1 comments about In the Footsteps of Stonewall Jackson (In the Footsteps Of...).

1. In The Footsteps Of Stonewall Jackson by Civil War Re-enactor and history buff Clint Johnson is a unique character study of the famous Civil War general Thomas J. "Stonewall" Jackson, one of the most pivotal military strategists and leaders in history. Following the trail of Jackson's life from the church where he was baptized to the museum that holds the stuffed hide of his war horse to the grave of the Confederate officer who ordered the volley that fatally wounded Jackson, In The Footsteps Of Stonewall Jackson is a singularly impressive tour de force as enjoyable for armchair travelers as it is for tourists who want to actively seek out more about this fascinating man's life and the role he played in America's bloodiest conflict.

1 comments about Sea Kayaking Virginia: A Paddler's Guide to Day Trips from Georgetown to Chincoteague.

1. Sea Kayaking Maryland's Chesapeake Bay: Day Trips on the Tidal Tributaries and Coastlines of the Western and Eastern Shore
   by Michael Savario and Andrea Nolan
   and
   Sea Kayaking Virginia: A Paddler's Guide to Day Trips from Georgetown to Chincoteague by Andrea Nolan
   
   Savario and Nolan are professional guides who have written two delightful guidebooks for kayak day trips in the area of the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. The books document trips the authors have made a regular part of their itinerary and are written in a narrative style that is not only informative but makes for a great armchair tour for those nasty winter days as well. I found both these books at my local library and liked them so well they had to become part of my personal library. Enjoy!

No comments about Romantic Virginia: More Than 300 Things to Do for Southern Lovers (Romantic South Series).

No comments about Fairs and Festivals.

No comments about Wandering through Virginia's Vineyards.

No comments about Delaware/Maryland/Virginia/West Virginia Regional Map.

No comments about Rand McNally Virginia: Highways & Interstates (Rand McNally Folded Map: States).

2 comments about Second Manassas Expedition Guide.

1. This Second Manassas version is about what you would expect if you've seen other versions of Travel Brains' products. I would, however, rank this behind Antietam, Gettysburg, and Vicksburg.
   
   The book is smaller. The CD-ROM presentation could be better.
   
   It would have been nice if they could have incorporated 1st Manassas into this version. (They currently do NOT have a 1st Manassas version.) I don't know anyone that would visit the battlefield in Manasass and NOT visit both the 1st and 2nd Manassas sites. They are all in the same general vicinity.
   
   I'll take the audio tour when I visit the battlefield this year. I'd recommend this product, and all their others, for anyone visiting these wonderful sites.



2. My husband is a Civil War buff,and we travel to all the battle sites. I purchase the appropriate book and tape set for each one we visit . They are excellent, very informative and give you the ability to explore on your own, at your leisure.

1 comments about A Guide to Historic Charlottesville and Albemarle County, Virginia.

1. This new Guide to Historic Charlottesville is one of the most interesting travel guides I've read. Not only does it give accurate information on locations of historic sights and sites, but it is readable and enjoyable as a historic narrative as well. The book is organized chronologically, with chapters such as "Colonial Virginia (1607-1700)," "The Settling of Central Virginia (1700-1775)," and "The New American Republic in Central Virginia (1783-1860). Each chapter begins with an historical essay and contains one or two tours based on a theme discussed in the historical essay. The author has also created a blog in which she talks about a variety of local events -- look for "charlottesvilleguide" on Blogspot -- she's even posted an additional (free) set of tours to go along with Chapter One. There are few travel guides I would read simply for pleasure, but this book is one of them!

1 comments about Lewis and Clark: The Maps of Exploration, 1507-1814 (University of Virginia Library).

1. This is a great collection of selected maps from history -- my favorite is the one of a skinny North America, with the Pacific Ocean right on the other side of the Appalachains. The title is somewhat misleading, since the book is mostly a compilation of the maps that were published well before the Lewis and Clark expedition. The descriptions of each map are brief, and the author often references other maps that aren't included in the book; I find myself really wanting to see one depiction of the world or another that's described but not presented. Overall this is a pretty cool book, though, especially if you've never seen some of these old maps.