5 comments about Sixty Million Frenchmen Can't Be Wrong: Why We Love France but Not the French.

1. I only wish someone had written this book and given it to me 32 years ago when I came to live in France!! For having lived only 2 years in this country, the authors got it right most of the time.



2. This book really delves into why the French are the way they are, as cliche as it sounds. The authors do a great job in explaining how French history has shaped the psyche of the people and the government of today. I am still reading this, so I'll probably have more to say once I'm done. I am totally dumbfounded by the all encompassing power the State (French government) has over its people. All roads run to Paris, literally, kind of like how the Arc de Triomphe is situated. I've always had many questions about the French culture, that my French husband has never been able to adequately answer and this book does the trick!



3. Sixty Million Frenchmen Can't Be Wrong often times feels like a Francenstein's (spelling deliberate) monster. It begins well enough, offering insight into the "spirit" of French society, and indeed gives highly valuable information, especially regarding the French ideas of personal vs. public space, which every visitor should know. However, as the reader nears the middle of the book the work takes on a text-book quality, which becomes dry and redundant. To boost, what the writers pass as an anthropological study seems to be more or less notes taken during conversations with a few of their French friends. Add to this a few glaring inaccuracies, particularly in the last chapter, and by the end one is left wondering what exactly the point of the work was, or who exactly the audience is that it was meant for. Neither assumption of the book's subtitle was addressed in any sort of clarity. Some more rigorous editing certainly would have strengthened it. I left the book knowing more than I cared to about the ENA, and not enough about the essence of what it means to be a Frenchman/woman.



4. Sixty Million Frenchmen Can't Be Wrong...
   They could have left the title at that. This book does a great job of explaining cultural differences, history, education, politics, attitudes toward food, dating and many things we anglophones are curious about. There was no need to add the snarky "Why we love France but not the French". Was that to sell more books during a time of anti-French sentiment? It took me 3 more years to buy the book, which is after all, quite good. Bad title! I have many friends in France, speak it fluently and agree with the authors that there is much more to learn than words. More to selling books than naming them too, it would appear!



5. 60 Million Frenchman is split into three sections (1) French history (why certain events helped make the French the way they are). (2) French system (detailed analysis of almost every aspect of current--as of 2000--French life). (3) Projections for the future.
   
   I liked part one a lot. I think the chapters on the Algerian War and World War Two were particularly apt in explaining how the French mindset has been shaped in recent decades. Part two was good in spots, and reeeeally boring in spots. For example: first there's a whole chapter on grands ecoles, then, because that was apparently not enough, there was a whole chapter devoted exclusively to ENA. I liked some of the chapters on the political stuff though, and how different the French ideas of judicial and executive power are from the American.
   
   Part three was relatively short, a beautiful quick read after slogging through part two. It basically paves the way for what they discuss in their other book (The Story of French). All in all, it's an informative, mostly well-written, detailed look at French history, language, culture, technology, and politics--a perfect read if you're a Francophile, or if you're just wanting to learn more about the French mindset.

1 comments about Curse Of The Black Gold: 50 Years of Oil in the Niger Delta.

1. I just returned from working in Port Harcourt for several months. This is a very graphic book from people who were able to penetrate the heart of the Niger Delta with pictures that very few people would otherwise be able to see.

5 comments about Restaurant Financial Basics.

1. I used this book to teach financial management of restaurantes to pupils in a culinary school. It was very usefull and I highly recommend it, especially the chapter where you find the different forms of calculating the price of a dish.



2. This is an excellent book that must be a part of your business library. As essential as any cookbook



3. I am an accountant and this books gives me great ideas to share with my restaurant clients



4. 
   It provided me with the guidelines I was searching for. I needed a model for structure.



5. The book hasn't been used yet for our group discussion at work, but I've looked through it and I'm excited about the book. Its easy to read and understand.

4 comments about Streetwise Seattle Map - Laminated Center City Street Map of Seattle, Washington - Folding pocket size travel map with integrated monorail & streetcar lines & stations (Streetwise).

1. Before heading into Seattle as an intern this summer, I bought a few foldable maps - each with different strengths and weaknesses. By the end of the summer, the only map living in the front seat of my MINI Cooper was this one. I love it because the streets are clearly labeled. I love it because it shows some of the surrounding neighborhoods, not just the main downtown area. And most of all, I love it because it shows the on and offramps for the freeway. How many times have you hit a bizarre interchange and not known what lane to be in, or been stuck in a maze of one-way streets? This map is absolutely the clearest at indicating directionality of streets, and that's a good thing because Seattle is a pretty messy city to get around in by car.
   
   Combine this map with one of the bound King/Pierce/Snohomish County "map books" that are sold at most big box stores in the metro area with detailed grid maps of the entire area, and you'll never get lost. Highly recommended!



2. Covers the subject well but far from completly. Handy to carry because it is a small book. Nice color illustrations. Points of interest chosen would sit well with people in their 20's but no so well with people in their 60's



3. Only half the size of a regular map, for twice the price. The lamination and mini pictures of buildings don't make up for the disappointment I felt when I received my map in the mail. I'm sure it will prove useful, but in a much smaller area than it should or could be useful.



4. I have been a fan of the "Streetwise" calendars for years -- a folding laminated city map that always folds nicely, stays firm and fits easily in pockets, purses, etc.
   
   On the reverse side, it also has a wider regional map, which is helpful to put your travels into context, especially if you use the map alongside tour books that often point out destinations outside the downtown region.

No comments about New England (Eyewitness Travel Guides).

1 comments about 101 Baseball Places to See Before You Strike Out.

1. I just received a copy of this book a few days ago and I've really enjoyed looking at all of the colorful pictures and reading the interesting and sometimes funny essays. Some of the sites I'll visit (like the Field of Dreams Movie Site), others I think I'll skip (like the courthouse where Joe Jackson couldn't say it wasn't so) but it's fun learning about them all. Good book for a snowy day.

2 comments about Frommer's Colorado (Frommer's Complete).

1. The book appeared to be new and arrived several days before the projected arrival date.



2. Great book for anyone visiting or living in Colorado. A comprehensive guide to your travels. I live in and travel around Colorado frequently, and this book is a must!!

5 comments about Rick Steves' German Phrase Book and Dictionary.

1. IT GIVES YOU ALL THE BASICS AND MORE!



2. More Hotels should be listed, including 4 stars. Locations of hotels should be in light gray marks to separate them from Attractions. Aprox. times for visiting should also be suggested.



3. This is a very useful phrase book, which i have used successfully in germany. it's fresh and fun, unlike other phrase books i have used. i very much agree with other reviewers: this is the best phrase book i have seen, of the 5 or 6 i have used. but, for me, the book is missing what i think could have easily been included: article and gender. the book doesn't list what article (the/a) goes with a noun (masculine, feminine, or neuter; der, die, das/ein, eine, ein). for those with no experience in german this lack may seem like no big deal. but article/gender plays a critical role in constructing sentences--adapting what rick steves provides--because word endings change according to gender.



4. I recently took a trip to Europe and needed 3 language books. I had Lonely Planet books for French and Italian then bought this book for German. I was really disappointed in this book after having used the Lonely Planet books prior. The menu translator, in particular, is lacking. I could hardly find anything from the menu in this book...and I went to Oktoberfest. I'm sure the food served was traditional German food so why wasn't it in the book? Next time, I'll stick with Lonely Planet.



5. I really liked the pronunciation guides and the phrases, but i had difficulty finding the specific words that I wanted. For example, I couldn't look at a restaurant menu and then look in this book and figure out what my food options were. Probably works better for a touristy trip, than my permanent move.

5 comments about Weird U.S.: Your Travel Guide to America's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets (Weird).

1. If you buy this planning to go on a wierd US tour, you'll be disappointed, because the directions to each place aren't very well documented. If you want to visit any of these weird attractions, plan to make copious use of the Internet to search out better directions so that you don't get lost on the way.
   
   The layout of this book is gorgeous, and while it may not be worth the original B&N price, the Amazon marketplace price makes it a steal. The pictures are just fabulous. I love the personal narrations by different authors, but some other reviewers have noted mistakes, so they need to be taken with a grain of salt.



2. This is the kind of going down a deserted road and then-AHHH!! reading, not Hollywood, this is what we have all experienced at one time or another.It will keep you up reading it all night,but maybe not on Halloween? Must have all the other books in this series, a must read!!



3. Apparently, I must be somewhat weird, because this last Christmas, I was given four copies of this book by four different people. (And then, coincidentally, three of my friends got this book for their birthdays....)
   This book is loaded with weird facts, legends, lore, people, photographs, ghost stories, haunted places, supernatural figures, terrifying ruins and tunnels and forests and abandoned buildings, tall tales, odd museums, and answerless mysteries.
   I've travelled a lot around America, and I've come across a lot of strangeness that's not in this book--I always ask people, "What's the strangest thing you've ever seen?"--but what it is here is entertaining and unique, if occasionally doubtful. The book deals more with the East than with the West, and as a result of that a lot of cool stuff is never even mentioned that could be. There's only one or two items from New Mexico, and nothing at all on skinwalkers--the creepiest lore there is.
   Some parts of the book are actually frightening though--like phantom clowns!--and would be even scarier if read during an actual visit to these places.
   I recommend this book highly--it's very readable, though I wish it had maps or directions to the places it describes--and I will probably buy any sequels.



4. This is a great book if you plan to travel. It shows all the great places to stop at.



5. Totally freaky and as far as I know, 100% true. The book opens with case after case of Satanism, portals to Hell, etc. After you pass this "test" then the authors and contributors let you onto some really cool and unbelievable stuff, like, who really has Royal claim to the North American continent. Ha!

4 comments about Montreal & Quebec City (City Guide).

1. I'm impressed by the amount of detail, all the stories and know-hows have matched to what a well traveled friend says of Montreal.
   Highlights dinning, lodging, and sites for each section of the city.



2. This guide proved to be very helpful, informative and insightful for my recent 9 day trip. Nicely organized and up to date material.



3. This guide was invaluable during my recent trip to Montreal- the maps were great- having the reviewed places marked on the maps made life a lot easier. I just wish it were bigger.



4. I find Lonely Planet guidebooks the most practically useful of all travel guidebooks. I find the Montreal/Quebec City to be definitely no exception. Just the maps in the book make it extremely worthwhile...no other maps are needed. Interviews with Montreal/Quebec City residents provide informative and real insider information about the cities, as do sections on history, culture and the arts. Information is adequately up-to-date. I highly recommend this book for anyone making a trip to one or both of the cities.