Reference & Tips Books - Page 6

Frommers 500 Places to See Before They Disappear (500 Places)

Holly Hughes

Amazon Price: $13.59 List Price: $19.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Frommers Amazon Marketplace: 54 new & used starting at $10.16

Buy at Amazon.com

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

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

Editorial Review:

500 Places to See Before They Disappear  enables passionate travelers and the eco-conscious to learn about and plan a visit to see rare cultural, historic, and natural places before they are irrevocably altered or even gone forever. Here are one-of-a-kind landscapes, fragile ecosystems, rare bird habitats, places to see the last remaining species of big game in the wild, cityscapes in peril, vanishing cultural kitsch, petroglyphs, and more—500 thoughtfully-chosen treasures that will inspire and enlighten travelers of all ages.

Each entry explains why it’s been included, gives its history, the nature of the threat against it, brief practical information on how to visit, and what visitors can to do protect it. A Geographical Index allows travelers to locate attractions across the world. Photos throughout the book help bring destinations to life.

Look inside some of the world's most endangered places (Click on images for more information)

Church Signs Across America

Steve Paulson, Pam Paulson

Amazon Price: $13.57 List Price: $19.95 By: Overlook Hardcover Amazon Marketplace: 28 new & used starting at $9.99

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Entertainment -> Humor -> General
Subjects -> Entertainment -> Humor -> General AAS
Subjects -> Religion & Spirituality -> Spirituality -> General

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

Editorial Review:

Church Signs Across America celebrates the wit, charm, and verse of church signs from every state in the U.S. At the same time reverent and witty, these signs offer fascinating glimpses into American life that are variously humorous, inspirational, kitschy, and kind—and occasionally all those things at once. After finding their inspiration for the book during a road trip from Florida to Alaska, husband and wife team Steve and Pam Paulson traveled to every corner of the country photographing the signs of churches large and small, and of every denomination.

Among the gems uncovered over the course of the journey are puns, "Seven days without prayer makes one weak"; admonishments, "The Ten Commandments are not multiple choice"; family advice, "Families are like fudge . . . mostly sweet with a few nuts"; and sales pitches, "Looking for a lifeguard? Ours walks on water."

Church Signs Across America includes photographs of American churches both imposing and humble, and it is as remarkable for its display of the diversity of American church architecture as it is for the variety of humor and inspiration displayed in the signs. Appealing to both churchgoers and drive-by appreciators of this uniquely American form of wit and wisdom, this inimitable book is sure to become an uplifting and amusing classic—a laugh from the belly as well as from the heart.

Garlic and Sapphires

Ruth Reichl

By: Random House Uk Ltd Amazon Marketplace: 6 new & used starting at $13.93

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Biographies & Memoirs -> General AAS
Subjects -> Cooking, Food & Wine -> General AAS
Subjects -> Travel -> Reference & Tips -> Food & Lodging -> Dining

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 131 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Audio CD review: overly dramatic narrative grates on the nerves 1 out of 5 stars.
1 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I was very disappointed in this audio CD book. First of all, something about this book seems very self-indulgent. For example, CD1 goes on endlessly about how the author doesn't really want this top job, but of course, she interviews and ends up with it. It seems very disingenous. Second, stories from a job of eating out at mostly very fancy restaurants seems pretty irrelevant in 2008, when most people are struggling to pay their monthly bills and save for retirement. Listening for 20 minutes to someone describe perfect buckwheat noodles is rather tiresome. Third, and perhaps most importantly, the publisher has chosen a reader who is very dramatic and overly inflects each and every voice. She mimics a 4 year old child, a portly Yankee editor, old Jewish men, the author, a haughty, constipated sounding friend (Claudia),Italian waiters, etc. I guess some listeners might enjoy this, but it personally drove me bonkers. A matter of personal preference, I guess. Be careful you can handle this type of a narration before you opt for the audiobook.

Anastasia (The Ringing Cedars, Book 1)

Vladimir Megré

Amazon Price: $10.17 List Price: $14.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Ringing Cedars Press LLC Amazon Marketplace: 16 new & used starting at $10.17

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> General
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> General AAS
Subjects -> Outdoors & Nature -> Environment -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 27 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Merely a middle-aged man's fantasy 1 out of 5 stars.
4 of 7 people found this review helpful.

I have to report that this book is the most ridiculous thing I have ever read. It reads like a middle-aged man's fantasy of a young, beautiful, innocent-yet-wise woman who will have sex with him, show him the wonders of her world, and frolic in the forest like a wood nymph (she is forever twirling around, leaping, diving into the water, and treating the animals like how you would see a Disney princess treating them - like subservient placid pets (even wild wolves and bears!)). The character Anastasia seems to be based on the character Ayla from the Earth's Children series by Jean Auel. Those books are a much better read, don't waste your money on this one.

Editorial Review:

"Anastasia", the first book of the Ringing Cedars Series, tells the story of entrepreneur Vladimir Megre's trade trip to the Siberian taiga in 1995, where he witnessed incredible spiritual phenomena connected with sacred 'ringing cedar' trees. He spent three days with a woman named Anastasia who shared with him her unique outlook on subjects as diverse as gardening, child-rearing, healing, Nature, sexuality, religion and more. This wilderness experience transformed Vladimir so deeply that he abandoned his commercial plans and, penniless, went to Moscow to fulfil Anastasia's request and write a book about the spiritual insights she so generously shared with him. True to her promise this life-changing book, once written, has become an international best-seller and has touched hearts of millions of people world-wide.

Lonely Planet Thailand

China Williams

Amazon Price: $17.81 List Price: $26.99 Not yet published By: Lonely Planet Publications

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Travel -> Asia -> Thailand -> General
Subjects -> Travel -> Asia -> Thailand -> General AAS
Subjects -> Travel -> Asia -> Southeast

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Tiny font, too thin paper, biased towards low budget travelers 1 out of 5 stars.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful.

This is the worst guidebook I've had the misfortune to buy; if I had the time, I would have returned it. Unless you have perfect vision the entire book is printed in a tiny font on very thin paper, making it hard on the eyes. The reviews are incredibly biased, totally slanted towards travelers who want to eat street food, stay in backpacker or budget accommodations... It does not take disabilities, age or food allergies into consideration & assumes, in a rather mean-spirited manner, that if you don't want to stay in a low budget place or eat, very spicy street food, that something is wrong with you. Being a disabled traveler who is unable to stay in low budget accommodations because they aren't accessible, I was stunned by the lack of information on moderately priced hotels (let alone pricey ones). If you want to try the haute cuisine of Bangkok, stay in moderate or upscale hotels, instead of backpacking, buy Fodor's guide, as there's no information here, just judgments on your inability to 'slum it'. TERRIBLE.

Editorial Review:

Discover Thailand

Uncover Bangkok's best street stalls or enjoy a skyscraping gourmet dinner.
Climb aboard a long-tail boat and island hop to your own isolated beach paradise.
Get soaked at Songkran, the Thai celebration that becomes the world's biggest water fight.
Trek off the beaten path in remote Isan to watch a rare solar alignment at an ancient Angkor temple.

In This Guide

Ten authors, 259 days of in-country research and 150 maps.
Trek, dive or monkey-watch with our detailed coverage of national parks and natural wonders.
Visit lonelyplanet.com for up-to-the-minute reviews, updates and traveler suggestions.

Thailand (Country Guide)

China Williams, Aaron Anderson, Brett Atkinson, Tim Bewer, Becca Blond, Virginia Jealous, Lisa Steer

Amazon Price: $17.81 List Price: $26.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Lonely Planet Amazon Marketplace: 59 new & used starting at $16.37

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Travel -> Asia -> Thailand -> General
Subjects -> Travel -> Asia -> Thailand -> General AAS
Subjects -> Travel -> Asia -> Southeast

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Tiny font, too thin paper, biased towards low budget travelers 1 out of 5 stars.
3 of 4 people found this review helpful.

This is the worst guidebook I've had the misfortune to buy; if I had the time, I would have returned it. Unless you have perfect vision the entire book is printed in a tiny font on very thin paper, making it hard on the eyes. The reviews are incredibly biased, totally slanted towards travelers who want to eat street food, stay in backpacker or budget accommodations... It does not take disabilities, age or food allergies into consideration & assumes, in a rather mean-spirited manner, that if you don't want to stay in a low budget place or eat, very spicy street food, that something is wrong with you. Being a disabled traveler who is unable to stay in low budget accommodations because they aren't accessible, I was stunned by the lack of information on moderately priced hotels (let alone pricey ones). If you want to try the haute cuisine of Bangkok, stay in moderate or upscale hotels, instead of backpacking, buy Fodor's guide, as there's no information here, just judgments on your inability to 'slum it'. TERRIBLE.

Editorial Review:

Discover Thailand

Uncover Bangkok's best street stalls or enjoy a skyscraping gourmet dinner.
Climb aboard a long-tail boat and island hop to your own isolated beach paradise.
Get soaked at Songkran, the Thai celebration that becomes the world's biggest water fight.
Trek off the beaten path in remote Isan to watch a rare solar alignment at an ancient Angkor temple.

In This Guide

Ten authors, 259 days of in-country research and 150 maps.
Trek, dive or monkey-watch with our detailed coverage of national parks and natural wonders.
Visit lonelyplanet.com for up-to-the-minute reviews, updates and traveler suggestions.

PassPorter's Walt Disney World 2009: The Unique Travel Guide, Planner, Organizer, Journal, and Keepsake! (PassPorter)

Jennifer Marx, Dave Marx, Allison Cerel Marx

Amazon Price: $16.29 List Price: $23.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: PassPorter Travel Press Amazon Marketplace: 5 new & used starting at $16.29

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Travel -> Reference & Tips -> Guidebooks
Subjects -> Travel -> Specialty Travel -> Family Travel
Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> Regions -> South -> South Atlantic

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Great Planning Guide 5 out of 5 stars.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

Passporter's WDW book is a great organizer and planner. Although I visit Disney almost every year, I still like to keep up-to-date with its many changes. So for my 2009 Disney vacation, I purchased several new Disney World guidebooks. Ultimately, I found that my favorite guides were Passporter's and The Healthy Guide to Walt Disney World 2009: How to Eat Right and Stay Fit in Disney - The NEW Diet, Dining, Food, Fitness and Complete Weight Loss Book.

Passporter's Disney guide includes great mapping details, abundant general Disney info and a helpful journal. Well organized and easy to read, any Disney guest will benefit from its vast contents. It also contains clear, concise reviews and straighforward planning tips.

As I also like to maintain a healthy lifestlye while traveling, The 2009 Healthy Guide to WDW was very beneficial. A popular book within the Disney community, The Healthy Guide was best at updating me in the areas of 2009 Disney Dining, ADR's, menus, diet and fitness options.

Concurring with many Disney fans, I agree that authors Jennifer Marx (Passporter's) and Dan Green (Healthy Guide) have written the two best guides to assist guests on their Walt Disney World vacation in 2009.

Editorial Review:

The size and scope of Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida is enough to make the most seasoned traveler shiver. This guide covers each of the four major parks — Magic Kingdom, Epcot, Disney's Hollywood Studios, and Disney’s Animal Kingdom — as well as all of the Disney-owned hotels and over 300 dining options. Every map, photo, chart, illustration, and worksheet is in full color, with additional use of color to highlight important points, such as items that are new or have changed since the publication of the previous edition.

Rick Steves' Ireland 2008 (Rick Steves)

Rick Steves, Pat O'Connor

List Price: $19.95 By: Avalon Travel Publishing Amazon Marketplace: 34 new & used starting at $4.99

Buy at Amazon.com

Browse similar items by category:
Subjects -> Travel -> Europe -> Great Britain -> General
Subjects -> Travel -> Europe -> Great Britain -> General AAS
Subjects -> Travel -> Europe -> Ireland -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

For anyone anticipating a trip to the Emerald Isle 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

Ireland offers visitors a diversity of memorable places to visit, memorable people to encounter, and memorable opportunities for recreation. Rick Steves is a seasoned and experienced travel writer and in collaboration with Ireland specialist Pat O'Connor has authored the "Rick Steves' Ireland 2008", a compact, 425-page travel guide that is packed from first page to last with informed and informative information for tourists and business travelers to the villages, towns, and countryside of the Republic of Ireland in the south, as well as the cities and counties of Northern Ireland. Of special note is the introductory chapter dedicated to the best use of this outstanding guide for planning a trip whether of short or extended duration, practicalities when traveling, money, sightseeing, sleeping, eating, 'Traveling as a Temporary Local', and 'Back Door Travel Philosophy'. Another special section is devoted to Irish history, art, literature, language, and an Irish-Yankee Vocabulary. Enhanced with appendices on resources; money matters; telephones, emails, and postal mails; transportation; holidays and festivals; conversions and climate; an essential packing checklist; and a sample hotel reservation form, "Rick Steves' Ireland 2008" is an ideal and enthusiastically recommended guide for anyone anticipating a trip to the Emerald Isle.

Editorial Review:

Who but Rick Steves can tell travelers the best way to see the Dingle Peninsula, Kilkenny, Dublin, Galway, Belfast, the Antrim Coast, and Portrush? With Rick Steves’ Ireland 2008, travelers can experience the best of everything the Emerald Isle 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 number one authority on travel to Europe, Steves' 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' Italy 2009 (Rick Steves)

Rick Steves

Amazon Price: $16.29 List Price: $23.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Avalon Travel Publishing Amazon Marketplace: 52 new & used starting at $14.17

Buy at Amazon.com

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

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 122 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

MAP REVIEW: Not too bad as a reference 3 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I put "MAP REVIEW" in my title, as it seems that most of the reviews here are for the book? How does that make sense?

This map was good for us as it covered our itinerary - Venice, Florence, Siena, and Rome. The landmarks were helpful, as well as the designations for pedestrian areas and shopping areas. The map is fairly heavy paper, so it will last even if it's not laminated.

My main complaint is the map didn't have enough street level information. So if you're navigating by yourself, you may need another map if you're looking for a particular street location. Also, the maps are marked with the English version of the names of landmarks; for me, I find this confusing when walking around a city.

Editorial Review:

Marvel at the works of Michelangelo and Bernini in St. Peter’s Basilica, hike through Europe’s largest high-alpine meadow in Alpe di Siusi, and enjoy a slice of Pizza at it’s birthplace in Naples—Rick Steves’ Italy 2009 allows any traveler to experience all that the country has to offer—economically and hassle-free. Rick covers it all in his bestselling guidebook, from the must-see sights in Venice, Florence, and Rome, to the lesser-known destinations in the Italian Riviera and the Dolomites. Offering information on Italian history and culture, as well as expert advice on accommodations, transportation, and dining, Rick Steves’ Italy 2009 is the benchmark of European guidebooks.

Make the Most of Your Time on Earth (Rough Guide Reference)

Rough Guides

Amazon Price: $19.79 List Price: $29.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Rough Guides Amazon Marketplace: 55 new & used starting at $15.95

Buy at Amazon.com

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

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

 

Make the Most of Your Time on Earth: A Rough Guide to the World with 1000 must-do experiences from around the world, Make the Most of Your Time on Earth is a book that will inspire everyone. Perfect for both the seasoned traveller and the armchair dreamer, it brings you the very best travel experiences - extraordinary landscapes, jaw-dropping architecture, white-knuckle adventures, and the world’s best beaches. From Intrepid travel adventures such as trekking to the source of the Ganges, cycling the Karokoram Highway and hiking Corsica’s GR20, to suggestions for the perfect places to stay- have you ever tried sleeping in a yurt in Inner Mongolia or chilled out at the Icehotel in Sweden? For amazing wildlife why not look for lemurs in Madagascar or go platypus-watching in Australia. Don’t forget the world’s most spectacular festivals including Queen’s Day in Amsterdam, Trinidad carnival and the camel fair in Pushkar. Whether you are tempted by living in an African village or tagging dolphins on the Spanish coast, there’s all manner of ethical travel experiences to keep those feet itching!

The very best things to see or do, and not before you die, but now.