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.

2 comments about AMC's Best Day Hikes Near Boston: Four-Season Guide to 50 of the Best Trails in Eastern Massachusetts (Amc Nature Walks Series).

1. Great book. The AMC guides are so thorough, but this is thorough and readable. Enjoy New England with this book.



2. This is one of my favorite hiking guides for the Boston area -- varied hikes, easy maps, mostly accurate. Crane Beach and Halibut Point are two of the prettiest places in New England & shouldn't be missed.

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

1. This is a great map and I love the colors for decorative purposes. However, the scale is still surprisingly small, and there are very few cities listed. Even so, I would buy this map again.



2. I bought the world/us map package, with the idea to get them laminated for their protection. Only after I have sent them out to be laminated did i find the same maps here already laminated for $3 more than the ones I bought. Love the maps, just wish I'd seen the laminated ones before I spent $35 to get them laminated.



3. The map itself is fantastic, however it was packed in a tube that was too long so it arrived with both ends crunched up (having bounced from end to end in the mail - I guess!)



4. The map came very quickly and it is beautiful, with alot of detail. definately worthy of space on the wall. May want to laminate it, not sure.
   
   The colors are amazing and it has a very old-fashioned feeling even while offering extremely modern details. Love it!



5. This is a beautiful map. The colors are muted. Looks aged. I framed it and is looks great. It is a big map so, make sure this is the size you want. The one I bought was 50x32. I love it. C in Idaho

5 comments about Waterfalls of Virginia and West Virginia.

1. This is a superb book on Waterfalls especially in West Virginia which has the greatest secret treasure of Waterfalls(over 200) in the country!!This is a great book with beautiful photography!!



2. This is a very great book to the waterfalls in these to states. I am only 13 and love waterfalls. I have been to only about 20-30 in this book but will go to more. I would also suggest Yellowstone Watewrfalls and Their discovery, Waterfalls of the mid-atlantic states and Michigan Waterfalls. I own all THree and find them very usefull Evan though Yellowstone is a 1,000+ mile drive from Maryland!



3. I use with book in conjunction with the SNP maps of hiking trails and waterfalls,
   and do use the Gazetteer that is referenced.
   Directions and trail description are right on, more informative
   than what the park service gives you.
   I have hiked many of the Waterfalls referenced, and would never
   have found some without this Book & Gazetteer.(outside of parks)
   I have purchased other books about Waterfalls in VA, and this
   is by far the best.
   Note-to-self (and others): I just hiked the Rose River Falls
   loop that includes the Dark Hollow Falls, in SNP, this past
   weekend, 1) "all trailheads that start on SkyLine Drive go downhill",
   that means hiking back UP 2) Recommend hiking the loop
   in a ClockWise Direction, as when you are hiking back UP the
   other side of the loop, you have a beautiful view of the Rose
   River and Hogcamp Branch and the many, many cascades of water
   over the rocks,as it distracts you from the long hike back up to the parking area. Literally about a mile along the water.



4. Will enjoy planing a trip there to photograph the waterfalls



5. Excellent book with tons of waterfalls. Would prefer having more color photos (some don't have photos at all), but if you're a photographer you can make your own!
   
   Highly recommended for waterfall lovers in the VA and WV region.

No comments about Zagatsurvey 2009 New York City Gourmet Shopping & Entertaining (Zagat New York City Gourmet Marketplace).

5 comments about Motorcycle Journeys Through the Pacific Northwest (Motorcycle Journeys).

1. For a book so full of excellent detail on cities, roads, scenery, plus excellent photography, the reader's focus is systematically derailed due to chapter after chapter of oddly applied analogies.
   
   If only the author had stayed on task, (in writing a tour guide) and tossed out the truly weak references to area rides that he says: are like smorgasbords-don't go straight for the beef; national parks are like big fair rides-ferris wheels; touring roads that are like the rooms of a house; likening historic homes in coastal towns to homely sisters, and a host of other remarks that make the reader go, "Huh?". Can't tell you how many times it forced a re-read to see what 'must' have been missed. Every time, it turned out it was just plain goofy.
   
   One example? Pg. 94., 3rd para. the author talks of a river gorge and water cutting through it. "You can look at the dramatic torrent of water- a flow twice that of Niagara Falls-and wonder how a blind cow ever made it through alive."
   
   Huh?
   
   If there is a historical, regional, mythological, or folklore "cow" tale that the average reader might be too young, sheltered, or untraveled to know of, it behooves (not behoofs) the author to go the extra mile and explain. Otherwise it's goofy.
   
   It would have been a considerably better offering without the introduction of the numerous and curious distractions. And probably easier to write (although shorter). The effort would have garnered a strong four, perhaps more, but for the wasted ink. But due to goofy asides, and the dozen or more candy coated uses of: I love it, you'll love it, bikers will love, love this road/this ride; the multiple uses of romantic/romance, picnic, ice cream, and my honey, your honey..
   
   I can tell you Honey, a 3.5 is a fair (if not generous) call.
   
   It's a book about the Pacific NW motorcycle rides. The reader should not be distracted by the presence of the author. Not unless he's a whole lot funnier.



2. This is a great resource for anyone new to the area, new riders or for anyone just looking for some new rides. Most of the pages are devoted to major attraction, there are many great rides that are not mentioned, but there are only so many pages in a book. A great job of covering the Northwest area. Directions, distance and travel times have been pretty accurate. Accomidations mentioned are fairly current and up to date. I have used this book for inspiration on many occasions and have never been disapointed.
   If you are from outside the area and planning a scooter trip thru the great northwest, this book is a must! If you are from the area and just looking for some new ideas, this book probably isn't it, but it is still worth the read. Bruce has obviously put in a lot of miles on his bike in this area.



3. I am impressed with the book - lots of new roads to discover, many of which I would not tend to take on my own. Good book, worth the cost - also check out Destination Highways Washington (expensive but excellent)



4. Bruce Hansen has written a great travel guide for the motorcycle enthusiast. It doesn't have as much about the roads as it does the places to see and visit. My wife and I have read it cover to cover and Bruce's writing style is easy to read and entertaining. I recommend it for anyone looking to find some out of the way places to visit in our fine state.
   
   If you're looking for the best and most challenging roads for motorcycles in Washington, look no further than "Destination Highways Washington: A Motorcycle Enthusiast's Guide to the Best 346 Roads in Washington State". This is a very comprehensive collection of the curviest, most scenic, and best engineered roads, and has the best road specific details available.
   
   Between these two books, you can't go wrong. Both are well worth reading.



5. One of the few books dedicated to motorcyclists. Great pictures, and insightful content.
   The organization of the book makes it a little confusing or difficult to find something you are looking for. But once you find the content, the information is great.
   I just came back last week from riding in California, Oregon, and Washington, and I read this book just before leaving. I tried portions of the rides suggested and was very pleased. Most of the rides are loop oriented, meaning they bring you back to where you started from, while we were riding through those States. But I just picked interesting legs of his trips and included them in our path.

5 comments about Speedway to Sunshine: The Story of the Florida East Coast Railway.

1. Seth, you hit it out of the park on this one, baby!

   One could not possibly hope to find a more comprehensive, more enthusiastic, better written book about the Florida East Coast Railway.

   Buy this one and savor it - it's one of the best railroad books I've ever read!




2. Mr. Bramson has taken his long out of print history of the Florida East Coast Railway and updated it. "New and Improved" tend to be overused adjectives, but in this case they are totally accurate and well deserved.

   Mr. Bramson is the corporate historian for the FEC, and it's totally apparent in this work that he truly LOVES the railroad and it's people. The FEC is the railroad other railroads go to when they encounter problems because, in most cases, the FEC has "Been there, done that".

   In an age where railroad mergers have become commonplace, it's great to see one of the nation's finest railroads remaining independent.




3. If you have Bramson's first book then you will know why this should be in your collection. This adds the history of the railroad from the 1980's to present day. For all the fans of the Florida East Coast Railway, this is the Bible of the FEC history. Many great photos that Seth has been able to save from the dumpters over the years. Seth lives in Miami and is known as Mr. FEC in railroad circles. If you are into the great history of the development of the east coast of Florida and the railroad that went to Key West, then this is the book.



4. recieved the book in 3 days in excellent condition, the book is worth reading.



5. Having ridden the FEC since I was a child, this book was a dream come true. The pictures, maps, and narrative are incredible, whether you rode the FEC, are a modeler, or simply interested in Florida history. I bought the second edition with the expectation that there would be new information, diagrams, etc. I was disappointed. Mr Bramson's book is still "the" book on the FEC, but I highly recommend you purchase the first edition.

3 comments about Moon Handbooks Pennsylvania (Moon Handbooks).

1. As a Pittsburgher-- born, raised and educated in one of the greatest of American cities-- it's vexing to see Amazon.com dropped my 'ometown's "h" when listing the Pennsylvania 'andbook's complete title with the incorrect spelling "Pittsburg." Pittsburgh without the "h" is like Miam, New Yor, Chicag, or Salt Lake Cit without their respective final letters. 'ere's 'oping your editorial staff checks out one of the atlases you sell on-line next time!



2. We took the book with us to Pittsburgh and discovered all sorts of places we wouldn't have known about otherwise. Never steered us wrong.



3. I no longer travel without a Moon Handbook.

3 comments about Honolulu Waikiki & Oahu (Regional Guide).

1. My sister-in-law and I used this book daily on our trip to Oahu. We started referring to it as "the Bible"! Lots of info but not overwhelming. Fun tips on how to navigate popular tourist attractions. All information was accurate and up to date for our January 2007 trip. Highly recommended.



2. I just get back from Oahu for my engagement trip. I can say, all my 7-day trip is on this book, from attractives to restaurants. The informations are accurate and comprehensive. Highly recommended guide book.



3. I used this guide along with "Oahu Revealed" and was thoroughly happy with both purchases. This particular guide, while missing color photos, had awesome walking tours and many useful maps. Each area was divided into easy to follow categories such as eating, sleeping and activities. And the reviews are short, but accurate!

4 comments about Insiders' Guide to Portland, Oregon, 5th: Including the Metro Area and Vancouver, Washington (Insiders' Guide Series).

1. INSIDERS' GUIDE TO PORTLAND, OREGON, 5TH is a great guide to the cities of Portland and Vancouver, as well as their surrounding suburbs. Besides such information as house values, attractions, and the quality of schools in the area, the book also features detailed listings of the radio stations in the area, as well as in-depth discussions of what types of healthy-eating ideas and ethnic cuisine you can find in this metroplex. The book lacks a deep discussion of shopping malls in the area, preferring instead to focus on the other types of stores where a guy can find things to keep his woman happy, including CDs to dance to with her and clothes to help him look his best for her, which seems to indicate that independent stores are often the way to go to keep such promises, especially in a high-culture area such as Portland/Vancouver. Despite the lack of information on local malls, however, it's a wonderful book.



2. I liked the information in this book, Even has school listings. I was purchasing it for tourism purposes and it covers that but doesn't have pictures or long descriptions and prices. Since that is what I was looking for I was a little disappointed. Good for info bad for tourists.



3. This book has lots of useful information, but fails to tie the information in to graphics for those of us who have trouble visualizing the locations from the text. The neighborhoods are described by their names, and rougly tied into the city as a whole. However, the maps are not specific enough.



4. These books (there is a series) are the first resource we go to upon learning that it is, once again, time for us to transfer. They have all the information that most people could need and I recommend them to every military person I know that is in the process of transferring to make their move just a little bit easier. A look at the contents of this particular book:
   
   Area Overview
   Getting Here, Getting Around
   History
   Bed-and-Breakfast Inns
   Hotels and Motels
   Restaurants
   Brewpubs
   Coffeehouses
   Nightlife
   Shopping
   Attractions
   Kidstuff
   Festivals and Annual Events
   The Arts
   Recreation and Spectator Sports
   Portland Parks
   Golf
   Day Trips
   Relocation
   Child Care and Education
   Health Care and Wellness
   Retirement
   Media
   Worship
   Index
   
   No, there aren't a lot of pictures, but I can buy a coffee-table book for that. This is information and lots of it - including addresses, phone numbers, and websites when appropriate. Great for visitors and potential newcomers alike!