5 comments about The Best in Tent Camping: Florida, 3rd: A Guide for Car Campers Who Hate RVs, Concrete Slabs, and Loud Portable Stereos (Best in Tent Camping - Menasha Ridge).

1. This book is terrrible; I found same information on internet & in free Fla. State Parks booklet available at www.myflorida.com
   SAVE YOUR MONEY!!!



2. This book give lots of good information about the tent sites, which was the most helpful. I would have liked to have seen more consistency with what information was offered overall for each location.



3. I use this book as a companion to "Florida State Parks" by Michal Strutin. The State Parks book has very good basic information about all the State parks but this book has the details about size, privacy, view, etc. that is nice to know about each campground. Unfortunately it does not cover all of the State parks. Most of the campgrounds are State parks but a few are State forests and National forests. I didn't find any private campgrounds listed.
   
   The information is a little dated, particularly with regard to electric and water. Our experience is that the several State Park campgrounds we have camped in have water and electric in all sites now. This means there is more intermingling of RVs and tents, but the areas described as tenting areas in this book still hold pretty true even though there will be an occasional RV.



4. This guide is my camping bible. I live in Orlando, and I like to go car camping often. And, since this is Florida, I often compete with the r.v. folks for limited space. And tent campers often do not dwell peacefully alongside the generators and sheer size of an r.v. This is the only guide I've reached for, time and again, which allows me to stay far from the r.v. behemoths to pitch my little piece of heaven and enjoy a small campfire.
   
   The [limited] campgrounds listed here (more on that in a moment) offer details that enable a camper to choose the best site to pitch the tent and relax. There are also details about the activities of each campground, so campers who own a boat or kayak, bicycles or hiking shoes, can plan activities to begin the moment they claim their site.
   
   All of that said, the guide does have its limitations. For example, there are literally hundreds of campsites in Florida that are not listed here. A Florida camper should not limit herself to this guide--check out websites of the national parks, state parks, and private campgrounds as well. Also, because of constant changes in the natural habitats of Florida (caused by hurricanes, brush fires, etc.), the guide is often a bit late with important information, e.g., a state park that's closed due to damage from a hurricane. If you want to camp in Florida, these are the challenges you'll face. So check the websites of each park before you book your campsite.
   
   It's still the best guide out there. Nonetheless, potential campers in Florida should do their homework to check current conditions.



5. A lot of the information in the book can be obtained elswhere, however, the author makes reccomendations to particular sites and desirable areas in the campground, which I have found to be very helpful and accurate. These recommendations make the book priceless. There's nothing worse than reserving a campsite, and then finding out has no shade or has other issues.

3 comments about 60 Hikes Within 60 Miles: Birmingham: Including Tuscaloosa, Sipsey Wilderness, Talladega National Forest, and Shelby County (60 Hikes within 60 Miles).

1. As a new citizen to Birmingham I was anxious to explore the city and its surroundings. After conquering the trails of Oak Mountain, Ruffner Mountain and Little River, I was eager to move on to bigger, better more!
   A good compilation of local trails in detail. The difficult choice now is which one do I tackle next weekend?



2. From our local publisher, Menasha Ridge Press, this is a welcome book for all nature-lovers in Birmingham. You'll find rural and urban hikes, wildlife hikes, historic hikes and more. There are ample illustrations and the book is attractive enough to lure you out of the house to get out and make use of the great weather we enjoy neary year-round (the dog-days of July and August not included).



3. This book is very well written and gives great trail descriptions of some of my favorite hikes and some hikes that are sure to become my favorites.
   
   I bought it but returned it to my local store when I discovered that the author did not include any GPS waypoint coordinates. This is unfortunate because the book description states that it contains GPS based maps. It does contain maps that were created using what must have been the author's GPS tracks/waypoints, but I am disappointed that the author did not share the GPS waypoints with his readers.
   
   In this day and age, any new trail guide really needs to take advantage of the incredible capabilites of GPS technology and share waypoints with the reader. If the next edition of this book includes waypoints, then I will certainly buy it. If you do not use a GPS then you will find this book very helpful. If you do use GPS, you will feel somewhat disappointed that the author did not share his GPS waypoints.

5 comments about Rock, Gem, and Mineral Collecting Sites in Western North Carolina.

1. The info in this book is good. It gives directions and GPS info and other good info. BUT in this day and age there is really no excuse for just having black and white pictures in this kind of book. In black and white all the rocks look very similiar to me. If they would just add color pictures I would rate it 5 stars instead of just 4. I still recommend this book but not as your only one for this area. Get it to compliment others.



2. I purchased this book after having visited a mine or two in the state. It is written in a manner that makes one eager to take a weekend and do nothing but mine. That is what I am going to do soon, with this book in tow.



3. This is a fantastic book but unfortunately, many of the sites are now closed to collecting. I agree with the other reviewer that it needs color photos. I have used to to dig at a couple of sites with good results. Unfortunatley, the success of this book coupled with a few overzealous collectors (out of the thousands that are good and follow rules) are probably whey these sites are now closed. I just wish that I would have found the book a couple of years ago. It's still worth buying, just be sure to check the internet first before travelling or hinking all the way to a site to make sure that it is still open to collecting.



4. Crossing western North Carolina from southwest to northeast are several branches of the Appalachian Mountain chain, including its highest peaks. The Appalachians, of course, are the product of numerous continental collisions and retreats, the latest of which appear to have occurred about a quarter of a billion years ago. Since that time, erosion of all forms has worn those Himalaya-sized peaks into the gentler mountains of today. That process has stripped many miles and layers of rock away, leaving deeper, older rocks now exposed to the surface for the first time.
   
   Because the miles of rock now removed exerted enormous heat and pressure, as did the colliding continental masses themselves, many freakish, beautiful, and frequently valuable gems and minerals may now be found. This book clearly and precisely describes where, how, and when to seek them, and what you can hope to find at each of the 53 sites described. The reader and user should SCRUPULOUSLY OBSERVE the book's recommendations for good manners in dealing with the people who are kind enough to open their property for rockhounding.
   
   The maps and directions are very good, but I was distressed that all photos were in black and white. I know there are limitations, but rock hues may have many nuances that black/white simply cannot capture. Even with this, the book is very good, and it will be glued to my fourth rib the next time I venture down that way. Highly recommended.



5. Lots of good suggestions for future adventures for gem hunting. Love to read and plan before trips

5 comments about Journey Around Boston From A to Z (Journey Series).

1. It seems a bit strange to use an alphabet book format for middle schoolers, but the idea is well-executed in this nicely illustrated guide to Boston. The book begins with an undetailed map of the Boston vicinity, continues with a paragraph of introduction, and then moves on to the alphabet. Each letter gets a full page and has an alliterative title with a few explanatory sentences and some related factoids. For example, "M" is entitled "Minutemen made ready at a moment's notice"; text describes the events in Lexington and Concord on April 18, 1775; watercolor pictures show the Minuteman statue in Lexington and the Old North Bridge in Concord; factoids tell us that British soldiers were called "regulars" and that the midnight riders (Paul Revere, William Dawes and Samuel Prescott) called out "The regulars are out! The regulars are out!" as they rode through the night. End pages depict an alphabet of objects other than those seen in the book, such as Magnolia for "M".

   With nice art and layout, this book imparts quite a few interesting facts about Boston, though one thinks it might have benefitted from an overarching coherence with which to motivate the more sophisticated young readers at which it is purportedly aimed.




2. JOURNEY AROUND BOSTON is another title in the series created by author, artist and one time teacher Martha Zschock. Zschock was a third grade teacher at the time she wrote the book. As a teacher she has the respects both the natural curiosity and intelligence of children. A mallard, a duck often associated with the city thanks to Robert McCloskey's immortal MAKE WAY FOR DUCKLINGS, leads visitors on a tour of Boston and the vicinity. Her book includes the familiar tourist attractions as well as lesser known and perhaps even ignored places in Boston. It serves as a wonderful introduction to Boston and its illustrious history.

   This book is a must for any family with young visitors coming to the city of Boston. It will also be of interest to the children of Boston who wish to learn a bit about the city and its history.




3. I discovered this book while doing a search for travel guides
   to Boston. I was surprised when this book popped up 2nd in the
   list, but since I collect children's illustrated books, I had to
   take a look, and found it to be absolutely wonderful. I do have
   to admit that it certainly would be for the very top end of the
   picture book gang, not those just learning their ABC's. But so
   what. It is wonderfully informative with beautiful illustrations.
   
   Whenever I run into an ABC book, I first look to the X's to see
   how the author handles that. I am pleased that this author
   did not feel compelled to use X's in the beginning of the words.
   Her X's became "Extraordinary Exhibits excite viewers." That is
   so much better than yet another xylophone.
   
   Perhaps my favorite page was "Y": Yarns have been spun at Ye Olde Union Oyster House for Years". The page was so compelling, I made special effort to get to the Oyster House though it wasn't
   on my original agenda.
   
   Besides a very attractive architectural illustration of the Oyster House, there is an insert that shows some of regional foods such as Boston Baked Beans and Boston Cream Pie. Below the
   pictures is a short paragraph about the pictures. In this case
   there is information about baked beans and why they were so popular with the Pilgrims. Below that is a wavy line (as there is on each page) with another bit of information, this time about
   lobster which is usually available in the waters close by.
   
   In September I am going to Cape Code and her A to Z book on
   Cape Cod will be part of my planning. I hope she keeps this
   wonderful series going, and if she branches out into Europe -
   so much the better! If you are reading this, Martha, I am going
   to London in the Spring next year and Venice in the fall, just
   in case you are looking for your next subject.
   
   Highly recommended.



4. A wonderful book to see Boston and find out about Boston. I would recommend this to anyone (adults and children) about to visit Boston. I am looking forward to buying more books by this author and illustrator.



5. I love Boston. I really do. This beautiful, progressive city known for being an academic, cultural and historical mecca is brilliantly presented in this delightful book.
   
   This book will take readers alphabetically through the city that has long established itself as the Cradle of Amerian History. The alphabet format is good and effective as readers will more easily remember the sites in and around Boston. The map of the Boston area is also a good idea and an excellent added touch.
   
   Using alliterative sentences is another good mnemonic device; readers will readily make associations with the places they are reading about in this delightful book about Boston. Readers also get text with chronicled detailed history about the places and historical events that took place in the Boston area. The lovely illustrations and rich history will delight readers of all ages. I highly recommend this one.

5 comments about Hollywood Then and Now (Then & Now).

1. I was given this book by a friend because he knows I was raised in Hollywood and love the history of the area. The archival photographs are quite nicely reproduced, however, the current photographs are very poor. I enjoy digital photography and was in Hollywood a few weeks ago and visited the same historic scenes from this book. I quite easily found the angle of the original shots found in this book.. why this book showed those same shots but taken from different angles than the original photos is beyond me. The modern photos in this book are also very unflattering, out of focus and even amateur in appearance... not much more than snapshots.

   The worst thing about this book are the many obvious mistakes in locations and historic details. What a shame.




2. I had been so impressed with the quality and accuracy of Rosemary Lord's book LOS ANGELES THEN AND NOW that I was delighted to find this new book HOLLYWOOD THEN AND NOW. It is brilliant and fascinating. This is an impressive, informative history of Hollywood. I worked in the Hollywood Motion Picture Industry during much of this time and Lord has captured the world I remember so well. I was pleased to see this book on the L.A. Times Bestseller List in January when it first came out and have bought several copies as they make great gifts. I look forward to her next book.



3. I had been so impressed with the quality and accuracy of Rosemary Lord's book LOS ANGELES THEN AND NOW that I was delighted to find her new book HOLLYWOOD THEN AND NOW. It is brilliant and fascinating. This is an impressive, informative history of Hollywood. I worked in the Hollywood Motion Picture Industry during much of this time and Lord has captured the world I remember so well. I was pleased to see this book on the L.A. Times Bestseller List in January when it first came out and have bought several copies as they make wonderful classy gifts. I look forward to her next book.



4. Great book if you have ever been to Hollywood. Bought this after visiting Hollywood and enjoyed relating the sites I saw to how they looked originally



5. 
   As my title said, (in 50 words or less) this book is a "photographic display of HOLLYWOOD, -- then and in the early 2000's".
   
   I found the book highly informative and enjoyable. Yes, the photos are in black and white, however, I believe the author did this to show continuum.
   
   The book is filled with (mostly) large photos of Hollywood, before and after time had changed the topography and architectural styles of the area.

5 comments about New Orleans (Eyewitness Travel Guides).

1. My work has provided me with the opportunity to travel a good bit. I am the type of person who wants to get a working background for my destinations, both in terms of history and geographic layout. Because I work, I don't have a great deal of time to spend reading and studying different, often lengthy, travel guides before or during my trips.
   
   Because these guides are concise, beautifully illustrated, relatively compact, and impeccably organized, I cannot recommend highly enough the Dorling Kindersley Eyewitness Travel Guides! The DK Eyewitness Travel Guide is THE guide I buy for every destination. Not only do I get a quick history and background of the destination, but I also will be provided with a visual guide to everything. The visual detail is really what sets the DK Eyewitness Travel Guides apart.
   
   The street maps of common destination points are drawn in dimensional detail so you will visually recognize when you "get there." This is particularly helpful when you don't speak the native language.
   
   The regional maps are colorful and concise. However, the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide really shows its stuff with the drawings associated with attractions such as museums. Their presentation of museum layouts allow the traveler who is short on time to quickly see the best of the museum within the time the traveler has to spend.
   
   Each DK Eyewitness Travel Guide has a good summary section in the back with practical information about where to eat, where to sleep, what to do, and how to get around.
   
   While I may supplement the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide with others for a more detailed travel guide, the other guide is only more to read, not more to see. Buy the DK Eyewitness Travel Guide first for any destination.



2. This is a wonderful guide to this great city, it is well thought out and easy to navigate. Now about New Orleans. I am disgraced at the response to this catastrophy, I just want to cry as this city I love is allowed to drown in putrid swill, it's a national disgrace, you deserve better New Orleans, you are a national treasure, and we will do everything possible to make this up to you, no money should be spared, I don't care if it takes 100 billion dollars the city must rise again, better than it was, we owe you, we will do right by you, you are our soul.



3. Very informative and well formatted. I visited New Orleans with my family and this book was invaluable to our enjoyable trip. It does need to be updated to reflect the changes since Katrina.



4. As long as the reader understands that this book was released in 2004, before Hurricane Katrina, this is still a very useful guide to New Orleans, especially the French Quarter. Some businesses have changed or gone under due to the lack of tourist trade, but the French Quarter had almost no significant damage from the storm. We visited New Orleans in June of 2008, so we took this book with us. There is a revised issue coming in the late Fall of 2008, so if your trip is after that time wait for the new revision. The information is very well presented, and the book is a great carry-around guide.



5. I love the DK travel guides. They have a lot of information, and what I enjoy most: lot of pictures and maps! So it is easier to decide what to see.

No comments about Rand McNally Motor Carriers Road Atlas '09 (Rand Mcnally Motor Carriers' Road Atlas).

No comments about Ramble Colorado: A Wanderer's Guide to the Offbeat, Overlooked, and Outrageous.

1 comments about The Soul of the Rhino: A Nepali Adventure with Kings and Elephant Drivers, Billionaires and Bureaucrats, Shamans and Scientists and the Indian Rhinoceros.

1. I was skeptical about the title of this book, but enchanted with the picture on the cover. In my hands, there was absolutely no marketing hype. This book will capture your heart with Hemanta Mishra's clarity, humanity and commitment.
   
   Mishra has worked in Asia on a number of conservation projects for over 30 years. This book tells the story of efforts to save the greater one-horned Asian rhino from extinction. He calls it "a mystical beast legendary for its power, its sexual energy, its unpredictable temperament, and its prodigious strength." He describes the political violence in Nepal beginning with the massacre of the king's family in 2001 by the eldest son and ending with the Maoist insurgency.
   
   Kings play a key role in the conservation efforts. The murder of the recent king led to its now uncertain future. In the Tarpan ceremony a Nepalese king must hunt and kill a male rhino and offer the beast's blood in a prayer for peace and prosperity.
   
   Mishra's book puts humanity into the Smithsonian's summary of the status of these rhinos: "Greater one-horned Asian rhinoceroses once ranged from Pakistan across northern India to Nepal, Bhutan, and the border with Myanmar (Burma), and perhaps ranged even further, into southern China. Today, they are confined to a few small, protected populations totaling about 2,000 animals. Most live in several parks in India and in Nepal's Royal Chitwan National Park."
   
   Hemanta Mishra worked in the Nepalese wildlife office in the early 1970s and ran the King Mahendra Trust for Nature Conservation. He was awarded the J. Paul Getty Prize for Natural Protection in 1987 for "for his ground breaking biotic studies on Mt. Everest, his development of Nepal's park systems, and his work on implementation of "Operation Tiger," the largest conservation project in Asia."
   
   I agree completely with "Scientific American": "Mishra, a Nepalese wildlife biologist trained in the West, is not a professional writer, but his intelligence and wit make this a mesmerizing account that intertwines politics, conservation and tensions between the traditions of East and West."
   
   You can hear Mishra discuss his book and his conservation efforts on Leonard Lopat Show on the WNYC website. You'll hear his voice for a long time after you read his book.
   
   
   Robert C. Ross 2007 2008

1 comments about Appalachian Trail Guide to Tennessee-North Carolina.

1. This packet will be very useful on our journey on the AT. The maps are waterproof and very detailed with shelters, mileage, and altitude. The book itself contains everything we needed to know about each section of the trail and allowed us to choose which sections we deemed most inviting.