5 comments about Top Trails Sacramento: Exploring Valley, Foothills, and Mountains in the Sacramento Region (The Top Trails).

1. The details in this book helped me find some hidden natural gems just an hour or so from my home in the busy suburbs, and provided much interesting historical, geological and biological background to enrich the experience. Clear directions and trail descriptions made planning and navigating much easier. The amateur photos that I took on these hikes are like postcards - mountains, hills, streams, flowers, and incredible trees. The natural beauty and grandeur that I encountered on these hikes got me through some troubled times, and provided soothing reminders that nature's beautiful rhythms still go on despite our best efforts to interfere with them. I'm giving this book as a gift to all my central CA nature-loving friends.



2. I've used many hiking books over the years, but Steve Evans' Top Trails Sacramento is by far the most user friendly. The book gives you good directions to each trailhead and a realisitic assessment of difficulty. Best of all, you feel like you have the author along with you, pointing out interesting tidbits and things to watch for along the way. The maps and trail directions are also easy to follow.



3. Any who would explore the valleys or mountains of California's state capital region must have TOP TRAILS SACRAMENTO: MUST-DO HIKES FOR EVERYONE in their collection. It covers opportunities both urban and rural and joins others in the 'must do' trips series, comes from a Sacramento resident and hiker, and reveals both major routes and lesser-known regions. With its trail feature charts documenting wildlife, scenic vistas and trails and its details on weekend getaways and maps, TOP TRAILS SACRAMENTO offers up key getaways for all and is a top pick for any California library, especially those closer to Sacramento.
   
   Diane C. Donovan
   California Bookwatch



4. Great book! Well written and accurate descriptions of the trails. Highly recommended for anyone looking to hike in the Sacramento valley - even those with kids and/or pets.



5. Great book for getting outdoors. Taken 4 trails since the book arrived and the author described the trails perfectly. Buy the book and take a hike taday. Recommended!

2 comments about Moon Northern California Camping: The Complete Guide to Tent and RV Camping (Moon Outdoors).

1. I have this and the Moon Oregon Camping: The Complete Guide to Tent and RV Camping (Moon Outdoors). I don't know of another campground book series like this one that is as comprehensive. The thing I always felt was lacking, however, was an overall rating on the quality of the campground (campsites, location, ambience), similar to how hikes are rated in Stienstra's Foghorn Outdoors California Hiking: The Complete Guide to More Than 1,000 Hikes (Foghorn Outdoors). There's a number rating for the view only. I have found that campground can be excellent without any view, or a hobo shantytown with a great view.



2. My husband and I went from big sur up to lost man's cove at King's conservation area (north of San Francisco). although I had bought about three other books this one was the one that got used in junction with an expedition map. in the whole trip we only found one campground not listed in this book. that's pretty good! the info provided for the campgrounds was also very helpful because we could have an idea about the campground and call ahead for reservations or space availability. my only somewhat negative comment for this book is that the ratings given in this book is for the average family camper. and this is ok if what you are looking for is the gathering of lots of people in a very managed natural area with generators and music everywhere. we were looking for a more remote and wilderness experience which wasn't always the book's best recommendations. nevertheless we did find amazing spots and had an unforgettable experience with the help of this book and it's information. I highly recommend this book! (^_^)

1 comments about Walking L. A.: 38 Walking Tours Exploring Stairways, Streets and Buildings You Never Knew Existed.

1. Most of us who live in the Los Angeles area are like old-world peasants: we're only familiar with the neighborhoods we live in or pass through at 70 mph on our way to work or school. This book will make you aware that there are fascinating neighborhoods to explore, and that not every neighborhood is a dreary collection of chain stores and fast-food restaurants. It is a collection of walks, pointing out interesting stores, places to eat, historical landmarks, and unique sights along the way. It's a great way to get some exercise while broadening your horizons. The author rates the walks by difficulty; some of those stairways are a bit more difficult than she suggests, but that's a minor complaint. I hope the book gets updated periodically. A must for those who enjoy exploring new areas in their own city.

2 comments about Insiders' Guide to Portland, Maine (Insiders' Guide Series).

1. This book is an excellent guide to Maine's largest city and its surrounding area. Unlike THE INSIDERS' GUIDE TO THE MAINE COAST, this one actually has information on local radio stations, in addition to the lowdown on Bull Moose Music and the Maine Mall, so it gives you a complete picture on how to keep your promise to your significant other regarding dance-music choices and purchases. Moreover, like the book on the Maine Coast, this one includes some ideas on where to get in shape for your significant other and/or your favorite celebrity. Overall, this is a book no one going to the Maine Coast can afford to be without.



2. My wife an I are are thinking about relocating when we retire, and this book has made us think that Portland, ME is a place we should condider moving to. It has been instrumental in not only peaking our interest in the area but also in helping us organise a look see visit this summer. I highly recommend it.

5 comments about Subwayland: Adventures in the World Beneath New York.

1. I've traveled a bit but I've never spent any time in NYC. I am going to spend a week in the city in October and besides some good tour books I wanted to read something that made me feel like I lived in the city. This book was a nice journey. The essays are well written and amusing but also help explain, for those of us who live elsewhere some of the humanity and heart of the city and why people love to live there...



2. new yorkers learned first hand how vital the iron horses are to the city when the mta went on strike for three days last year. i have never taken the work the subway operators do for granted. coming from a small town, i think it's cool to jump on the train at any time and go anywhere. of all the transportation systems i have ridden, MBTA, Chicago Transit Authority, San Francisco MUNI, Paris Metro, London Underground, etc, mta transit is hands down the best...randall kennedy's essays cover the exploits of the subway workers, the people who ride the trains and the underground characters who bring life to the subway. kennedy, a new york times writer, also gives you a history of the new york city subway, which is also quite cool...it was interesting to discover that the g train is the only train that doesn't go into manhattan or that the travel time on the a train can take over an hour, it being the longest route in the subway system, going from queens to manhattan or that the mayor rides the iron horse once a week...this book is cool...



3. This is a great book and a fun read by Randy Kennedy. I'd never read his Tunnel Vision article before, but am certainly glad that he compliled a bunch of them to form this great little book.
   
   Kennedy approaches the articles a sort of "snapshots" into the often strangish world of the Subway. Although he doesn't come out and directly say it, you can tell from the flavor of the whole book that on pretty much any given day you can find more diverse things going on in the subway than virtually anywhere else in the world. Bill Cosby said it better when he said, "If you plan on moving into New York City, don't bring a lot of money with you. They've got all the entertainment in the world here for just [$2] - just ride any of the subway cars they have here!" Kennedy makes this all come alive by sharing the daily workings of New York's underground railed caverns: most of which, if they happened anywhere else, you'd be sending people off to asylums.
   
   But that might paint the book as too much of a 'book about insanity' when really it's a lot more. Kennedy shares about not only about the odd things and people who ride on the subways, but about the track workers, conductors, lost and found workers, repair workers, etc., all who keep the world's largest subway system running. And sometimes, running smoothly.
   
   I've only lived in New York City (mostly Brooklyn) for about three years now, but even in that short time I've seen a lot of the things that Kennedy talks about in his book - in fact one of my favorite things about reading the book was being like "Hey! I know that guy!" (the saw player, et. al) or "I've seen that!" (the track tester train, which I've seen three times, et. al.).
   
   I think that the most satisfying part of the book for me was when Kennedy talked about "pre-walking" (wherein you know which part of the platform your exit will be on and walk to that spot before you even get on a trian to begin your journey if there's no train in the station to leap onto). I started pre-walking after only riding the subway for about four months because it just makes sense. Most people I get on the subway with, even people who live here, look at me like I'm crazy when I arrive on the platform and just keep walking...this book has validated my pre-walking life. THank you Randy Kennedy.
   
   If you're reading this book before you come out to NYC, read close his chapter on Helpful Tips for the First-Time Traveler, and no irritated New Yorker will give you the rules in a much ruder fashion. One thing that I will say though that I'm not sure Kennedy mentions in the book. That is this: if you get lost on the subway, just ask someone where to go. People are used to having people ask, and are usually very friendly and more than willing to help out.
   
   Great book!



4. A colleague of mine taught this book to a class of new immigrants. As a daily denizen of the NYC subway system, I wondered if they really would want to read about the very thing they had to grudgingly trudge through to get to class (or read on it on the way).
   
   "It's fun," she said. "Read it, you'll see!"
   
   Two years after I quit that teaching job, I finally read the book. I wish I hadn't waited so long. For one, it would have been more timely, as the book is essentially a collection of NYTimes columns from 2000-2004. But more importantly, my colleague was right - it is a lot of fun. Kennedy catches the character (and characters) of the subway with flair, pathos, and a strong reporter's eye (to the point of that stodgily self-referential first-person "the reporter" when he finds himself in his stories).
   
   In Kennedy's hands, the subway is a 500-mile-long Coney Island, with a strange (but all too recognizable to any New Yorker) assortment of heroes, bums, workers, entertainers and representatives of both sides of the law. As could be guessed by its time period, it ends with a section of pieces from the aftermath of 9/11, but even then things never get too heavy; at its heart the book is 225 pages of a transplant's love of the city under the City (Kennedy's from Texas), a fun, elucidating read for any immigrant, whether from Korea or Kansas.



5. A collection of short NY Times essays, these were fun to read and finally answered the question I've always had about the Knickerbocker sign at the Grand Central/Times Sq. train platform. Not really a historyof the subway, but a nice sampling of stories of the subway and it's users/inhabitants/workers.

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

1. Well-written and helpful guide for camping, especially tent camping, in Utah.
   The author has done a fantastic job of highlighting the different tent camping options in Utah and has included his personal preferences of both campgrounds and the individual sites within each campground.
   If you are new to tent camping in Utah, I highly recommend this book. If you are a more seasoned camper, I still recommend this book because he has obviously put his heart and soul into visiting all the campsites in Utah which is something that most of us simply do not have the time to do.
   Included are helpful maps, contact information and additional sources for further information.
   I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to go camping in Utah!

5 comments about The Dog Lover's Companion to Florida: The Inside Scoop on Where to Take Your Dog (Dog Lover's Companion Guides).

1. My beagle, Joey, loves this book almost as much as I do! It has made his life so much more fun. Before I bought the Dog Lover's Companion to Florida, our lives outside the house consisted of leashed walks around neighborhood parks. My dog was bored, and I felt guilty. He needed more in his life. Now thanks to this great book, we've discovered really great parks that allow dogs off leash, and they're not that far away. Plus we now scout out better leashed parks thanks to the book's paw-rating system! He and I are both well exercised and sleep better at night!
   
   Best of all, we can eat together. This book offers all kinds of dog-friendly restaurants. Now I don't feel guilty leaving Joey behind when I meet friends for lunch. I just refer to the book, find a dog-friendly restaurant, and he comes right along. My favorite is a really fun one called Mustard's Last Stand -- it's a hot dog stand that's super dog friendly. The owner even hosts doggy adopion events there.
   
   The book is well written and really fun to read. I read it and dream of vacations we can take in the future. In fact, my fiance and I are planning a romantic getaway to Key West soon, and guess who's coming along? Yup, Joey! We don't want to leave home without him. We've found an awesome B and B, and it looks like there are plenty of places to walk Joey and to eat with him. No kennel for Joey! Thank you, Florida doggy book authors!



2. This book is a great resource for those who want to see Florida and still bring along their best friend. A lot of the book is lists of restaurants and hotels that take dogs, but it also has many tips on local dog parks, state parks, and other Florida attractions that are accepting of four legged patrons. We've already found some local attractions to visit with our dog that we would have never found without this book. (At least it would have taken us much longer to find them!) I have really enjoyed this guide. My only advice to others looking to buy this book is that they should know the book mainly references outdoor attractions (parks, beaches, and recreation areas).



3. When I lived in Florida, I traveled extensively with Keesha, my 45-pound chow mix. I tried other guides, including those from auto clubs. They offer you the bare bones information.
   
   Then I met Sally Deneen and Robert McClure, who shared their Dog Lover's Companion. Being a certified grinch, I held off reviewing till I had a chance to use this book. Readers of my reviews will know my down-to-earth, honest, no-holds-barred style.
   
   To my great relief, I *loved* this book. I used an earlier edition extensively when living in Florida, when I had to make trips to places all over the state. I found amazing dog-friendly places in Fort Lauderdale, where I was living. When I visited Gainesville, I couldn't have survived without this book -- everything from where to get a burger to where to find a dog park. The information about each place is complete and accurate. For example, the authors clerly identify Dogwood park as dog heaven -- and their right.
   
   Even if you're not heading for Florida this trip, you'll learn a lot from the authors' introrduction to traveling with a dog. For instance, many hotels inisist "small dogs only" but their Maggie was a 50-pound German shepherd.. As they say, "Apparently to some hoteliers, dogs are just walking poop machines with fangs." (How can you read that without laughing out loud?)
   
   Deen and McClure offer a number of strategies, such as (a) Just ask if you can bring "the dog" and (b) capitalize on the fact that most motel owners "aren't too familiar with dog weights."
   
   A small dog? "She's only 50 ounds."
   Is that small? "Well, she's certainly not big. Half the size of a regular German shepherd!"
   
   Now is that practical advice or what? I've applied these tactics myself (and I'd add, when a clerk sees a dog can do a "sit" and "down," they assume only the best).
   
   But what makes this book truly a dog-lovers book is the way the authors manage to spice up each description. It's hard to imagine anything duller than a description of a hotel or restaurant. But who can resist:
   
   p 240-241: "The bones of extinct animals have been found at this national, natural landmark, and the lush surroundings are bound to keep wet noses twitching."
   
   p 421: "The muddy sand can be goopy...so bring a towel to wipe all paws..."
   
   p 181: "Your dog can hope for crumbs from your free breakfast of waffles, fruit and other eats..." instead of just "A free breakfast comes with the room."
   
   p 187: "The sand feels very flat and hard under the paws at this St Johns County park..."
   
   p 433: "Water dogs will appreciate this break from the usual Pinellas prohibitions on pooches..."
   
   Get the idea? Even if you're not heading to Florida anytime soon, you'll have trouble putting down this book. Don't miss the section on Palm Beach (dah-ling!) and enjoy a cameo of John Grogan (before he wrote the mega-best-seller Marley and Me). And then there's Brandi, mascot of the Broward County Humane Society, where I adopted my own dog.
   
   But if your travel plans call for Florida, and if you've a dog-lover, you must pick up this book. Your dog won't forgive you if you don't!



4. We already had the 2003 edition, but decided to purchase the updated version, was a little disappointed. There wasn't that much difference in the edition's, although it is a very good book. We could have actually gotten by with the 2003 edition. The book is actually one of the better dog companion guides out on the market. We are able to visit places, we might otherwise have missed. We have been to some beautiful parks and beaches that are dog friendly in FLorida, and we found them through this book. By all means, if you are in the Tampa area, it is very dog friendly. One of our favorite places is Fort Desoto Park, near St Petersburg, which has a huge dog park and dog beach and everyone is so nice. It is a lot of fun. some good stuff in this book.



5. If you love your dog and you plan on taking them to Florida this book's for you. It has a handy reference guide depending on where in Florida you are.
   
   Gunner July, 2007

No comments about Iowa Off the Beaten Path, 8th (Off the Beaten Path Series).

5 comments about TERMINAL CHAOS: Why U.S. Air Travel Is Broken and How to Fix It (Library of Flight Series).

1. As a daughter of an ATC veteran, I know what I am talking about.
   
   Yesterday, one review of this book appeared in which ATC/NATCA took some knocks. What did they do? Same thing they always do, deflect responsibility and attack the messenger. So all of a sudden, 4 poor reviews of the book appear from pro-NATCA people.
   
   Until the first review appeared, NATCA was quiet. Yesterday, the NATCA blogs and mailing lists got busy, telling everyone who could to post negative reviews about the book.
   
   That's the NATCA way, deflect responsibility, protect members at all costs, plausible denial, etc., etc.
   
   NATCA members work hard. The bad part is their leadership is empty. We need more automation and fewer controllers, and that is what they are scared about.
   
   As for me, I am reading this book, and it is excellent.



2. ...let me tell you how you should treat that pancreatic cancer. Ms. Barlow...I mean really...get ahold of yourself.
   
   This book claims to have its fingers on the pulse of the US ATC system, then it claims to be able to prescribe treatments for what ails the system. But it never considers the possibility that its diagnoses may be faulty. Any Doctor worth listening to will encourage you to get a second opinion for major illnesses. Any Doctor who discourages a second opinion should be ignored.
   
   This book claims to diagnose major problems in the health of the US ATC system and prescribes, ever so quietly, privatization as the cure.
   
   But on what does it base its diagnoses? A comparison to the European system and the allegation that the duration of a flight from NY to Chicago was 1/3 less fifty years ago. Well what a happy coincidence - the European system today is handling about the same volume of traffic that the US system handled fifty years ago!
   
   To my knowledge the controllers' union has NEVER alleged that the US has the safest ATC system in the world - that is a claim touted many times by the FAA before Congress.
   
   The authors of this book are well-known advocates of privatization - and not just of air traffic control.
   
   The fact of the matter is there is only so much airspace over this great country of ours, and only so many runways. Whether the system is run by a corporation or the government, that fact will not change. Between the airlines, the regulators, the passengers, the municipalities, the noise activists, the environmental activists and the trade unions (and I don't mean to diminish the right of any of those groups to have a say in the system) - we have the air travel system in this country we deserve. Placing it in the hands of a corporation won't change the dynamics involved - just who is controlling the purse strings.
   
   Sometimes the cure is worse than the disease. This book is a perfect example of that axiom.



3. The author really understand the complex issues that are crippling our nation's air traffic system. Very evident that he wants to spark change through this book. We can only hope that things will get better before they get worse!



4. A critique of the current crisis in airline travel and America's air traffic control system -- as told by one of the architects of the current mess (and his ghost-writer). Donohue throughout demonstrates more than adequately that he has no understanding of airline economics or of the technical issues he was supposedly responsible for. Donohue should not be peddling books; Donohue should be on trial for professional malfeasance.



5. The book was of interest to me as an aviation writer. I found many of the points to be valid and well supported. However, the focus was far to narrow and was limited to infrastructure shortcomings. There was little attention paid to the failures of management and lack of vision. It tells part, but not all, of the story.

4 comments about Weird Las Vegas and Nevada: Your Alternative Travel Guide to Sin City and the Silver State (Weird).

1. Do not venture into the Silver State without this guidebook; otherwise, you might miss out on a lot! From America's weirdest city, Las Vegas, you can go out into the dark countryside: miles and miles and miles of open, empty space enlivened here and there by some kind of crazy, quixotic human enterprise. I love Nevada because I believe it's the weirdest state of all. Thanks to this book, I no longer have to drive for miles, dodging roadside phantoms and risking alien abduction, in order to get my weirdness fix.



2. This book is a must if you visited or live in Las Vegas. There are many places off the beaten path (like the Pinball Hall of Fame). If like to visit place that are less travel (not your typical tourist trap) than this is your book. Buy this book is worth every dollar!!!!!



3. A fun book, but doesn't really share anything new. Most of what is written about in this book is already available just about everywhere else. Not much to surprise here, either. Neon sign museum in Las Vegas? Who would have thunk it? You could get the same information for free from the state tourism guides.



4. Nevada is one weird place, and Joe Oesterle and Tim Crindland take a creative approach to unearthing the true weirdness of this majestic state. I especially liked the "Bizarre Beasts" section with its entry on the Wahoo--one of America's most underrated mythical monsters. Did I just write that?
   
   Huge thanks to the authors, as well, for the mention of my novel Operation EMU in the "Local Legends" section.