1 comments about Postcards from Washington, D.C. / Postales desde Washington, D.C (Bilingual English/Spanish).

1. This story is in both English and Latin-American Spanish. It educates the reader about Washington, DC and the sights to be found there using the format of postcards written home by a child who is visiting. While the "postcards" are English only the facts that are included are in both languages. This is an excellent book for teaching young children about Washington, DC and its importance to the citizens of the United States while also introducing them to the Spanish language. With many pictures that invite dialog it is a recommended purchase.

No comments about Scholars' Guide to Washington D.C. for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (Scholars' Guide to Washington, D.C.).

1 comments about Best Short Hikes in Washington's South Cascades and Olympics.

1. Whether it's your schedule or your body that prevents you from doing long hikes, this is a good resource for southern Washington's Cascades. Has all the usual statistics you've come to expect in a Spring-format guidebook.

1 comments about The Outdoor Sculpture of Washington, D.C.: A Comprehensive Historical Guide (Smithsonian Institution Press Publication No. 4829).

1. This book is the definitive guide to outdoor sculpture in Washington, D.C. For each or over 400 sculptures, Goode identifies the sculptor, architect, medium, installation date, etc. followed by paragraphs (sometimes pages) of additional information about the subject, the history of the sculpture, the meaning of allegorical figures, etc. He has divided the city into 14 areas & provided maps of each showing the locations of each entry. This is a great book.

No comments about Almost a Hero: The Voyages of John Meares, R.N., to China, Hawaii and the Northwest Coast.

No comments about Escape Plans: Quick Getaways Within Easy Reach of Washington.

No comments about The Best Bike Rides in the Mid-Atlantic States: Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, D.C. and West Virginia (Best Bike Ride Series).

No comments about One Nation Under God: Religious Symbols, Quotes, and Images in Our Nation's Capital.

1 comments about Hidden Hikes in Western Washington.

1. There are stacks of hiking books available for Western Washington, and some are even touted as "hidden" hikes (they aren't) but Karen Sykes has written the real thing. These are hikes that for whatever reason don't attract the hordes that commonly hike the most common trails. Many of them are "secondary" hikes that either don't have the splashy payoff commonly associated with the most popular hikes; but many more hikes are special by virtue of their history or their charm. These are hikes for those who miss the adventure of trying the unknown. And because Sykes is safely conservative in her recommendations, the reader can feel assured that the conditions will be no worse than expected.
   
   For armchair hikers, the book makes good reading.

1 comments about Mountain Bike Adventures in Washington's South Cascades and Puget Sound.

1. This book covers many of the great rides that most of the population areas of the state can ride. We have particularly enjoyed the level of detail of the routes off of highway 410. The author's superlative explanations were so enticing that we ventured the 100 miles from our home to test them out--ever point was justified. We have been back 3 times in the last month to try them again. Without a book like this, you just have to take your chances...with the odds not always in your favor.

   Each documented route has great directions on how to get there and how to get through the route and back out with meticulous attention to the key scenic points, the level-setting of the difficulty, and the waypoints (in 10ths of miles).

   On our last ride, we were discussing the ride up Bald Mountain with strangers who were also carrying the same book with them on their bikes. We're not the only advocates.

   All-in-all, Kirkendall's book is a great motivator to get out and enjoy the splendor of this state on two wheels.

   You can't be disappointed by this book.