5 comments about A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail.

1. This book for the most part had me in stitches. It was when Bill Bryson traveled the Appalachian Trail alone for a bit that the book got kind of slow going. Other than that, it is hysterical. A great read when you need to laugh hard at life.



2. This is quite a humurous book, I was often laughing out loud at the dialogue between Katz and Bryson. Couldn't have been a better unmatched pair to hike parts of the AT. Informative and provided some information about the hx of the trail and the places it goes through. I would have given it five stars, but he chose to plug some rants in the book that we could have done without. Things like how he feels about the environment, mining, hunting and so forth that took away from the book, but only a little. If you enjoy outdoors and all the hilarity in even the worse conditions then this book is for you.



3. I can't say much about this book which hasn't already been shouted in praise. Bill Bryson is an incredible writer - he writes in an interesting tone, using layman's terms, but the book never feels childish; moreover, there is true sincerity when he writes, and it's clear that his feelings about the AT are genuine; for example, there is palpable anguish when he discusses some of the horrible things which have happened or will happen to the AT and the forests it crosses.
   
   The book is several things. First and foremost, it's a story about his and his hiking partner's (Katz) attempt at thru-hiking the AT; there are moments of sadness, gloriousness, utter frustration and, most of all, laugh-out-loud humor, and this is the main appeal of the book. Second, it has a fair account of history of the AT - there is history of the AT itself, the states it crosses, the people behind it, and some of the more popular cities and towns along the way - but it's never enough to become boring or to dissuade from reading (not that Bryson's writing style would allow that, in any case). Third, the book is about the people of the AT; there are several mentions of famous hikers, record-breakers, and interesting characters all-together, as well as words of praise for certain people who provided helping hands along the way - there are also accounts of some of the more unpleasant aspects of humanity which you might encounter.
   
   What the book lacked the most was a detailed account of the preparations and costs of the voyage. As a prospective thru-hiker, this is information I was hoping to collect, but there was little of it. Not to imply that there weren't any lessons to be learned - Bryson did touch on these subjects in some detail, but they are the least represented in the book. I understand it is meant as an interesting story, but I would have liked some more detailed information - but that's just me.
   
   The book is a fast read - I'm not a fast reader by any means, and I found, with much sadness, that after only the 3rd sitting (~1-3 hours each) I was 3/4ths the way through the book, despite it being ~400 pages. This is probably because of Bryson's elegant fluidity and use of common language, as well as the can't-put-it-down factor which keeps you interested and reading chapters at a time.
   
   I can't recommend this book enough. Regardless of whether you're a recreational hiker, certified mountain man, ambitious future-thru-hiker, or merely looking for a fun, interesting and humorous story, you'll enjoy this book immensely.



4. Bill Bryson could probably produce a best seller if he did a detailed analysis of paint-drying and grass-growing, so it was certainly no surprise that this was a good read. While it doesn't contain the constant hyperbolic hilarity of some of his other works, it is highly entertaining as well as being historically and geographically educational. Although Bryson's creative genius is evident throughout, the second half of the book is somewhat more methodical than the first. A warning for parents: The language in some passages is PG-13 - at best. In the end, it's an enjoyable adventure that teaches many lessons about HUMAN nature as well as nature in general.



5. Don't read this book while you're trying to eat. Or where people might look at you funny if you start to laugh out loud. Because this is a very funny book. Bryson has an understated humor that will only make you chuckle at first, and just when you think it's safe to take another bite, you'll read a bit more, and start laughing out loud! He has a keen eye for description of both his surroundings and his company and conveys both wonderfully well.
   
   This book hits a bit of a sour note, though, the numerous times that Bryson castigates the National Park Service for general incompetence. I won't presume to say that he's entirely wrong in his criticisms, but I do think that he takes it a bit too far, and that an organization with tries to do so much good with so few resources deserves a bit more respect.

5 comments about The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir.

1. My primary motivation for buying this book is that I, like the author, grew up in Des Moines in the fifties (and left it for college and a career in the sixties), and I hoped that the book would be a pleasant trip down memory lane. In that regard, the author is largely successful in evoking a time and a place that I knew and loved. Indeed, I was surprised by his recall of Des Moines in the fifties, because when the curtain closed on that decade, Mr. Bryson, by my calculation, was in the third grade (I was in the eleventh).
   
   The book is well written, humorous (the result of more than a little comedic license, I suspect), and triggered some wonderful memories of Des Moines. (The author does not limit himself to Des Moines: he tries, with mixed success, to examine America in the fifties, as well.) But while many of his descriptions of places that I knew from my youth resonated, I could not identify with the author, who grew up in one of the more affluent neighborhoods of the city's Westside, the most affluent side of town, light years from the working class neighborhood I called home. As I read his story, increasingly I heard the voice of a privileged kid; a privileged kid whose arrogance got the better of him when, in describing Riverview amusement park, he had this to say: "Kids from the Riverview district went to a high school so forlorn and characterless that it didn't have a proper name, just a geographical designation: North High. They detested kids from Theodore Roosevelt High School, the outpost of privilege, comfort, and quality footwear for which we were destined." I graduated from East High School, the other Des Moines high school possessed of a mere geographical designation, and I admit to having detested kids from Roosevelt. After reading the above, I was surprised to learn, decades later, that I still do. Despite these feelings, I think that Mr. Bryson and I can agree on this: Des Moines was a great place, and the fifties a wonderful time, in which to grow up.



2. This is a very funny book and is a great view of growing up in the 50s and 60s. I loved it.



3. I found this book in a bookstore and was hooked from the first page! Bill Bryson writes a wonderfully humorous story that any child born in the 1950's can relate to. For Baby Boomers, the 1950's were an age of innocence, magic, discovery and wonder. Each chapter follows young Billy as he experiences and imagines his childhood world of Des Moines, Iowa. Bill captures the essence of each character in the book with wonderful detail, from parents to friends to teachers -- we all know people just like them all. Each chapter is a treasure and a great read for all.
   
   Note to readers: Read only one chapter a day. You don't want to rush through this gem!



4. Every so often, a book comes along that is so good, you don't want to reach the end. "Thunderbolt Kid" is just such a book. I found myself having to pause regularly to allow my sides to stop aching from laughter, and I read about half of the book out loud to my wife because I HAD to share it. You don't read this book; it just happens inside your head. The trees that died to print this classic must be quite proud of their demise.



5. This book is Hilarious! I recommend this memoir to all my friends that love to read. The book is well written. Read this you will love it too.

5 comments about 1,000 Places to See in the U.S.A. & Canada Before You Die.

1. This book has some great ideas for planning vacations or looking for things to do in a place you are already planning to visit. Lots of fun!



2. I tend to be very cautious about traveling in the US especially when I heard that California is in the top 15 most dangerous states in the US but this book helps me pinpoint where I want to go. I feel that if it's in the book, it must be safe enough to visit.



3. This was a great addition to our library. Now that our children are old enough to enjoy and get something out of vacations, we will be using this more often. It's a great way to have the kids help choose the next destination-adventure.



4. If she had, she never would've lumped the Henry Ford Museum and Greenfield Village into a category labeled AUTO MUSEUMS. It deserves a full, explanatory entry. Ms. Schultz is probably unaware that Henry Ford purchased and moved buildings such as the Wright Brothers' bicycle shop, Thomas Edison's Menlo Park laboratory, Stephen Foster's house, Noah Webster's house, and so many more to Dearborn, Michigan. Lincoln's Illinois courthouse used to feature his chair from the Ford Theater (it has been moved into the Henry Ford museum). The Henry Ford museum does offer an incredible collection of automobiles but also so much more. I definately would've made different choices than Ms. Schultz. In this book and in her 1,000 Places to See in the World, she gives Shelburne Farm in Vermont a full entry. Shelburne Farm is a nice, living history museum but it does not compare to Greenfield Village. Now I wonder if her other recommendations are worthwhile. I have both books. I understand some places would get missed, but I definately would've make many different choices.



5. My husband and I are planning a trip through the southwest this summer and found this to be very helpful in planning our trip. Also, learned of a few places we did not know about, that are close to home. Anyone who likes to travel should buy this book.

5 comments about The Complete Guide to Walt Disney World 2008.

1. Anyone who is headed to Disneyworld should buy this book, even if you have been there before. It has really helped me plan our trip. I have been using it for the past two weeks to get ready and now I feel like a real expert. Lots of great information and photos, very well organized and fun to read too!



2. I was so impressed with this colorful guide to my FAVORITE PLACE -- Disney World! My family makes the trek to Orlando twice a year, and I thought I knew a lot about it. After reading this Complete Guide I know about a thousand times more than I did before! I can't wait to go back and look for some little treasures I learned about from this book, like the Mary Blair doll in Small World, or the funny things the birds say after everyone has left the Tiki Room.
   There are photos on nearly every page, and they make me feel like I am right there strolling down Main Street USA or about to go down Summit Plummet at Blizzard Beach. These pix alone are reason enough to get this guidebook. They will make you want to book your next vacation right away.
   Do yourself a favor and get this book!!!



3. I have a whole shelf in my bookcase just for books about Disney World, and The Complete Guide is now my new favorite.
   
   What you notice first is the color. The cover is a brilliant red, with a great pic of the trolley show performers on Main Street USA. Inside are bright glossy pictures on just about every page. These are not the typical staged shots you normally see from Disney World. There is a backstage photo of a Lion King dancer putting on makeup, a shot of the author from the inside of a Richard Petty race car, Tweedledum taking a cell-phone call from a guest and a close-up of the Cinderella mosaic at the castle. There is even a historical photo of Warren Beatty signing his cement block in front of the Great Movie Ride. I could go on and on just about the photos in this book.
   
   My reason for really loving this guide, though, are not about the pix. I love the explanations on each attraction's back story. I have gone on these rides not knowing the story, but am looking forward to riding again now that I can put the ride in perspective. For example, I never knew the full story behind DinoLand, the Harambe Village or Expedition Everest in Animal Kingdom. Now I do!
   
   If you are interested in a beautiful Disney World guidebook that is unprecedented in its depth and details, check this one out. You won't be disappointed!



4. If you are going to Walt Disney World you should invest in this book. It will really pay off. Disney offers so much to do, and can be so crowded, that you have to know what you're doing before you get there to have a good time. This book makes that possible. Nice to look at, well organized and well written, it will save you hours of wasted time at every theme park and provide many other interesting ways to spend your time. The restaurant and resort chapters are first-rate, too. I bought five Disney World guides before our trip, and this one was the most useful. Beforehand I thought only our kids would enjoy Disney, but thanks to this book I, and my wife, had a great time too.



5. Julie and Mike Neal are a husband-wife team who appear to live at Walt Disney World. From what I understand, Julie does the writing and Mike does the photography. Both excel at their respective crafts.
   
   Literally every feature at Disney World is described in honest detail. There are lots of hints on how to optimize your time.
   
   It is not, in my opinion, an exaggeration to describe this guide as the equivalent of a paid companion, intent on making your experience at Walt Disney World unique and thoroughly enjoyable. Visitors of every age can plan the itinerary best suited to their interests with the help of this marvelous guide.
   
   Don't think of visiting Walt Disney World without consulting this book, preferably several months in advance so you can really take advantage of its detailed descriptions and comments.
   
   Jerry

5 comments about The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook: Kauai Revealed (Ultimate Kauai Guidebook).

1. This book literally walks you around the island and tells you where the best places to eat, swim, and photograph. It is well worth every dollar and I will be keeping it in hand when we go there for our honeymoon this August. I work with people who frequent Kauai a couple times a year, and they all told me not to leave without this book. An excellent and entertaining read!



2. Excellent book by any standard. Very well written, with a splash of humor interjected throughout. I have not read from cover to cover yet as i want to enjoy the experience over time. Will be leaving back to Poipou on the south shore within the next two weeks and have made many day trip plans utilizing the info contained in this wonderfully written and knowledgeable book.



3. I had borrowed an older edition of this book from a friend for our last trip to Kauai. I just bought the latest edition for our trip this year. We found the book to be very accurate and easy to follow. Lots of my own research online (and from Hawaiian residents) I found later to be all compiled on this book. We liked it so much that didn't want to chance buying a different one.



4. Yes he is corny and self aggrandizing at times, but his are hands down the best guidebooks I have ever purchased - more like having an amusing friend share his intimate insight about the place he loves and knows like few other people. Several years ago when in Maui, we puchased his book "Maui Revealed" and it made all the difference in the world in our enjoyment of that island - the sights, the hikes, the food. When we decided to come to Kauai this year, the first thing I did was purchase "The Ultimate Kauai Guidebook" (available at Amazon). It has been our constant companion on our trip (we are currently in the middle of our 1 week in paradise). Kauai is an amazing place (we are staying on the gorgeous and lush north shore) and I would encourage anyone who loves nature and friendly people to come here - but be sure and get this book first! His knowlege is indispensible on the beaches and hikes - their characteristics and how to get to them. Likewise, his no-holds-barred reviews of restaurants, shopping, and activity concessionaires, have really helped us have some terrific experiences here (and we are only half done!)



5. This is my 2nd trip to Kauai, and really did find this book very helpful in many respects. The hikes are great, although I did find the book was organized in a very scattered manner. We followed the off road routes near Anahola, south to Donkey's Beach, and it was a disaster. For one thing, the roads were not accurately drawn for their description and quantity. Although we had a brand new Jeep 4WD, we were met with with huge boulders, narrow and bushy roads that scratched our car to no end. The worst part, however, was going to the wonderful smaller beaches only accessed by these roads. Although there was no doubt the beaches themselves were absolutely phenomenal, the "locals" attempted to intimidate us by standing by their jacked up trucks, starring until we left, ready to dial "911" on our cell phones. We asked a local about this later, to which they replied that the area is known to be "Angryhole-a" territory--all the angry locals tend to meander that way, especially on the weekends. No where in the book did it mention the true nature of this small town, the local attitude toward tourists, and the confusing and dangerous nature of off-roading, especially when their maps were really off!

5 comments about Maui Revealed: The Ultimate Guidebook (Maui Revealed).

1. I bought this book based on all the positive reviews on Amazon. The book did not disappoint. I used it every day on our trip to Maui last week and consulted it on everything from directions to where to go and where to eat.
   
   We were stuck on the island an extra day due to the Aloha, ATA airlines mess and the hotel section in the back was convenient in being able to call up different hotels for availability that last night.
   
   We pretty much followed their restaurant recommendations and advice on whale watching companies and Hana sights.
   
   I really appreciated their honest feedback and I highly recommend this book. I heard other tourists on the island who also recommended the book.



2. This book was so helpful in finding the best spots on Maui!!! It gives excellent tips for the most beautiful beaches. I wouldn't go to Maui without it!



3. Maui Revealed is a great book with lots of important information for any one planning a trip or just wanting to more about the Island of Maui.
   We loved it and will take it with us when we visit!



4. This is the best book on Maui by far!! I've gone through many others and they were not nearly as informative or entertaining.



5. The maps in this book are very good. We used it to find the beach access areas and free parking spots. The signage for these can be tricky so the book really helped. We found the day tour information to be very accurate in terms of time required and what features not to miss. Between this book and [...] we were able to plan an excellent vacation.

5 comments about The Milepost 2008 (Milepost).

1. If you are heading up through Canada to Alaska...this book is a must.....almost EVERY Alaskan has a copy as a means to plan their in-state trips. Once you get and use this book, you wish every other region in the world had the same format. A MUST HAVE BOOK.



2. The Milepost as always is a must have for the Adventure Motorcyclist. I contains all of the basic information for a trip through Canada and to Alaska.



3. This book is the best information I have found for helping to plan a trip to Alaska. Very up to date information.



4. Background - we have been planning a 2 month RV trip up the Alaska highway and around Alaska (Denali, Anchorage, etc) - we leave on May 15th but have been doing the planning for more than a year now. And I have been looking for all the info I can get - to help me prep for this wonderful event - hopefully the first of several trips to Alaska. We must have a dozen books that we have purchased read and used. And we first bought the 2007 to start our reading and then purchased the 2008 to have the most current informtion for our trip.
   
   There is nothing like the Milepost. Every mile, every highway, every trash can / pullout / restaurant / gravel section / etc. As close as you can get to someone who has driven every mile of every road and is telling you what you will experience - steep grades, gas stations, etc. Now, you have to read a lot - mile by mile by mile by mile - to catch references and hints at what interests you. But in the process, you also are made aware of confusing intersections, areas where Grizzley bears frequent, long (50 mile) stretches without any fuel stops. etc.
   
   I have 2 "weaknesses" about this book.
   1. You will work to get the information out of this "telephone sized" book. There is no big index section that will tell you about all the RV camps - nor all the BC parks, nor ... anything. You have to read mile by mile by mile to find what you want. The information is there and there is no other book like it.
   
   2. The only other omission in the Milepost is that it (by design) only covers attractions, events, that are on the highways. So if you want to do something that is not on a major highway, it may not be in the Milepost.
   
   Still, bottom line, if you are driving any of the Alaska, Yukon, BC highways, you should get this book and carry it.



5. We live in the lower 48 and have driven to Alaska four times over the past 19 years, but when we were getting ready to drive up again, we didn't hesitate at all, we purchased the "Bible" of travel to Alaska....The Milepost. We cannot even think of driving up there again without it in our truck. It is excellent. The material in this book is the best that there is. Period.

5 comments about The Unofficial Guide to Walt Disney World 2008 (Unofficial Guides).

1. This is a fantastic book. It gives an organized, thoughtful overview of every aspect of Disney World-- hotels, rides, food, events. Visiting Disney is NOT an inexpensive trip, and we wanted to see the things that were most important to us and not waste time on inappropriate rides or long lines. The Unofficial Guide gives great touring plans that you can modify to fit your particular needs and wants. THESE PLANS WORK! We weren't militant about them, but used their general guidelines. I have a 3 year old and a 7 year old, and the suggestions for age-appropriate rides and shows are quite accurate. Our trip was 2 weeks ago, and we are still basking in the glow of a succesful vacation. DO follow the book's recommendations to make reservations for the Fantasmic! show and for Cinderella's Table. Great book, don't go to Disney World without it.



2. Want tons of information about everything you need to know before going to DisneyWorld? Then this is the book you need. It details every aspect in a well layed out format that allows you to read as much/little as you want. What you will find is you read more than less due to the wonderful tips that will help you save money and spend your time wisely. Great information on the parks, the restaurants, places to stay (on and off campus) and a wealth of other information such as: only have one day for a park? there is a rip out map to show you how to maximize your time! Want a specific type of food? the restaurants are listed categorically. (TIP: set your reservations months in advance!) Need a direct phone number to pretty much anywhere that takes calls in the parks? its there.
   
   The only 'con' i will throw out is that the pictures are few and then not in color. This is more by design than a real flaw. Plenty of other park books have full color pics if that's what you want. I ended up ordering both types as my 10 year old daughter wanted something to look at too. (I stuck with this one, she loves her book.)



3. This book has been a great resource in planning our upcoming trip to Disney World this fall. Without this guide, we would have missed out on some great deals and opportunities, and probably ended up with a far less enjoyable trip than what we have planned. Definitely required reading for anyone anticipating a Disney getaway.



4. This is a really great book!! I've been to Disney twice before with my 2 children who are under the age of 5. This book offers great tips on things to do with children while waiting in line, what to do about strollers, etc. Lots of things I hadn't thought of before. I wish I had bought this sooner. There is a ton of info in here all in one place. As far as the touring plans, I think you just need to take those in stride...if you have a family that will follow them...great...if not then try to follow as closely as possbile. I think as long as you are armed with information, your trip will be much more pleasant than if you just show up and wing it! Love the comparisons on Character Meals and also on the Hotels on Disney Property. There's even info on hotels and restaurants other than on Disney Property. Again...great source of info all in one place.



5. If you are new to Disney vacations...it would be extremely helpful to read this book! Disney can be very overwhelming - and some tips can mean the difference between a so-so visit and an extraordinary one (like making character meal reservations way in advance).

5 comments about Into the Wild.

1. John Krakauer's book got over 1,100 comments at Amazon.com and was made into a recent movie, so the story of Chris McCandless' death in the Alaska wilderness interests many.
   
   I connect with the story in several ways, as follows:
   
   1) A difficult father/son and inter-family dynamic can propel a young man on an outward "heroic journey." After college I moved 1500 miles from home partly from this desire to find an independent place apart from my extended family.
   
   2) Young people often desire a taxing travel journey as a means to self discovery. I've known many young people who took extended solo trips and my own cross-country journey from after college was this kind of journey that included the desire for new experiences and risks.
   
   3) The long-distance runner is accustomed to enduring pain in pursuit of victory. McCandless was a hard-core competitive runner who relished the challenge of enduring the accompanying pain in cross-country running. He refused to accept necessary survival equipment people offered him partly because he wanted to do things the hard way. Having run cross-country and track, I can relate to this "no pain, no gain" impulse.
   
   4) The individual who confronts wild natural beauty in solitude can secure deep inner rewards. Many of my pivotal memories involve solitary experiences with nature, so I understand the draw of the solitary encounter with the wild.
   
   5) Being destitute and at the mercy of circumstances allows us to connect with exhilarating experience - this weird juxtaposition of self-reliance and dependence on the kindness of strangers. I've experienced this several times when our car broke down far from civilization and people "miraculously" came along to help us.
   
   6) Some kids are just wired differently than "normal." McCandless was strong-willed and refused to let anyone tell him what to do, especially his parents. He also thought he was smarter than others. Some people just make up their mind what they're going to do and nothing can deter them.
   
   7) Some young people, for whatever reasons, reject societal values and mores. History reveals examples of people who share this solitary inclination: highly intelligent, injured by others, idealistic, on a mission. Krakauer mentions medeival Irish monks as fitting this category.
   
   8. It is a quality of youth to think nothing is impossible and to be willing to take risks. Later in life after some risks have caused painful damage, we become more cautious and self-protective.
   
   9. People who are intelligent and capable often find that success comes easy. They get used to having confidence that they can overcome any obstacle. The harder the challenge, the more they relish the opportunity.
   
   So, I think McCandless had a mix of these qualities and characteristics, some positive and some detrimental. It's great to have confidence, so seek solitary connection with nature, to be willing to suffer pain and discomfort in the heroic journey. However, it is detrimental to be over-confident in refusing wise counsel.
   
   Sometimes these qualities can become a dangerous mix - the ignorance of youth mixed with the over-confidence of youth often leads to trouble. It is the fortunate young man who makes it through to his 30's without suffering damage. But when the dangerous qualities are present in extremes, it is usually a prescription for disaster, as was the case for McCandless.
   
   He was extreme in his cut-off from his family and from his past identity as an educated, comfortable, upper-middle-class person. He was extreme in his desire to do things the hard way, such as eating only rice for weeks at a time. He was extreme in refusing help or advice from people. His desire for solitary connection with the wild was extreme.
   
   Apart from these extremes, he might have survived as a rugged outdoorsman like many rock climbers, skiers and mountaineers. However, his extremes led him to tackle an Alaska survival project that included no safety net. The result was almost predictable. Was McCandless' journey heroic or suicidal? I don't think it was intentionally suicidal, because I think he realized he was placing himself in a risky situation. He knew enough to know he could die if things went wrong.
   
   He was smart enough to research hunting skills, but not smart enough or patient enough to gain actual hunting experience before placing his life at the mercy of his hunting abilities. He knew enough to take a gun, but not enough to know what kind of a gun was needed, much less how to be proficient in using a gun for survival.
   
   I've seen profiles of survival fanatics in Alaska who actually do what McCandless attempted to do - they live alone by their wits in wild Alaska. But to succeed, these people first gain years of wide experience in all manner of survival skills. They learn what it takes to survive an Alaska winter before they launch out to attempt it. This preparation and survival seasoning us what McCandless lacked and thought he could do without. His hubris cost him his life.



2. This was my first book by Krakauer. We were assigned to read it in highschool as a sort of "american dream" type novel. I heard a lot of bad press about it. I was not expecting to fall completley in love with this book. Many people say that Chris was dumb and should not have done what he had done but for people like myself who have always had that "live in the wild" call inside them for years this book is wonderful. He has done everything I have wished I could do (other than the dying part). The movie also does justice to the book, very well actually.
   
   Its a wonerful story- very touching and heartfelt. I have read it around 8 or 9 times.



3. Though this Jon Krakauer effort is not as thrilling as INTO THIN AIR, it had its moments. Nature lovers and literature lovers alike will find something to admire in the restless young soul of Chris McCandless. There's plenty of description of God's Country (Alaska, to us) and of Chris's tastes in authors (Thoreau and Tolstoy figure prominently). The problem is, at times we lose track of McCandless as Kraukauer gets sidetracked with storylines about other restless seekers from history who misjudged the wild and either lived to regret it or regretted to die because of it. While somewhat interesting, these chapters break the narrative arc as well as the interest built in McCandless as a protagonist.
   
   The story of McCandless was originally an article Krakauer penned for OUTSIDE MAGAZINE. Transforming it into a full-fledged book required not only the historical asides mentioned above, but even an autobiographical chapter about Krakauer himself (the author justifying it by a similar experience he had while climbing a mountain in his rash youth). If you read the magazine article and craved more details, you'll be treated to some updated theories on McCandless's demise. If the "padding" distracts you, however, skip those chapters that experience their own "wanderlust" and stick to the chapters about the protagonist.



4. I ordewr the book after seeing the movie. It arrived in perfect condition and I enjoyed the book as much as the movie.



5. Into the Wild is classic Krakauer - reads much like Into Thin Air. Brilliant, heart-breaking and lovely all at the same time.

5 comments about A Voyage Long and Strange: Rediscovering the New World.

1. Some of my favorite books are those in which the authors recreate historical voyages. Thor Heyerdahl's Kon-Tiki and Ra journeys, Colin Tubrin's pilgrimage along the Silk Road, Dayton Duncan's re-tracing the Lewis & Clark path: I love reading that stuff. And now Tony Horwitz has contributed to the genre with his A Voyage Long and Strange, a book in which he "roams the annals of early America" (p. 7). Readers who remember his Confederates in the Attic can well imagine the insight with which Horwitz explores the history of the New World's discovery and the wry sense of humor he brings to his personal rediscovery of ancient routes.
   
   Horwitz set out to explore all the points in the New World "discovered" and described by early explorers. Focusing on the three categories (that frequently, in reality, overlapped) of discovery, conquest, and settlement, Horwitz narrates the history of, for example, Coronado's search for the Cities of Gold (pp. 134-164) or the settlement of Roanoke's "lost colony" (pp. 293-325), and interweaves in the narration accounts of his own travels over Coronado's route and his exploration of the Carolina peninsula where the lost colony once flourished. The mixture makes for exciting reading, lending a contemporary vitality to the historical descriptions.
   
   I was especially intrigued by Horwitz's account of the Spanish exploration of the New World (chapters 5-9). It's as good a short account of the conquest of the southeastern coastal regions, the southwestern deserts, and the plains west of the Mississippi, as any I know. Chapter 9, which deals with de Soto's rather aimless trek north of what today is Louisiana into Arkansas, Mississippi, and Texas--which Horwitz describes as "wandering blind, deaf, and mute in the middle of the continent" (p. 255)--is particularly interesting.* It really does underscore just how much of a leap into the unknown the early visitors to the New World were making.
   
   All in all, an interesting read with a good bibliography and several helpful maps. Highly recommended.
   ________
   * While trying to recreate de Soto's confused ramblings, Horowitz makes his way to Arkansas City, where he's been told he'll find de Soto's coffin. But Horwitz discovers he's been on a wild goose chase. As a city elder tells him, "Young man, I do believe you've been led on. Just like those Spanish, always chasing their gold" (p. 259). In more ways than one, then, Horwitz walked in the early explorers' shoes.



2. Who could have guessed that history (and current events) could be so much fun. Horwitz, whose previous triumphs have included books about Civil War reenactments, travels in the Middle East, and a retracing of Captain Cook's voyages in the South Pacific, turns his gimlet eye on the first European forays into the New World. "Washing up" in Plymouth, Massachusetts one day on a New England road trip, he buys a beer at the Myles Standish Liquor store, beds down at the William Bradford inn, and then mocks (in his mind) the clueless tourists at Plymouth Rock. But as he mulls over his experience, he realizes how little (even as a history major) he knows about the origins of the land that became America. The rest, as they say, is history, and history of a most witty and enlightening kind. Who knew, for instance, that Juan Ponce de Leon came to Florida looking for gold and slaves like everyone else, and not for the Fountain of Youth? or that the man for whom the DeSoto touring car was named was a butcher of unequaled savagery? The first feast in the New World that might appropriately be called Thanksgiving took place in St. Augustine and probably consisted of a stew of salt pork and garbanzo beans. (And there is some contention between Floridians and "the powdered wig" states over who should get credit for the national holiday.) A Voyage Long and Strange is a ball of laughs and a veil of tears--the offhand executions of women and children play out in the same text as deliberations upon whether moose is kosher and whether one should ride the "Trolley of the Doomed" in St. Tourist Trap, Florida. Horwitz goofs some stuff up--he thinks Mormons believe themselves to be descendants of the Nephites--but on the whole this is a fascinating, impossible-to-put-down look at where we came from and what we have become.



3. When a history book describes Plymouth Rock as looking like a "fossilized potato" and Florida's capitol building as "The Big D...," you know you're in for something unusual. Having gone to college in Tallahassee, I can attest to the reasons for the capitol's nickname -- its "towering shaft flanked by gonadlike domes," as author Tony Horwitz puts it. He writes with equal wit throughout "A Voyage Long and Strange," a smart, funny book that skewers traditional views of our nation's past. I couldn't put it down.
   
   The book explores the lusty, violent period in American history between Columbus and Jamestown. Horwitz embarks on a journey of his own, exploring the modern-day places where our country began. Along the way he uncovers some strange truths -- Columbus never saw or set foot on any land that became U.S. soil; Pocahontas was only 10 years old when she met John Smith and they were never romantic; Ponce de Leon was looking not for the Fountain of Youth but rather gold, just like so many others. The overall picture is cruel, hilarious, messy, unfair and always fascinating.
   
   Over a dozen maps and many historical black and white illustrations are scattered through the book.
   
   Here's the chapter list:
   
   Part 1: Discovery
   1. Vinland: First contact
   2. 1492: The hidden half of the globe
   3. Santo Domingo: The Columbus jinx
   4. Dominican Republic: You think there are still Indians?
   
   Part II: Conquest
   5. The Gulf Coast: Naked in the New World
   6. The Southwest: To the Seven Cities of Stone
   7. The Plains: Sea of grass
   8. The South: De Soto does Dixie
   9. The Mississippi: Conquistador's last stand
   
   Part III: Settlement
   10. Florida: Fountain of youth, river of blood
   11. Roanoke: Lost in the lost colony
   12. Jamestown: The captain and the naturals
   13. Plymouth: A tale of two rocks



4. Another interesting book historical travelogue by Horwitz as he looks and resteps the paths of the early explorers and settlers of America and looks at what the sites are like today. Horwitz's starts each subject with readable, well researched historical summaries as he personally visits the sites and attempts to accurately follow their trail in the present day world and while trying to solve the mysteries along the way. What is unique about Horwitz is that he interviews local historians, park rangers, qualified historians and authorities on the subject including the local folk who have their own insight and opinions, adding the local flavor. That's the attraction of Horwitz's style, he gives you the interesting history and its controversies with a touch of humor as he also meets some interesting characters while running into some unique situations. And he dosen't just see the easy tourist stop such as when he went looking for the remains of an Indian village he unexpectedly ends up in a swamp, requiring a hasty retreat. He gets the real history and quite often the local legends are challenged, most aggressively in historical St. Augustine where the alleged fountain of youth is peddled right next to authentic historical sites. The author starts with an initially under whelmed visit to Plymouth Rock that has been suggested as the historical start of America but he then follows the first paths of all the known first Europeans to make it to American from the Vikings in Newfoundland, Columbus, Conquistadors (from Cortez, Desoto to Ponce de Leon), the French in Florida, the Spanish in St. Augustine, the late coming English in Roanoke Island, Jamestown and Plymouth Rock returning again where his travels started. Following the conquistadors seems the most trying aside the Columbus and the heat in the Caribbean, but you will find Horwitz's travels quite interesting particularly if you not only enjoy history but also actually standing on sites of historical significance, regardless what urban development has done in the present. Fortunately, much of the country that Horwitz encounters is either remote or reasonably protected. I particularly enjoyed reading of the extended travels of Desoto who continued to chase the dream of gold that he could never find, for four years! Exploring endless unknown interior of America while his troop strength eroded and his forcefulness with the Native Americans became weaker and more aggressively challenged until he becomes the victim. Horwitz provides appropriate attention to the most depressing aspect of American history, the harsh treatment of Native Americans that seems most severe by the Conquistadors but it reoccurs with the English settlers as well. The exposure of the white man's diseases to the natives and its devastating impact is astonishing virtually eliminating complete tribes literally easing the Pilgrim's ability to settle in pre-cleared Indian lands. The failed Roanoke colony's abandonment is fascinating as always but many other early soldiers, slaves, hunter and etc. were left behind with no knowledge of what happened to them as well and the author tells you about them. Aside from the history summarized or seen first hand, Horwitz provides nicely detailed descriptions of the towns and people he meets, the various places he stays, that obviously vary in quality, even a sweat lodge in Newfoundland that almost does him in. Entertaining and quite frequently Horwitz's rye sense of humor and observations give you a chuckle. In closing, his references are nicely detailed so if a subject fascinates you, you have the resource to read more. With his references, I found an excellent book, the right book, on Desoto's relentess and devastating exploration.



5. I have been waiting for this book and I wasn't disappointed. Tony Horwitz has an uncanny ability to make history fun! I plan on sending this book to friends and family who still believe the many myths of history. Keep up the good work, Tony!