5 comments about Baja Adventure Book.

1. I recently traveled to baja for my first time last november,2000. I used this book and it was helpful. I hitch hiked for three weeks in baja sur, traveling most of the unbeaten paths. This book was helpful to get me to those places people seldom travel to. I was surprised by the fact that alot of things in the book, like the adventures mentioned, costed much more then expected. So be careful when traveling on a tight budget, the book makes these adventures seem cheap, this book should have some price guidelines for the places that allow tours and rental equipment. also call ahead if you plan to try any new adventures, like diving, or sea kayaking, some of these adventures require certifaction. so call ahead!! happy travels



2. The new edition of this book is basically the same as
   the 1987 Edition. The pictures are outdated, even in
   the original version. I was truly disappointed that
   the author didn't bother to update his photo gallery,
   and it's easy to see the boats and dive equipment in
   the photos are ancient. The Appendix A and some of
   the city and regional maps are the only updates noted.



3. Great book. Really gives a sense of the Baja experience and makes it easy to plan a vacation. Although some info goes out of date much, such as what type of fish to expect off of which island, stays spot on.



4. This is a book that any true Baja enthusiast will spend hours reading. I can't go ten minutes without dying laughing at some of his stories (all of them 100% fact with no embelishment I'm sure! LOL). Peterson has to be a Baja legend - how did he have time to do it all? While I agree that it is invaluable for anyone planning a trip and I consider it to be one of the top 5 books on Baja, I do disagree with many other reviews that say it is a neccessity for taking along on a trip. I consider it much more of a pre-planning book or a fun read. It doesn't have enough current data to be a real guidebook in my opinion. That's not a criticism - just pointing out that it is not a true guidebook. For that I recommend the AAA Baja book - without a doubt the best!



5. Hello all, Well it was allot of fun going on trips with Walt and contribute as a guide to the making of this book. His passion for Baja and his wealth of knowledge about the whole area, and the history, stories of lost gold and stone ships; all of this went into his book. I was also one of the team with Don Nelson when we went to Canyon Tajo, Picacho del Diablo, and El Gran Trono Blanco. Be very prepared. This is all very rugged terrain, and at times you are out there with no one for miles, and no one to help you if you get injured or lost. I know that Walt and all of us put allot of work into to being geographically exact; compass readings, trails markers, exact distances and no guessing. On the trip to Picacho del Diablo we followed Robinson's guidebook for example, only to find out he had never been there and wrote it down in the 2nd and 3rd person! maybe we were the first to write the exact guide to Picacho. Anyway, it's a great guide book, thorough, full of lot's of details and anecdotes, and crammed with Walt's passion for Baja and his compulsion for detail and accuracy! Enjoy, Jim Smallwood, Santa Barbara

3 comments about Boston (City Guide).

1. I went to Boston in the middle of winter over the long-weekend. Without this book, I would have probably been lost and much colder than I was. This book covered the things I looked at and much more... and has given me the chance to think about going back to Boston in the summer or fall.
   
   The details on the hotels, the areas, the closest metro stations and the Boston in X days features are common to Lonely Planet books and are very useful.



2. Every time I travel, I have purchased Lonely Planet Travel guides. They offer accurate and "real time" facts about the place you're visiting, as well as the most complete information in comparison to other travel guides. The best travel companion.



3. This guide is great as an overview to this fabulous city and accurancy for the more permanent tourist attractions (Freedom Trail, for instance!) is good - but several restaurants have already shut down/changed names/management so be wary of those reviews.

2 comments about The Thomas Guide 2009 Portland: Street Guide.

1. I remember once when Thomas Guides were ubiquitous for Portland, and this was also true for many other US cities. But nowadays so many of my contemporaries just use a map website and maybe print out a map if we're travelling and don't have a web connection. Then, cellphones increasingly do have a web connection. So why do you need this book?



2. Hey J.Lim have an idea! These are reviews you dummy! Don't want it - don't buy it! As for the book it's up to date, informative and easy to read. Full of extras and points of interest. If left without GPS or cell coverage - it works everytime, never a bad connection. Although you might need light during times of darkness.

5 comments about Rockhounding Nevada.

1. This is a great guide . I have visited 10 of the sites so far . The directions are great - everything is right where they say it will be . I have found some really great rocks thanks to this guide. If you live in Nevada and like rockhounding don't pass this one up.



2. Excellent book! The directions are easy to follow and you find everything the author says you will. I visited 6 sites so far and am looking forward to visiting all of them.



3. Good resources for finding specific spots directions are really vague but considering where this is at not bad. Would have liked to had color pictures. But overall a good buy.



4. Kappele has a nice feel for including the information a reader wants. I visited the seven McDermitt sites this summer and I felt like I was in good hands. The maps aren't to scale, but they guide you in pretty well. We also used a BLM map and the Delorme Guide (for Oregon) to feel more secure, plus we used GPS quite a bit, so pinpoint GPS readings would help. McDermitt is an overwhelming place to search.
   
   I had less luck at the trilobite locale near Beatty. I got skunked, but I didn't spend enough time there to really give it a proper test.
   
   The cost of the book would be prohibitive with color pictures; this is a low-cost guide book. A few more pictures would be good, tho. I like the writer's tone; he feels friendly and is probably someone who would be fun to go out and collect with.



5. We went to some locations near Reno, NV. We tried 5 of them and 4 were accurate, 1 site was built on. The way the directions were given were precise and led us to some fabulous finds that locals don't even know. This is a book I would definitely recommand to other rockhounds.

4 comments about Las Vegas (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE).

1. These books are some of the best. They are so well written and very very helpful. If you have never been to Las Vegas, there is almost nothing left out of here to help you on your way to seeing one of the best cities in the world. If however you've been to Vegas many many times (like myself), there is still stuff in here you never knew. It's completely up to date and the pictures are brilliant and the glossy look of this book makes it more magical. I love Vegas and even if you don't need a guide to the city, you have this as almost a keep sake. I would highly recommend this particularily to new visitors because of the amount of information. It is great for shoppers instead of gamblers, good for hotel recomendations and where to eat etc. This is one great book. I love it.



2. As a fan of this collection (the Eyewitness Travel Guides), I can say that "Las Vegas" book doesn't worth a cent. No hotels' maps, just a few words about them. Don't buy!!!



3. If you are planning a trip to Sin City this is a great place to start looking. It covers all of the hotels and lays them out logically by region. Las Vegas is easiest to see when divided into three and I really appreciated the way it was laid out. Great recommendations for shopping and the pictures are wonderful.



4. I want to travel to Las Vegas. I was trying to find a guide to obtain information and I didn't see anyone. I searched here at Amazon a book and I found this one. I saw one review of another user and it was helpful for me. I bought this book and when I received the book I was very pleased because on this book it has a lot of information of Las Vegas, what you can do, what to visit. You can plan your own travel with this book. It will be very helpful for anyone who wants to visit Las Vegas.

5 comments about The Eye of the Elephant: An Epic Adventure in the African Wilderness.

1. You will immediately be drawn into their story! I was so involved reading this book that I missed my train station stop...you'll feel like you're there with them!



2. The Eye of the Elephant is a wonderful, adventurous journey into the heart and soul of Africa seen through Mark and Delia's eyes. From the very first page you are caught up in their heroic quests to protect the animals they are there to observe. In spite of the unbelievable odds against them, they persevered and put the safety and security of the highly endangered animals FIRST. The elephants in the Luanga Valley are very fortunate to have had Mark and Delia watch over them and be their heroes. I have loved Africa and the African elephant my entire life and I am so grateful for these two selfless, dedicated people who have become the protectors of our most precious wildlife. This is one of my most treasured African stories.



3. I wish these authors would write more books about their adventures in Africa. Truly riveting page-turners!



4. Wildlife researchers and conservationists Delia and Mark Owens have spent much of their lives since 1974 in the African bush, first in the Kalahari Desert from which came their best seller "Cry of the Kalahari" and then in the North Luangwa Valley in Zambia, the setting of this 1992 book.
   
   The Owens' passion leads them to risk their lives routinely. In searching for a suitable camp in North Luangwa they set out in an ancient truck with no radio and inadequate gear. After a grueling trek that would have sent sane mortals packing for home they separate so Mark can fly his Cessna to a site that "would make Cessna's insurance company shudder" while Delia makes the two-day trip alone with the old truck and a trailer over trackless hilly, bushy, gully-filled flood-plain terrain. Tracking animals they are constantly walking smack into a startled lion or buffalo or cornered elephant.
   
   But the real danger comes from people. "The Eye of the Elephant," while filled with wildlife anecdotes and tidbits of information about elephants and lions, is really about the poaching war the Owens conducted on behalf of the besieged North Luangwa elephants.
   
   The poachers are villagers, many armed with AK47s, backed by the local government and assisted by the corrupt and underequipped local game guards. The Owens' weapons are education, cottage industry projects financed by the Owens Foundation for Wildlife Conservation and the Cessna.
   
   The battle starts genially with children exclaiming over magazine pictures and their parents joining sewing circles and carpentry workshops. But it quickly escalates until Mark drives Delia from him with his obsession for highly dangerous and only modestly effective night flights, and the poachers organize an assassination squad to rid themselves of the Owens once and for all.
   
   The book is organized in alternating first-person chapters between Delia and Mark. The tone is brutally honest, touching when one admits to mistakes which endanger the other, disturbing when their frank discussion of anti-poaching tactics veers from the politically correct. The Owens' care more for the animals and the landscape than the people. But since the people are there, their needs must be faced. Their singlemindedness will outrage some, but their strong personalities and sheer stamina will awe almost everyone.
   
   York County Coast Star



5. This book is laden with fascinating information on African Wildlife and how to survive as human and animal in harsh conditions. Excellent read.

1 comments about Culture Shock! Hawaii: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette (Culture Shock! Guides).

1. This is a great book to learn about Hawaiian culture, if you live on O'ahu. We moved to the Big Island from Colorado and we noticed that there is a big difference between the islands as to how you are treated by the locals. Probably due to the fact that Hawaii is a bigger island and doesn't have the high concentration of tourists so the local population is a bit more friendly and really has the Aloha Spirit. It would be nice to have a book written just about the Big Island. All in all it is a good resource to get you started if you plan on living or visiting here.

4 comments about Washington, D.C., Then and Now (Then & Now).

1. Washington D.C., Then and Now, is full of many fascinating pictures taken in and around the Washington D.C. area. The city is rich in history and full of a number of buildings, monuments and historic areas. Through the years, the city has changed and developed around these landmarks. Washington D.C., Then and Now traces this development and change through pictures.

   The premise behind the book is to show the reader each area of the city as it appeared using archival photographs on one page, and comparing it to a recent picture of the same area, taken from approximately the same location, to demonstrate how the area has evolved.

   The author has organized the book by street name or area. The earliest known picture of the Capitol, taken in 1846, is the most famous picture (Only seven are known to exist). There is an interesting story about how the rare picture was obtained. You'll have to get the book to find out.

   Whether you have traveled to Wahington DC or are just interested in the pictoral history of our nation's capital, the book has a lot to offer. It also makes an excellent coffee table book for your guests to peruse.




2. Having seen a few other books showing historical photos of different cities' landmarks and their modern looks, I was interested to see what this book would offer. I was not disappointed, fiding the choice of subjects ranging form the famous to the obscure, painting a picture of a Washington long ago.
   
   With many of the more famous buildings in Washington having been built in the last 70 years, there aren't as many older structural pictures to hold up against a view of the current looks. This is often refelcted by what originally stood on the site, and then the facing page shows what is built on the site now. Obviously, there are pictures showing the White House, Capitol, and a few other notable buildings to examine for small changes, but the majority of the book features things the average visitor wouldn't normally notice.
   
   To people who have spent some time in this great city, they would greatly appreciate where the modern looks and everyday scenery has come from. To the average reader, this book would be an interesting coffee table book to entertain the curious.



3. This book is pretty good to see a historical comparison of Washington DC "then" vs. "now." The most disappointing aspect here is that a lot of the current pictures seem to have been taken on the same overcast late fall/early winter day. Washington DC is one of the most beautiful cities in the world but a lot of the current pictures don't capture that. The historical pictures and overall comparisons are pretty good though and I would have rated this a "5" if they had done a better job capturing the city's beauty. A solid "4" none the less.



4. Mitchell's book is the fifth in the "Then and Now" series that I've bought, and it is every bit as good as the others. If you are not familiar with the concept, old photographs of particular street corners or buildings are contrasted with corresponding current images. The author displays his detailed knowledge of the area as he recounts stories that accompany each set of photos.
   
   Due to the consistency of some of the buildings in Washington, D. C., the main difference between pictures of a certain structure from 100+ years ago and today is only that one is black and white while the newer one is in color. But some locations have been dramatically transformed over time.
   
   Any student of history and especially people interested in Washington, D. C. should really enjoy this book.

5 comments about Backcountry Adventures Northern California: The Ultimate Guide to the Backcountry for Anyone with a Sport Utility Vehicle (Backcountry Adventures).

1. This is the top dog for off road books. I've driven several of these courses in my stock Chevrolet truck with zero problems. Beautiful lay-out, great descriptions and GPS coordinates. Get this book!



2. We have two other 4-wheel drive books for northern California, but neither one comes close to this! The color pages, descriptions, and added history and nature lessons are great. We enjoy the eastern Sierra and were glad to find so many trips for that area in this book. We can't wait for the snow to melt so we can try some trips out!



3. this series is extremely useful. covers offroading options from beginner level to seriously advanced. each option is rated for difficulty, accompanied by maps and directions and, importantly, gps coordinates at each key junction on the route. hence one could make the trip without road signs using a gps if absolutely necessary. great photographs and good history regarding each trip make this a stimulating and priceless resource.



4. I won't rehash how good this book is, you have all 9 other reviews to do it. Just a note of caution, make sure you buy the latest edition (from 2006). Amazon still lists the one from 2002 first in the search results.
   
   I like the GPS coordinates, and the fact that it gives directions and mileage for each trail in both directions. So you have a lot more flexibility on how you plan your outing.



5. Great book with lots of good info. It's geared more to the SUV owner who does not really do any serious offloading, but hey, thats ok. Leaves the really remote places for those willing to go out on their own. It is a great way to discover new areas and launch off on your own.

3 comments about 100 Classic Hikes Colorado.

1. This is a "must have" guidebook if you enjoy hiking in Colorado. Each hike is described in some detail with a ranking of how strenuous each trek is considered. The text is concise and to the point, but gives an adequate feel of each hike. There is at least two pages devoted to each journey and the hike descriptions are to the point. Many such descriptions were the sole reason I decided to hike some of these mountains and I was never disappointed.

   The quality of the book is also to be commended. The paperback binding holds up after major 1,000+ mile car journeys I've made with the book thrown in the back seat. If you buy one guidebook about hiking in Colorado, make it this one. I highly recommend it for the description of each trail and just the overall feel of the book.




2. I had the older version of this book and absolutely loved it. I've planned many weekend trips and vacations based on the hikes in this book. I've never disagreed with the authur about a hike being one of the top 100 in Colorado.
   The new version has elevation profiles which are very nice. However, I don't care for the new maps. The old book had maps which were very easy to see. The new edition has topo maps which I think are too crowded and busy to be able to make anything out. I can't tell if there are streams next to the trails, which is very important to me as I hike with a dog and it's usually the first thing I look at.
   There are several new hikes: Bear Peak (Boulder), Lake Isabel (W. of Denver), Mount Falcon (Denver), Devil Head (Sedalia). Red Rock Canyon (Colo. Sprgs.), North Cheyenne Canyon (Colo. Spgs.), French Pass (Jefferson/Fairplay), Tater Head Loop (Crawford), Mosca Pass (Alamosa), No Name Lake (Antonito), Rabbit Ears Mesa (Grand Junction) and Sarvis Creek (Steamboat).



3. Great book. I have the earlier edition...got this one for the updated features. Make use of it while hiking annually in Colorado.