No comments about Linking Up: Planning Your Traffic-Free Bike Trip Between Pittsburgh, PA and Washington, DC - 3rd Edition.

5 comments about Where Are They Buried? How Did They Die? Fitting Ends and Final Resting Places of the Famous, Infamous, and Noteworthy.

1. I love how I read about each person's career and accomplishments of their lives. And myths about their deaths and the real reason for their death exposed. Also where they are buried or perhaps they had their ashes scattered. Very interesting.



2. Short descriptions on the deaths of famous people. I would have liked a little more detail regarding the circumstances of the deaths, and less about the location of the graves. Still a great read and would recommend it to anyone!



3. 
   Just as the title of this book said, this is a book about where famous persons are buried and also how they died.
   
   I'm having so much fun reading this book because it gives a nice background about the famous person that died. Also, I did not know how 80% of the famous people in this book died, so those facts are a nice addition to the book (a sort of BONUS) .
   
   There are other books out there that describe where famous people are buried, but I like this book the best because of the added BONUS of telling the reader how the persons died and some nice information about them,while they were still alive.
   
   Very informative.



4. Excellent coffee table/bathroom reader. Full of fascinating obscure facts most are curious about when they pick up the book.



5. I love this book, not only does it give you a bit of background for each individual, it also tells you about their death and a desription of te funeral. But to me the best part are the specific instructions on how to find the grave of your favorite star, historian or literary figure, even to telling how to get into the locked private section of Forest Lawn to see Humphrey Bogart's final resting place.

5 comments about National Geographic Guide to the State Parks of the United States; 2nd Edition (National Geographic's Guide to the State Parks of the United States).

1. The book read like an advertisement, and did not include all of the State Parks. I returned it. There were a lot of pretty pictures, though.



2. This book is a great tool for planning driving trips in the United States. A companion to National Parks of the United States, National Geographic has done a great job with descriptions, points of interest, directions, and contact information for the significant State Parks. We don't travel without these two books!



3. This is a great companion to the National Geographic National Park Guide for people wanting to travel the US and camp or hike or just see the great outdoors. Desciptions include what to see and do in the most popular parks, some pictures, how to get there, etc. My only wish would be that it was bigger and included more parks.



4. I was hoping for a more complete listing of state parks with detailed information, but this is more of a photo spread of a pretty tiny sample of state parks. If you like sitting in an armchair and looking at pretty pictures, this is a good book. If you want information about state parks in order to plan trips, go elsewhere.



5. 
   "National Geographic" has announced that the 3rd edition of this guide will be published in March 2008. NG has updated much of the information, and has apparently listened to some of the criticisms of weaknesses in the 2nd edition. Wait and see if you don't need this useful guide sooner.
   
   You can pre-order the third edition: National Geographic Guide to the State Parks of the United States, 3rd Edition

3 comments about Sierra North: Backcountry Trips in Californias Sierra Nevada.

1. I finally replaced my 1988 5th edition with the current 9th edition by Kathy Morey, Mike White and the usual Wilderness Press accomplices.
   
   It is physically larger and heavier, but I have finally realized that it is ok to cut out just the trip I am doing and take it with me, so weight is not an issue.
   
   There are a couple of big improvements. The most significant one for me is the organization by major highway. i. e. Interstate 80 trips, Highway 89 trips, Highway 50 trips, etc. Makes it much easier to select possible trips for a short amout of time off. The other improvement is the use of text on grey background to indicate such things as chapter tabs, Notes that are a supplement to the trail text and so forth. It makes the book more interesting to the eye.
   
   The maps in my 5th edition were in a pocket at the back of the book. Now they are a full page in imbedded in the text with the associated trail description. They still have the trail elevation profiles that are still an important part of my trip planning. The bigger book size allows more and larger black and white photos.
   
   On the trail descriptions themselves, I have recently hiked all the PCT segments, and reading after the fact, find the descriptions accurate. On all the Wilderness Press guides, I sometimes find myself puffing up a steep grade and thinking "why didn't they tell me about this?". Assume that the descriptions are done by an experienced, acclimated hiker and don't assume the first day or two will be easy
   
   A friend just told me about a new hiking area where he had found a great view, so I looked up Thunder Mountain in Sierra North, and found out all about it.
   
   They have GPS waypoints on the trailheads. I find that where I need them is on these obsure trail junctions - maybe something for the 10th edition.
   
   Definitely a good book for your hiking shelf.



2. Planning a trip using another guide made me realize how good this book is. The first reason is the elevation profiles at the start of each trip that tell you how high and low you'll be--something good to know this summer when the temperatures at the lower sites (like Yosemite Valley) exceeds 100 degrees. Second, the authors tell you exactly what it is like to hike the trail, from one landmark to the next, without extraneous commentary. Seems like a simple enough formula but only these guys get it right.



3. This is the essential book for planning backcountry trips in the Sierra. Details such as noting which trails are open earlier season help planning a trip that won't get cancelled because of snow on the trail. More detail on shade and forest would be nice.

2 comments about Afoot & Afield San Diego County: A Comprehensive Hiking Guide (Afoot and Afield).

1. Jerry Schad is a remarkably prolific outdoor author. He has written extensively on hiking in southern California including the wildlands within Los Angeles, Orange, Riverside, and San Bernardino counties. But San Diego is where Schad's heart truly lies and it shows in every edition of 'Afoot and Afield San Diego.' I have owned each one since the first in 1986 and this book just keeps getting better and better. The 4th edition (2007) features over 250 hikes and is sure to keep outdoor enthusiasts busy.
   
   Most of the 30 or so hikes new to this edition are in the chapters dealing with Beaches and Bays and the Coastal Strip/Foothills sections. In the last 20 years San Diego County has made remarkable progress at putting aside open space for recreation and this version of Afoot and Afield chronicles many new preserves that have appeared over the last decade. New hikes include the Hosp Grove, a walk among Eucalyptus Trees just south of Oceanside, the addition of three new routes in Mission Trails Regional Park (along with the banishment of one path up Cowles Mountain), and multiple new trails in the Alpine/Jamal area.
   
   While urbanized areas have seen many changes, the mountain and desert portions of the book are similar to previous editions. In Rancho Cuyamaca State Park, only one new hike was added, a pleasant jaunt along Cuyamaca Reservoir. Sadly, although the book has not changed much, the surrounding mountain landscape has. The 2003 Cedar fires destroyed much of the park and Schad's assessment that it will recover in a decade or two seems highly unlikely. As an aside, I was disappointed that Schad repeated the park claim and attributed the fire to "a century of fire suppression." That was, of course, part of the problem. But rampant mismanagement by the state park also shares the blame. Thinning, controlled burns, and spraying for bark beetles would have done much to mitigate the 2003 catastrophe. Happily, Palomar Mountain State Park has learned from the disaster that overtook Rancho Cuyamaca and is returning to active management of its resources, beginning with clearing away brush and downed wood. Because of this careful management, the many beautiful trails and cross country routes Schad describes on Palomar will be safeguarded for generations to come.
   
   In conclusion, this is a very good guidebook. It retains most of the best features of earlier guides and all of the best hikes. I miss the little icons that appeared in previous editions, but the heading for each hike provides all the information you need in a concise, readable format. The trail sketch maps are also for the most part adequate, but you will want to supplement these with more detailed recreational maps where available. Still, this is the most comprehensive guide to San Diego County, a four season outdoor wonderland. If you want to explore the region, you would do well to get this book.



2. I bought this book for my son who lives in San Diego. Recently, he has become and avid hiker. He tells me that he really enjoys this book.

5 comments about The Best Little Map of Savannah, GA..

1. The Best Little Map of Savannah is a must for any trip to Savannah. The map is beautifully illustrated - - places of interest are clearly displayed. Restaurants,hotels and squares in Savannah are easy to locate on this map. The map folds and is easy to carry.



2. This was perfect for walking around the Historic district. We could tell how far different restaurants and other attractions were from our hotel easily. Made it easier to walk around without too much extra wandering, which was important to us as we had 2 young children in tow! We are moving to Savannah soon and will keep this available for our guests!
   
   For driving to various parts of the city I'd recommend using Mapquest or a "real" map, but all in all, we really thought this was so useful. And pretty to boot!



3. The information included in this map can be easily accessed with any of the free maps available throughout the city. These maps include popular landmarks and squares.
   The city is conveniently laid out in a straight north/south and east/west grid, so it's hard to get lost. To find a specific business it't easy to explore (or see the yellow pages).
   At one third to one half the price, i might recommend it, but with the grade school graphics and the above shortcomings i cannot.



4. This a a great map. I knew I would like this one since I also bought the map for Charleston and it was very helpful as we walked through Charleston two years ago. It details restaurants, historical buildings, hotels, so it is easy to get around. Next week we go to Savannah, the hotel we are staying in is on the map, also the places we are planning to tour. If you are going to Savannah, this is a must.



5. Could not do with out this map.This map is invaluable when visiting the Historic District. I have to order another one since we used this one so much.

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

1. An interesting look at Chicago as it appeared in the past, compared to now. More than just a picture book, it also gives some historical perspective for each location. If you're a Chicagoan, this is a must have. There are two problems that keep this from getting a top ranking. First, the focus of a "then and now" book should be to compare and contrast, so we can see how much has changed. There's several locations shown here that haven't really changed, and you wonder why they were included. Also, the "then" and "now" pictures should be shot from roughly the same location, showing the same perspective. That's not always the case here, and you may have to spend some time figuring out how to get things lined up. Still, it's a good way to see how the city used to look, and a rare look at some of the now-missing architectural treasures.



2. I have several of these "then and now" books, and I would say this is the weakest of the bunch. I dearly love Chicago, and some of the old photographs were very interesting, but the book has a few problems. First, the photographic perspectives are rarely in synch, so it is difficult to compare the two pictures directly; either the angle is off to the side, or it's at a different distance. This seems rather to defeat the purpose of a "then and now" theme, which is to facilitate comparison. Secondly, a great many of the buildings and scenes are virtually identical to what they were, so one wonders why they were included. Finally, a map should have been included.

   On the positive side, many of Chicago's key spots are targeted, such as the Water Tower, the stockyards and Hull House, and the paragraphs that accompany each picture do convey a lot of interesting information.

   If you are interested in Chicago or urban history you will undoubtedly still enjoy this volume, but lower your expectations a bit before the book arrives so you won't be disappointed.




3. I enjoyed this book. Some of the pictures do not compare well because they were taken at different angles or from a different side of the street. Nevertheless, this is a great book. I found lots of stuff to compare. Native Chicagoans, who take an interest in the city, will like it. I purchased it for my brother for Christmas...liked it so much I purchased one for myself.



4. I have purchased this book for my departing aupair's for the past several years. While they certainly take pictures themselves they would never have a collection of photographs this large and they also get to see a bit of the history of Chicago. There are a lot of good pictures that will certainly spark many happy memories. For this purpose I would recommend it.



5. Great pictures on every page of this wonderful book. Only Chicagoans will appreciate it however. The photos are large and grand, and the author has tried hard to recreate the original angle mostly. That's my only complaint. Lovely book.

No comments about Fodor's Southern California 2008: with Central Coast, Yosemite, and San Diego (Fodor's Gold Guides).

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!

4 comments about Streetwise Baltimore Map - Laminated, Pocket Size City Street Map of Baltimore, Maryland - with integrated light rail and metro stations.

1. This map had a copyright date from the early 90s, which wasn't mentioned in the product description. I doubt the map is up to date. I sent it back.



2. Despite the copyright date, I have been using this map to get around Baltimore for the last three months and have yet to find anything outdated. City streets usually stay put. My only complaint is that it doesn't cover enough area. You are still very much in the city when you leave the part that the map covers. Overall, an extremely useful map.



3. I purchased this map to use while on vacation and it was perfect for that purpose. It is laminated and the right size to fit in a hip pocket, purse, etc. The streets on the main map are printed large enough to easily read and many landmarks are clearly highlighted. There is an expanded map of the downtown area including Inner Harbor that does a fantastic job of showing you all the details you need to navigate the area. There are also indexes for streets, universities, museums, hotels, shopping, and other places of interest. While this is by no means an exhaustive street atlas, it does provide a great tool for someone visiting the city. It is especially useful if you plan to focus on the Inner Harbor area where all the major tourist attractions are. It was well worth the few dollars it cost.



4. The map can easily be carried around, opened and folded. It is laminated and should last a long time. All the major touristy things to do are listed right there for you.