General Books - Page 10

Vienna

Stephen Brook

By: Dorling Kindersley Amazon Marketplace: 3 new & used starting at $48.88

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 15 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Great City, Great Guide 5 out of 5 stars.
8 of 8 people found this review helpful.

Vienna is a fascinating place to visit and this is a great book to use. For once I did not find the subdivisions as useful in this book. Vienna can be a very confusing city to get around until you get the hang of it and sometimes the street maps in the book cut off in odd places. Despite that the recommendations of things to see and do and the smaller maps were top notch. I saw almost everything this book recommends within one jam packed three day weekend. Highly recommend.

Eyewitness Travel Guide Vienna (2003) 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

Rugged bound handbook for touring Vienna. Outside cover is plastic coated card stock, doesn't soak up water when lying on the lunch table, easily cleaned. Glossy paper throughout its 288 information packed pages: a district map on inside front cover and public transport map on the inside back cover.

"Introducing Vienna" is the first chapter devoting 60 pages to an overview Vienna from a geographical, historical and cultural perspective. Then brief descriptions of major attractions, even the brief descriptions take 20 pages because Vienna offers so much to the visitor.

Next comes "Vienna by Area" with more detailed information on attractions with highlights of St Stephans Cathedral, the Hofburg area which was the Habsburg center of power now converted to civic and cultural uses, museums, palaces etc, too much to describe here as the book devotes 120 pages to guide the reader to sites, dining and maps.

Next comes "Further Afield" with adjacent areas like the Prater recreation area with it famous Ferris Wheel "der reisenrad" and more museums. Schoenbrunn palace also in this chapter as are recommended day trips outside the city and along the Danube river. Concluding the chapter are detailed walking guides for self directed excursions.

The section "Travelers Needs" has restaurants, hotels etc plus photos of local cuisine along with the German language name including the famous Sachertorte, it makes me hungry just looking at it.

Closing the book are suggested entertainment venues, casinos, music theaters followed with practical information on exchanging money, public transportation, how to use public telephones, posting letters and cards, street maps and index.

I selected this guide because it has plenty of information on sites and cultural attractions, its sturdy binding which will outlast me on the trip and its convenient size. I have travelled may places and a good practical guide is great for me, the explorer. I like to explore and discover on my own rather than join guided tours and be shown what others believe should interest me. This book givens me so much information I should not overlook anything major unless I choose to, and that's the point, I will choose for myself what to see and do. Vienna has so much to offer, the guide helps me sort it out.

I intend to spend a full day at the KHM Art History Museum, watch an Opera at the world famous State Opera House, listen to a Mozart concert by the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra in the Music Hall, attend Sunday mass with Vienna Boys Choir, see Schoenbrunn, Belvedere etc. Still time in my schedule for day trips up the Danube to Durnstein to see the Castle where Richard the Lionheart was imprisoned and if my wife is up to it, a day trip to Budapest. Of course each day in Vienna we plan to visit pastry shops and coffee houses to get the full "flavor" of Vienna. A ride on the ferris wheel is almost mandatory.

If there is anything more in the guide I could ask for, it would be more web site listings for music attractions as many of the venue tickets can be purchased in advance to be sure of getting seats. The guide has some web sites addresses, but a self planner like me could use more.

The Little Black Book of Paris (Travel Guide) (Little Black Books)

Vesna Neskow

Amazon Price: $8.76 List Price: $10.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Peter Pauper Press, Inc. Amazon Marketplace: 12 new & used starting at $5.88

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Great Paris info in a small package 4 out of 5 stars.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Beautiful little book that gives you the basics. The recommendations are mid to high end so don't expect lonely planet suggestions. The book also has a complete set of maps of the city as well as the Metro map. It is also very small, like a moleskine notebook, so it can easily fit anywhere. It's an elegant gift for anyone going to Paris, whether it's the first time or return visit.

Great information in easy-to-carry, concise book 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I found this book on a shelf in a Parisian rental apartment. What a great discovery!! Of all the general tourist guides to Paris that I've read over the yrs, this is the at the top--clear, great info and suggestions not found in other guides, very lightweight which makes carrying it easy, a convenient elastic to bookmark. I love its size and information.
While I don't care if I look like wahat i ma--a tourist-fFor those who are somewhat afraid of looking too obviously like a tourist, this book is so small and discreet, youcould be perusing anything !
Hopefully it will eventually be released in a 2008 or 2009 edition, although its suggestions are quite current (i.e. restaurants, tour sites, etc) and extrememly useful in the 2006 edition.

Thank you, Vesna Neskow!

Editorial Review:

This ''Essential Guide to the City of Light'' is eminently portable and offers the very best of things to see and do in Paris. Targeted foldout area maps guide your explorations through the sights and neighborhoods of Paris, both on and off the beaten path. Insider tips accompany this compilation of must-not-miss landmarks; arts and entertainment venues; and places to eat, drink, shop, and stay. You can't do without it! 216 pages; 4-1/4 wide x 5-3/4 high; 10 foldout maps; concealed wire-o binding; book lies flat for ease of use; elastic band place holder.

Rick Steves' Eastern Europe

Rick Steves, Cameron Hewitt

Amazon Price: $15.61 List Price: $22.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Avalon Travel Publishing Amazon Marketplace: 44 new & used starting at $9.98

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Subjects -> Travel -> Reference & Tips -> Food & Lodging -> Dining

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Who but Rick Steves can tell travelers the best way to visit Etruscan caves in Central Italy's hill towns, shop for cheeses in Avignon's open-air market, or catch an accordion performance on Amsterdam's city streets? With Rick Steves’ Best of Europe, travelers can experience the best of everything Austria, Belgium, the Czech Republic, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Ireland, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, Spain, and Switzerland have to offer—economically and hassle-free. Completely revised and updated, this guide includes, opinionated coverage of both famous and lesser-known sights, friendly places to eat and sleep, suggested day plans, walking tours and trip itineraries, and clear instructions for smooth travel anywhere by car, train, or foot. America’s #1 authority on travel to Europe, Rick’s time-tested recommendations for safe and enjoyable travel in Europe have been used by millions of Americans in search of their own unique European travel experience.

Rick Steves' Croatia and Slovenia

Rick Steves, Cameron Hewitt

Amazon Price: $13.57 List Price: $19.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Avalon Travel Publishing Amazon Marketplace: 49 new & used starting at $8.98

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 3 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

best in print on Croatia and Slovenia - pity about the maps 4 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

I grew up with "Lonely Planet," taking an adventure trip almost every summer, but for my most recent vacation around ex-Yugoslavia, I decided to carefully compare what was on the market. I chose Rick Steves not only because it covered the most ground with the smallest amount of pages and weight, but also because it had the best balance of historical background, dining and lodging recommendations, and comparative evaluations of tourist sites that helped me to prioritize what to see in the few days I had available. Note that this book also has a good 70-80 pages on Bosnia and Montenegro, which are very easy to access from Southern Croatia (especially by rental car). I especially appreciated the book's comprehensive digression on how the present republics evolved out of the old Yugoslavia; Rick Steves is not only informative but remarkably balanced in his description of the Tito years and of the recent conflict between Serbia and Croatia. These issues are still on the mind of everyone you will meet out there.
Couple of quibbles: Rick Steves seems to appeal to middle-age travelers, and his nightlife suggestions should rarely be trusted! The language section is tiny and inadequate. And the maps are approximate, carelessly drawn, and missing from some major towns. On the other hand, the Tourist Information in each town will give you detailed maps for free. So, over all, I am happy I made this choice.

Editorial Review:

Who but Rick Steves can tell travelers the best ways to meander through the region's beautiful beaches, excellent restaurants, and fascinating history? With Rick Steves’ Croatia and Slovenia, travelers can experience everything Croatia and Slovenia has to offer – economically and hassle-free. Completely revised and updated, this guide includes: opinionated coverage of both famous and lesser-known sights, friendly places to eat and sleep, suggested day plans, walking tours and trip itineraries, and clear instructions for smooth travel anywhere by car, train, or foot. America’s #1 authority on travel to Europe, Rick’s time-tested recommendations for safe and enjoyable travel in Europe have been used by millions of Americans in search of their own unique European travel experience.

Black Lamb and Grey Falcon (Canongate Classics)

Rebecca West

List Price: $31.00 By: Canongate Books Ltd Amazon Marketplace: 11 new & used starting at $5.57

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 50 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Another misconception of Balkan realities 1 out of 5 stars.
11 of 13 people found this review helpful.

A nice read but highly romanticized outlook of the old Yugoslav Kingdom and the people of Yugoslavia. The book is based on the author's interaction with the Yugoslav intellectual elite and her observation of the people of old Yugoslavia Her interpretation of the Slav character needs to be understood in the context of the orientalist approach of the time- as a result - the Slav character in the book is idealized in the same manner that modern day nationalist in the same region see themselves. Namely, the great Slavic nation of the Serbs who defended Europe from the Turks and saved the rest of the Southern Slavs from the Austrians. Given the time in which it was written (late 30s) the author suffers from an extreme germanophobia in every possible sense! She seems to come across only irrational, pompous and arrogant Germans who can't appreciate the Yugoslav people in the same way that she and her husband can. The book is extremely pro-Serbian, so much so that the Croatian and Macedonian discontent and wish for separation is seen not as a solution to the Serbian dominated Kingdom but as, sometimes Vatican sometimes Austrian and sometimes Italian inspired propaganda to divide the otherwise brotherly relations between the Serbs and the Croats! How much of this brotherly love was genuine - we saw in the WWII that followed the authors book as well as the bloody brake up of Socialist Yugoslavia. As much as she has made a conscious attempt not to become another British traveler in the Balkans that picks her pet-nation and promotes their interests - she falls under the Balkan trap of victimization and myths and becomes in the process an ardent pro-Serb - as indeed her political activities would later reveal.

Editorial Review:

Widely recognized as West's most distinguished nonfiction work, this book describes the author's travels to Yugoslavia with her husband in 1937--a journey overshadowed by the growing inevitability of the Second World War.

The Rough Guide to Scotland, 7th Edition (Rough Guide Travel Guides)

Rob Humphreys, Donald Reid

Amazon Price: $19.57 List Price: $21.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Rough Guides Amazon Marketplace: 23 new & used starting at $0.68

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

From the glens of Loch Lomand to the lively Edinburgh festival, the "Rough Guide to Scotland" tells you all there is to know about this stunning and varied country. The 24-page, full-colour section introduces all of the Scotland's highlights, from the spectacular wildlife of the Hebrides to the deserted golden beaches in South Harris, with three additional 4-page, full-colour inserts: 'Festivals', 'Architecture' and 'Great Outdoors/Activities'. The guide includes a new author pick' section of the country's top hotels and restaurants, plus lively reviews of hundreds of shops, bars, clubs and the best places to sample the local whiskies. The guide takes a detailed look at Scotland's history, literature, politics and cultural life with new details on the country's most controversial buildings project, the new Scottish Parliament. There is plenty of practical advice for experiencing the great Scottish outdoors, from bagging a munro to whale-watching on Mull. The guide comes complete with maps and plans for every region.

Europe by Eurail 2009: Touring Europe by Train

LaVerne Ferguson-Kosinski

Amazon Price: $12.89 List Price: $18.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: GPP Travel Amazon Marketplace: 28 new & used starting at $12.20

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Editorial Review:

This comprehensive guide, fully revised and updated, provides the latest information on fares, schedules, and pass options, as well as detailed information on more than ninety specific rail excursions. 

France (Country Guide)

Nicola Williams

Amazon Price: $16.49 List Price: $24.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Lonely Planet Amazon Marketplace: 56 new & used starting at $11.99

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 23 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Lonely Planet France 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

What I liked best about this book was the overview of the country. It gave history of the country and then also gave ideas on what to see and do if you want to enjoy learning the history of the country. If you aren't into that sort of thing this book offers the traveler ideas of places to go and things to see that are more modern and not necessarily educational/historic. This book also offers time and money saving tips and off the beaten path places to see and experience while you travel. If one is interested in doing specific tours or seeing certian things the book offers different tour packages in terms of what one might want to see or experience while in France. It is a great way to help narrow down and/or increase the amount of things to do or see when you visit France.

Editorial Review:

Gaze at the gargoyles and ponder Quasimodo's fate as you laze in the park behind Notre Dame p133. Fly off-piste down glaciers near Chamonix on the notorious Vallée Blanche descent p534. Get lost in secret passageways beneath Lyon and discover why silk weavers toiled to build them p506. Spit a mouthful of Burgundy without causing offence at Beaune's École des Vins de Bourgogne p467. Six authors, 23 combined years living in France, 196 days of in-country research, 184 maps. You asked for it, we researched it - more value accommodation in this edition. Belle Île Romance, Marseille short-break, Tour de France trail - take inspiration from our itineraries and explore France your own way.

Eyewitness Top 10 Travel Guide to Paris (Eyewitness Travel Top 10)

List Price: $12.00 By: DK Travel Amazon Marketplace: 26 new & used starting at $0.01

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 22 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

An excellent planning resource! 5 out of 5 stars.
9 of 9 people found this review helpful.

I'm not a seasoned or jaded traveler ... yet! Neophyte European travellers will find that experience and time are the limiting resources when it comes to pre-planning a first trip to a destination as large and complex as the City of Lights. The Eyewitness Travel Top 10 format provides more than enough details to allow for an informed choice between competing destinations but unlike many of the competing alternative guides, it makes no attempt to be encyclopedic drowning an unsuspecting reader in so much knowledge that choices become next to impossible.

Eyewitness Travel Guides seem to have the market beat by a long margin! That's not to say that Lonely Planet, Frommer, Michelin or the Blue and Green Guides miss the mark entirely but the Eyewitness series, in general, seems to be more informative. The photographs and illustrations instill a higher degree of keen anticipation and provide a better means of choosing in advance between a world of competing destinations and alternative tourist attractions. And I can't say enough about the Top 10 format ... dozens of lists - events, restaurants, hotels, museums, walks, churches, bars, great spots for children, insider tips and so much more. Whether your taste in vacations runs to exploring the hot night life spots or scoping out the most exciting history that museums and art galleries have to offer, Top 10 Paris will make your trip easier to plan and more enjoyable in the doing.

Portability, durability, sensible layout and organization not to mention the included maps of the city and the metro system make Top 10 Paris the correct choice to tote along with you while you're actually out and about in Paris as well.

Finally, Top 10 Paris is a great way of post-filling information and details into some of the holes or places that you might miss or have to rush through when you're actually on the trip. Along with photographs and trip journals, it's also a wonderful way to resurrect detailed memories of a trip long after you've returned home.

Paul Weiss

Editorial Review:

With a new design and unbeatable price, DK raises the bar on travel guides with its new Top 10 Travel Guide series. Whether on business or vacation, take the work out of planning any trip with DK's Top 10 Travel Guides. Building on the success of the Eyewitness Travel Guides, DK has created a new series that makes finding the best every destination has to offer even easier than before. Whether searching for the finest cuisine or cheapest places to eat, the most luxurious hotels or best deals on places to stay, the coolest family destination or hottest nightspot, the Top 10 format allows travelers to use the insights of experts to make the most of their vacation. Accompanied by a companion website, readers can share their experiences and vote for their own personal Top 10s.

One Special Summer

Jacqueline Bouvier, Lee Bouvier

By: Delacorte Press Amazon Marketplace: 5 new & used starting at $14.90

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

A Frothy Deluxe Dee-lite! 5 out of 5 stars.
20 of 20 people found this review helpful.

This was written when travel was glamorous and these two certainly made the rounds! I was journalling before journalling and scrapbooking became the present rage and enjoyed this book because it was done without the present day pre-fabbed gew-gaws. The sisters took their mother and later the lucky readers through castles and meetings with friends of friends who were high up and taught us how to handle an embarrassing situation of being taken "home" across Paris by a couple who really didn't ant to take them home, Lee did a hilarous entry of her experience at a dance where she danced with a lead-footed man who pointed out his family "all with the same noses!" and Jackie drew herself dancing with a dashing Russian Soldier during the same event. These two had a great approach to life and even their bad days were hilarious adventures. Much is written in French and it delighted my second year French-student daughter then she discovered that she was able to translate for me. After reading this book, you will discover how to have a good time and find the humor in any situation and never leave a sheet of paper or an envelope blank. Jackies' drawings are easy and cute an an inspiration! One of my daughters' teachers borrowed this book from me to show the students that they can make art anywhere about anything!