No comments about USA by Rail 7th (USA By Rail).

5 comments about North Carolina Atlas & Gazetteer (North Carolina Atlas and Gazetteer).

1. These are one stop maps. Just about anything you need to know to navigate an area on foot, motorcycle or car is on easy to read pages, provided you are not overwhelmed by details normally found on Topographic maps. If you are looking for a road atlas, buy one and leave these to those looking for a little more detail. Plenty of other useful info included such as park information, camping, fishing piers, boat ramps etc. The info varies by Gazetteer.



2. I bought this book to explore the national forest areas of North Carolina. I was very disappointed when I got the atlas to find that even the larger forest roads are not on the maps! The road map I picked up for free at the Welcome Center Rest Stop shows the roads as well as this atlas.



3. We've used this atlas for years, and we were happy to find an updated version. This is so handy for finding a way around accidents or construction on the highway, or for finding alternate directions to your destination. It includes road names and highway numbers.



4. We'll be using this atlas for an RV trip. Although we haven't yet done the trip, the maps look like what we need (detailed, topographic, forest/side roads). I will say that it's missing decent regional and statewide views. The Benchmark California Road & Recreation Atlas, Fifth Edition (Benchmark Road & Recreation Atlas) series does an excellent job of panning the state, and then drilling down. The Gazetteer series just has the drill-down. Makes it tough when you want to get a macro-view of your route.



5. I have several of the Delorme atlases. They are all good, but all share a fatal flaw: there is no overlap of areas covered by different pages. The problem arises when the location of interest is on the border between two pages, or when the route of interest covers more than one page. It is not easy to follow the roads, and the user has to flip back and forth between the pages, which may not adjacent.
   
   Many booklets of maps share this idiotic design, and I don't know of alternative booklets of topographic maps for this region -- all I can do is give the Delorme atlas only 3 stars (instead of 5) for unthinkingly doing the common thing. I guess it dates from the days when this kind of booklet was made by taking a pair of scissors to a large map on a single sheet of paper.
   
   It would only add maybe a couple of pages to the total number of pages by doing it right and providing an overlap of a quarter of an inch or so around the border of each map. The intelligently-designed and user-friendly atlases that I have seen that do this even use shading to indicate the overlap.

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

1. Bill Bryson is by far the funniest, most insightful, travel writer today.
   Here his travels are temporal, instead of spacial as he takes us back to his childhood - and what a childhood it was. His writing is so personal and open that you can't help but feel that this book was written specifically for you.
   
   
   It is both a very middle class North American tale, set in the fifties and a Calvin archetype (as in Calvin and Hobbes) visioneering a rich and adventurous landscape, that none of the adults could see.
   
   May The Thunderbolt Kid ride again.
   
   David Cale



2. This was a wonderful book, which also deviates here and there into politics and general history.
   
   I really came to enjoy Bryson's observations about how "the good old days" were also fraught with some significant downsides, which we've gratefully grown beyond.
   
   One carp: Bryson himself reads the audio edition, and he's not the most gifted reader I've ever heard. He's so laconic that the material really has to carry itself.
   
   H'mmm - maybe that's not such a bad thing after all...anyway, you'll enjoy this book in any form.
   
   PS - if you like this, you'll love the writings of Jean Shepard, too.



3. Bill Bryson's story of growing up in Iowa is a terrific book. I bought it in large print for my mother, who can read only large print, and who has difficulty hearing too, so this is the only way she could enjoy the book. She too adores Bill Bryson. We love his facility with language, and his many ways of making us laugh. He's a marvelous storyteller.



4. As always, Bryson is informative (the Thunderbolt Kid is really an excellent history of the 1950s and '60s in the U.S.) and wonderfully amusing (as in laugh out loud).
   
   He's also an excellent narrator of this audio book.
   
   Just one caveat. While the book is funny and interesting throughout, from my vantage point, at least, little about Bryson as a teenager was appealing: he essentially opted out of high school life, chose to spend minimal time with his family, was a petty thief, and starting at age 14 smoked like a chimney and drank a lot of alcohol. If you can't tolerate hearing about a kid like that, don't get this book.



5. As we Boomers are pushing our kids out of the nest, we are finding time to write. And what better topic to write about than ourselves? Bill Bryson adds his personal, perceptive and funny reminiscences of an Iowan boyhood in the 50s in the form of "The Life and Times of the Thunderbolt Kid: A Memoir," a fast-paced romp through a typical 50s childhood. Bryson combines solid period research, mature reflection, genuine memories and (too often?) outrageous exaggerations of fact into a memoir of a his wild childhood. He touches all the generational bases -- polio, the Red Scare, Sputnik, A-bomb drills, TV and comic book heroes as well as the personal ones about clueless parents, trying to get in to see the strippers at the fair, petty theft at the candy store, local brands of soda, hocking looeys in the Tunnel of Love and harassing managers when the lights dimmed at the movie house. Given the title of his memoir, it's surprising that his alter-ego -- The Thunderbolt Kid -- makes so few appearances in the book and seemed added almost as an afterthought or marketing ploy.
   
   Nevertheless, I got a kick out of The Thunderbolt Kid, and it made me think back on my own childhood at the end of the 50s. Bryson's comments as funny and often on the mark. His short takes on 50s for black Americans, on the Army-McCarthy hearings and on the US's hapless late-50s space shots were educational. I found that Bryson's fictional swings actually diminished the effectiveness of the book -- it was sometimes hard to tell where reality left off and mendacity-as-entertainment began. No matter. An age in which kids spent their summers outside and unsupervised, in which neighbors were invited over to see the new fridge, and in which church suppers and county fairs were the major means of entertainment, and in which causal racism was pervasive and barely noted is increasingly difficult to recall. Bravo to Bill Bryson for helping us remember.

5 comments about Moon Glacier National Park (Moon Handbooks).

1. A good book with lots of details about Glacier National Park. However, it doesn't do a great job at explaining the big picture about the park and helping a first time visitor understand the general layout. There should be a different first few paragraphs that explain for a first time visitor. I couldn't find any better books though, so this is a good choice.



2. Fantastic guide for the park. Prices were higher than book states for many hotels and activities, so double check those since they go up constantly. Other than that, this is a great guide!



3. Bought this book as I was planning a trip to Glacier National Park with my wife and seven year old daughter. It was our first vacation west of the Mississippi and reading the book felt like I had already been there and it was easy to find my way around. We spent seven days in Glacier and, while we did not get to everything I had hoped, the book was indispensable. Ms. Lomax' spot-on descriptions of campgrounds, restaurants and camp stores as well as trails and sights helped us prepare better to enjoy the trip.



4. My wife and I recently visited the park, and found this book to be exceptional. It gives a good rundown of the various areas of the park, as well as restaurant and lodging options. It also has a lot of good tidits of info about the history of the park. You really could get by with just this book, but I'd also recommend picking up the Falcon guide book of day hikes in Glacier. That small book, which fits nicely in your pocket, is great for picking hikes, some of which are also described in this book. This book was printed in 2006, so some of the restaurant info is out of date, but most info was spot-on accurate. We stayed in the St. Mary section of the park, which gave us great access to the Many Glacier and Two Medicine areas.



5. A great combination of information on all aspects of visiting and staying in and near the park. Compared this to other books available on Glacier and this one was the best. It is organized well so that it is easy to use. It includes all the information you need on hiking as well as the best places to eat and they were right on the money with their picks!! Great recommendations!

5 comments about Laminated US/World Map (Economy Line Wall Maps United States and World 2 for 1).

1. These were two fully laminated 50"x38" beautiful maps shipped in a long skinny rectangular box.
   My 2 1/2 yr old loves to put stickers on the map to show where we and our relatives live.
   A great value!



2. These maps were just what I was looking for. The maps are large enough to actually read. And although they are not laminated cardstock (like what some of the other reviewers were expecting), it is still laminated and serves its purpose. I have one up in my 7 year old's bedroom and he absolutely loves it. And I have the other up in the closet. For the price, I think this was a great buy.



3. These maps were exactly what I was looking for. They are large and readable with colors to set apart each state or country. You will enjoy these maps and your children will learn easily from them.



4. These maps are laminated for protection. They are quite large, so be aware of that if you want to hang them on your walls.



5. The Laminated US/World Map set is great. However it does come in an awkward, oversized box. I ordered two sets, one for me and one for a friend in another state. I saved $3 in shipping her maps to her by putting them in a used Christmas wrap tube and wrapping it with heavy kraft paper, taping the whole thing securely with mailing tape. They arrived to her in perfect condition. The maps are laminated and hang great on my wall. I love the size as well as the detail.

5 comments about Hey Ranger!: True Tales of Humor & Misadventure from America's National Parks.

1. This is a great book that is fun to read, each chapter can stand alone, so you can pick it up at your leisure. A great book to take on vacation.
   It tells humorous stories of misadventures in our National Parks written in a way that you feel Mr. Burnett is talking to you. It gave me a good laugh and some good advice for visiting these or any parks.
   (Snake in the cold water is my favorite story!)



2. I've got to say that this book definitely made me care about the narrator and feel for the amazing amount of sacrifice and difficult situations that he and his family endured in service of our National Parks. And it's very hard to knock that ever, especially from someone who seems so genuinely likeable and friendly. However... this is not the greatest book. The combination of acronyms and Shakespeare quotes seems quirky and interesting at first, but quickly gets old. The "people are idiots" theme gets somewhat overplayed. Many of these stories and humorous anecdotes are the tough-day-at-work/funny quote type of thing I would put in an e-mail to family or laugh about with friends, not the kind of thing that I would record for posterity.
   The last chapter of the book, among other things, earnestly advises you not to get high and jump off a cliff. If you are the kind of person who would responsibly read a book of back-country safety tips and stories, you are probably not also the person who would take some hits of acid and decide to roll off a cliff. Or you are. But that's on you and no books will help you at that point.
   I like the author and his family. I feel for his struggles and sacrifice and find the humor in some of his stories. But I can't call this a great book.



3. I just finished reading Hey Ranger and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was an easy read and it held my attention - I didn't want to put the book down! Anyone who has visited the National Parks, or just spent time in the outdoors, can probably relate to at least one tale in the book. For me personally, my family has done alot of boating and I was laughing hysterically during the chapter on boating, including mishaps that occur when launching a boat! I think anyone who enjoys the great outdoors and humorous real life tales will enjoy this book.



4. In this book, Jim Burnett collects amusing stories about visitors in the national parks. These people are normally called "tourons," though Burnett doesn't use the term here. Some of the stories come from his career as a park ranger, while other stories come from other rangers who told them to Burnett. He also includes some background on each park where he was stationed during his career (Lake Mead National Recreation Area, Buffalo National River, Glacier National Park, Colonial National Historical Park, and Lincoln Boyhood National Memorial). An appendix provides advice on how not to get hurt being stupid in the national parks.
   
   The book suffers in comparison with other memoir-writers, especially my current favorite, game warden Terry Grosz. Most of Burnett's stories are only mildly amusing, though there are a few good ones. More problematic is the way he tells them - - he gets to the punchline much too fast, so that these stories only last a couple of pages. The second-hand stories are even shorter, more like one-liner jokes. Grosz, in contrast, can spin a tale out much more effectively.
   
   All in all, the book is pleasant enough, and I purchased it at very deep discount, so it's not really disappointing. But there are better options out there.



5. I've always enjoyed visiting national parks and camping, so this book appealed to my interests. The stories turned out to be a lot of fun, and I've given copies of the book to several friends. If you want a really good laugh, (especially you ladies)don't miss the boat ramp tale about the "L.A. Launch." "Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My!" is my other favorite chapter, followed closely by "Don't Feed the Skunks." It is truly amazing what antics visitors to national parks are capable of. Mr. Burnett is a natural storyteller and this is a fun read. It was also featured as one of the fun bedtime reads on "The Price is Right" when they had a bedroom suite to give away.

No comments about Zagat 2009 Top U.S. Hotels, Resorts & Spas (Zagatsurvey: Us Hotels, Resorts and Spas).

5 comments about Native Plants of the Northeast: A Guide for Gardening and Conservation.

1. This book proved to be a big help in determining native plantings for my yard. The latin names helped eliminate "look alikes" in plant catalogs. It is worth the money



2. For anyone in the Northeastern part of the USA, this book will become a well thumbed reference. The developing of a web of life based upon the system of native flora and fauna is clearly and compellingly presented. In a world where native plants are often thought of as weeds, this book is a fresh look at what makes the Northeast its own special region.



3. I know how to garden in Kansas, Maryland, Australia, South Texas and Florida, but now I'm learning what plants work for New England. This book is a life saver with descriptions of ferns, grasses, wildflowers, vines, shrubs and trees suited to the region.
   The photos are good, full-color, but aren't always on the same page as the description. Each plant is listed with its scientific name, followed by its common names and family group. It gives the zones, soil requirements, and light needs plus a short description. There are propagation tips for each and notes for special information and an indication of the plant's natural range. It is really a pretty exhaustive book.
   Some helpful lists at the end includes:
   Plants that tolerate wet soil
   Plants that tolerate dry soil
   Plants that tolerate shade
   Plants with flowers that attract butterflies and hummingbirds
   Plants with fruits that attract birds
   Plants with fruits that attract mammals
   This can be used as a wildflower identification book or to select plants for special needs in your northeast garden.



4. The book is a good list of plants, shrubs and trees for the area. I find the text to be a little technical for the novice/intermediate gardener.



5. Very informative and chocked full of valuable material pertaining to specific types of plants you may desire for your garden. I have only one complaint - the pictures of shrubs and trees show only, in most instances, just the branch containing the leave or flower. I wanted to see pictures of the entire shrub or tree since I desired to observe the fullness or lack thereof of specific species for my garden. In other words, to get an idea how the plant would look when it is in place.

5 comments about Weird Florida (Weird).

1. This is a rather odd collection of novelty sites in Florida. Some involve ghost stories, and others are natural phenomena. The book won't serve as a guide of places to visit, as details on location are sketchy. It is colorfully illustrated with photos.
   Is there lost pirate's treasure in South Florida? Is there a skunk ape near Bardin? Check out the smallest post office in the U.S. (at Ochopee). See Florida's weirdest mailbox (a skeleton on a motorcycle).
   The writing has a "gee whiz" style and is corroborated by semi-anonymous endorsements of the legends.
   Interesting enough for a quick flip through, but lacking in real substance or solid research.



2. It was interesting and fun to see these wacky sites plus to read the folklore, and it does kind of aid the tourist who wants to see weird parts of
   the state. But I found more enjoyable was Elliots Kleinberg's Book
   of the same name.



3. Funny, wacky, well-written and super illustrations. This is a terrific book on our beloved state. Do not be confused by another book with the same name. It's Charley Carlson who has our state perfectly in his sights. Love this book and strongly recommend it.



4. Had purchased a copy of this book while on vacation in south Florida. Enjoyed it so much that I decided to purchase copies for family as Christmas gifts. My husband and his family have been here since 1969 and always told me stories and I thought they were pulling my leg. Not So!! Fun reading for other states as well.



5. Written by a Florida native, Weird Florida contains a lot of funny and strange stories. Although not strictly a travel book, a little more effort could have been given to directions and locations. Frequently it seems the author assumes a pretty detailed knowledge of Florida geography. Some towns used as location indicators are tiny and obscure, even they are nearby a major metro area, which is usually unmentioned. Otherwise it seems to be a good collection of anecdotes, stories, sightings and legends. Will see many of the places on an upcoming trip to Florida.

5 comments about Hawaii (Regional Guide).

1. I can very much reccomend this book to everyone planning to go to Hawaii. It has a section about every Hawaian Island open to travellers. You find general background information about the islands as well as very detailed information about things to do and see, lodging, dining and activities. It also picks out places that are usually less crowed than the major tourist accumulations.
   Lonely Planet Guide Books are an absolute MUST before I go on a trip.



2. I could barely read any of this book. The type is so tiny and hard to read, and the maps are all grey and difficult to read as well. Everything is just scrunched in there and you have to pore over that map to figure out what the heck you're looking at. They're way too busy. They cram too much detail into one map.
   
   Its information is segmented well, and it's good that they list operating hours and prices where they can, but I just can't squint at that little type. The lettering on some of these maps is literally as small as the head of a pin. I'm supposed to be able to whip this out of my backpack on the island and use it as a quick reference tool? This book is going back to the library; I'll just have to find another book to use.



3. I bought this for our honeymoon since we were visiting all the islands and this seems to cover everything. It was an entertaining read with good information.



4. I can't help but look at a Hawaii visitor guide and check out whether my favorite eateries, locations, and activities are included. This one has a lot, but it covers all the Hawaiian Islands that visitors may, well, visit! That's a lot of material for one book to cover if its intent is to be complete. There are island-specific books that give more info (for example, the "revealed" series), but this one is darn good. It certainly focuses more on the activities for the low budget traveler than most do.
   
   I know Oahu better than the other islands, so how accurate is Lonely Planet's Hawaii? It's pretty good. There are so many eateries in Honolulu than many are not included. Maybe its good that you will be steered away from my favorites! Seriously, I like The Shack in Hawaii Kai, Island Manapua in Manoa, and Volcano Joe's Island Bistro across from the UH campus for some delightful vegetarian. There's the Xcel outlet store in Haleiva, BBQ in Wahiawa, super diving off Makaha, and a less exploited trail and waterfall in Lyon Arboretum, right next to the heavily-used Manoa Falls trail.
   
   There were some favorites included. Willows is a buffet treat in Makiki, Deep Ecology in Haleiva is a very pleasant and knowledgeable dive shop, and the Honolulu Zoo, although okay as zoos go, has its Wildest Show in Town summer music series every week (only a $2 donation requested... cheapest deal in Waikiki).
   
   This isn't a bad choice for a guide book if you are only going to take one book. Nothing beats asking a local, however. Be friendly, and show aloha to the residents and to our special places. Don't litter, and pass a site by if it looks too crowded. There are plenty of things to see and do.
   
   Mahalo.



5. My husband and I honeymooned in Oahu and we took this AND the Frommer's guide along. I'd take either or both again.