanted to only focus on the difficult aspects he faced in being a foreigner living in China. The Washington Post reviewed that "Salzman demonstrates with skill and subtlety just how China society works."
   
   This Pulitzer Prize finalist in 1987 is dated; but describes the undercurrent that still exists in part today. The movie's script stayed true to the book; yet the movie was shot in Hangzhou and not Changsha. Make sure to stay for the vignettes and movie credits at the end; they are another joyful experience of the film and you will not be disappointed that you waited. Mark found out that happiness was not a simple thing in China and though he valued being well liked and mastering a skill; his Chinese friend felt that "these goals can be achieved easily. All you have to do is to be kind and work hard. But to eat and sleep well that is a difficult wish, because you cannot control these things yourself."
   
   One interesting note is that on the last night of the shooting of the movie, the brutal crackdown occurred in Tiananmen Square (June 3, 1989).
   
   I loved this book and the movie and the delight that two very different cultures shared in learning about each other. All that I can say is "very well done" (Manhaodilei!)
   
   Mark really learned Qong Fu: a skill that transcends mere surface beauty!
   
   Bentley/2007
   Iron and Silk



3. This was how Mark Salzman's students thought of him in China. His account of his time spent there in the early 1980s is a fantastic journey in and of itself. His narrative style is intriguing as he does not probe into the thinking of the Chinese people that he encounters day to day. He presents his experiences always on the surface and rarely speculates on the speakers intentions. Even though he is fluent in Chinese he does not seek to offer insight in the mindset of the culture he lived; he only reports it. Although such dialogue may sound superficial and trivial it is not. Salzman draws us into the events by merely presenting his encounters with his Chinese friends and acquaintances, and chance meetings. So powerful are the stories that the words and actions of the individuals portray an honesty and passion that is captivating.
   The uniqueness of everyday Chinese thinking he faced for two years is inherently surprising, delightful, curious, odd, shocking, and hilarious.This was truly a memorable account of a young man who came not only to teach but to learn as well.



4. This memoir is light and humorous and a wonderful way to learn about Chinese culture.



5. Sometimes travel books can come across as "looking down" on the locals for their backwards and silly ways. This book shines in quite the opposite direction. Mark Salzman does an admirable job of telling about the challenges of his years in China in the 1980s, when China was still getting used to having Westerners within its borders. He encounters numerous bureaucratic hurdles, faces them with diligence. He meets many smart and wonderful locals and appreciates their talents. He realizes that many things he took for granted - electricity that always came on, a steady supply of food, mail service that delivered on schedule - were not to be assumed here.
   
   The book is very well written. There were numerous parts that I laughed out loud at, and then read it to whoever was sitting near me at the time. There were other sections that were very sad. A woman commits suicide and everybody is worried that her children will suffer - her suicide is a crime against the Party, and her children will be punished as somehow not having properly prevented it.
   
   There are many stories that illustrate a variety of differences between how Mark (and most Westerners) would interpret a situation, and how the Chinese do. It is fascinating to see him stymied by cultural misunderstandings, figuring his way around taboos and rules. A Westerner might say "Well why not just do XXXX and get it all done with?" But to the Chinese, it is far more proper to do things in a very different way.
   
   One story that stuck with me involved a Chinese person trying to explain to Mark why the Chinese are so patient and accepting. The Chinese person said: once there was a farmer who had his horse run away. People said "how awful" but the farmer did not worry about it. Then the horse came home with a whole herd of friends. People said "how lucky!" but again the farmer did not react. Then the farmer's son broke a leg training one of the new horses, and people said "how awful" - but the farmer did not mind. Then the army came looking to drag away recruits for the war, and the son was safely ignored. This story was an example of why short term ups and downs should just be accepted as part of life's long term path.
   
   Highly recommended for anyone interested in the Chinese culture.

5 comments about Travels.

1. For those of us who will never experience such exotic adventures, it's great fun to live them through the eyes of a superior author. Additionally, the early autobiographical chapters offer insight into the life of Michael Critchon. Did you know that he is 5 ft 9 in tall?



2. It took me 1 month to finish reading this book. It was a disappointment compared to his other novels. It's a waste of money and time.



3. This is very different than the other Michael Crichton books but this was an excellent read. Very interesting / enlightening / thought provoking. I recommend it.



4. First non-fiction book I've read by Crichton. Of course this guy can write, almost everything he has put out has been entertaining so it's interesting to see how he does writing about his own life. This book consists of Crichton's anecdotes over his life, what he likes to do in his free time basically. Lately I've felt depressed and was looking for something to cheer me up. If you are searching for something in life this is will be interesting because so is he.
   
   Some of the stories are straight up travel adventures intertwined with his personal life. I especially enjoyed reading about his hike up Mount Kilimanjaro. It's quite a detailed account of his ascent and made me want to try it on my next holiday. Also notable were visits with mountain gorillas in Rwanda, scuba diving on wrecks and with sharks, fighting with his girlfriend while on holiday in Jamaica. The woman inadvertently invites a convicted murderer and would-be mugger into their daytrip. He also explores the spiritual world and visits psychics, which is not my cup of tea, but quite interesting at times to explore through his eyes.
   
   The capstone of this book is actually the postscript where the author argues with a group of leading scientists that they should not discount the paranormal and spiritual. If nothing else it provides an excellent basis for how one should go about in a serious debate. Personally I have never believed in mysticism, spiritualism, any of these non-scientific views of the world. I was interested to see the outcome after having read the book because Crichton really enjoys exploring these ideas. You could say he's a believer.
   
   He writes, "science offers a picture of the world, but its picture is not to be confused with the underlying reality itself". For example a map of the world provides a detailed image of the geography, but it in fact it's not really a true reproduction of the underlying land. Science is able to express some of nature's unknowns in mathematical theory but it can only show a fraction of what is truly occurring. Crichton's argument is that there is much more to the world than science can explain and that we should be open-minded about where we might fight it. For some reason I found myself agreeing with him.



5. At the time that I picked up my copy of Travels I had read just about all of Crichton's novels with the exception of The Terminal Man and Eaters of the Dead (I'll read them someday). So, I had formed quite a liking for Dr. MC and his writings and thought Travels would be a perfect way to get to see more about the real life of my favorite author.
   
   Travels takes you as the reader back in time during his med school years at Harvard and the troubles he experienced throughout the way. Many of his stories dramatically shock you, or make you laugh...they're all so readable. After his med school years, we are taken to the years of his being a writer, and his amazing journeys he took around the globe.
   
   The best thing about this book is just reading the raw text of MC. Many people may not know how witty, clever, and sarcastic he really is. I see some comparisons to the No Reservations star Anthony Bourdain...as they are both very tall, lanky, and witty people. Anthony is far more bitter and sarcastic than MC however.
   
   His detailed descriptions of his travels really pull you in...like one of his adventure novels. Some of the highlights are the diving adventure with his sister where they nearly run out of air and die, or the climb up Mount Kilimanjaro.
   
   I couldn't put this book down - it was that enjoyable. It was amazing to see how such a great writer had such amazing adventures. I know now that he has first handedly been to most of the settings of each of his novels.
   
   I was so pleased with Travels and will probably read it again someday soon. Getting to look inside the life and times of one of the best novelists of our time really is a special opportunity that no one should pass up. It shows how detailed and how much time he puts into his work.
   
   Read this book and you won't be let down.

2 comments about Diversity Amid Globalization: World Regions, Environment, Development (3rd Edition).

1. This book is so broad and not easy to understand unless you are a geography major or a graduate geography students. Not only me, but other classmates aren't enjoying the book. If you can get another geography book that uses simpler terms.



2. I took this course not knowing what I was getting into. I needed one more class to certify my financial aid. I had been wondering about globalization and other issues affecting the new world economy. If you want to know what the future holds for you and how you can make your millions, this is a great read. I don't know why the other reviewer is complaining about the difficulty. I am certain that you are being taught what you need to know. Read a bit slower, think some more, and have some discussions with your classmates and your professor.

3 comments about Frommer's Germany 2008 (Frommer's Complete).

1. I purchased the Michelin guide and the Fommers, and the Frommers guide has proved to be infinitely more useful. It is easy to read, very descriptive, and includes activities and lodging in all price ranges. My only complaint is that there aren't pictures, but the guide would be unmanageably large if there were, so it's forgivable! Enjoy your trip to Germany!



2. Not a bad travel book, fairly complete, decent detail on many of the cities within the country, but the book does lack pictures, has a few in the front of the book. That would have made the book more complete and enjoyable. As the old saying goes, "A picture is worth a thousand words."



3. Bought this for a recent trip to Berlin and tore out the pages on Berlin to take with me, since I don't like carrying any extra weight while out touring around. The info was useful, esp as a counterpoint to Rick Steves' pages on Berlin which I also carried. As we were heading to Schloss Charlottenburg, I read Rick Steves' assessment that it wasn't worth going! But there was good helpful info in the Fodor's writeup that helped us enjoy the trip we had already committed to.
   
   I was glad to have this as an additional viewpoint on the various sites and sights.

5 comments about Doctor Dealer: The Rise and Fall of an All-American Boy and His Multimillion-Dollar Cocaine Empire.

1. FROM START TO FINISH YOU KNEW PRETTY MUCH WHAT THE OUTCOME WOULD BE BUT THIS DID NOT STOP ME FROM PUTTING THE BOOK DOWN. WAS AMAZED WITH ALL THE ACTUAL ACCOUNTS DETAILED WITHIN THE BOOK AND THE WORK THAT WENT INTO GATHERING ALL THE REQUIRED INFORMATION TO MAKE THIS BOOK A TRUELY GREAT READ..



2. Not Bowden's best (I give that honor to Killing Pablo), but still a page-turner. I wanted to meet Larry Lavin after reading this. Has a bad guy ever been portrayed so well? He had charisma, intelligence, charm, and even worked in a job where he helped people. It doesn't even seem like Lavin was the type to intentionally hurt people through his "other" business. Bowden almost has you cheering on Larry as you progress through the pages. Perhaps it has something to do with how complex Larry is, and Bowden captures it magnificently.
   
   They say "truth is stranger than fiction" and this book proves it. I can't believe they haven't made this into a movie yet.
   
   If you're a fan of Bowden, this is a must-read.



3. I think this book was better than Killing Pablo!! It is a great read. Don't miss it.



4. a good book to read, could have used that 30 page block of pictures you would find in most of these books, Bowdens writing is very visual, talking alot about people's looks, and mannerisms, so some pictures would have really tied it together I though... he did it in killing pablo, and it really sank home some of his points.



5. The book is about Larry Lavin, a dentist, family man, and cocaine dealer on the side (!). The book is well written. Moves along very nicely. This story goes to show what greed and discontentment can do to a person. Here you have a guy who has a lot going for him, but risks it all by dealing cocaine.

5 comments about Mexican Spanish: Lonely Planet Phrasebook.

1. I used to speak pretty fluent Spanish when I was in high school, but with years of neglect and non-use, I've become a bit rusty. This book is a great refresher on key phrases and structure, and will fit in your pocket quite easily.
   Don't expect to have a long, involved conversation using this book (only reason I gave this a 4), but if you're going on a trip, there are plenty of phrases to help you out in MANY types of situations. The scenarios in this book are QUITE comprehensive. I also have the Lonely Planet Japanese handbook which is also quite good.



2. Mexican Spanish is a book I bought because I live in an area where there are many Mexican people. I have been trying to learn enough of their language to "get by". This book could be a tremendous help.
   
   However, it is printed in very small print, as the book itself is pocket sized, a nice size to carry with me. The small print is understandable but the pastel colors of the text is more than difficult to read, especially since the print is so tiny. I think whoever put this book together was going for "attractive" but what I need most is black text!
   
   Otherwise, I would reccommend this book to anyone who has some Spanish, surely not to someone who has not done at least a little studying of the language.
   
   The book is well designed, just, harping on it again, the text needs to be black or at least dark red, navy blue, dark brown, dark green - to differentiate subjects. It is almost impossible to see the tildes and accent marks. One needs a magnifying glass! The italics that are supposed to tell one which syllable of the words must be accented for correct pronounciation, again, are almost impossible to detect.



3. I think these books are perfect for any traveler. With the Spanish language being so unique to each country, the phrasebooks allow you to familiarize yourself with a specific Latin American region. I used the Costa Rican book last year when I visited and found it so useful that I left it with my friend who had just moved there. She found it so helpful that she still carries it with her everyday in her purse. I got my father the Mexican phrasebook for Christmas so he could communicate better with some of his employees at work. I think he has found it very useful as well.



4. Had been looking for this phrasebook since I went to Mexico in Nov 06. I was able to use it extensively while there. Excellent helps!



5. Easy to navigate, read, and carry...only downfall i could find is that its hard to find the colors translated. I find this important but unfortunately there is no section for them.

3 comments about Michelin Red Guide 2008 Italia (Michelin Red Guide: Italia).

1. Once you figure out the various symbols, the Michelin Red Guide has the most relevant information in the least space of any guide...an excellent guide.



2. Excellent advice with up to date information and easily red map directions. Find the ratings and prices advised accurate. Ideal for the European who probably speaks several languages. For those only English speaking from the southern hemisphere an extra effort is required to fully comprehend some advice in a foreign language. Why can you not purchase the guide translated into English? However it does encourage a better knowledge of the chosen language.There is no better information on accomodation and resturants in a concise publication so I will stick with Michelin to maintain a Bon voyage.



3. If you are going to select you own lodgings or restaurants, the Red Guide is a must. You can trust it completely.

5 comments about Lonely Planet Nicaragua & El Salvador.

1. Lonely Planet is by far the best travel series for independently-minded, backpacking folk. That notwithstanding, my only question for this particular book would have to be: Why did Lonely Planet put Nicaragua and El Salvador together in one book? This seems a bit arbitrary, since (as a native-born Nicaraguan) these are both very different countries with substantially different things to offer a traveler. Additionally, both countries are vibrant enough to each warrant a separate book. But all in all, I think it's still the definitive guidebook for travelers.



2. My trip to Nicaragua has been postponed but it looks like this book will be as helpful to me as the other guides in the Lonely Planet series have been.



3. As ever, Lonely Planet comes through again. It's a comprehensive guide that is essential for travel in these countries. Don't leave home without it!



4. This book came highly recommended and when we decided to visit my husband's country of birth, I thought I better prepare myself. Reading through this book, marking up where I think I might like to go, made me wish I would not have to wait till December to get there. I particularly like the fact that it was a bunch of women on their own who did the research to this book - not being Latina, I know I will stick out when we get there, but I feel that I am warned now and that things might not be as bad as they used to be. I think I might write an update to this review once we have been and tried some of the places described in the book!



5. This guide to Nicaragua and El Salvador isn't great, but if you're traveling to El Salvador, this is all there is.
   
   The book would benefit from better organization, better maps, and less snarkiness. (and why did they put Nicaragua and El Salvador in the same book -- the two countries don't even share a border!) Alas, no other publishers offer a current El Salvador guidebook, so you have no other choices.
   
   When Moon publishes an El Salvador guidebook, I'll be the first in line to buy it...