5 comments about New York (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE).

1. My family recently took a trip to New York. We had never been before, so I decided to buy this book to help us work our way around Manhattan and see the sights. I can say with 100% that this book was AMAZING! It's pictures and descriptions are right on, and the maps make it completely easy to find all of the points of interest. The subway maps helped to figure out the subway, and the dining list gave plenty of good restaurants to choose from! I love this book, and if I ever take another trip to a big city I will be sure to check and see if there is one of these books for it! Thank you!!



2. This guide lists information about NYC divided into areas of the city. There are great walking tours to use. Eyewitness makes the best guides for travelers.



3. I borrowed this book from a friend due to the fact that my NYC trip was unplanned. I usually am a Lonely Planet fan, but I was left with no choice but to use this one. I am impressed with the quality of the book, and yes, I do agree that this is one that can be browsed after the trip, and not forgotten in an attic. However, the coverage is completely restricted to Manhattan, and the rest of the boroughs are condensed into a "Farther Afield" section. New York City is not equal to Manhattan. Although most of the sights are in Manhattan, I am sure that there are plenty of other sights to see in the other boroughs as well.



4. This is the second book I have for cities and the eyewitness series is simply the best you will find in travel books on a particular city. Great pics, history, maps and things to do.
   
   Don't waste time on other books, get these for your travels.



5. I was recommended to buy this product by a friend - great helper when exploring the city.You have maps, admissions (eventhough not always correct), opening times and where to eat as well.Absolutely amazing value for your money.

5 comments about Pour Your Heart into It : How Starbucks Built a Company One Cup at a Time.

1. I'm a marketer and was a big time Starbucks hater. I always felt that Starbucks was a monopoly that does some fantastic marketing to sell coffee at 300% its value.
   
   Everything changed after I picked up this book. I wanted to know how one other evil empire was built. I must admit that I'm half way through and totally floored. Customer is God and everything is about God. Thats something Howard Schultz realized very early in life. As a marketer I've heard the importance of building customer centric business and grand plans on how to achieve it. Meetings after meetings and boxes of donuts washed down with diet coke the outcome was only powerpoint presentations. In the end every company I worked for ended up being product centric or at best a hybrid model with more weightage on the product side. One might say it's easy to sell coffee than other products. The customer landscape may be different but let me tell you something. You will not find a customer who will say "NO" to a superior experience.
   
   Howard's life is inspiring in many ways and I really liked the candor with which this book was written. His mistakes and assumptions prove that he is human and his spirit and die hard attitude goes to show that some of the greatest feats were accomplished by men not smart enough to know they were impossible.
   
   I'm not a Starbucks convert because I'm not a big coffee fan to start with. The hatred is gone and everytime I pass Starbucks I have genuine appreciation for its core values.



2. This is not a business book, it is the history of a company. Howard Schultz recounts the early years of Starbucks diving into the rich tale of how a small coffee roasting company quickly became a world-wide brand recognized for quality, service and responsibility. Filled with interesting details about Schultz's journey to the original Starbucks (roasting and selling beans only), to Il Giornale (Schultz's first attempt at recreating an Italian espresso bar in America) and finally to the Starbucks we now know, placing both elements together, "Pour Your Heart Into It," gives us a glimpse into the restless journey of an entrepreneur.
   
   Schultz goes into detail explaining the challenges behind creating not only a product, but a market. In the early years, the coffee shop boom had not yet occurred in America meaning part of Starbucks mission had to become educating potential customers on the joys of high-quality coffee. Setting out to build a great brand was secondary to Schultz who's first aim was to build a great company.
   
   "When I looked back, I realized we had fashioned a brand in a way no business-school textbook could have ever prescribed. We built the Starbucks brand first with our people, not with consumers-the opposite approach from that of the crackers-and-cereal companies. Because we believed the best way to meet and exceed the expectations of the customers was to hire and train great people, we invested in employees who were zealous about good coffee." - pg. 245
   
   All of us need a break from the bullet-format, bumper sticker business books that permeate the bestseller charts these days...something that will bring us back to why we even do business in the first place. This is that book. No catchy phrases or lists, just a story of how a few guys with a love for coffee decided to help the world catch their heart.



3. "If you pour your heart into your work, or into any worthy enterprise, you can achieve dreams others may think impossible." ~ Howard Schultz
   
   When Howard Schultz found Starbucks he had a dream of all Starbucks could be. After bringing back ideas from Milan he planned to infuse the company with a new energy. Instead of only selling coffee beans he wanted to open stores that sold espresso. When the owners of Starbucks didn't have the same vision, he opened up his own stores and then purchased Starbucks. The story is compelling and this book is one of the most exciting books on business I've ever read.
   
   "Without the romance of Italian espresso, Starbucks would still be what it was, a beloved local coffee bean store in Seattle." ~ pg. 53
   
   This book explains why franchising is a forbidden word at Starbucks. It also explains how special packaging had to be made to keep the coffee fresh. Stock options and an impressive health-care package also make working for Starbucks a positive experience.
   
   While Howard Schultz's own story is woven into the pages, this book is mostly about the positive steps that were taken to make Starbucks a success. This book will appeal to anyone with an entrepreneurial spirit.
   
   My own experience with Starbucks has been very positive. Once a reporter talked to me on the phone while he was at a Starbucks. My family loves buying Starbucks gift cards and we always make time to go to a Starbucks whenever we get together. It is like a family tradition. Yesterday I was at my local Starbucks drinking a tall chai tea and discovered they had the most delicious vanilla scones with icing. The girl at the counter told me she thought they tasted like sugar cookies and I must agree.
   
   If you are looking for another book about Starbucks, I can
   recommend: Starbucks Passion for Coffee
   
   ~The Rebecca Review
   
   P.S. The proceeds from this book go to the Starbucks Foundation to support literacy programs.



4. I read many company books. This is one of the gems. Howard did a fantastic job in writing the history of Starbucks, its root, its spirit, and its amazing achievement.
   
   There have been many coffee vendors. Starbucks sprinted from the pack. It actually revolutionized the coffee industry. While the business world has been looking for the next new hi-tech inventions, Howard creatively rejuvenated the coffee drinks by relentlessly pursuing the quality the culture and the experience. He did the mission-impossible in such a traditional industry. After reading this book, you will never look at Starbucks the same way. Yes, you realize that passion and quality can make a huge difference in this crowded world.



5. I found this book extremely interesting from a business perspective. Would recommend this book to anyone who is starting a business or has an interest in finance. Very inspirational

5 comments about Rand Mcnally World Map (Classic Edition World Wall Map).

1. Beautiful map, for over a large sectional couch. very pleased with it. Cost a fortune to frame.



2. map is a great size, but on very thin paper. to laminate it at kinkos is about $40... thus, it still sits rolled up in the package waiting to hang on our wall.



3. the map itself is nice, according to the picture. however, the packaging was not right, because i have received the map all crisped up.



4. This map is great. I love it. Now when I meet people from other country I can visualize where they are on the map. Con: Thin paper. I added reinforcement by tapping the edge with packaging tape. Still a great buy.



5. This map is incredibly large and the picture on it is great for learning more about the continents. The only trouble I'm having is that the paper is thin so I'm trying to find a frame for it, but it's difficult because of the map's size!

3 comments about National Geographic Road Guide to Yellowstone and Grand Teton National Parks (NG Road Guides).

1. We used this book quite frequently during our recent vacation to Yellowstone. It provided an excellent quick-reference to the roads and roadside attractions we were approaching.
   First, we checked which section of road we were on from the map on the inside front cover. That led us to a couple of synopsis pages with brief, accurate highlights. It was very handy for quickly assessing roadside attractions, and identifying places we wanted to go.
   For more in depth research, we used "Yellowstone Treasures", which we also HIGHLY recommend!



2. I just returned from Yellowstone and the Tetons. I used this book throughout my trip. It is clear, easy to use and well-written. The left hand page is a map of a short distance, say 14 miles, the right hand tells you about the sights. I used it in conjunction with a more detailed book (Moon guide), and found both useful in tandem. The only drawback is that it assumes you are entering the park from the West Entrance, so I had to use stick on notes to guide myself backwards by numbering the stick-ons in the order of my route. It was no big deal and hardly a reason not to buy the book. Two thirds of the annual 3 million visitors enter via the west, so you can understand the authors' reasons.



3. The title says it all, if you are doing any kind of travel around the park past the major sites, you must have this map. It shows elevation changes, more details than the standard map given at the park entrance. It's as helpful as any guidebook. And made of a very durable and waterproof material.

5 comments about Assassination Vacation.

1. What a great and interesting read. This book reads like the best sort of history book, or the best sort of travel log. There is no such thing as a dry statement of facts in Vowell's world, and her particularly droll delivery leaves waffly, wishy-washy, romantic travel tales in the dust. It's particularly amazing how she can weave in the fine details of the assassins, presidents, and ephemera and make them not only interesting but pertinent. I've never read Vowell's work before but will read more now.



2. Sarah Vowell's very chatty and informal overview of the first three successful presidential assassinations manages to chart, in its off-kilter way, a compelling if highly selective version of American history from the Civil War to the Spanish-American War through a series of anecdotes concerning the assassinations, the presidents who were the victims, the assassins themselves, and most of all the U.S. historical events associated with these events which Vowell manages to visit with the help of her friends and family, and where she meets a charming assortment of local volunteers who become the unofficial heroes of her narrative. Even if you're well versed in Stephen Sondheim's ASSASSINS, which explores much of the same territory in a completely different manner (and which Vowell enthuses over at the very beginning of her narrative), there's still much to find new and interesting here, and Vowell's candidness about her political affiliations and enthusiasms are very refreshing.
   
   Vowell does identify herself on the bookjacket as "a McSweeney's person," and for better or worse that is a fairly accurate self-assessment. On the plus side, the book is charming, hip, ironic, and clever. On the other, it can be a bit self-consciously twee (favoring anachronistic terms in her writing like "looky-loos" and "mosey"), it's in strong need of an editor, and Vowell seems to need to tell us constantly how many supportive and brilliant friends and relations she has. It's almost impossible to nitpick, though, about someone who can be fervent and honest about her nerdy love for American history. This is a fun book to read.



3. This book makes me want to throw my kids in the car and drive them as quickly as possible to the nearest historical memorial/museum/old graveyard/bronze plaque and giggle, tell stories, do ANYTHING other than fret over their brains turning to mush on a Webkinz/Sims diet. Assassination Vacation is not just history for a witty leftie reader. Can you imagine how someone in the future will write the history of OUR time? Do you want just the mentioning of a war in Iraq and details about the number of people who died, or do you want someone to read the part about missing weapons of mass destruction? If you're the kind of person who thinks details like missing WMD's makes the story of our time come alive, you'll really 'get' Assassination Vacation. And you might also learn to love James Garfield and his special, comfy reading chair, which is worth the price of purchase by itself. Great writing.



4. I really enjoyed the first half of this book. It focused on Abraham Lincoln and took the author to some interesting places. I found it educational and entertaining, even though it isn't something that I would normally read about.
   
   I am not that into recent American history, and that may be why I didn't enjoy the second half of the book as much. Presidents Garfield and McKinley aren't that interesting to me. I didn't think that it was any fault of the author, for she seems to really get into geeking out at historical sites, and likes things that make my eyes melt from the boredom.
   
   I think the book is worth reading, just for the first half, and if you are interested in the other two men, you will enjoy it even more.



5. America needs more Sarah Vowell. Perhaps more importantly, I need more Sarah Vowell. I know this review won't exactly make me one of Amazon's Top Reviewers. Nevertheless, I'm just saying. Sarah Vowell, here's five stars -- for you.

3 comments about Frommer's Alaska 2008 (Frommer's Complete).

1. This will be my first visit to Alaska and I purchased the book to help me make the most of the trip.



2. This is an must for the tourist who wants to know something about the area they will be visiting. It is full of good info for a person going on a cruise. It has helped us to plan our days in the different ports we will visit. We highly recommend this book.



3. Frommer's Alaska 2008 proved to be as complete a vacation guide as we'd expected from previous worldwide books purchased under this name previously.

5 comments about Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon.

1. I bought this book when it first came out. At that time I was living and working in the park. It is amazing how many people don't use common sence when on vacation. I think that the 1st chapter should be handed out at the gate as a warning to all tourist who enter the park!



2. I could not put this book down...It is like one dramatic story after another..Most of the tales are just unimagineable..I love the Grand Canyon and this book is an eye opener....You will not believe what you read..The Canyon not only holds awesome beauty its holds many other tales...You have to read this book!



3. I don't know why I was attracted to this book...I've never even seen the Grand Canyon. I guess we all are fascinated by fate and death and bizarre stories while we are sitting safe. I enjoyed this book at first and then as the chapters went by, I started to do a bit of skimming. Each chapter has a theme (falling, suicide, murder, etc.) which was intriguing. However once I read a few stories of each, I felt that I could skim the rest and move onto the next chapter. I did like how at the end of each chapter they listed all the stats of the poor people who lost their lives. What are the odds that two large airlines would collide over the Grand Canyon??? What a way to go; poor souls.
   
   I did like the writing and the humor, despite the sad topic. I do know that if I ever go to the Grand Canyon, no one is getting me to back up to take my picture!



4. I have been to the Grand Canyon more than once. In fact, I bought this book from one of the stores in the park on the rim. I too, could not put it down. I have told numerous people about the book and recommended it to friends and associates and anyone visiting the canyon for the first time. This book is NOT fiction folks, it is the real deal. It absolutely amazes me some of the ways people have died here. EVERY conceivable way is mentioned. It , in a way seems morbid to some degree, kind of like reading detective magazines or something, like my Grandpa used to do. But once into the first few pages you realize, that it is not just about death , but about living too. People that have come to see the awe of the Grand Canyon and its life and their lives intermingling. What's unfortunate is the complete utter disregard some people have for what is so obvious. Granted, some of the deaths are COMPLETELY accidental, but some are beyond stupid. One that I will mention here is the park WORKER, who had a few drinks , decided to get up on the wall , and fell to their death. The episodes that also got me, are the people who take a bottle of water in the SUMMER in ARIZONA and think they can walk twenty miles of very rough country with no problem...well, many of them found out , or were able to look down from heaven and realize what a bad mistake they made. While shocking , this is also an instructional manual for anyone who goes. Moms, Dads, Kids...please think twice before posing for that picture with your back to the Canyon...and be EXTRA careful where you place your feet! GREAT READ.



5. I was at the grand canyon when I bought this book-I didnt want to buy it,but a stranger had told me about it,and not wanting to tell a lie in case I ran into this person again (which I did)I picked it up and glanced at the first few chapters-within minutes I was hooked-it is an unbelievable read - to even think about what some of those victims must have gone thru was terrifying-yet it is one of those books that once you start to read it,you can't stop!It made me respect mother nature even more and appreciate the safety rules and regulations the forest service puts up,no matter how trivial it may seem to be.

5 comments about Streetwise Washington, DC Map - Laminated City Street Map of Washington, DC.

1. When I moved to DC I had only been there one additional time, my job interview! My friends got me a guide book for moving to DC and this map. It saved my life the first trip to DC on a weekend, and it helped me explore great dining since I knew how far it was to walk or Metro. I love this map so much I know have one for most cities I visit, like Manhattan!



2. Map is extremely small and difficult to read. It did help but, it was not easy to use, especially while driving when information is needed rapidly.



3. This was the best source for helping us maneuver through the maze of buildings, monuments, and memorials in Washington, DC. The map is very functional. Flip it one way and you see the Metro, flip it another way you see the mall, still another and you have a DC area map. Since it's laminated, I kept it in my pocket while walking around and didn't worry about it getting sweaty or damaged. I really like the detailed names of the buildings and monuments near and around the national mall. Metro stops and streets are well marked. The next best thing to GPS.



4. We used this guide everyday of our trip to Washington, DC. The subway guide was especially useful. I never felt lost, and didn't waste any time trying to figure out where to go. It was such an important thing to have each day, we double checked each time we left the hotel to make sure we had it. I highly recommend it.



5. This is a nice map because it is plastic coated. It is normal map size which makes it a bit big to carry but has all the landmarks noted pretty well.

5 comments about Revolutionary War On Wednesday (Magic Tree House 22, paper).

1. COME ON PEOPLE! First of all this book and the entire series is meant for KIDS NOT ADULTS so go with the flow. Imagine you are a boy or girl who is 5 or 6 and is just starting to enjoy stories and reading. You will love it! The whole point of a book is to have children begging for more. This book and the series does just that! ENOUGH SAID! My 5 yr old loves this book and as a result he has become interested in American History. This appetite he has led us to purchase many more books on history. In my opinion, the book has accomplished what I wanted. AN INTEREST IN LEARNING! AN INTEREST IN HISTORY! AND AN INTEREST IN READING! The text should be simple! The text should be silly at times! Thank you to Mary Pope Osborne for creating a wonderful series which I believe has turned my child into a history buff eager to learn everything about America!



2. My 1st grader hates to put it down, he would rather read Magic Tree House books, than play video games. He even reads them to his class and explains the story for show and tell. In his kindergarten class the teacher would also let him read the Magic Tree House books out loud, not to give her a break, but to promote reading out loud. Great books!



3. Revolutionary War On Wednesday (Magic Tree House 22, paper)This book was a great way to introduce our daughter to the American Revolution. While she completed it within a few hours, I would highly recommend it along with American Revolution: A Companion to the Revolutionary War on Wednesday (Magic Tree House Rsrch Gdes(R))To start studies for homeschoolers, or to have a great set of books that help explain Why the American Revolution began. The resource guide has the true facts of the Revolution and is something we returned to several times throughout our studies.
   And at the price it definitely was an added bonus!



4. My four year old son is in love with this chapter series! A friend suggested it to us since he seemed ready for a more advanced reading material at bedtime. My husband reads him a chapter every night...sometimes more because they don't want to stop. It's become a great tradition for them, and something they both look forward to. We love that there are so many in the collection! Start with number 1 and just continue. :)



5. Our boys, 5 and 7 love the book series. It is informative on various
   subjects and creates their curiosity to know more about for example the Civil War.

5 comments about America In Space: NASA's First Fifty Years (Nasa).

1. This was a Christmas gift for an individual that had worked for NASA. He was very appreciative and has enjoyed the book. It is large-coffee table size book.



2. This is a beautifully produced coffee table book with photos covering those exciting years of the space program. It is especially meaningful to anyone who participated the program since you'll find many colleagues and friends in the pictures.



3. It's a BIG book that worths every penny. The pictures are great, some of them are well known, some where not that widely published before but the fun of having all of them in one big book is not spoiled. It's a great book even if you're not a fan of space exploration.
   From the cover to the last page, this book offers unique views of earth, space, moon and mankind, describing in few words and lot of pictures Man's greatest adventure: exploring the Final Frontier, despite all odds.



4. Given that this is a coffee table book, the book is almost exclusivly photos. The entire history of the space program is detaied in stunning imagery right up to the current day with excellent captions to go along. This book is an excellent gift for any space history buff.



5. This book is nicely done with a large number of photographs. It primarily covers the manned space program from Mercury to the space shuttle and the international space station. Limited coverage of unmanned vehicles is provided with a focus on the more dramatic programs such as the Mars explorers and the Hubble telescope.
   
   The biggest shortcoming, in my mind, is the very limited number of photographs showing the hardware, the delvelopment of which was in many ways the real achievement of NASA. Instead, photographs of the astronauts predominate with many being rather ordinary publicity or training shots. Launch photos are very limited, and in-flight pictures are not as common as I would have liked to have seen. The large format of the book was wasted on too many mundane photographs, when it could have been used to depict more spectacular and interesting subjects.
   
   While this book falls short of its potential, it is still worthwile if you have an interest in the U. S. manned space program.