4 comments about AMA Ride Guide to America: Favorite Motorcycle Tours in the USA (American Motorcyclist Association Ride Guide).

1. this is a good reference book.. lots of information.. would buy again..



2. The only tours in the book close to the central US are in Colorado and Texas. There could have been less concentration of tours along the east and west coasts. Buy this book if you ride on the east or west coasts. There are other resources free on the Internet for Texas and Colorado. Arkansas State's web site promotes motorcycle tours with routes and attractions for free. Also this book's tours seem to be from the publisher's collection of the Motorcycle Journeys thought the same regions.



3. This is a high-quality guide with color pictures and/or color maps on every page and a good balance of great road descriptions with turn-by-turn instructions, commingled with information on the places you may wish to look or stay at along the way. Nearly all of the rides that are described look great. As useful a work as this book is, though, it is severely limited by it's size. A ride book covering France could be this short, but one covering a country the size of the USA should describe much more than 31 rides; possibly coming in several volumes. However, you could still be a bug-toothed rider for several years just riding the great roads they have listed so I still recommend it.



4. Just used it this weekend to navigate around VT....worked great! Can't wait to try even more rides!

5 comments about Grand Canyon, The Complete Guide: Grand Canyon National Park.

1. This guide had beautiful pictures, detailed maps etc... It listed lodging but no reviews of lodging, just a glorified description. Had I not seeked out advice and reviews about lodging at the Grand Canyon, I would have been seriously disappointed. This book is more of a thick glossy brochure than an actual "guide" to help you plan a trip.



2. Out of all the Grand Canyon guides I bought, this one was my favorite.
   The color photos are amazing, and the background info about the
   canyon's history, geology and wildlife is fascinating. If you're going
   to Grand Canyon I would definitely recommend buying this book.



3. The Grand Canyon is universally acclaimed as one of the great natural wonders of the world. Now in a fully updated and beautifully illustrated third edition, James Kaiser's "Grand Canyon: The Complete Guide" is the ideal guide for novice visitors and a superbly informative reference for the seasoned visitor as well. A complete and 'user friendly' travel guide and planner for visiting the Grand Canyon, this ideal reference includes the Havasu Falls, topography maps, trail descriptions for both day trips and overnight hikes, mule rides, scenic flights, Colorado river trips, public campgrounds, historic lodges, the canyon's geology, native wildlife, history, and a great deal more. Compact and easily portable, "Grand Canyon: The Complete Guide" truly lives up to its title and is an invaluable addition to personal and community library travel guide collections -- as well as the supplemental reading lists of the armchair explorer!



4. This author gives a comprehensive overview of everything to do here. The photos are fantastic and I love the snippets of history too. I only wish he wrote more guides for other places.



5. This book is more detailed than most I have found. It gave me much needed background info.

5 comments about New York City (City Guide).

1. Typical LP style guide, it contains interesting city tours and brief descriptions of many touristic and non touristic spots in the city.



2. If you live near by and go frequently then maybe this book would be of use.



3. I had to buy this book at the last minute, due to the fact that I wasn't contented with the format and information that New York (Eyewitness Travel Guides) had, which I borrowed from a friend. And I was fairly contented with the amount of information that LP has for this book. It has a detailed coverage of Manhattan and its neighborhoods, and it covers areas outside Manhattan more extensively than the other book.
   
   The one complaint I have about this edition is that they do not double-check the maps. The map at p. 282 especially is at fault. For example, the Majestic Theater is at w 44th St. but the map lists it as somewhere in 41st St. Perhaps somebody forgot to proofread the maps this time.



4. I've always used Lonely Planet travel guides in my travels. There's way more to NYC than a guidebook could ever cover but Lonely Planet did a great job as it always does. It's always good to know that I can trust LP to provide the basic information regarding how to get to/from the airport, transportation around the city as well as other information regarding sights and restaurants.



5. I just returned from my trip to NYC. This little book proved to be well worth the money. It was well organized and easy to use. I did a few of the suggested neighbourhood walks and they were great. I did not try any of the retaurant recommendations though, but in NYC there is so many food options they can only really scratch the surface in a book like this. I did check out several of the attractions and enjoyed all of them. Lonely Planet hits another one out of the park!

5 comments about The Camino : A Journey of the Spirit.

1. As a longtime reader of Shirley's book's, this was the next one for me. I learned alot and at this time, learning is very important to me.



2. Shirley MacLaine is ever the entertainer in recalling her trek across Spain on the Camino. The physical descriptions about her voyage are inspiring, and her determination to succeed in completing the journey is admirable.
   
   The most interesting part of the book for me was the journey itself. It succeeds in making you want to try it yourself if you have a month to spare.
   
   The spiritual aspect of the book is thought provoking, if nothing else. Shirley doesn't withhold and for some, I'm sure it's a little bit hard to digest, but you have to admire her honesty.
   
   I thought the ending would have been more glorious. I would like to have seen a moment when she paused and reflected at the end of her journey, but instead she rushed through it like it was something to get over. All in all, it was a good read.



3. Thanks for shipping the paperback I ordered within the time-frame you promised. You did everything right - and the first time at that.



4. I absolutely love this book but I also love "Spunky" Shirley. I like her style of writing and how well she portrays her feelings through words. I own several of her books and this is my favorite.



5. Interesting and enjoyable reading for about 2/3 of the book. Sometimes Ms. Maclaine's "spiritual travels" leave me in my own world, with the here and now. Just a bit too much.

3 comments about Red, White, and Brew: An American Beer Odyssey.

1. I've recently gotten curious about the world of beer and brewing because of my boyfriend (and because I LOVE road trips!) so he got Red, White and Brew and I decided to read it. It is fascinating book about the interesting people and fun stories behind the people who make our beer around the country. Each chapter is totally different and you don't have to be a beer-head (or even a guy!) to enjoy it! I am definitely going to buy a copy for my dad and brother and my grandma too! I HIGHLY recommend!



2. It's a pretty good read about a man's odessy (he actually uses this word many times) to travel the United States, visiting various breweries and brewpubs. He sticks mainly to long established, family run breweries and some many of the chapters are often mini-family business histories. The large Coors/ Miller / Anheiser-Busch breweries are often referenced, but aren't visited. The author seems more interested in the history of each business than the product. The strength of the book is that Jaeger is a top-notch interviewer. It's no small feat in this book, when in many cases, he had already downed a few cold ones before the interview.
   
   Surprisingly, there's little said about how the end product of each brewery tastes. The author also visits a bunch of brewpubs on the trip, but too many times, just breezes through the visit leaving the author to wonder what each place is really like. Anyone looking for any sort of insights as to how each different place on the map fits into its time and place is going to go away a bit unsatisfied.
   
   Given the strength and weaknesses, I'd give it 3 1/2 stars so I'll round it up to four stars. Beer enthusiasts will enjoy it, but others may want to look elsewhere in the road trip genre.



3. As I make my way through Red, White and Brew I'm struck by how many fascinating stories there are to be told by those who make the beer we all love to drink. The strength of this book is in the history and perspectives of those personalities that Yaeger interviews along his journey through my neighbouring country to the south. (Yes, I am a Canadian who loves a good American microbrew.)
   
   It's important to realize you won't learn much from this book about which beer you should be bringing home from the corner store; you will, however, uncover a ton of history about the brewery that made that beer, the people behind it, the business ups and downs, the process, and the blood sweat and tears that go into every bottle... uh, figuratively that is.
   
   But the main takeaway for me was a new appreciation for how democratic beer can be. The Anheuser-Busch and MillerCoors of the world might prefer you to believe that beer must come from large breweries, but the people in Red White and Brew all started down their various paths with a very different idea in mind. Beer is what you make of it, and for someone with a passion, putting *good* beer in the fridge is something you can always do for yourself. It just takes one trip down to the local homebrew store, and you're on your way.
   
   As I've already warned my girlfriend, the day may arrive where I come home with a few bags of malt and hops, and start putting into practice the ideas I now have percolating in my mind thanks to Red, White and Brew.

5 comments about Kauai Underground Guide: And Free Hawaiian Music CD (Kauai Underground Guide).

1. I bought 3 books on Kaua'i and I ranked this one second behind Kaua'i Revealed. This is a good guide with many good pointers, but lacks detailed directions on how to get to some places. I have been to Kaua'i now 3 times and I am looking for new places to explore. All in all, this is a good buy for the money.



2. There are two guides that pretty much cover the field for a visit to Kauai. Although I don't have this edition, Kauai Underground has always provided very reliable information about the kinds of things visitors commonly do in Kauai - eat at restaurants, go to the beach, etc. Maybe it's just accident, but I find over and over again that I agree with Lenore and Mira's recommendations. What inspired me to write this is that the 18th ed identifies Kalihiwai as a great family beach. It is! And few people seem to realize that. These guys know what they are talking about!
   
   Incidentally, the other "can't do without" is Kauai revealed, which is absolute tops for the OTHER side of the equation: hiking, sports, adventures, etc. from a truly knowledgable perspective.
   
   Take em both because both are tops on different aspects of the island.



3. Just returned from a fabulous 10 days in Kauai. We purchased and studied several guidebooks before our trip and took them all along with us. However, this was our "go to" book. It is like a friend had just returned and given us all their favorite places. And we cannot say enough about Hanalei and west of. Narrow your visit and no worries!



4. Would you like to go to a beach where you can drive for miles and miles and see no one at all? Do you want to go have noodle saimin for cheap that is world-class (the locals go there)? The author obviously knows her stuff. We did over a dozen of the suggested activities, and quickly figured out to follow her food recommendations, and we were delighted. In general, what we got was the "real" experience, not one that had been plasticized for tourists. If you like to travel in a way where you can appeal to your sense of exploration and cultural immersion, this guide is a no-brainer. Thank you so much for enriching our month in Hawaii!!



5. As promised, this is an "insider's guide" to all things Kauai. While the Fodor's version is quite good (better than most Fodor's), this one gives you a real feel of what to expect and what to look for when traveling to the island. Can't beat the price, either.

No comments about Zagat Chicago Restaurants 2008/09 (Zagatsurvey: Chicago Restaurants) (Zagatsurvey: Chicago Restaurants).

5 comments about High Exposure: An Enduring Passion for Everest and Unforgiving Places.

1. What an incredible book. Once you start reading it, you won't be able to set it down. I even got yelled at by my boss for reading the book on company time. I've read it 4 times and each time is like the first time. There is alot of information to process so get ready be blown away. It's awsome. Also, if you missed reading Tino Georgiou's masterpiece--The Fates, go and read it.



2. A short, climb-heavy, autobiography about famous filmmaker/climber David Breashears, High Exposure captures the imagination with it's simple, sparse narrative style. The story follows the author from his youth as an army brat traveling from base to base with his mother, siblings, and an abusive father, to his apprenticeships on the rock faces of the American west, where he gradually earned the respect and admiration of his fellow climbers, to his eventual travel to the Himalaya, and his work there as cameraman for numerous expeditions.
   
   Breashears doesn't write with the lyrical style of a Greg Child, or the novelist/journalist style of a Kraukauer, or the heavy human-interest angle of a Jim Curran. Rather, his writing is simple, easy to digest, and paints stark pictures of a life in the mountains. In fact, the climbing descriptions are first-rate, and he discusses pitches he's ascended, their difficulty, the challenges overcome, and the lessons learned. I was struck by the attention-to-detail he reveals in his writing, and this book gives you that 'you are there' feel more than any of the other aforementioned writers - and leaves you hungering for more.
   
   Out of the probable fifty books I've read on mountaineering in the Himalayas, I would rank this as one of the finest. While reading, Breashears does a first-rate job of capturing the exhilaration, fear, sense of accomplishment and dedication that climbing one of these giant peaks brings to those who attempt it.
   
   Highly recommended.



3. As a young man, David Breashears looked at a photo of Tenzing Norgay standing atop Mount Everest. He knew at once that he wanted to pursue mountain climbing. His dedication drew him to hone his skill until climbing became his life and Mt. Everest in particular, "etched itself in the landscape of his soul". I look at a photo of someone standing in -65 degree weather, punishing their bodies to the limits of what a human can endure and think, "Wow, people do the damndest things, don't they?" This book provides insight into a life filled with a passion I will never feel.
   It is not easy to live a life dedicated to mountain climbing and still earn enough money to allow you to follow your dream. David explains how he was able to succeed and live well by discovering he could become a specialist in climbing photography.
   The story of his life is compelling. He grows up with an abusive father, who almost completely disappears from the family's life when the mother divorces him. David swears to never become like his father and sets off to make his way in life driven by his need to climb. He lives rough, works at the most menial jobs, and studies his calling. He totally rejects the cruelty he saw in his father, and totally embraces his love of climbing. His is a most unusual life. As attested to in many other books, there is plenty of drama on a shear face or Himalaya climb. But not every moment of climbing is as fascinating to me as it is to those who love this sport. The proper use of various alpine tools is no doubt a life and death issue, but parts of these discussions failed to hold my interest. Still, it is a fascinating book. There is poignancy in the fact that even though David vows to not become like his father, he distances himself from his wife until the marriage simply melts into nothing. The relationships he likes best are those formed on climbing expeditions; brief, intense, soon over. He is the quintessential "guy's guy". I don't usually look to autobiographies for great writing. And while the writing in this book is competent, it is the story that keeps it compelling. This is a look at a fascinating life, a saga that allows the "rest of us" a glimpse into a life obsessed with mountains.



4. This book is organized such that each chapter is devoted to a single milestone of Breashears' life. In each case he gives a general overview of that milestone, along with a few descriptive details of particular situations. But mostly, it is an OVERVIEW of the experiences that made him the man that he is today. After my initial disappointment that the book wasn't as detailed as I had hoped it would be, I accepted it the way that it was and truly enjoyed the rest of it.



5. This is as much a book about climbing Everest as it is an autobiography about a man's inner struggles. Would be a good read for a psychology class. The author gives great attention to detail and does a good job explaining the sport of mountain climbing to the novice.
   
   As you read about the people who climb Everest, you'll think: Why? And then you'll find the answer: Because it's there!
   
   I can summarize the book in two words: VERY HUMAN. Breshears is not afraid to tell you his strengths and weaknesses, nor is he hesitant to point out the same in others.

5 comments about Hawaii: The Big Island (Regional Guide).

1. I've been a frequent visitor to the Big Island and plan on moving there soon. The 'Lonely Planet Big Island' and 'Hawaii the Big Island Revealed' are your two must have guides to the Big Island.



2. The book is great, has a lot of information about the Big Island, but that is it's shortcoming. Knowing that most trips to Hawaii are those to more than one island, the Lonely Planet book about the whole state would probably be more appropriate.



3. A sturdy, rugged, and highly portable travel guide, Hawai'i: The Big Island is co-authored by Hawaiian travel experts Luci Yamamoto & Alan Tarbell to provide visitors with everything they need to know about Hawaii, the single biggest island of the Hawaiian chain. More than fifty detailed black-and-white maps and a handful of full- color illustrations reveal the best places to catch a traditional luau and kalua feasts, hiking hotspots, outdoor activity recommendations, flora and fauna information, the best places to stay, and much more. Hawaiian-born specialists guide the reader through the Hawaii that Big Islanders themselves know best, in this conveniently sized and information-packed "must-have" travel guide.



4. A sturdy, rugged, and highly portable travel guide, Hawai'i: The Big Island is co-authored by Hawaiian travel experts Luci Yamamoto & Alan Tarbell to provide visitors with everything they need to know about Hawaii, the single biggest island of the Hawaiian chain. More than fifty detailed black-and-white maps and a handful of full- color illustrations reveal the best places to catch a traditional luau and kalua feasts, hiking hotspots, outdoor activity recommendations, flora and fauna information, the best places to stay, and much more. Hawaiian-born specialists guide the reader through the Hawaii that Big Islanders themselves know best, in this conveniently sized and information-packed "must-have" travel guide.



5. I live on the Big Island and work with tourists, so am always reviewing the new guidebooks that come out to see which one to recommend (and which one to use myself for finding new things to do). This guidebook is without doubt, the BEST guide ever written for the Big Island! The author exposes many wonderful things that other guidebooks have never covered and also delivers material in a concise, easy to read (and enjoyable) format.
   
   If you are familiar with Lonely Planet books, this one has changed format somewhat - for the better! There's more pictures, more maps, and a whole new focus on green and eco travel. INVALUABLE as tourists should really think twice about minimizing their travel footprint.
   
   The author's accommodation picks are also right on. Go here first for an unbiased review of the many many accommodation options. She will lead you in the right direction and really focuses on value vs price (also giving price ranges from budget to more expensive).
   
   I am very very delighted for the first time to be able to recommend a Hawaii guidebook without having to give reservations or apologize for things the author did wrong!!!! Mahalo Lonely Planet - you got this one RIGHT ON!

5 comments about Moon California Camping: The Complete Guide to More than 1,400 Tent and RV Campgrounds (Moon Outdoors).

1. Tom Steinstra is one of the most enjoyable outdoor writers California has produced. Reading his work is simply a treat. He is at once amusing, self deprecating, and, most important, thorough and accurate. This new edition of California Camping combines the best of his writing in one volume and should be your first resource when looking to camp throughout the state.
   
   Besides a must read introduction covering such topics as how to avoid getting blisters and getting lost, strategies for keeping camping costs down, and how to limit bear access to your precious food supply, this book covers nearly every campground in the state from the Redwoods in Northern California to the Anza Borrego Desert in San Diego County. The book is divided into chapters, each of which covers a unique geographical province of the state. (These provinces match those found in Steinstra's popular book 'California Hiking' coauthored by Ann Marie Brown.) Each campground description includes a set of icons detailing nearby activities such as fishing, hiking, hunting, mountain biking, and swimming. The description also includes a list of scenic highlights near each camp. Finally, driving directions and the fees you can expect to pay are included. (Note: fees at state parks in particular go up regularly. Some prices listed will be outdated shortly after publication.)
   
   Some people have had a few problems with previous editions of this book. There is, for example, considerable disagreement over the "scenic" ratings Stienstra assigns to each campground. I think these are for the most part accurate, though one could always quibble with the details. (In Humbolt Redwoods State Park, for example, I would rate Burlington an 8 and Albee Creek a 7: Steinstra reverses these ratings.) As a rule of thumb, the more urban the site is, the lower the scenic rating. A KOA near a city will not get as nice a rating as a state park. Readers should be aware that noise level is not included in the scenic rating, and this can detract from the experience. To his credit, Steinstra notes locations where readers of past editions have complained about noise level.
   
   For me, the main benefit of this book is that it lists numerous free forest service and BLM campgrounds. Camping fees have gone up exponentially in the last few years (along with the cost of gas to get to the campgrounds.) I really appreciate Steinstra's careful listing of the obscure and remote campgrounds that are still available at no charge throughout the state. Although free, they are priceless, and readers looking for a nice base camp in California's many wilderness areas will find this book very useful. But then again, if you are looking for a place to park your RV or trailer, this book is also helpful. One of the great joys of comprehensive guides is that they contain something for everyone. Unlike most such books, this one is also very readable. Be sure to get it and have fun exploring this great state.



2. I just got back from a road trip that we pretty much had no plans for. All i had was a map and this book and it served us very well. Ratings were all pretty accurate and directions and prices in line as well.



3. I have been a fan of Tom Stienstra's California Camping book for over 12 years. First purchased the 8th Edition from Foghorn Press. This particular edition from Moon is not nearly as well set up as the Foghorn Press editions.
   
   The individuals maps are not as detailed, and much smaller print is used. The gridded "Chapter Reference Map" at the beginning of the Foghorn edition has now been replaced by a "California Regions" map not as useful. Foghorn edition also had a "Chapter Features" list of each numbered and named campground on each map, this is missing in the Moon edition. The foghorn edition also had a foldout California map in the back, quite useful if you forget to bring a map and this is also missing in the Moon edition.
   
   As the previous reviewer took exception to the "Scenic ratings" this was not an issue for me personally as this is only a subjective classification. What might be a 5 for some, might be a 10 for someone else. Beauty after all IS in the eye of the beholder. Over the years I have seen many classify McArthur Burney Falls as a beautiful place. I was there once it was hot, dusty, not much of a falls and in my humble opinion not very pretty at all. Anyway, you get my point on that, I would never visit a place solely based on someones view of it.
   
   All in all the Moon edition is useful if you have nothing else, but I for one am glad I retained my old Foghorn Press 11th edition, and oh Tom, if you happen to read this, please go back to Foghorn, and that format for the next edition



4. I love this camping guide! I have purchased several (4+) editions of this book to have the most up-to-date info available. I refer to it often and highly recommend it to all campers as a great resource guide.



5. I have no questions and hesitations when it comes to Tom Strienstra. I regard his ratings highly and the information provided are very helpful.