5 comments about The Fiery Cross.

1. Ah, everything you dreamed about having in a relationship with a man, everything you want to be as a woman, and enough adventure to carry the story well along to the end of the book. I am on the third in the series and so far, this is her absolute best. Even though she struggles more to create the story I have fallen in love with her characters and won't stop reading until I have read them all. I will reread them, too. I was once told that if you find you dream about a book, then it is a very powerful book. It's a verra good read and I canna recommend it enough.



2. I bought this for my wife. This is her third time through the series. She decided that it is easier to buy them than to continue to check them out at the local library, as she intends to read the series several more times. It must be really good.



3. FIREY CROSS has a riveting title, but as a fascinating read it ends right there. Any author has a dud ever once-in-a-while, but this story reads more like it was written to fulfil a contract or to appease demanding fans who are impatient for the story to move on.
   It begins at the ending of DRUMS OF AUTUMN and takes us through rather modernistic philosophy or attitudes of middle age and early marrage. Ms. Gabaldon had best either jump start Brianna and Roger or get rid of them, they interfere with our love affair with Jamie and Clarie. Clarie was smart when she left her spoiled daughter in Scotland.
   Not the best, but I'll take Diana's worst to other historical fiction I've read.
   Nash Black, WRITING AS A SMALL BUSINESS and SINS OF THE FATHERS.



4. When I initially read this book, I found some of the details tedious and I would have agreed that this book was the least enjoyable of them all, however, when I read it a second time I slowed down and really payed attention to the details of the story. I think like many people on my first read of new Gabaldon books, I DEVOUR them quickly. This is a book to take your time with. On my second read, I found it much more exciting and intriguing than my inital read where I didn't take the time to follow the story lines as closely as I could have. I find it to be a transitional book- where a transition occurs between the inital part of the series and what will be the later stories of the series. The intial parts of the series appear to be much more fast paced, youthful and full of dangers. As Jamie and Clair age, the story appears to adjust to a more rich and full description of their surroundings, family and locale. I now appreciate the book for what it was meant to do- initiate us into the slower paced environment of the Frasier world. The only reason I gave the book 4 stars instead of 5 was because of my initial reaction during my first read. For those who didn't like it, I recommend reading it again slowly.



5. I just finished reading "The Fiery Cross" and I was totally enthralled with it from beginning to end. I, of course, have read the first four books. Twice actually. This one was my favorite. The other books are excellent and exciting. What I really like about "The Fiery Cross" is that it really digs into each of the characters. You really get to know each of them. Like them or not, they're human. You get a look into their lives and what it was like to live in the 1770s. The love story continues between Claire and Jamie, it deepens, and matures and their passion remains...well, passionate. I never thought this book was boring. I could not get enough of Claire and Jamie's world. I loved getting to know Roger and Bree better. I was happily engrossed with this story, so much so that the hours flew by. I would dream about these people what was happening with them. I would find myself thinking about the story all through the day always anxious to get back it. I read because I love a good story, especially a good love story. It's wonderful to get into Diana's books and totally leave the real world behind for a while. This is an excellent continuation of the series. I enjoyed it very much. I recommend it highly.

5 comments about Here is New York.

1. A tightly written prose essay. An appreciation of the city that was and is. Memories and images of things past and things enduring. The city of E.B. White. If you live her, love her or even dislike her this memoir will evoke strong recollections.
   Short, incisive, majestic. A small treasure for those who love the great cities of the world.



2. Early to a party, I was looking at a friend's bookcase and pulled this slim volume from a shelf. After reading the first sentence, I knew I had to have it.
   
   Originally published in 1949, E.B. White, who no longer lived in New York City, captured the soul and spirit of the place. Nothing has changed. At the time, the United Nations building was under construction, and the bombing of London was fresh in his mind. He ends the book with a vision that perfectly balances hope with danger, in words prescient of September 11 - I re-read those paragraphs on every anniversary, it has become my ritual.
   
   But what originally drew me to the book is not only the truth and insight of White, but his style, his felicity of expression. The author of "The Elements of Style" certainly knew the rules, and knew when to break them, as well. The second paragraph ends with a run-on sentence 198 words long, a thrilling joy ride which itself demonstrates how impossible it is to capture, in prose, the enormity and importance of this city.
   
   I agree with Russell Baker, this is "the finest portrait ever painted of the city."



3. HERE IS NEW YORK is a truly spectacular 1948 essay that originally appeared in Holiday magazine. Written by E.B. White and named one of the ten best books ever written about New York, this is a quick read that will leave you years later savoring White's timeless observations.
   
   Writing in a hotel room during a sweltering heat wave, White takes the reader through the essence of New York City and its eight million inhabitants who he notes roughly fall into three groups: the natives, the commuters and the transplants.
   
   Warning that "no one should come to New York unless he is willing to be lucky," White lovingly explains how the city is more a collection of thousands of small neighborhoods that implausibly operate independently of each other, completely oblivious to what is occurring only a few blocks away.
   
   Though it was written almost 60 years ago, HERE IS NEW YORK is just as accurate today as the moment it was written. Yes, the city has changed but the basic structure of life in New York remains the same.
   
   Overall HERE IS NEW YORK is a very positive book that will leave everyone feeling welcome and needed in America's biggest city. But eerily the book presciently warns that "a single flight of planes no bigger than a wedge of geese can quickly end this island fantasy, burn the towers, crumble the bridges, turn the underground passages into lethal passages, cremate the millions."
   
   Though it was tough to read that passage right after 9/11 as I did, I still whole heartedly recommend HERE IS NEW YORK to anyone who lives in New York, commutes to and from there, or has just moved there and is now, as White observed, generating "enough heat and light to dwarf the Consolidated Edison Company."
   
   - Regina McMenamin



4. Anything by E. B. White is fine - he must have been quite young when he wrote this but I enjoyed reading it and getting a sense of what New York was like at that time - some of it is still true but much has changed.



5. The reviews I read said that White gives the reader a feel for life in New York. Nonsense - the book is vague to the point where it could have been titled, Here is London, or Here is Shanghai. If you want to get a feel for New York, or at least the Bronx where I grew up, read "World Fair" by Doctorow.

1 comments about Fodor's Maine Coast, 2nd Edition: With Acadia National Park (Fodor's Gold Guides).

1. FODOR'S MAINE COAST, 2ND EDITION is a great guide to everything you need to know about coastal Maine, whether it's shopping at the Maine Mall in South Portland, great outdoors-y stuff such as beaches, hiking, and seal watches, or important historical sites such as the home of Neal Dow, father of Prohibition. The only problem with this book is its failure to mention Bull Moose Music or any radio stations, but that's a minor quibble, as THE INSIDERS' GUIDE TO PORTLAND, MAINE and THE INSIDERS' GUIDE TO THE MAINE COAST cover those areas more than ably.

5 comments about Frommer's New England's Best-Loved Driving Tours (Best Loved Driving Tours).

1. I found this book, quite by accident, in my local bookstore. I was in the process of planning a trip through Connecticut late this summer. This book proved invaluable. Not only are the directions clear and precise, but the recommendations as to what to see along the drive are first-rate. I would recommend this book to anyone planning such a trip. It certainly helped make my trip through Connecticut very memorable.



2. Very practical for people planning a trip to New England for the first time.



3. Our family used this guide on a recent vacation to New England, particularly at Lakes Squam and Winnipesaukee. The guide gave wonderful suggestions and directions. We stopped at some places that we would not otherwise had taken notice of and we were able to form a more complete 'picture' of the area. The maps and written description were accurate and we felt we could rely on the book. There are many more tours for us to take and we are looking forward to doing so!



4. We loved this book! It has a number of driving tours that take you to highlights in each state. It has a couple of really nice features. The first, although we didn't stick to it very much, is the time suggested for the trip. They did suggest 2 days for the Southern Vermont tour. We did it in one day but only because we didn't stop in all the little towns suggested by the book. The book does not have much detail on each place so I would suggest a second "guide book" for more details and hotel/restaurant suggestions but the driving tours and directions were accurate and had good 'stop here' suggestions.



5. Excellent book. Allows you to see the highlights whether you have five days or twelve. Great routes and wonderful descriptions.

2 comments about Frommer's Chicago 2008 (Frommer's Complete).

1. I grew up in central Illinois, and Chicago was always "the city." It's one of my favorite places to visit for professional conferences and even for vacations. This guide does a nice job in relatively few pages of outlining what to see, what to do, where to eat, etc. I (as one might guess) would have some different recommendations, but this little volume does a good, solid job.
   
   One of the cool things about Chicago is its buildings. Many historically important architectural gems are around, and most enjoyable to explore (e.g., early skyscrapers, Beaux Arts [e.g., the glorious Art Institute], Art Deco [e.g., Chicago Board of Trade], and so on)
   
   One nice feature of this volume is a series of day trips, to take in Chicago's sites over a one to three day period. I like the one day itinerary a lot, beginning with the architectural gems in the Loop area, the Art Institute, Millennium Park, to the Magnificent Mile (and the Hancock Observatory--I find it grand, but I'm scared by heights and talk about approach avoidance when I'm at the observation level!), to the wonderful Field Museum, to Wrigley Field (and the cursed Cubs--maybe this year??), and ending at Buddy Guy's Legends, with other steps in between. Such a one day trip would be exhausting--but what a wonderful introduction to Chicago!
   
   There's the usual suggestion regarding hotels (I might add to the list the Hyatt Regency on the river on Wacker Drive; its nice steak house, Stetson's, features large steaks and big, crunchy chunks of broccoli). Then, the listing of restaurants. Chicago is a grand venue for good eating. Fine steakhouses, nice Italian, and so on. Many good international restaurants. Go to Greektown, sit down at The Parthenon, watch the flaming saganaki (did I misspell this?), and order some good Greek food.
   
   The cultural life of Chicago is a strong point. The Art Institute, as already mentioned, is a gem. The Lyric Opera provides major league talent in its home, the Art Deco Civic Opera House. Then, one of the world's great orchestras--the Chicago Symphony--in its Michigan Avenue home. And on it goes.
   
   There is a nice foldout map, made of heavy duty material that lays out Chicago's heart nicely. It does not cover the entire city, but it does provide useful coverage of many of the sites and areas that visitors would want.
   
   So, I'm convinced. Next time I visit Chicago, I'll take this little volume and the map to help me identify what I'm going to do. . . .



2. Having never visited and with just two days in the Windy City, you can bet that Frommer's was in my hands. Actually, there are other good guides as well, but this company's guides have never disappointed. My family and I stayed in Oak Park, and there were excellent informative tidbits about Hemmingway and Wright. We learned enough from the book that we felt fully informed. On our second (and last day) in Chicago, we took the E into town on a cloudy, rainy day, so unfortunately we were not able to do everything we had planned--but that's Chicago for you, isn't it? We spent much of our day in the Art Institute--did I say my wife and I had three kids in tow?--and everyone had a fantastic time. We didn't go up the Hancock or Sears Tower because visibility was nill. We did stop by Wrigley Field, but I wish Frommer's had been a little more specific about the tours and thus mentioned how incredibly expensive tour tickets were: $25 a person, children included! (We visited Fenway the week before for only $12--not sure why the Cubs want to rip the fans off, even if the money goes to charity. We've toured more than a half dozen fields--it's my family's hobby--and never had to pay anywhere near $25. Needless to say, our budget wouldn't allow us to see the insides, a disappointment more to me than anyone. Oh well.) We also caught a White Sox game that evening and had deep dish pizza--yummmm. Of course, if we had more time and money, we would have seen more, but I feel that we had a good overall view of a very busy city. Without something like Frommer's in your hands, you'll probably end up wasting a lot of valuable time, especially if your visit is limited...like ours. So I recommend getting it and reading through it beforehand.

5 comments about Rediscovering God in America: Reflections on the Role of Faith in Our Nation's History.

1. Once again Newt knocks the ball out of the park. One of the largest single issues facing America right now is the left's desire to take us on a path divergent to what our founders desired. One of the most important pieces of this nation's foundation is the morals and values brought by our religious heritage. This was extremely important to our founding father's and Newt points this out concisely.



2. Newt Gingrich's "Rediscovering God In America" (2006, 160-page hardback) is a great walking personal tour book for finding Christianity in Washington DC's monuments and government buildings. The final 18 pages presents a walker's map of DC and over 40 photos of the book's locations.
   
   This is a great tour book. Speaker Gingrich describes the historical backgrounds, religious foundations, and architectural presentations for the National Archives, Washington Monuments, Jefferson Memorial, Lincoln Memorial, Viet Nam Veterans Memorial, the Capitol Building, the Supreme Court, and much more. The author's research also offers interesting colloquial stories for each location. Gingrich is an intuitive and persuasive historian.
   
   Everyone visiting these sites will want to have this pocket-sized text with them. This book is recommended to all interested in America's religious foundation, our nation's capitol, government architecture, and those soon to tour Washington DC.



3. Well, I liked the book. I have only been to Washington, DC twice, and each time I saw different monuments. But this book covered the monuments I have and have not seen, and with a perspective of showing the Godly influence on our nation. It makes me want to go spend a few more days in DC. I think Gingrich did a good job at drawing together speeches, historical context, and a walking tour of DC monuments. What would you expect from an historian?
   
   It was good. I would have liked it to be longer.
   
   I thought the section on FDR was remarkable. As was the section on the Viet Nam memorial.
   
   My favorite quote of the book: "The rights of man come not from the generosity of the state, but from the hand of God." -- John F. Kennedy



4. I highly recommend this book! This is a great book for the coffee table, commute, green room, waiting room...anywhere, anytime. Gingrich conveys the rich faith of our founders and their intentions on recognizing God for His providence in the affairs of this blessed country. REDISCOVERING GOD IN AMERICA takes the reader on a concise historical journey of previous generations' marks of faith impressed on Washington, D.C.'s iconic institutions (i.e. White House, Jefferson Memorial, Capitol Hill, etc.) EVERY home and classroom in America should have a copy of this book! It will serve to offset the sweeping, and wholly inaccurate, historical revisionism that happens in most textbooks in our public schools and inform the next generation what a great country this still is and why. NOTE: Apparently there is now a corresponding DVD--which I'll be purchasing next. If it is even a shadow of the book, it will be a wise investment!



5. I learned so much about our country and our monuments from this short, easy to read book. Since reading Rediscovering God in America, I have visited our Nation's Capital with my family. I believe that reading this book helped me to appreciate all of the sacrifices and depth that the monuments represent.

5 comments about The Cactus Eaters: How I Lost My Mind-and Almost Found Myself-on the Pacific Crest Trail (P.S.).

1. While Dan White's first book might be called, "The Cactus Eaters," it's no prickly read. Rather, it's a smooth page-turner, leaving the reader `thirsty' for more. Simply put: You can't put it down.
   
   It's a beautifully written story about White and his girlfriend at the time who take on the daunting task of hiking the Pacific Crest Trail. "The Cactus Eaters" reads like a novel, only it's not. It's pure non-fiction, which is what makes "The Cactus Eaters" quite hilarious and delightful at the same time. In addition, the writing is superb. White has a masterful way with crafting a story. From the first paragraph you're hooked.
   
   This isn't just some travel or woodsy memoir. It's a story about love and the great outdoors, all mashed into one. It's like a romantic comedy and a documentary, thrown in the blender together.
   
   I highly recommend it. Awesome read.



2. I read Dan White's "The Cactus Eaters" while driving over miles of gravel and frost heaves on the way to Alaska. And even though I was once bounced so high off the back seat of my van that I smacked my head on the ceiling, I couldn't stop reading this book. It was a complete guilty pleasure: the account of a clueless-but-determined couple's hike into the wilderness of the Pacific Crest Trail. Dan's White's witty and self-deprecating style, combined with plenty of western history and trail lore, made this a great read -- even for somebody who has never put hiking boot to trail. If someone wants a serious guide to hiking the PTC with mind-numbing detail of every plodding step, they should look somewhere else. But if they want a funny, insightful and smart recounting of what happens when human nature meets Mother Nature, then this book is just the ticket



3. I'll read anything pertaining to the Pacific Crest Trail. Though this is as much an autobiographical of the main character/author, it is so funny that it makes up for it's lack of reference to the PCT.



4. I heard Dan on a local radio show describe his adventures/misadventures, telling how he set off to hike the PCT with very little experience and lots of ideals. Based on that, I had to get the book.
   
   I really enjoyed the book - a believable narrative of someone who may have bitten off more than he could chew. The characters he meets on his travels ring true; they run the gamut of helpful, to weird to downright bizarre. I had to keep reading until the end so I could see how everything turned out.
   
   When I was younger, I often wanted to through hike the Appalachian Trail, but I have a feeling that this is how it would have turned out if I did!
   
   Dan White seems to have found the same narrative style as Bill Bryson (In a Sunburned Country and A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail), a mix of laughter, adventure and "Oh my God!".
   
   This book is certainly not a guide book for the PCT, but it is a very enjoyable read for adventurers and for couch potatoes. I had initially purchased an electronic version of this book for me, but I liked it so much, I went back an purchased a print copy for my husband.



5. I read all the reviews of this book, and I find it interesting that a couple of the critiques say there's not enough "trail" in the book. Clearly people read for different reasons. Personally, I found a lot of trail in the book. I loved all this book's descriptions of the realities of the beauty and dreariness of the trail--and I found myself looking forward to relishing Dan White's hilarious (and often deceptively poignant) riffs on what all of this means to him. This is a memoir, not a travel guide, which the subtitle ("How I lost my mind and almost found myself on the PCT") makes clear.
   
   This is about someone facing adversity, boredom, beauty and physical pain--all shaped by good writing into one riotous scene after another. It's not just about exploring a trail but about exploring one's coming-of-age existential questions about what to do with one's life.
   
   That said, the humor of this book cannot be overstated. The book often reads like David Sedaris meets the Three Stooges. I can't remember the last time I laughed out loud so much while reading.

5 comments about San Francisco (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE).

1. I have just returned from my sixth trip to San Francisco and used this particular guide for the last three. The detailed pictures helped me find new treasures, the info on transportation has saved me the cost of the guide many times over. I've used this to locate both child friendly activites and also intriguing adult adventures - different trips. This book is very well organized, beautifully illustrated and so packed with information it will take several more trips before I exhaust all it's possibilities.
   
   I absolutely love this series of travel guides. When you first start thinking about a travel destination buy the book from this series, use it to plan your trip, take it along to guide you along the way and then bring it home to reminisce about your adventure. These guides are thorough, giving an overview of the history, climate etc as well as detailed information about food and lodging. The series is NOT updated as often as some others but up-to-date info in particulars are readily available elsewhere (other guides, both purchased and local freebies, and the internet). The pictures are a plus for locating things, detailed info about local food, transportation etc is very helpful.
   
   The only drawbacks to this series are that the books tend to be rather heavy and the need to confirm some of the info.



2. Northern California has needed its own travel book from Eyewitness and this is just the edition I was hoping for. San Francisco has lots of fun places to visit and they are all here. I like that it explains elsewhere to go in the state. If you are looking for a cultural city and a fun camping trip this is the perfect book to buy.



3. DK Eyewitness travel books are some of the best on the market. You can glean more information from one of their books than you can from reading several offerings from their competitors. The full-color visuals, the detailed maps, and the interesting side-bars all add up to making this guide a perfect companion when planning a trip. If you're actually going on vacation, or simply dreaming of far-away places, this is the travel series for you.



4. I am a big fan of the Eyewitness series of travel books. The SF version was my first. I love the 3-d type maps and renderings of buildings as they add that extra dimension of familiarity when arriving in an unfamiliar place. The info is useful and accurate as any travel guide needs to be with the added value of the beautiful layout, photos, and images. The book becomes a souvenir of the trip!



5. I bought this book for a 4-day trip and needed an easy to use guide book, but it was a bit outdated (restaurants listings were not correct) and sight-seeing tips were boring and/or half-heartedly written.
   
   I liked the Eyewitness book for Tokyo, which had a light overview with useful pictures and maps. It complemented a Frommers book well, which had lots of useful information, but required more reading to get a good idea of a neighborhood. I think this book would also benefit from another, more well-informed book, as this one lacked the in-depth details on a particular sight.
   
   The layout was also very busy and distracting. A better layout, perhaps with selective use of color, would have been easier to navigate.

2 comments about Lonely Planet Washington, Oregon & the Pacific Northwest (Lonely Planet Travel Guides) (Lonely Planet Travel Guides) (Lonely Planet Travel Guides).

1. Why is Lonely Planet making the text so terribly small when us boomers can no longer see this tiny print without strong glasses with books like this one? They should be helping us since we are the ones who travel most.
   
   Please reader,s let's get them to increase the size instead of decreasing,



2. LONELY PLANET WASHINGTON, OREGON, AND THE PACIFIC NORTHWEST is yet another great book covering the highly bountiful Pacific Northwestern region of the United States, as well as British Columbia in Canada. Although it lacks extensive coverage of media options for each major city in the region, that's more than compensated for by in-depth descriptions of sightseeing, dining, and outdoor activities, as well as discussion of local vernaculars. This is a book that no one who enjoys traveling should be without.

5 comments about Frommer's Napa & Sonoma Day by Day (Frommer's Day by Day).

1. More than just a regional guide, this concise book is VERY well researched and very well written with clarity and obvious firsthand knowledge. The author has led us to many fun and memorable experiences in the wine country. Both her enthusiasm and direction to some of the more unique destinations and activities in this region have made for unforgettable moments for 2 different groups of French visitors. Pay attention to the tips and notes; every time the advice is right on. Extremely helpful and user-friendly, we would definitely trust any recommendations in this book when planning an excursion or making a reservation in Napa or Sonoma.



2. bought this book for a friend moving to san fran. received the book in a timely manner.



3. This pocket (or purse) size little book was far and away the most helpful of the many references I consulted for my recent trip to the wine country. Concise reviews of wineries, restaurants, hotels, and other attractions were on the money. Chapters for history buffs, non-drinkers, foodies, etc. were fun and revealed much more than the run-of-the-mill tourist traps. Helpful map as well. Added bonus - a great chapter on SanFrancisco! Used that instead of the specific SanFran guides for city part of the trip. Great value.



4. I used this book to plan my trip to Napa and it was great! We went to Bodega Bay and Fort Ross Park based on the recommendation and it was beautiful. One day we walked Calistoga and visited many of the shops in the book and had dinner at Kitani sushi which was very good. I could go on but bottom line it was a great book and made my trip!



5. I have (quite happily!) spent two great vacations in Napa and Sonoma Counties. This is the best guidebook I have found for that region.
   
   There are a few things that make this guide very helpful. First, the author makes sure this guide is very user-friendly for first-time visitors. In other words, you get a true introduction to the Northern California area and what's special about it. You also learn which highlights are worth hitting, and what's worth ignoring.
   
   Second, the visual aspect of the book is great: super-colorful, great layout, things rated from one to three stars, lots of little neighborhood maps, color photographs, etc.
   
   Third, it's clear the author knows what she's talking about at all times.
   
   Fourth, the book comes with a little map that--although it looks a little geeky--is actually quite helpful for finding wineries as you drive along.
   
   Fifth, there's a nice little guide to San Francisco that is the last chapter. It's very well done.
   
   Caveats: if you are a Wine Country veteran, you are too advanced for this book and should skip it. Also, you'll need a road map (such as the paper folding ones that you can buy in a gas station) as a supplement to the maps in this book, because the book's maps don't get the job entirely done.