No comments about Seattle from the Air (Bird's Eye View).

3 comments about The Two-Lane Gourmet: Fine Wine Trails, Superb Inns, and Exceptional Dining Through California, Oregon, and Washington.

1. 
   I am disappointed by this book. In my past purchases at Amazon, I felt that the reviews I read accurately described the book. This time, I was let down.
   
   To begin with, there are no maps in the book, not even rudimentary stick drawings of the locations. So what? you might ask. You can simply go on the web and get a map.
   
   Yes indeed, I can. I can also simply go on the web and do a 10-minute search of the wineries in the area -- and would end up with more information.
   
   Ah, but here you have a journalist with no attachments to the wineries. And here, Tom Snyder appears to be similar me. He likes most everything he eats and drinks. Every place has something to recommend it. So, according to this book, you can go to any winery and be ok. If that is true, why do I need this book?
   
   He seldom writes more than a paragraph on any stop. On the longer reviews, he writes of chats with the owners, about their dedication to the art of vintage and fine food. No surprises there. We never get to hear about how junior failed as a small-appliance salesman, was bailed out by his rich parents and now charges outrageous amounts to gullible travelers while feeding them a line of bull.
   
   This book appears to be simply a justification to the IRS that Mr. Snyder's vacations were indeed tax-deductible.
   
   Furthermore, Mr. Snyder tells us in his book that we should go on the web to find more information. I say skip the book and go directly to the web.



2. "The Two-Lane Gourmet:," detailing back-road wine trails, unique inns, and surprising restaurants is another fine work from author Tom Snyder. One reviewer called it an ambitious project, and it is! Reaching from Southern California, through Oregon and Washington, it samples extraordinary properties out of the thousands that exist. The idea is for readers to set up a base camp in any of the areas mentioned, follow a suggestion or two and then head out on their own, with enough information to ensure a lovely experience. For novices, (like me), Snyder introduces popular wines, local dishes (I loved the description of a brazed fiddlehead fern on his plan in Oregon) with his own brand of warmth and wit. The author has also thoughtfully provided Web addresses and phone numbers to help you stay in tough on unfamiliar roads. In short, this book is a grand tour, with wonderful places and memorable people not to be missed!



3. This is a very good book to have when traveling the wine country. I loved the Route 66 and the Pacific Highway guides and this book does not disappoint! With that being said, don't expect this book to be an atlas - a series of maps that can be had for $1.98 at any local gas station. While the book gives you phone numbers, addresses and websites (where available), the traveler is left up to their devices in determining the route chosen (as it should be). It's very apparent to me that the author put in a great deal of time and effort in researching the local wineries and dining establishments so, as a traveler, I won't have to waste my time on less than top-notch locations. Definitely a must have!

1 comments about Washington Trees & Wildflowers (Pocket Naturalist - Waterford Press).

1. This compact, waterproof fold-out (2-sided, 6 segments) pamphlet is a field guide to Washington state's trees and wildflowers. It shows color illustrations of evergreen and deciduous trees as well as their flowers or cones, provides the scientific as well as common name, the maximum approximate height reached, and a brief text description of the features of the leaves, cones, and flowers of each tree. Similar descriptions of native shrubs follow. On the reverse side are descriptions with illustrations of native wildflowers organized by color (whites, yellows, reds, and blues). A final segment shows a small map of Washington with indicators for area parks and forests where native trees and plants can be viewed. This guide is easy to pack and a great quick reference for walkers and hikers.

No comments about Rand McNally FabMap Washington, D.C. Georgetown (Rand McNally fabMAP Washington, D.C.).

No comments about Bringing Out Baby: Places to Take Babies and Toddlers : Seattle, the Eastside, and South Snohomish County.

1 comments about Hiking Washington, 2nd: A Guide to Washington's Greatest Hiking Adventures.

1. Thousands of route exist in Washington, so this is far from a complete work. But is an outstanding introduction to the wonders of Washington's backcountry.

3 comments about Washington, D.C. Guidebook for Kids.

1. I don't think there's any better place for kids to visit than DC. But, because it's not Disney World, not all the information is geared towards them. That's why this book is so great. It's perfect for my nephews (8 and 10) who, although quite intelligent, are not ready for Fodors quite yet. Plus, it has a lot of interesting stuff in it that I didn't know myself and I live in the area.



2. Very good, both entertaining and informative. Really a good thing for first-time children visitors.



3. We gave this book to our son for his 7th birthday to announce our trip to D.C. this summer. He has thoroughly enjoyed leafing through it and reading all the fun facts the authors included - some of it the oddball kind of stuff kids love. His favorite part is the map on pg. 30-31. He's already mapped out all of the places we'll be seeing. We are going to order another one for his cousin.

1 comments about Frommer's Irreverent Guide to Seattle & Portland.

1. This guide was the perfect companion to our trip to Portland and Seattle this summer. Devoid of all cheesy tourguide advice and tells it like it is - what's cool, what's just not worth the time, and what is not worth the expense. The only thing we found lacking was a comprehensive list of breakfast and lunch spots and things to do outside the downtown areas.

3 comments about Frommer's Irreverent Guide to Washington, D.C. (Irreverent Guides).

1. If you don't have a cousin living in D.C. this guide is the next best thing. It's good scoop from a native. I enjoy visiting the District and this book has helped me get beyond the mall to new places of interests. I especially appreciate the info on safety, given that other guides are squeamish about this subject.



2. I've only briefly skimmed through this book, basically because I didn't see any information that would be particularly helpful. Granted, that could be because I already own and have read "The Insider's Guide to Washington, D.C." and "Frommer's Washington, D.C." I would recommend both of those books over "The Irreverent Guide." I bought this book thinking it might provide me with a more honest, less deferential review of things, letting me know what really was and wasn't worth my time. However, I haven't seen anything new or particularly different about this book. This book would do the job, but the other books are much more thorough, and I would recommend either one of them instead.



3. Now in an updated sixth edition, Irreverent Guide to Washington D.C. is a travel and tourism guide that cuts through useless promotion to give the straight scoop on Washington D.C.'s attractions, accommodations, dining, shopping, night life, and much more. Maps, memorials, directions, radio stations, tip recommendations, an index for quick lookup, and much more fill this no-nonsense, accessible and easy-to-read guide. Of especial interest is the "You Probably Didn't Know" section filled with advice about how the locals handle things - from the strict efficiency with which parking violations are prosecuted to the D.C. etiquette of standing only on the right side of an escalator so that those who wish to walk may climb up the left side. A "must-have" for anyone visiting D.C., whether for business or pleasure.

1 comments about Fodor's Flashmaps Washington D.C., 6th Edition (Flashmaps).

1. I first bought the 3rd edition several years ago when I went back to DC as a part-time museum intern. On my extremely limited budget, this handy book of maps proved indispensable both for me personally, and on the job during assignments as a fill-in concierge. One look at the well-worn cover and others recognized its usefulness as well.
   
   Maps primarily focus on areas of interest for tourism, embassies, and the downtown business core including The Mall. The two maps of Metro (the subway) show the full metro area system and downtown, the latter of which is detailed enough to show the multiple entrances for each stop down to which side of street. Certain sites and areas rate their own special maps, like the three area airports, the core Smithsonian museums, the National Zoo, the White House, historic Alexandria, Georgetown, Embassy Row, and several others. Like the others in the Flashmaps series, there are separate maps identifying hotels, restaurants, transportation, shopping, and other general areas of interest; hotels and restaurants do have a price guide range identified by dollar signs. The WWII Memorial was built/completed after the 6th edition came out, so it does not appear on the maps yet.
   
   The book consists entirely of maps. If you're looking for sight-seeing blurbs containing verbose details, buy an additional resource since this book contains none. If you're visiting Northern Virginia and/or Maryland, I recommend buying additional map(s) (especially if you're driving) as these areas are not covered in depth.
   
   As hotels have changed hands, embassies have moved, and phone numbers are no longer the same, last year I opted to purchase the 6th edition. Even knowing my way around, this book is still as helpful during my annual return trips as when I first bought it.