5 comments about Alaska by Cruise Ship: The Complete Guide to Cruising Alaska with Giant Pull-out Map (6th Edition).

1. We checked out a few Alaska guidebooks before planning our September/07 Alaska cruise and found most lacked the cruising information we needed to help us pick a cruise. We found Ms. Vipond's writing entertaining and thoughtful and her specific information on the types of Alaska cruises that are available (round trip or straight line) very helpful. She also goes into the region's history, native peoples, wildlife, port attractions with lots of detail on shore excursions which helped us sort out our choices.
   
   On the cruise, the guide's detailed port maps and the large Alaska pullout map at the back of the book were indispensable. And unlike many other guides, this one has hundreds of color photos which are useful to identify wildlife, spot attractions and gave us an idea of what we would see on various shore excursions. We never left the ship without it.



2. This is a wonderful and very useful book if you are planning an Alaskan Cruise! My favorite part is the breakdown for every port which includes a terrific self guided walking tour and a map of each port. Bon Voyage!



3. Awesome book. If you are planning on an Alaskan Cruise or Cruise/Tour - this is the only book you need. I previously bought 3 other books on Alaska but when I started reading this one - the others didn't get picked back up. This books has everything you could ever need to plan and enjoy your Alaskan Cruise experience. This book realy should have 10 stars not 5!



4. This is almost certainly the best "overview" guide to Alaska Cruises you'll find. There are chapters on both cruising and the sights you'll see in Alaska, with lots of photos and illustrations plus a large pull-out map. If you're planning an Alaska Cruise, buying this book will be money well-spent.



5. Wish I had seen this one at the library before I invested the cash for a book that can't really be passed along.
   My biggest problem is that the info in the book is too detailed to be useful unless you're lucky enough to take the Marine Highway and have days at each port.

5 comments about Foreign to Familiar: A Guide to Understanding Hot - And Cold - Climate Cultures.

1. Nothing I've seen is more clearly and heart warmingly convincing of the advantages to understanding other cultures. The person who reads and rereads this book will have keys to life skills that will serve them in all professional contexts, all relationships, all cultures.
   
   This is profundity made accessible and simple.



2. Concise. Very insightful. Good stories. Easy to read and memorable. The summary section at the end of each chapter is helpful for triggering the key points in your memory.



3. I wish I had read this book a few years ago. Working at a foreign-owned company with a completely different cultural bias has been difficult, but this book clearly explains the characteristics of other cultures. I use the lessons taught in this book daily to help understand the cultural differences between myself any my co-workers.
   
   I would recommend this book to anyone who is concerned about living or working in an environment culturally different from their own.



4. I found this to be a very readable book; there is a lot of information presented both concisely and clearly. Well worth a read for anyone planning on spending time in other countries, or anyone who interacts with those from other cultures. Which makes it useful for pretty much everybody.



5. This book is an easy read, and takes much of the observable cultural differences and explains them simply for the layperson. I am a missionary preparing for cross cultural ministry and will share this book with my partners back in the states so they can have a better understanding of what we are experiencing.

1 comments about The Trailer Life Directory RV Road Atlas.

1. Lots of useful information in this directory. Especially appreciatethe information concerning internet access and seasonal temperatures because it helps me plan my route according to both.

5 comments about The Story of the Titanic As Told by Its Survivors.

1. I'm very interested in the Titanic, and have read several books about the events surronding this disaster. This book was interesting, but very very long and drawn out. Sometimes I was so bored reading it that I fell asleep. Particulary, I didn't care to know what every single person inside of every single lifeboat did, said, didn't do or didn't say, etc. But, like I said before, there was some interesting info. Overall, I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone nor will I ever read it again.



2. "That cold green water, crawling its ghostly way up the staircase, was a sight that stamped itself indelibly in my memory. Step, by step, it made its way up, covering the electric lights, which for a short time shone under the suface with a horribly weird effect." This, tetsimony from an officer of the ship, named Lightoller, matches any description for effect that any fiction writer could create. It is the fact that this book is taken from the testimony of four of Titanic's survivors that makes this book so excellent. One gets a real sense of the times---Edwardian England---where duty was paramount and the supposed superiorty of the English race, which colors the survivor's accounts, hints at the very pride that contributed to the disaster---a fascinating paradox. Not only do you get the testimoney from four survivors--each several chapters---but also a boat by boat testimonial from the survivors of those boats. Another reviewer here found this testimony mundane, but I found it fascinating and objectively complete. It seems that the most famous account of the disaster in book form, A Night to Remember, took much of its information from this book, and what makes this book so much more appealing is that the accounts are unfiltered. Captain Lightoller's account is particularly illuminating in that it shines a critical light on the Titanic hearings before the U.S. and English governments, which he calls a "farce." Another fascinating thing about this book is that despite the differing experiences related here by the survivors you begin to pick up bits and pieces of testimony that weave a common thread of experience among all---like a great puzzle.



3. I love this book. Learning the account of the disaster from the perspective of those who went through it is interesting.



4. This book definately confirms the acutual facts of the Titanic tragedy from the the day of departure until the impact with the iceberg. It gives you the true facts from the mouths of the survivors & definately corrects misconceptions lasting through the tales of time. Even the exact jounal facts of the trial after the tragedy confirms facts not accurate, even to the song the band was playing when the ship went down. It also does confirm facts that were true. Also, you learn of the changes in ship law regarding life boat number in regards to souls on board, & other major changes after the Titanic tragedy. THE MAIN THING LEARNED WAS THAT MANY BRAVE SOULS WENT DOWN WITH THIS SHIP WITHOUT COMPLAINT OR CAUSING ANY PROBLEMS AT ALL WHEN NOT NECESSARY, PLEASE HONOR THESE PEOPLE & THEIR MEMORIES AS YOU READ THIS BOOK. More detailed history that you will ever read regarding this tragedy...



5. I would like to recommend for all those interested to also read :
   
   " TITANIC " a survivor's story written by one of the survivors by the name of " Colonel Archibald Gracie " who, gave his story plus went to the trouble of interviewing others who had survived PLUS, he went to almost all the hearings and wrote the transcriptions of testimony as well. Sadly this man died 4th of Dec. 1912 after doing his full duty for history . Thank God for this book as I have read many accounts including this one on here ...also, I would recommend " Sinking Of the Titanic Eyewitness Accounts " by many who survived w/some photos and sketches .

5 comments about Stairway Walks in San Francisco.

1. Great book to have for anyone who enjoys an adventure. Lots of walking options within the city



2. San Francisco has over 50 hills with scenic vistas and small neighborhoods - so these nearly 30 urban walks are top picks for any who want to walk the city's byways. The revised expanded edition has been updated with new maps and color photos and adds three new walks, while an appendix lists the City's 600-plus public stairways. It's a 'must' for any San Francisco travel collection going beyond the general-interest city guide.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



3. Adah's book is a great collection of walks all over the city. As the name implies, all the walks focus on the stairways for which San Francisco is so well known. This has two implications: one is that these walks will wear you out; the second is that, on sunny days, you get incredible views from the tops of all the stairways Adah has you climb.
   
   For locals, the 27 walks cover the entire town from Glen Canyon to Lands End to Potrero Hill. No matter how long you've lived in San Francisco, I guarantee you'll see great spots you've never been to before.
   
   Most of the walks are well off the beaten path for visitors, but a couple cover the classic tourist areas of North Beach, China Town, and Telegraph Hill. The Russian Hill North walk, done on a sunny day, will have anyone believing San Francisco is the most beautiful city on earth.
   
   Adah provides maps, directions, and a great deal of color commentary for each walk. She tends to focus on eccentric details of the local architecture and flora for each walk, lending a whimsical quality to the whole experience.
   
   Two last things to keep in mind. First, because the views are such a big part of these walks, Adah's trips are much better in good weather than in bad. Second, Adah is sometimes a little loose with her directions; I recommend cross checking the directions and the map often.



4. I love this book!! We live an hour north of S.F. and when ever we go to the city we start with one of these great walks. We have gone and explored neighborhoods we never would have without this book. San Francisco is such a beautiful city and getting to the top of some obscure staircase always gives you a unique and beautiful view. It is a must for anyone who lives in or near S.F.



5. I found this book (rather thick - 251 pages) on the shelves of my local Santa Cruz library shelves. At first I thought it was rather boring - the cover is dizzying to look at. Then as I opened and perused thru more pages, I realized that this was a work of love - Adah Bakalinsky's love (a San Francisco local, and an emigrant to the US).
   
   Adah Bakalinsky has expended previous editions and the January 2007 is the 6th edition.
   
   What I liked about this book:
   * informs the reader on some cool areas to walk in San Francisco, with cool architecture, and routes that will have your blood pumping.
   * the 27 walks are all detailed with a map layout, interesting points of interest, photographs, and many factoids.
   * Appendix 1 contains "An Informal Bibliography" (one pager with more info on the San Francisco)
   * Appendix 2 lists all the staircases (across 36 pages) for each neighborhood in San Francisco and rates each one according to a 1 to 5 scale of combined: steepness, length, location, elevation, and beauty.
   * and ... it was FREE.
   
   Whether you are from out of town visiting San Francisco, a local denizen, or a Bay Area suburbian, you are sure to enjoy this book, even if not completing a walk from start to finish. The details are worth reading before each walk, as one is sure to add more mental details and moments of enjoyment as one walks across the beautiful city of San Francisco.

5 comments about The Voyager's Handbook.

1. If you are even just dreaming of someday, possibly taking off to see the world on a boat read this book first. Beth Leonard has experienced this life and kept track of what worked and what didn't. Her writing style is logical, fun to read, clear and concise. We are in the midst of outfitting a 1970's one-off in hopes of venturing across the Atlantic and her advice has been invaluable. Thank you, Beth! Buy this book. It is a real treat, even if you never get to go sailing.



2. This book is very detailed in scope. My edition was printed backward(turn the pages from the back to the front). I suspect that the third edition has this straitened out. This book does not send you to other publications for detail. It gives it in the book. Otherwise it does get a little bogged down with the details. I would like to have this book on hand during the crossing to review the details.



3. Read this book because you do not want to reinvent the wheel the hard way. This book will provide you with years of experience and knowledge. This is an exceptional reference guide for sailors who want information from someone who has been there and done it. Beth goes into detail about planning, equipping, handling, and operating a sailboat for offshore trips to far away places. Beth has detailed information regarding all the important considerations. She also has a section about the mistakes that she and Evan made from time to time and how to avoid them.



4. This is one of a very short list of outstanding cruising books. Anyone thinking of joining the world of cruising should be required to read it and keep it on board. It's full if valuable and current information as well as practical advice and wisdom that only comes from years of first hand experience.



5. I was recommended this book for my wife for a woman's point of view to cruising, mine to which whom untill we purchased our boat had never set foot on a Sailboat. Having several years experience myself this book would be more suited to me then to her.
   Very in depth and informative. But not a first read if your trying to excite or more importantly ease the seemingly complex nature of sailing vessels or going to sea. This book will do the opposite and overwhelm the Newbie wife.
   Get something different first ...then come back for this one way latter once the hook for saling live is firmly set.

No comments about In Cod We Trust: Living the Norwegian Dream.

4 comments about U.S. Army Map Reading and Land Navigation Handbook (U.S. Army).

1. Soldiers need to know how to read maps accurately, how to navigate, and how to understand all manner of maps, compasses, celestial navigation and more. So does the outdoorsman. For the military and the outdoors wilderness trekker, U.S. Army Map Reading And Land Navigation Handbook provides basic instruction on grids, scale and distance, reading overlays and using navigation equipment. A 'must' for any who might need basic survival skills.



2. I own several excellent books on compass use and "orienteering."
   The Army version "Map Reading and Land Navigation" is the simplest and most straightforward explanation of how to get around with just a compass and a map. If I were teaching teenagers (Scouts, etc.) how to use these tools this would be my choice of text.



3. Study orienteering with the handbook used by the U.S. Army. This guide is perfect for any outdoorsman or for teaching Boy Scouts how to use a compass.



4. Found this book confusing. Maps are illegible which makes the text irrelevant. It covers way too much detail all at once instead of progressing through steps. Covers alot of info and data useful only for those in the military. May work in conjunction with a lecture course, but by itself I would be surprised if anyone learned only from this book. I am new to this so maybe it's just not for beginners.

1 comments about California Atlas & Gazetteer (Delorme Atlas & Gazetteer Series).

1. I was recently the navigator on a 10 day California coast road trip. I ordered the Delorme Atlas to serve as a back-up to my Nuvi GPS. The map is certainly is the better way for looking ahead for rest areas. Half way through the trip, the binding cracked and pages began to fall out. Not good when driving in a convertible with the top down! So I stopped at a Kinko's Copy Center and they replaced the binding with a spiral binding. Now it went from a good atlas to a great atlas! I'm certainly going to do this to any other Delorme atlas I use in the future.

5 comments about Brazilian Portuguese: Lonely Planet Phrasebook.

1. I'm just a lonely writer wanna-be in the heart of the middle of nowhere, so what do I choose to write -- a period piece of Brazil. I can't even begin to praise this book enough. Not only do I get phrases and words, but there are all sorts of little historical and cultural details.
   
   I will probably never travel to Brazil, but this little book is allowing my imagination to have a trip!



2. Beware of serious pronunciation errors in this book. Although it was overall pretty useful, there were some glaring errors in areas where there likely shouldn't have been. Case in point, the phonetic pronunciation for tchau (goodbye) in the book is spelled out as "tee-show." At least in Bahia, it was pronounced by the locals just like the Italian "ciao." The word "vinte" (twenty) is spelled out "veeng-te" in the book, while again everyone we encountered in Bahia pronounced it "veen-chay." I don't know if these are regional differences in Brazilian Portuguese, but if so, they need to at least be addressed in the book. Take care when using the phrasebook to listen to the local speakers as well.



3. I just returned from a trip to Brazil, and though I know some Spanish, I had no previous exposure to Portuguese. This phrasebook proved invaluable in helping me bridge the gap, and contributed to me having an even better time, and blending in better with the locals.



4. I picked up Conversational Brazilian Portuguese: Learn to Speak and Understand Portuguese with Pimsleur Language Programs (Simon & Schuster's Pimsleur), in audio and learned a lot. It helps to have some spanish lessons when you were young. This book was a nice addition to my base, and it came in handy more than a few times once I was in Brazil.



5. Really handy! It's unbelievable the amount of rare phrases that are in this book that you can't find anywhere else (example: Pull my finger= Pushe meu dedo). It covers a wide variety of topics like food and sex and parties. However, I found that the pronunciations guide kinda sucks. I'm not sure if I learned a different accent of Brazilian Portuguese (my teacher is from Brasilia), but the phonetic pronunciations they include were way off (for example, they never mention the fact that 'te' as in 'arte' is pronounced like 'chee' as in 'cheese'). Also, the organization of the book could have been a lot better. It took me HOURS to find a basic phrase (I'm hungry) because it was not put in a section with food or anything food/restaurant related. But for the reasonable price and convenient size, it's definitely worth having.