5 comments about Fodor's Flashmaps New York City, 8th Edition (Flashmaps).

1. Two crucial tips for NYC: have great maps and pack lightly. Flashmaps allows you to do both! This small book can be pulled out quickly and referenced without having to unfold a huge map. Multiple maps for subways and buses and shopping aren't needed because everything is contained in this booklet. It can be stashed in a coat pocket or small bag.
   
   I would recommend this to anyone visiting for the first time or 100th time!



2. I have had all the editions of this map. It is a great resource for NYC. I even use their recommendations for restaurants. The only minor complaint I have is about the Brooklyn and Queens maps. These are very superficial and cannot be used to get around these burroughs.



3. I have visited New York City twice now and I am currently planning my 3th trip. Fodor's flashmaps are an indispensible guide: practical, easy to use and with all the information I need as a tourist to quickly find my way around the city. I have compared flashmaps with other guides and maps but I find Fodor's stand out from the competition: the information is presented in a very logical and straightforward way and looking up the desired info is a matter of seconds; the information is comprehensive, useful and very to-the-point: the editors focus on information you need on a daily bases and is very much of the 'no frills, need to know'-class: important addresses, streetfinders, important contact information, transportation, hotels, hospitals, post offices as wel as shopping addresses, hotels and airports to name just a few out of more then 30 categories. And finally: the book's dimensions make it easy to carry around without that 'hey, look at me, I am a tourist'-feel. Perhaps one of the best guides on the market and highly recommended.



4. I bought four different reference sources for a trip to NYC. Each had something unique to offer but if I only had the funds to purchase one, this would have been it. It has it all - easy to use, tons of info like address finder, subway and bus maps, restaurant lists with pricing guidelines and much more. The size is great, fits nicely in a purse or deep pocket. It states on the front that it's the "Ultimate Map Guide" and it is.



5. A bouhgt several different NY guides, but this map was the one I used most. It's small enough that you can open it in subway without been in shame, but big enough to read street names without binoculars. Map also includes subway system, wich was great. Next trip I will leave my guidebooks to home and take this map and michelins guide to NY.

1 comments about Best Places Portland (Best Places).

1. BEST PLACES PORTLAND is a great guide to the city of Portland, Oregon, and the surrounding area, with incredible discussion about the best outdoor activities, dining, nightlife, shopping, museums, lodging, and other attractions. There's also a section on day trips within a couple of hours' drive. Overall, the Portland metropolitan area has a great deal to offer, so pick this book up, and you can't go wrong.

No comments about Weird Indiana: Your Travel Guide to Indiana's Local Legends and Best Kept Secrets (Weird).

1 comments about Best Places Seattle (Best Places).

1. BEST PLACES SEATTLE is a great guide to Seattle and its surrounding area. It describes where the best outdoor activities, dining, nightlife, shopping, museums, lodging, and other attractions are, as well as discussing many great day trips to national parks within a couple of hours' drive from Seattle. Seattle (and King County, Washington, in general) has a great deal to offer to any traveler, so pick up this book wherever you may find it.

No comments about Fodor's The Complete Guide to the National Parks of the West (Special-Interest Titles).

5 comments about Weird Virginia (Weird).

1. This is a fun book. It did not have a couple of things I was looking for, but it DID have many things I hadn't thought about in Virginia.
   I ordered the book to give to my son in college for Christmas as a laugh, but I ended up reading almost the whole thing myself! I am going to order another copy to give as yet another gift for someone else.



2. Weird Pennsylvania (Weird)
   I purchased the 'Weird' book for my 10 year old grandson, Jacob, who enjoys weird things and reading about them. I looked through the book before I gave it to him and was pleased that it was full of colorful pictures and illustrations and was easy to read. After giving it to him, I asked him if he had read it, and he indicated 'from cover to cover'. I have since purchased several more. I think this series of books are educational for him because it links his curiosity about 'weird' things with different places in different states.



3. I got this book for my husband for Christmas- and I read it first! I really found it interesting- as we have been in VA for 22 years and didn't even know some of this stuff existed. And my son is in the book in the section on wrestling-which I didn't know! I'd like to read other states by this author.
   
   A fun read- interesting facts.



4. This book is great it taught me myths and history in my own state worth buying to learn about where you are from and things that go on... I only wished they had more stuff that was directly in my area.



5. Growing up in Virginia, I never knew all the fascinating myths, legends and folklore that existed in this area as well as the real and unusual that this book explores. Truly an entertaining book - one that you would want to keep on your coffee table for others to enjoy! Before I vacation this summer, I will probably pick up a corresponding book on the State I visit for unique sights and attractions along the way. Highly recommend to all just for the entertainment factor!

2 comments about Fodor's New York City 2008 (Fodor's Gold Guides).

1. Great book to buy & read before going & planning your trip to NYC. It's something every 1st timer should have.



2. I found this guide slightly cumbersome due to the breadth of information, but what can you expect when covering such a vastly rich expanse such as New York City? I enjoyed the pictorial nuances and especially the "Word of Mouth" section that includes what you might expect: thoughts, recommendations & suggestions from native New Yorkers. These tid-bits are included in various parts of the guide--I thought this was an exceptionally informative touch. The introduction is well written, especially the suggestion on seeing the sights on foot.
   
   As a side note: I have visited New York on many occasions but had never invested in a guide. I would certainly recommend the Fodor's over perhaps Frommer's, but would also caution those to purchase a secondary guide as well. There are a couple of wonderful publications around the superficial premise of "secrets" of New York--these are actually helpful and insightful guides. I'd also recommend: The Best Things to do in New York: 1001 Ideas.

5 comments about The C&O Canal Companion.

1. I was thrilled to find and read this book, the most complete one about the Canal I've found. As a frequent runner on and veteran of several cycling trips along the entire length of the Canal--as well as a resident of Georgetown--I have long had an interest in and love for the Canal.

   The author, Mike High, uses many interesting and entertaining vignettes to tell the story of the Canal. He divides the book into four parts: "Historical Sketch", "Structures along the Canal", "Visiting the Canal", and "Canal Guide".

   The first two sections put the Canal into a fascinating historical and engineering context, including George Washington's role in the development of the Canal, and the Canal's involvement in the Civil War. The last section is a concise, mile-by-mile guidebook.

   In addition to history, High also presents useful information, including accommodations located nearby the Canal and suggested activities on/near the Canal.

   For $... a "best buy".




2. This summer, I started biking the C&O Trail starting at Cumberland. I wanted a book that would tell some of the history of the trail as well as providing good landmarks for Civil War crossings, etc... This book fit the bill. I looked for several books on Amazon, and I'm happy that I choose this one.
   
   The book is seperated into two parts, a general overview and history, and then a mile-by-mile breakdown of what to expect on the trail. I first read the history section and every night now before I head on the trail, I pull out the book and see what area I will cover the next day. The book has been great for planning with parking spots, etc...
   
   One suggestion that I can think of is to offer a book that starts in Cumberland instead of Georgetown because reading the book backwards is somewhat awkward (I realize that most people start from the Georgetown end, though). Additionally, it would be great to have GPS coordinates posted of the landmarks in addition to the mileage marker. I would love to be able to load the coordinates in my GPS so I know exactly where these landmarks are while biking.



3. I purchased this book to help prepare for a trip my brother and I plan to take next summer. I have only scanned it, but it looks like it will have all the information we need to make our preparations easier and our ride more enjoyable.
   It looks like a very thorough description of the trail, the sights to see along the way, and the amenities available on the trip.



4. I organized and led our high school youth group (23 people) for a week long ride on the trail. This book was invaluable in pulling it off. It has all the info for logistical planning, as well as providing excellent historical context (which the high schoolers loved.)
   
   While we were on the trail, I was tracking our progress via the book at every water stop. Even if you have minimal map reading skills, the maps in the book will allow you to determine your location with great accuracy (again, which the high schoolers loved.)
   
   Finally, the book is organized wonderfully and is an easy and interesting read. It combines information with background and context.
   
   In sum, if you are going to ride the C&O Canal trail, don't leave home without this book in your possession. It is as important as water and a first aid kit.



5. Wonderful guide to the C & O Canal park that includes history and detailed information about the various mile marks. This edition is revised from the original. However, with the make-over of the Monocacy Aqueduct in 2005 and other changes the book should again be updated to include this information.
   
   Still this book covers every aspect of this unique national park that spans almost 185 miles from Georgetown to Cumberland, Maryland, whether you are a hiker or biker or just a traveler visiting the various sites along the canal.

5 comments about The Best in Tent Camping: Northern California, 3rd: A Guide for Campers Who Hate RVs, Concrete Slabs, and Loud Portable Stereos (Best in Tent Camping - Menasha Ridge).

1. We just got back from a car camping vacation transversing the Northern Sierras from North to South. We used this book exclusively and it was spot on. We stayed at Warner Valley in Lassen National park by hot springs of Drakesbad,Salmon Creek by the unbelievably dramatic Sardine lake in the Gold lakes region, Woods lake by Carson pass: a true Gem in the high country with wildflowers, and Wahakaluuhepyou on the Stanislaus river where it was hot and the swimming holes were refreshing. It was a perfect vacation with especially nice campgrounds in remarkably scenic areas.
   I liked the fact that only the authors favorites were included in this guide. I have another camping book which lists all the California campgrounds which is just too confusing. This book has a focus."Proof is in the pudding" applies to this invaluable guide to the "Best in tent camping": we used it and discovered places that exceeded our best dreams.
   Highly recommended!



2. Overall I really appreciate this guide book but it's continually frustrating to try to match up the map page to the actual index and chapters- there's no logical connection, very annoying. But the overall content is great, recommend this one!



3. Overall, this book is definitly worth buying. I wish it had better maps. Perhaps an area map next to each campsite listing. That would help with planning.



4. This book was just "okay." Only 50 sites were reviewed, and really, for Northern California, that's not even a drop in the bucket. Still, the layout is easy to read.



5. Pros:
   (1) Clean presentation and well organized information for each campground
   (2) Reliable recommendations
   
   Cons:
   (1) This is pointed out by other reviewers too: the cross reference of map, index page and the actually location of the campground information is cumbersome. Simply reverse the order of index page vs map, and prefix the campground index to each campground name in the description pages will help a lot with navigation.
   (2) My main complaint: dividing the Sierra Nevada by CA 108 seems quite arbitrary. I hope it is not done to making buying the Southern California Tent Camping book necessary. Note to author and publisher: why not combining the two books? The combined book can still be very handy field guide if the fonts and
   layouts are made more compact. This also makes perfect business sense: every reader pays a bit more to get the benefit of a combined book.

5 comments about Frommer's Virgin Islands (Frommer's Complete).

1. I bought this book for a recent trip to the British Virgin Islands, having used Frommer's guides on several vacations in the past.
   Most of the reviewers highlight problems in the sections on the USVI, but the sections on the BVI are worse. For example, there are none of the useful maps showing where hotels and restaurants are on the island, which makes planning day trips or dinner trips difficult. Also, it gives no hint that cabs are really the only way around, extremely expensive and highly unreliable.
   I think for my next trip to the Caribbean, I will just rely on their overall Carribean book (I've used the US and Europe ones and like them) and don't see the added value of the country/island/area specific book (most of the guides are recycled content anyway).



2. I thought I was pretty good at picking them but man, was I off this time. It's hard to tell when you've never been to the location before but after a week on St. Thomas and St. John, I wish I would've read all these others reviews before I bought this book. I was very disappointed. There were SO MANY unacceptable errors in this book. Maps were wrong...there's an error on the St. John map that shows a road when actually it's only a walking trail. There were typos that got us lost in the city. The reviews weren't accurate at all. Places where it read "live carribean music nightly" were false. The restaurants never had a live band!
   Please consider purchasing another publication unless you don't mind wasting your money.



3. I alway buy both Frommers and Fodors books when I go shoot a new DVD in this case, "The Best Virgin Island Beaches" here on Amazon. Neither are perfect but together they make up for each others weakness. I like Frommers a little better because it has a good section on beaches and descriptions. Also, their maps tend to be a little more detailed. Neither though has many pictures, so if you want to see and hear what these places really feel like, check out our DVDs after you read these books.



4. This book provided valuable information in preparation for my first-time cruise to the Virgin Islands. I would highly recommend this guide to anyone traveling to the Eastern Caribbean.



5. Thanks for the awesome message sent to my email! I will enjoy my adventure there = )