5 comments about Very Charleston: A Celebration of History, Culture, and Lowcountry Charm.

1. My daughter had this book with her when we visited Charleston for the 2nd time. After reading it (couldn't put it down), we found more reasons to return to this wonderful area; learned more interesting facts about already viewed streets, homes and history. It is a light read with beautiful watercolor pictures throughout the book. Don't pass it up!



2. I've been going to Charleston since I was a small child, and I learned a few things from this fun little book. I bought it for the illustrations- I love maps and "Did you know" kinds of books-and thought this was the perfect marriage of the two. Charleston is so interesting that I think there is more to tell, so I wish it were a little longer.



3. Well written and hightly entertaining.
   This small book captures the remarkable
   charm and southern sleekness of this
   city. AND the recipes are wonderful.



4. Good books with fast service!
   Thanks, Sent right away~
   
   Thanks,
   Gloria



5. This is a wonderful book for those who have been to Charleston or are interested in the history of this beautiful city. The artwork is fantastic and the information is true and fun to read!

5 comments about John Fielder's Best of Colorado.

1. This is a great book for anyone that wants to spend some time taking photographs of Colorado. Provides information on the best spots to photograph, how to get there, what time to take the shots and how to enjoy the location while you are there.



2. He's number one when it comes to capturing the beauty of Colorado. Awesome pics and some interesting historical information contained in the commentary.



3. Great directory of the beauty here in Colorado and how to get there. Other than some outdated restaurants, it really is a good book to have.



4. This was an immaculate condition book, Brand NEW. Looks like it never even had it's pages or cover opened. Great seller



5. This book fulfills the desires of two types of readers at the same time: It is full of colorful pictures of Colorado, and it is full of technical information about discussed sites. This is a coffee table type book with heavy paper, an attractive layout, and a easy-to-read typeset. I've spent many years in Colorado and this book still manages to address places I've never been.

5 comments about America's Best Zoos: A Travel Guide for Fans & Families.

1. When I first received this book, I glanced through and looked and found many of the zoos I have visited in America. I found the Introduction, Going to the Zoo, and Animals to Look for very helpful. I am currently serving as a missionary and living in Liberia, West Africa. Regretfully there are few animals here in the wild and only a couple private zoos - much of this is due to the civil war from '89-'03 - though I keep my eyes open for pygmy hippos and diana monkeys when I am upcountry. I plan to re-visit the Indianapolis Zoo when I return to the US next year. Thanks for a great resource book.



2. Living in San Diego, near a great Zoo, I was very interested in reading about it as well as other Zoos. This book has a very attractive cover, which will catch the attention of Zoo lovers. It is well written, has good pictures and makes me want to visit some of the other Zoos.
   
   The way it is divided into areas of the country is very helpful for travelers and I especially like the Appendices with the Top Ten Zoos in Twenty Catagories and each author's picks. I'm sure I'll refer to it frequently and have purchased one for a gift.



3. The United States is home to some of the best zoos in the entire world. "America's Best Zoos: A Travel Guide for Fans and Families" is a complete and comprehensive listing of the best places to visit humanely kept wildlife in the United States. Featuring a directory complete with tips, driving directions, listings of rare exotic animals and the niches some of them fill (such as Arizona-Sonoroa's Desert Museum for desert creatures), "America's Best Zoos" is a must-have for any wildlife lover traveling across the country. Highly recommended for community library travel collections.



4. This is one of my favorite books of all time. It shows the ignorant person how truly amazing each zoo is. The two authors have visited nearly all the major zoos in the country and offer very helpful advice on what not to miss at each certain zoo and ways that can make touring the zoos more efficient. Whether or not you are a zoo fanatic like me, this is still a great book



5. If you haven't been to a zoo lately, YOU'RE MISSING OUT. You need to get yourself a copy of America's Best Zoos, read all about what your local zoo has to offer, and plan a trip! Then pick another zoo from the book that looks really cool, and go there too! No two zoos are alike! My family and I have been to seven zoos in two months, and each experience was completely unique--and wonderful. And America's Best Zoos was spot-on in its summary of each zoo.
   
   I dream of traveling the world and seeing elephants and giraffes in Africa, penguins in Antarctica, giant pandas in China and kangaroos in the Australian outback. BUT I have three young children and not a lot of money, so world travel is out for now.
   
   BUT WAIT! Some very brilliant people have brought these amazing exotic animals right to my front door (or at least to a nearby city). I don't think people realize how amazing it is that we get to see hippos and giraffes and giant anteaters and orangutans and lions and capybaras in THE AMERICAN MIDWEST (or wherever you live). And for such a low price!
   
   I take America's Best Zoos with me wherever I go. I can't get enough of the photos and descriptions and valuable advice. Anytime I have a question about a zoo, I find the answer. I'd love to be able to check off every zoo in the book. Someday!

5 comments about 10-Minute Tech, The Book: More than 600 Practical and Money-Saving Ideas from Fellow RVers.

1. An awesome book Tells you all you need to know about quick repairs YOU can do. This book will save you thousands of dollars over the "long haul" ( pun intended) Tells ya' how to keep that RV running.



2. This book had lots of helpful hints although some people definitely have much too much time on their hands to think this stuff up.



3. To rephrase Ratty's famous comment to Mole in "The Wind in the Willows": There is nothing- absolutely nothing- half so much worth doing as simply messing about in an RV.
   
   By even the most charitable of definitions, I am not what anyone would call "handy" when it comes to fixing things about our sticks-and-bricks house. I am not good at it and I hate taking the time for even the most basic of repairs.
   
   Having said that, I also note that I love puttering around our 5th wheel and could happily spend hours at a time on RV related projects! I guess that's why I think the 10 Minute Tech books are so terrific. More than 600 practical and money-saving ideas in each of the three volumes . . . clever, practical solutions to both everyday challenges and to obscure situations the average RVer will never come across. Each idea presents a practical, real-life solution. Each has been developed by an RVer. The projects are presented in language which is brief, understandable and to the point . . . and the illustrations do a great job of clearing up any questions left unanswered by the text.
   
   The books are conveniently divided into sections on Livability, Safety, Appliances, Maintenance, Automotive, In Camp, Systems, Storage, Towing, Accessories, Sanitation, Doors-Hatches-Handles, Cleaning-Protecting, and Tools. Only a brief perusal is needed to start the creative juices flowing - to send the reader, tool box in hand, off on another project. A fun read when you are nowhere near an RV. An indispensable reference when you are on the road.



4. Well written ideas and short cuts, and creative ways to solve some problems. Highly recommend for the serious RV'er.



5. The 10-Minute Tech series books are great. You will find a lot of good ideas and spin off some of your own too after reading same. Ideas for all types of RV's, tow vehicles, etc. Good for anyone with an RV.

5 comments about Streetwise Seattle Map - Laminated Center City Street Map of Seattle, Washington - Folding pocket size travel map with integrated monorail & streetcar lines & stations (Streetwise).

1. Covers the subject well but far from completly. Handy to carry because it is a small book. Nice color illustrations. Points of interest chosen would sit well with people in their 20's but no so well with people in their 60's



2. Only half the size of a regular map, for twice the price. The lamination and mini pictures of buildings don't make up for the disappointment I felt when I received my map in the mail. I'm sure it will prove useful, but in a much smaller area than it should or could be useful.



3. I have been a fan of the "Streetwise" calendars for years -- a folding laminated city map that always folds nicely, stays firm and fits easily in pockets, purses, etc.
   
   On the reverse side, it also has a wider regional map, which is helpful to put your travels into context, especially if you use the map alongside tour books that often point out destinations outside the downtown region.



4. We ordered this map before a week's vacation in Seattle. We carried it with us during the whole trip and found it exceedingl useful! It was waterproof and light enough to carry everywhere! We always knew where we were!
   Thank you Amazon.com!



5. I recently purchased this map for my vacation to Seattle. This was the best map ever!!! It's nicely laminated and thin, so I was able to just throw it in my purse and not worry about it getting ruined. The map is clearly labeled, and even lets you know which streets are one way, and where the freeway exits are. We used this bad boy the entire trip, and highly recommend it for anyone that will be travelling to Seattle in need of a clear, easy to read map. I will be purchasing Streetwise maps from now on!!

3 comments about Frommer's Maui Day by Day (Frommer's Day by Day).

1. We enjoyed this handy guide to Maui on our trip. Easy to carry with lots of little information on Maui. While many of the locals provided excellent tips, this book kept it handy for us!



2. Maui Day by Day is the one guide you should put in your travel bag while in Maui. It has a great map along with all the information you could possibly want as you spend your time vacationing. There is no need to wade thru pages as it is well indexed. Time in paradice is short no need to spend all your time reading about it....BE THERE!



3. This was a great lil guide to throw in your bag. The foldout map was AWESOME and worth the purchase. We used this item daily on our 2 week honeymoon. This book and the 50 Thrifty Maui Restaurants were such a great resource; one to get you around, the other to get you well fed. I highly recommend both since everytime we used them we had a better time for it :)

5 comments about American Ways: A Guide for Foreigners in the United States.

1. Gary Althen's richly detailed guide shines a psychological, cultural and sociological spotlight on American customs, values, attitudes and behavior. Organized into 22 chapters that cover just about every aspect of American life, the book hits you with its uncanny insight, accuracy and honesty. Although he doesn't completely avoid stereotyping (and doesn't seem at all bothered by it), Althen presents the good, the bad and the quirky. He explains the "why" behind American attitudes and manners. Even though this is a guide for foreigners visiting, doing business in or living in the United States, we from getAbstract also suggest this book to Americans. It's an eye-opener about the national personality, or the perceived national personality, from naïvete to individualism. As Scotsman Robert Burns wrote, "Oh wad some power the giftie gie us, to see oursels as others see us." Well, here's your chance.



2. I don't know why this book has a bad rap here, as I found it easy to read and entertaining as an American wanting to know about unique qualities of my own culture. The author examines a number of aspects of American culture and compares them to other cultures, I couldn't have asked for anything better. Perhaps there are better books on the subject, but this is the first I've read and it was sufficient for my purpose, although I will look into more after this one.
   
   A good read for foreigners as well as natives, assuming a strong grasp of the English language or a translation. I found myself appreciating the American culture more than I did before. There has to be something to it considering our unprecedented success. Other cultures would be wise to take heed of our cultural strengths and cast aside the notion of cultural relativism. Things aren't all just "different"; one must believe that they can in fact be placed on a hierarchy. Or foreigners can refuse to believe it while we Americans enjoy our massive wealth, prosperity, and global might! Really, these things had to arise somehow.
   
   Americans too should look out for strong points in other cultures that we might consider taking up in ours. It's just that we Americans have more, what can I say? Overall a great description of the best culture in the world for the best country in the world--go USA! Note: reviewer "disappoinment" exemplifies the author's claim that Americans see themselves as individuals who resent being pigeonholed into this or that classification. Right on the mark!



3. This book is an excellent resource for people who are ready and want to learn more about U.S. American cultural norms. This includes people from other countries and people living in the United States (regardless of citizenship). For U.S. Americans, by highlighting U.S. American culture the book also provides insight into other cultures.
   
   The author rightly addresses the issue of stereotyping in the Introduction on page xxii. This point about cultural norms (which by definition indicates a wide distribution of actual behaviors within a culture and individual variations is important to keep in mind. The book is an easy read.
   
   The chapters cover many aspects of life including social, educational, and business. U.S. Americans should also realize that the book is addressed to and written from the perspective of people from other countries. Nonetheless, it provides wonderful insights into U.S. culture and other cultures.



4. You can have a big picture or draft in your mind after reading this book.



5. One of my Japanese friends is using this book in one of her high school classes. She has learned a very racist word in the book that is used against
   Italians. I won't write it here. It is however very low class for anyone to use such terms. The author obviously has some very racist viewpoints.

5 comments about Culture Shock! USA: A Survival Guide to Customs and Etiquette (Culture Shock! USA).

1. An expatriate American, I bought CULTURE SHOCK: USA for my Ukrainian girlfriend who wanted to better understand American culture. Before giving the book to her, I read it to see if it would be an enlightening introduction to the culture of the United States.

   CULTURE SHOCK: USA is a decent overview of American culture, and its sections on body language and conversation can be of immense help to Europeans. I found the book's section on American education to be honest and straightforward. Regional differences were clearly explained, and the book acknowledged that American is a vast and diverse nation.

   However, the book does leave out a few aspects of American culture that foreign visitors should be aware of. The book is correct in saying that Americans are generally friendly to foreigners, but the book does not mention the deep xenophobia and jingoism that are common to Americans, especially those from rural regions. I would have liked a better overview of America's religious diversity. The book emphasizes that most Americans identify themselves as Christian, but the book could have discussed the various denominations and the difference between, for example, Catholicism and Fundamentalism.

   Another weak point of the book is that it is somewhat out of date. One amusing photograph shows a teenager mowing the lawn and the caption says that teenagers do chores to have money for such things are musical tapes. Tapes? It's all CDs or MP3 players now. And do teenagers even mow the lawn anymore? When I was in high school several years ago, everyone I knew just hired a lawn service. The book was supposedly revised in 1997 and 1999, but the revision didn't go too deep.

   While it does have its faults, CULTURE SHOCK: USA is really the only book of its kind in English and can benefit those wishing to understand American culture. However, it's always good to have another source besides this one.




2. I have read six other Culture Shock books. Those are interesting and well researched. However, Culture Shock USA is the opposite. It deals far more with everyday life, than with the USA, with knowing little about what aspects of American life would be a problem or a surprise to a foreigner (apparently most Americans wouldn't know). I have read a few other interesting and well researched books about the USA, e.g. Coping with America by Peter Trudgill, which I would recommend instead.



3. Hi,
   I bought the book several years ago with the expectation of being better prepared for whatever culture shock may hit me - we were preparing ourselves to immigrate to the States.
   But how can a native possibly understand a culture shock in his own culture???
   I am German and I read the book Culture Shock Germany, because my husband is from Brazil and I wanted to understand what he was going through. The German culture shock book was written by an Irish, who actually had lived in Germany for 15 years or so and had a good overview after having gone through his own culture shock. My husband had a great time with that book!
   
   Well - so I was very disappointed with Culture Shock USA because of course I know things like I cannot burp sitting at the table - that's absolutely clear for everyone who traveled doing business before. I also did not read a whole lot about etiquette etc like the title was promising - plainly I didn't learn anything I didn't know yet.
   I did not meet what I was looking for in this book and think it should not have been written by an American because she just doesn't understand WHY foreigners do have a culture shock in the US. Hope there will be a new edition of Culture Shock USA and I am sure I will buy it if someone writes it that actually had some confrontations with the particularities of the American cultre.



4. Some of the other Culture Shock! books are quite good, offering helpful information and amusing insights.
   
   This one is sadly disappointing, for the obvious reason that it's written by an American who clearly has no idea what it is like to experience life in the USA as a foreigner.
   
   The phenomenon of culture shock describes the feelings - which can range ranging from mild irritation to paralyzing depression - arising from being in a new culture where customs, behaviour and social cues all differ from those you are used to in your home culture. Sometimes you do not even realise the effect the differences are having on you until the cumulative experience overwhelms you. For example, in a culture where concepts of personal space are different, you may find something uncomfortable about your interactions with other people, without even consciously realising that they are always standing closer or further from you than you are accustomed to, until you find yourself shockingly saying that you just can't stand the people here because they are so unfriendly/pushy/distant.
   
   Any decent book on culture shock would identify, and discuss ways of dealing with, the differences that exist in the particular culture.
   
   Here are some things that it's hard to cope with as a foreigner in the USA:
   * tipping - Americans have internalised a complex list of social rules about where, how, and how much to tip; and if you haven't learnt how to do it, every meal, drink, hotel stay, or shopping trip becomes stressful until you do.
   * people in restaurants, supermarket checkout lines or other public places who feel free to comment on the behaviour of your children and the defects in your abilities as a parent.
   * high levels of personal violence - for example, how to handle being threatened by a stranger in a bar or in the street.
   
   Tipping is dealt with only as a list of amounts payable, but no details about how and when to make payment, or what to do in case of bad service. The other issues mentioned above aren't covered at all.
   
   Ultimately the book comes across as as a rose-tinted advertisement for the benefits of migration to the USA, but contains little of use or even interest.
   
   Skip this one, and read the others in the series.



5. i read till now five titles in culture shock series: Germany Israel, Austria, Brazil and USA. Each book was very worth of reading. culture shock USA is a great book.On my first sight of the book i thought that it was not fair to take an USA-born writer in this interprise because in the series foreigners were asked to write about the country where they are living now.but the author cares about this and takes opinions of immigrants. even harsh remarks are in the book(even too much ones).that is a good ,realistic and inspiring intoducion to USA for us foreigners.but the shadowy side is present too. the author advises that is not correct to say chairman because could be a woman this person ,but she calls USA America despite that could be Canada ,Argentina,Haiti or my country Brazil among others.One more point.CAVEAT EMPTOR:in culture shock Brazil i asked the quiz in final chapter and i answered correctilly just one question in five.don't trust too much inflexible statements because in real life they may not be true.

3 comments about Best Hikes With Dogs: Bay Area & Beyond (Best Hikes With Dogs).

1. I love hiking with my dogs off-leash. This book has been a great resource for me. I just moved to California and don't know the area all that well. This book is full of great hikes in the bay area and northern california. The table at the beginning of the book is especially helpful as it lists all the hikes and makes note of their length, difficulty, off-leash status, and accessibilty to water. I almost hate to write this review as increased foot and paw traffic on these trails increases the abuse potential. Only people with well-trained, friendly dogs should attempt off-leash hikes. If your dog is not friendly or well behaved, it's best to stick to the many, many leash-required hiking trails.



2. I have yet to have a hike from this book go smoothly. I live in the north bay and all of the directions to the hiking destinations are only if you are coming from the south. Often times the exit they give is only accessable if you are coming from the south. I drove out to one of the hikes and there were signs everywhere saying no dogs allowed. Also the trail directions are very vague and sometimes inaccurate. I have wasted a lot of gas and even more time with the inaccurate driving and trail directions. Basically this book was a waste of money for me.



3. Contains an amazing number of trails you can take your dog to, even unleashed in probably the most dog unfriendly state in the country (California). Since most parks and trails in northern California prohibit dogs even on leash, this book will save you a lot of research. The main weakness is the lack of trails in the South Bay. Of course, since this is the most dog phobic part of California, it's not surprising that there is not much for dogs here.

5 comments about Vintage L.A.: Eats, Boutiques, Decor, Landmarks, Markets & More.

1. Knowing a good deal about book design and something about near-history, I can say that this book is a perfect package. From the gorgeous full-color pages saturated with great photography and vintage postcards to the colorful language used to illustrate this opulent city of dreams, Vintage LA is the magnum opus to Los Angeles. Anyone I know who has read this book recalls sitting down in the evening to crack the spine, and a few hours later they were finished, and ready to buy plane tickets to LA. It's a beautiful book!



2. Hats off to Jennifer Brandt-Taylor, the vintage queen! Her new book VINTAGE L.A. is a well-crafted homage to the delightful assortment of styles and flavors which comprise the identity of Los Angeles.
   
   It is an extremely well balanced and thoughtfully compiled collection of reviews, photos, tidbits of trivia, and other ephemera which sparked my interest in revisiting the town in which I live.
   
   Collecting vintage is one of my true passions. Finer men's attire of bygone eras is my own calling, so when Jennifer referred to the boutique Playclothes I was obliged to investigate. What a treat! I left with 2 deadstock silk scarves from the Edwardian era and some other treasures for well below market value. Thanks, Jennifer!
   
   The love which the author has for her hometown is apparent in her features of the magical haunts and classic splendor of old Hollywood. Two of my absolute favorite places to soak up some genuine Tinseltown are the Magic Castle and the Beverly Hills Hotel. Hands down the finest establishments in which to imbibe.
   
   It was a true inspiration flipping through the expertly layed out pages. My eyes were led along from page to page as if a kid in a candy store had been turned loose on a shopping spree. A plethora of colors and styles was arranged like a bouquet, enticing the reader to dive in and experience the finest this American epicenter of culture has to offer.
   
   One thing I absolutely loved was her interspersed features of vintage lovers from all walks of fame in their respective environments. Catching a glimpse of how these zany characters live and reading their own reflections on the things which keep them inspired was a fascinating allusion to the eclecticism of Los Angeles.
   
   If at all you are interested in planning a trip to Los Angeles, please do yourself a favor and let Jennifer Brandt-Taylor be your guide to the stars!



3. This book covers just about everything I like about LA -- the good old-timey stuff! It's beautifully photographed, typeset and laid out from cover to cover, looking and reading like a Disneyland brochure from the '60s. The author leads you to historic walking & shopping destinations in every neighborhood in and around LA, with a special focus on all things glam and baroque. The photos are spectacular and the descriptions are fun, first-person, non-snooty and truly evocative of the wonder of visiting these groovy underappreciated relics. You'll want to visit each and every spot, and the more of them you experience, the more your view of LA will change from the unfair stereotype of a dumb, violent, smoggy wasteland to a true love of this lovely, historic fantasyland left behind by dreamers of the past.



4. Vintage L.A. is like a magical treasure trove - filled with historic gems from Tinseltown past, endearing & insightful interviews with sparkling locals, dazzling photographs and endless riches to behold! It is apparent that the author, Jennifer Brandt-Taylor, is a true fan of Hollywood history and the City of Angels. She takes the reader on a whimsical "insider" tour, with many surprise stops along the way. Jennifer Brandt-Taylor does a wonderful job at inspiring the reader to look closer, to find divinely decadent inspiration in something that most pedestrians would pass by without a glance. I read this book in one sitting, and then placed it on my art-deco bookshelf alongside other favorites, "Eve's Hollywood" and "Weetzie Bat." I will make sure to leave enough room on that shelf for Jennifer Brandt-Taylor's next book...



5. I was really excited when I received this book. It's gorgeous and the pictures are beautiful. I was planning a trip to LA and this book served as a huge resource for me. When I got to LA though, more than a few of the places in the book were no longer in business and I went to LA barely 2 months after this book came out. Plus, some of the places she did describe were really hyped up and were a waste of time. This was very disapointing. If the author grew up somewhere and is going to write abook about it, you can't just assume the places are still there. You have to do your research. Hopefully, Vintage New York will be more informative.