No comments about Best Easy Day Hikes Mount Rainier National Park, 2nd (Best Easy Day Hikes Series).

2 comments about Olympic National Park: A Natural History.

1. Olympic National Park rangers often recommend this book as the best overall guide to this intriguing wilderness region. With environments as diverse as wavespept Pacific coasts, glaciated alpine country and lush temperate rainforests, McNulty had his work cut out for him in capturing the essence of the Olympic Mountains. All in all, he has done an excellent job, hitting on these topics, as well as the human history and conservation issues of the region. I was disappointed with his coverage of the rainforests, whose stunning grandeur really deserves more than the brief chapter he gives them. To his credit,though, he concludes the book with an extensive bibliography that will satisfy anyone who wants to delve deeper. All in all, I would say that this book earns a home in the backpack or suitcase of anybody who plans on visiting this wonderful National Park.



2. This book covers just what the title promises - - the geology, rain forests, rivers, ocean, alpine regions, and other areas of Olympic National Park. It's a little jarring to see Indians included as part of the "natural" history, equivalent to Roosevelt elk or Olympic marmots, but McNulty treats white settlers and the National Park Service in the same way.
   
   McNulty weaves together an overall story of the peninsula despite dividing it into habitats and the like. This makes it a good read from start to finish, but it would also be useful as a companion for a visit - - just read the rainforest chapter when you're in the rainforests, and so on.
   
   McNulty also includes various personal moments, all well-timed and appropriate in length. This is not a personal memoir but these memories truly enhance the natural history that he presents. He also has an infectious enthusiasm, makes this book a lively read for a general audience.
   
   It also has beautiful pictures.
   
   In short, a great book if you're at all interested in the Olympic Peninsula.

2 comments about Fodor's Washington, D.C. with Kids, 4th Edition (Special-Interest Titles).

1. I bought this book so we could plan for our first trip to DC this summer. I have a ten year old son. I have really enjoyed this book. It lets me know what thing he will like and possibly dislike. It has been helpful as there is so much to do and we only have 4 days. We want to make the most of our visit and this is letting us do that by helping us choose the best things for us to do.



2. I bought this new book because it was the most recently published and sounded great. It is not great for a number of reasons. First, it is heavily weighted toward trips with tweens and teens rather than younger children. I was planning a trip with children 6-8 years old. Most of the recommended places are recommended for tweens and teens. In fact, had I not known better from friends, I would have skipped the International Spy Museum altogether, because the guide recommends it for "older tweens and teens" and makes it sound beyond the understanding of a younger child. Having now been to the museum, I can see that tweens would be able to take advantage of many things they have there that younger kids can't really do, but it is a GREAT spot for younger kids. There is PLENTY there that they can enjoy. It is very fun for the whole family, actually, and was my husband's favorite spot we visited.
   Another reason the book is not great is that it includes paragraphs on virtually every page of "Smart Stuff" for kids (mainly addressed to tweens and teens again), which is little tidbits of info or quizes that may be interesting. I think that may be helpful for a family with super bored kids or a family that is super boring and cannot otherwise provide information to their children, but it is (a) mostly for older kids, (b)not all that interesting, (c) really bulks up the book to the point that it's a pain to carry around with you and (d) apparently takes up so much space that important basic information is omitted.
   This leads me to my next complaint: When planning our visit to the Air and Space Museum, I consulted the book. It gives very little information but says that the museum is so large that you need to plan your visit in advance because you simply cannot see it all in one day. Hello!!!!! That's why I bought this guide book - - to plan my visit! The entry on Air and Space doesn't even list all the galleries/exhibits in the museum or highlight the "greatest hits". They could have done that in two short paragraphs, and that would have been the most useful information. Instead, they include more "Smart Stuff" and a list of kids books to supplement learning on the subject. Great to have that, but not at the expense of the information I need to actually plan a visit to the museum.
   In sum, this book frustrated me. It was somewhat helpful, yes, but unless you are going with older kids or have taken your kids before, it's not exactly what you need. I'm not sure there is a better guide that is up to date, but this one needs major improvement.

1 comments about Time Out Washington, DC (Time Out Guides).

1. The current Timeout 2004 guide for Washington, DC has really good coverage of DC art galleries; in fact it is the only DC guide that offers any decent "guiding" to Washington area galleries.
   
   It is written by Jessica Dawson, who also pens the "Galleries" column for the Washington Post.
   
   She has a good introduction and even lists her favorites for 2004 under "Names of the Game."
   
   Jessica nails it when she recognizes in her intro that a new "optimism" is kindling a really good art scene in the Washington, DC region.
   
   Unfortunately, throughout the pages dedicated to the galleries, and as it is to be expected, there are quite a few comparisons to New York this, New York that all over the place.
   
   And reading through Jessica's descriptions of the various galleries also offers an honest and rare insight as to how this critic evaluates and views (she seems to have something about "safe art," whatever that is) most of the Greater Washington, DC region's art galleries. For example Dawson praises Zenith Gallery's Margery Goldberg for her "tireless activism," but describes the gallery as "while influential in the neon art scene, consistently shows mediocre painting and craft."
   
   Addison/Ripley is praised for selling "high-calibre paintings, photography and prints," but "their selections, while lovely, are awfully safe."
   
   Cheryl Numark is "Washington's power dealer", while Leigh Conner shows work by the "kind of cutting-edge artists that Washingtonians usually travel to New York to see."
   
   MOCA is "DC's answer to the hip, alternative galleries of New York."
   
   Fraser Gallery (which I co-own) "concentrates on photography, but occasionally shows innovative sculpture and work in other media," while our Bethesda outpost is a "bright, glass-walled gallery [that] exhibits realist painting and photography."
   
   Hemphill Fine Arts "plays host to many of Washington's strongest artists," but "the art here tends towards the decorative."
   
   Fusebox is "sharp and savvy," and has "raised the bar for visual art in Washington," and their openings are "events to see and be seen at."
   
   Anyway... Bravo Timeout!

No comments about Rand McNally Washington, D.C.: D.C., Virginia & Maryland : Local Street Detail.

No comments about Hiking Washington's Alpine Lakes Wilderness: Day Hikes and Easy Overnights.

5 comments about Camping! Washington: The Complete Guide to Public Campgrounds for Rvs and Tents.

1. _Camping! Washington_ is a great book for anyone looking to find the perfect spot for a camping getaway. Whether tenting or RV'ing, this is a truly useful book!

   It's easy to see from the writing that the author truly loves camping and being outside, and that he really has spent a lifetime camping in the Evergreen State. His enthusiasm for great campsites comes shining through, and the entries for each campground are very easily read.

   There are several useful maps which show campgrounds' locations, and the rating system is very straightforward - 1 tree (barely worth mentioning) through 5 trees (absolutely don't miss this.) Those campgrounds rating 1 tree generally only get mentioned in the backs of the chapters, with very little space devoted to them - the author wants to give us the best camping possible, so he doesn't waste a lot of time telling us what's awful, noting that he only puts them in so that people who hear of these grounds, or who see them on a map know what they may be in for.

   The books gives a total number of sites within the grounds, and breaks them down by service: "32 full hook-ups, 35 water/electrical hook-ups, RV's to 65 feet." He also gives contact info for each site, whether or not they accept reservations, and what the open/close dates are (if any.) Very handy! His descriptions of the overall feel of the campgrounds and the surrounding areas are vivid and enjoyable in and of themselves - he's really reawakened the Camping Bug in me.

   The book goes over the whys and wherefores of making reservations ahead of time, common pitfalls and downsides to certain areas, and what to expect in terms of general costs (though they don't list individual grounds' prices, as they frequently change.) They also do not mention privately-owned grounds, and go into why they don't. They give a few handy tips about each park that'll make everything easier, too.

   Keep in mind that this is not a *how* to camp in Washington book (going over bear precautions, et cetera,) but a *where* to camp book - and it does its job really, really well. Highly recommended to anyone planning to camp in our beautiful state.




2. This guide, by far, is the best guide to Washington campgrounds. It is well-written, filled with good humor, and painstakingly researched. You get the feeling the author has spent at least one night in every campground listed in this book.
   It is obvious the author has spent much of his time in the great outdoors and camped throughout the state, and of all the camping guides, this one is written by a local author and longtime Washington resident. He knows what he's writing about, and it shows in the accuracy of his reporting.
   If you spend money on one Washington camping guide, this is the one.



3. When you're exploring our great state, this is a really useful guide to find a car-camping oriented spot to pitch your tent. It definitely caters to the RV crowd, in the sense that many readers adventures end once they hook up the RV or pitch their tent. I like to use these spots as the starting point for deeper exploration into the backcountry. Bottom line, keep it in your car, and where ever you find yourself, this handy book will help you find a reasonable place to crash that may have a great view and not be stuffed with huge tribes of families. Of course, if that's what you're looking for, you can find those too.



4. This book was ordered before Thanksgiving Day. After waiting for 6 weeks, I canceled the order. It might be a great book, prefect for my needs, but does me little good if I can't get a copy.



5. I have read a lot of camping guides and this is one of the few that made me laugh out loud. The information is solid and the writing style is engaging to boot. The author covers public campgrounds only so if you want an RV park guide, this is not it. When I read a guide I want to know where the campgrounds are, what they are like (scenic? convenient? rainy? crowded?) , what kind of people camp there (bikers? hikers?) and how to go about getting reservation if needed. I highly recommend this book to people who want to camp in Washington State.

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.

No comments about The Little Black Book of Washington, D.C.: The Essential Guide to America's Capital (Little Black Book Series).

4 comments about Exploring Washington's Past: A Road Guide to History.

1. The authors have produced a very readable and entertaining history of Washington State including the origins of the towns and cities, the people who contributed to their development and how they developed over the years. Organized by regions and highways, it is a must for anyone interested in exploring the byways of the state and learning how it came to be.



2. This well organized and very readable book is a combination history book and travel guide. The authors personally traveled to the sites and provide detailed directions and numerous photographs as well as historical and social background.I am a long-time resident of Washington and have learned much from this book. I refer to it often and people who have borrowed my copy have enjoyed it enough to purchase their own copies.Topic coverage varies from a couple of paragraphs to a few pages. The book is organized by geographic regions and the highly detailed index makes it possible to find a place or event quickly.



3. As a native of the state, I'm familiar with the popular history of Washington that has been told and re-told many times. That is why it's a joy to come across a book with little known and interesting stories about our past. To come across a sign announcing a small town, and to be able to read about that town in this book gives me a new appreciation for the area I'm driving through and the state I live in.



4. We bought this for our little vacation following the trail of the Lewis and Clark Expedition through Washington State. We have learned so much about our own state by using this book. Definitely worth the money.