General Books - Page 4

Fodor's In Focus Cayman Islands, 1st Edition

Fodor's

Amazon Price: $8.76 List Price: $10.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Fodor's Amazon Marketplace: 39 new & used starting at $6.10

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Travel -> Caribbean -> General
Subjects -> Travel -> Caribbean -> General AAS
Subjects -> Travel -> Reference & Tips -> Guidebooks

Editorial Review:

Packed with insider information in an easy-to-use format, Fodor's guide to Cayman Islands explores an exciting and extremely popular holiday destination

The Best of St. Thomas and St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands (Best of St. Thomas & St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands)

Pamela Acheson, Richard B. Myers

Amazon Price: $10.17 List Price: $14.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Two Thousand Three Associates Amazon Marketplace: 27 new & used starting at $8.72

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Travel -> Caribbean -> Virgin Islands
Subjects -> Travel -> Caribbean -> General
Subjects -> Travel -> Caribbean -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

so so 3 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

The information is good, and seems thorough, but the presentation is lacking...not a single photo, and the maps look juvenile.

This Book 5 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This book is wonderful... Helps you plan your trip... So glad I found it!

The Best of St. Thomas and St. John,U.S. Virgin Islands 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 3 people found this review helpful.

The book was some what informative. The price of taxis in the islands is very high.Coral world was not what I thought it would be as in the book.There was nothing there.I don't know when the author was in the Virgin Islands last, but there are things I would not recomend.Like shopping for jewlery and other things were very expensive. We were in the Islands from 7/29/07 to 8/05/07. We were told this was their off season maybe this is why things cost more. Overal the book did give some usefull tips.Ann Morris

Editorial Review:

Completely updated with the latest information on resorts, restaurants, and shopping, this new edition covers St. Thomas as well as nearby St. John and describes the unique charms of each. Including information on intimate inns, beachside bars, breathtaking scenery, exhilarating boat and snorkel trips, elegant outdoor dining, jazz clubs, and a variety of cuisines as well as ice cream stands, this book covers the best of the islands. Also included is practical information for getting around the islands with ease, shopping tips, and the special “gems” of the island that might otherwise be missed.

D & S Bonaire (Diving & Snorkeling)

Tim Rock

Amazon Price: $16.49 List Price: $24.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Lonely Planet/Pisces - Model: LB-1315 Amazon Marketplace: 25 new & used starting at $15.11

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Sports -> Water Sports -> Scuba -> General
Subjects -> Sports -> Water Sports -> Scuba -> General AAS
Subjects -> Sports -> Water Sports -> Swimming

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Packed with Useful Information 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I brought this book to Bonaire and it was excellent for providing insight into the many, many dive locations around island. This book will enhance your experience on the island and is well worth the cost.

Good Information 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

If you are a diver and going to Bonaire, this is a great book to have.

Outstanding guide to Diver's Paradise 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

We bought this book after our first trip to Bonaire and before our second, and it was an excellent guide with just the right amount of detail and some very helpful tips that we didn't already know. I highly recommend it.

A Fantastic Take-Along Guide 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

With the wonderful photography and great overall general information on Bonaire, this book us a very useful pre-trip planner. It also makes a terrific pocket guide to take along to all the shore dive sites around the island. The site names and indexing agrees with the local site markings and the dive descriptions are right-on!

A highly recommended take-along companion for your Bonaire trip.

Editorial Review:

Located to the north of Venezuela, Bonaire is a paradise for divers and snorkelers of all levels. This guide describes the best sites to explore, from beautiful reefs to sunken wrecks.

In This Guide:

Detailed dive information to 92 sites.
Insipiring full-color photos throughout.
Easy-to-read maps of dive regions.
Guide to marine life.
Island dive operations and topside attractions.

Cuba (EYEWITNESS TRAVEL GUIDE)

DK Publishing

Amazon Price: $16.50 List Price: $25.00 Usually ships in 24 hours By: DK Travel Amazon Marketplace: 37 new & used starting at $15.01

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Travel -> Caribbean -> Cuba -> General
Subjects -> Travel -> Caribbean -> Cuba -> General AAS
Subjects -> Travel -> Caribbean -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Beautifully presented if obviously biased 3 out of 5 stars.
23 of 36 people found this review helpful.

DK produces the most arguably beautiful travel books currently available. The maps, graphics, architectural renderings, photographs and overall layout are beyond reproach and most appealing and informative. Why not five stars? I'm not sure where the blame lies, be it with the writers or editors, but this guide is deeply flawed in its biased content. Though not openly sympathetic to the island's communist government, it is nevertheless more than obvious that the person(s) responsible, are more than a little enamored with that country's socio-political ideology. In describing pre-revolutionary Cuba, the guide takes a cynical stance, perpetuating the myth that Cuba was nothing more than an American subsidized den of iniquity, populated by gangsters, prostitutes, gamblers and grown ineffective with rampant corruption and illiteracy. Though all these things were certainly true, the book fails to provide a balanced perspective of that period in the country's history and that's where its inherent failure lies. The Cuban revolution, though tragic, horrible and seemingly endless, is a part of World history in general and Cuban history in particular, and, therefore, should not be ignored, but by the same token it need not be given such idolatry treatment in a travel guide, which, in my opinion, should be an unbiased reference tool, meant to educate the traveler on a country, its history and people in a clear, concise and informative manner, free of personal prejudices and/or beliefs. This guide is filled with non-stop descriptions of revolutionary monuments, sites, people, and history. That in and of itself would be fine if weren't done so with such obvious appreciation for all that it represents. In describing Che, the author writes "Though Che suffered from asthma, he had an iron will, loved books as well as sports, and had a great spirit of sacrifice, he could appreciate beauty and was a perfectionist but had a sense of humour. He was a man of action who also found time to meditate on reality and write." One would think the author was describing Robin Williams and not one of the 20th century's most controversial figures. Though he certainly may have been all the things described in the book, it doesn't give a complete and accurate portrayal of the man. That was one example, but the book is plagued with socialist fawning that ultimately proves to be an ineffectual tool. Though the author is free to appreciate, love, praise, support, condemn, ridicule whatever he/she may choose, be it political, religious, artistic, etc. or a combination thereof, it should not be done through a travel guide. It's a genuine shame because, otherwise, from an aesthetic perspective, there's just nothing out there that even comes close.

Editorial Review:

This Eyewitness Travel Guide explores Cuba's rich cultural history while giving you all the practical tips you need for a perfect holiday. And nearly 1,000 illustrations bring the place to life even before you get on the plane.

Frommer's Portable St. Maarten/St. Martin, Anguilla & St. Barts

Alexis Lipsitz Flippin

Amazon Price: $10.39 List Price: $12.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Frommers Amazon Marketplace: 36 new & used starting at $7.08

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Travel -> Caribbean -> General
Subjects -> Travel -> Caribbean -> General AAS
Subjects -> Travel -> Europe -> France -> General

Editorial Review:

Covering the highlights of a destination, these affordable pocket-sized guides include all the attention to detail found in a full-size Frommer’s Guide in a pint-size package.

• Outspoken opinions on which attractions are worthwhile—and which aren’t
• Exact prices to help travelers plan the perfect trip, no matter what their budget
• The best hotels and restaurants in every price range, with candid reviews

The Rough Guides' St. Lucia Directions (Rough Guide Directions)

Rough Guides

Amazon Price: $8.79 List Price: $10.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Rough Guides Amazon Marketplace: 41 new & used starting at $5.90

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Travel -> Caribbean -> General
Subjects -> Travel -> Caribbean -> General AAS
Subjects -> Travel -> Reference & Tips -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Love This Guide 5 out of 5 stars.
3 of 3 people found this review helpful.

Although we won't be leaving for our first trip to St. Lucia for another week, I have to say that this guidebook had everything I look for when researching vacation destinations.

Given that St. Lucia is a small island, there aren't the number of guidebooks out there that there are for larger destinations. I ordered three different books on St. Lucia but this is, by far, my favorite. My frustration with other guides is that some didn't even have color pictures! When I'm planning a vacation, I like to have clear, color pictures of different attractions and this book has quite a few. It's also more detailed than my other books as far as describing restaurants, resorts, and directions to attractions.

I also love the pocket size of this guide so that I can take it along and utilize the maps, directions, reviews etc. without having something large and bulky to tote around. I feel this guidebook was the most informative and had the clear advantage of having more pictures.

Editorial Review:

Slim, stylish and pocketable, Rough Guides Directions St Lucia has all you need to get the most out of your trip to the island. Pirate hangouts, glorious beaches and lush rainforests are all covered in detail, as are the bustling Castries and the many nature reserves. The guide''s hand-picked accomodation and eating recommendations cover all the main resorts and inland villages, revealing plenty of hidden gems, all indicated on a series of useful maps. With a full-colour section packed with suggestions for things to do and see, from spectacular snorkelling to local festivals, you''ll never be stuck for ideas.

Seasoned by Salt: A Voyage in Search of the Caribbean

Jerry L. Mashaw, Anne U. Macclintock

Amazon Price: $15.25 List Price: $16.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Sheridan House Amazon Marketplace: 29 new & used starting at $9.92

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Sports -> Water Sports -> Sailing -> Narratives
Subjects -> Sports -> Water Sports -> Sailing -> General
Subjects -> Sports -> Water Sports -> Sailing -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 16 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Escape Into History 4 out of 5 stars.
6 of 6 people found this review helpful.

Part escapist adventure and part historical journey to the Caribbean, Seasoned by Salt tells the tale of a couple who took a year off from their careers to sail the Caribbean. It's a well written yarn, and Mashaw does an excellent job of blending the history of the islands into the contemporary account of his voyage in a way that puts current events into historical perspective. A great added bonus are Anne MacClintock's Passage Notes. She provides a more personal view of the journey, and an occasional counter-point to Mashaw's narrative. - Joe

An engaging adventure 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

This is a good read. The adventure is unpacked by the author, Jerry Mashaw in a very engaging way with a lot of information about the varous places they encounter along the way down the east coast of the US and into the Caribbean. A good deal of history and insight into the sorted history of the slave trade and economic struggles that are the reality of much of the caribbean. The story is further enhanced by Jerry's partner and crew, Anne MacClintoc with journal enteries interspersed throughout.

The authors capture the anticipation, excitement, and even fear very well and draw you into their world. I truly felt like I shared their adventure. I considered this along the lines of Ann Vanderhoof's "Embarrassement of Mangos' Anchor Canada, a division of Random House Publishers - which is a must read if you're into sailing adventures!

Editorial Review:

Seasoned by Salt is the fascinating account of a one-year cruise, from Connecticut to Grenada and back, undertaken by a sailing couple. The book alternates throughout their complementary voices as they relive their journey. They are not your average tourists. Their story is brimming with humor and high adventure, and reflects a deep understanding of the history, people, and economy of the many islands that they visited.

Dominica (Bradt Travel Guide)

Paul Crask

Amazon Price: $16.49 List Price: $24.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Bradt Travel Guides Amazon Marketplace: 34 new & used starting at $13.66

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Travel -> Caribbean -> General
Subjects -> Travel -> Caribbean -> General AAS
Subjects -> Travel -> Reference & Tips -> Guidebooks

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 8 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Detailed and practical 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

We managed to get this new travel guide just before our latest trip to Dominica. I devoured the book! It not only made me more excited about returning to Dominica, it confirmed what I knew and gave me a lot of information for further exploration.

We have travelled extensively and have a substantial library of travel guides. This is among the best. Hard to believe this is Mr. Crask's first effort. It is dead-on accurate and well laid out for finding information quickly. Having visited Dominica previously I understood what a challenge it would be to portray this unique location accurately. Well done!

Editorial Review:

Dominica, though diminutive, is one of the most naturally dramatic and beautiful islands of the Lesser Antilles. Self-proclaimed ‘Nature Island of the Caribbean’, its verdant mountains, lush valleys and dense tropical rainforests are a delight for those looking to discover a Caribbean island that can still claim to be off the mass-tourism trail. Aside from nature lovers, this guide is ideal for explorers intent on experiencing the country’s rich culture and heritage, and for scuba-divers who want to discover some dramatic marine life and underwater topography. Dominica’s recent claim to fame includes being the location for the filming of Hollywood blockbuster Pirates of the Caribbean.

Havana Then and Now (Then & Now)

Llilian Llanes

Amazon Price: $15.66 List Price: $18.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Thunder Bay Press Amazon Marketplace: 37 new & used starting at $7.68

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> History -> Americas -> Caribbean & West Indies -> Cuba
Subjects -> History -> Americas -> Caribbean & West Indies -> General
Subjects -> History -> Americas -> Caribbean & West Indies -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

It does not show anything 1 out of 5 stars.
29 of 42 people found this review helpful.

I have a small booklet called "Remembering the Cuba we left" with color pictures of Cuba during the 1950s, it is old and I suppose long out of print, it does not contain that many pictures, but the pictures of Havana and the rest of the country are really good. Some were shot from the sky; others captured the life and people walking through the city, buildings, nightclubs, parks, monuments, countryside, etc. I have searched for more of these same pictures and others like them and have not been able to find them. They truly capture what Cuba was before the revolution. No other, not only Caribbean nation, but many Latin American nations didn't even come close. It was the 3rd best economy in the American continent after the U.S and Canada, and followed closely by Argentina. By 1958 Cuba was the most immigrated Latin American country, with the largest European emigration, and more Americans living in Cuba than Cubans in the U.S. Havana even had a China Town.

This book is bad and I will tell you why, I have knowledge of the subject, and I am not stupid. The idea of these series of books is a "Then and Now" of cities, but when it came to do Havana they had a problem. (Says on the back of the book) They went straight to a present day government controlled Havana library in search of info and pictures of the past, that's the problem. Pictures of a prosperous 1950s Havana with commerce, billboards, and the largest middle class in Latin America walking the streets, they probably burned them a long time ago, or Castro has them in his closet. The past of Cuba is something the present communist system is not too interested in showing. There is no free press; all books, newspapers, and media are controlled by the mafia like communists, everything is a manipulation and lie that everyone has to repeat or else you get kicked in jail (the least).

In this book all the pictures of the past are in black & white, and if this was not enough, about 98% of all the pictures of the past are from the mid 1800s to the 1920s, how clever are they. There is only one picture of 1958, about some Ferraris in the Havana Gran Prix, that's it. This way people don't see the pre-Castro days, and the modern day imposed poverty, decay, and ruins won't stand out as much. It will go against the millions Castro spends in promoting his "progressive" slavish system. It has worked in a way, every day I see more morons with Che Guevara shirts but none of them go to live in Cuba or any other communist country, after all. That's where all the bla bla bla is cut short. Anyhow, this is the story here, this book has no photographic value, it will not show you the height of the beauty it ones was, it will not transport you anywhere, nor make a true comparison. You can find better pictures on a web search than on this book, truly. There have been other Havana picture books that although photographed in the present still give you a better idea of what it once was. Robert Polidori: Havana could be one of them, who knows?

Editorial Review:

Established in 1519 as a harbor city to service the fleets bound for Spain from Mexico and Peru, Havana became the busy portal to the vast Spanish colonial empire. Largely unharmed by war or weather, many great examples of Spanish colonial architecture survive today. Dozens of archival photographs from Havana’s mid-20th-century heyday as a posh vacation spot are featured here opposite contemporary photographs, portraying a beautiful city undergoing restoration and struggling to regain its glory days.

Jamaica (Country Guide)

Richard Koss

Amazon Price: $13.59 List Price: $19.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Lonely Planet Amazon Marketplace: 41 new & used starting at $9.57

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Travel -> Caribbean -> Jamaica
Subjects -> Travel -> Caribbean -> General
Subjects -> Travel -> Caribbean -> General AAS

Editorial Review:

The updated edition includes an additional 20 pages with a strong focus on sustainable travel, and an activities chapter highlights the island's varied outdoor options.