General Books - Page 5

Frommer's Puerto Rico (Frommer's Complete)

John Marino

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 5 Average rating: 2.5 of 5

Editorial Review:

America's #1 bestselling travel series

Written by more than 175 outspoken travelers around the globe, Frommer’s Complete Guides help travelers experience places the way locals do.

• More annually updated guides than any other series
• 16-page color section and foldout map in all annual guides
• Outspoken opinions, exact prices, and suggested itineraries
• Dozens of detailed maps in an easy-to-read, two-color design

Much more detailed and complete than its major competitors, Frommer's Puerto Rico, 9th Edition gives you in-depth, honest reviews of lavish honeymoon resorts, intimate inns, family-friendly condos, and dirt cheap hostels. Written by a travel writer and city news reporter based in San Juan, this edition has its finger on the pulse of the island, with updates on the latest openings and selections in every price category. We'll point you to a gorgeous white-sand beach that only locals know about, give you the scoop on both upscale dining and roadside nosh pits, and we list the best places for snorkeling, hiking, golf, sailing, deep-sea fishing -- even the best town to see a cockfight.

You'll also get a complete shopper's guide, and up-to-date coverage of the newest nightlife in the region, from casinos to salsa clubs to lowkey beach bars. Look for tips on finding the best package deals, plus a color fold-out map.

Dominica (Bradt Travel Guide)

Paul Crask

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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.

Jamaica (Country Guide)

Richard Koss

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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.

Havana Then and Now (Then & Now)

Llilian Llanes

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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.

Puerto Rico Off the Beaten Path, 5th (Off the Beaten Path Series)

Ron Bernthal

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

Nice book for visting Puerto Rico 4 out of 5 stars.
21 of 21 people found this review helpful.

I bought this book right before a trip to Puerto Rico. Although I wished I'd had more time to read it thoroughly before I left, I took it with us and we referred to it from time to time throughout our vacation. I believe if I had had enough time to read it cover to cover before leaving I would have been able to mark the pages of the things we wanted to do while there.

Some of the information concerning El Yunque was incorrect when we visited, but it wasn't too much a problem. First, when we visited the Caribbean National Forest, our cost was $3.00 per adult and children under 16 were free. This was cheaper than the book said, but it also has a disclaimer that all price information was accurate at the time of printing so that was just a pleassant surprise. The other thing was that the road (PR 191) to the El Yunque lookout was closed, and appeared to have been for some time.

Thanks to the book, we discovered a new Puerto Rican rum and we were able to do a free rum tasting while we were there. Helpful tip, make sure you don't go when the cruise ships are in. When we went the piers were empty and we had the place to ourselves.

The maps in the book are helpful in a pinch, but I would highly recommend purchasing a road map from Walgreens and using it instead, as the maps in this book are not very detailed.

his book contains helpful little lists of hotels, retsaurants and night clubs, and we did refer to those lists a time or two when trying to decide where to eat for the evening.

All in all, I would recommend this book to someone who is going to visit Puerto Rico, and I would also add that you should try to find time to read it thoroughly before you go.

Editorial Review:

From its tranquil beaches to metropolitan San Juan's lively waterfront strip, this guide to Puerto Rico points the way to the island's best treasures: flavorful fusions of ethnic cuisines, nightclubs featuring salsa dancing and Cuban jazz, park reserves teeming with wildlife, and colorful souvenirs from unique plazas and shops.  

Frommer's Virgin Islands (Frommer's Complete)

Darwin Porter, Danforth Prince

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Very disappointing... 2 out of 5 stars.
11 of 11 people found this review helpful.

I thought I was pretty good at picking them but man, was I off this time. It's hard to tell when you've never been to the location before but after a week on St. Thomas and St. John, I wish I would've read all these others reviews before I bought this book. I was very disappointed. There were SO MANY unacceptable errors in this book. Maps were wrong...there's an error on the St. John map that shows a road when actually it's only a walking trail. There were typos that got us lost in the city. The reviews weren't accurate at all. Places where it read "live carribean music nightly" were false. The restaurants never had a live band!
Please consider purchasing another publication unless you don't mind wasting your money.

Editorial Review:

Frommer's. The best trips start here.

Experience a place the way the locals do. Enjoy the best it has to offer.

* From high-end resorts to desert islands, our authors will help you pick the right Virgin Islands vacation for you.
*

Outspoken opinions on what's worth your time and what's not.
*

Exact prices, so you can plan the perfect trip whatever your budget.
*

Off-the-beaten-path experiences and undiscovered gems, plus new takes on top attractions.

Find great deals and book your trip at Frommers.com

The Rough Guide to Cuba 4 (Rough Guide Travel Guides)

Fiona McAuslan

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Not bad. 4 out of 5 stars.
10 of 11 people found this review helpful.

This guide is not bad at all. It's up-to-date, but I found some inaccuracies in it (like the distance between Holguin and Guradalavaca). We used this guide as a backup for the Moon Handbook, which is a bit outdated, but is much more extensive and better written.

An excellent guide to Cuba that has sold me on the Rough Guides! 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I used this Rough Guide for Cuba on a recent trip to the island. After using LP guides for several European destinations, I grew weary of their maps (that don't label streets where you most need them) and catty editorializing. The Cuba guide had lots of information on restaurants at all price points that were not in my friend's LP guidebook. The asides on local culture were relevant and almost always addressed something I had seen and wondered about. In short, an excellent guidebook.

Editorial Review:

The Rough Guide to Cuba is the ultimate guide to the home of sun, salsa and rum From down town Trinidad to small-town street parties, the full- colour section introduces the best Cuba has to offer. This revised 6th edition contains … The guide is full of informed descriptions and accurate listings of the best bars, restaurants and music venues to be seen at, from the lively city of Havana to the seaside resorts of Cayo Coco and Guardalavaca. This guide also takes a detailed look at the country’s turbulent history,sport, music and wildlife, and comes complete with new maps and plans for every area.

The Rough Guide to Cuba’s is like having a local friend plan your trip!

The Bahamas Fly-Fishing Guide, Updated and Revised

Stephen Vletas, Kim Vletas

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

so-so but there's not much else available 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This book isn't terrible - but could use some work.
** Disclaimer - we only visited Grand Bahama**

I expected the do-it-yourself sections to have some tips on where you could drive & wade out to fish, not just list independent guides instead of package deals. I don't consider hiring an independent guide to be doing it myself. Since our trip was not soley for fly fishing, we wanted to get a guide for a day or 2 & maybe do some independent fishing from shore on a couple of days. We did this, but with zero success on the days we fished from shore. Others (including both guides we used) said that fishign from shore could be productive. I had hoped that the book would have had soem tips for this type of fishing for each island. Or just told you if it wasn't a viable option for a specific island.

BTW - I can strongly recommend Captain Perry Demeritte, who is listed in this book - he was excellent.

All that said, given the selection of books available on this topic, this is probably your best bet. We also still had a great time AND got some fish.

Editorial Review:

A comprehensive guide to fly fishing and adventure travel in the Bahamas--lodges, guides, services, tackle, diving, and more.

Vietnam - Culture Smart!: a quick guide to customs and etiquette

Geoffrey Murray

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 1 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Culture Smart! provides essential information on attitudes, beliefs and behavior in different countries, ensuring that you arrive at your destination aware of basic manners, common courtesies, and sensitive issues. These concise guides tell you what to expect, how to behave, and how to establish a rapport with your hosts. This inside knowledge will enable you to steer clear of embarrassing gaffes and mistakes, feel confident in unfamiliar situations, and develop trust, friendships, and successful business relationships.

Culture Smart! offers illuminating insights into the culture and society of a particular country. It will help you to turn your visit-whether on business or for pleasure-into a memorable and enriching experience. Contents include


* customs, values, and traditions
* historical, religious, and political background
* life at home
* leisure, social, and cultural life
* eating and drinking
* do's, don'ts, and taboos
* business practices
* communication, spoken and unspoken


"Culture Smart has come to the rescue of hapless travellers." Sunday Times Travel

"... the perfect introduction to the weird, wonderful and downright odd quirks and customs of various countries." Global Travel

"...full of fascinating-as well as common-sense-tips to help you avoid embarrassing faux pas." Observer

"...as useful as they are entertaining." Easyjet Magazine

"...offer glimpses into the psyche of a faraway world." New York Times

Caribbean By Cruise Ship: The Complete Guide To Cruising The Caribbean with Giant color pull-out map

Anne Vipond

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Subjects -> Travel -> Reference & Tips -> Cruises

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

You'll do better with internet searches than this book 1 out of 5 stars.
10 of 16 people found this review helpful.

I was incredibly disappointed in this book. I haven't taken a cruise in over a decade and still didn't learn a thing reading this book. It reads like a travelogue for various islands in the Caribbean but offers no insights on any of the ships or any of the lines. It didn't have much on shore excursions either. I learned more from the various cruise lines home pages than I did from this book.

Cruise Book with lots of practical information 5 out of 5 stars.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

This is an excellent guide book for both the first time cruiser and the seasoned traveller. My travel agent gave this book as a gift to those of us cruising as a group to the Eastern Caribbean this past spring. Athough I have sailed on many cruise ships and feel I know many of the differences between the lines and ships, those in our group who were new to cruising found the glossary section very useful and filled with practical tips to make their cruise more enjoyable and less confusing (ie) tipping policy,dining options, onboard activities.

We liked the pull out map and had this hanging in our staterooms so that we could plot our course each day. The smaller maps of the ports of call were very useful, and often had more detail than the maps from the shore excursion desk onboard. So often on a cruise I feel the tour department is promoting their shops and excursions ... but having this book provided an unbiased synopsis of what there was to see in each port and where to go.

The section on Caribbean history and the history of each island helps in understanding the people and the culture. When one 'drops into a port' for just a few hours or a day, it is not always easy to get the entire flavour of the people. By knowing a bit of the history, my onshore experience was
certainly enhanced.

Editorial Review:

The world's most popular cruise destination comes alive in this beautiful guide to Caribbean cruising. Completely revised, this new edition contains current information on best beaches, dive sites and golf courses as well as port and island attractions. Hundreds of photos and maps, all in color. Includes giant pull-out color map.