Reference Books - Page 8

Berlitz Japanese Phrase Book & Dictionary (Berlitz Phrase Books)

Berlitz Publishing Company

List Price: $6.95 By: Berlitz Amazon Marketplace: 22 new & used starting at $0.01

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Subjects -> Reference -> Dictionaries & Thesauruses -> Foreign Language -> Japanese
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Subjects -> Reference -> Dictionaries & Thesauruses -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Indispensible aid to communicating in Japanese 4 out of 5 stars.
16 of 16 people found this review helpful.

This phrasebook was used as a "textbook" by a Japanese student who tutored me in Japanese before a recent trip to Japan. It contained many helpful phrases for a lot of situations you will encounter when traveling in Japan. I consider this critical for "survival Japanese"--contrary to what you may have heard, everyone does NOT speak English. I used this book in talking to cab drivers, making a train reservation, ordering food, asking directions, making purchases. I gave this four stars instead of five because this lacks some elements you need to be understood. The biggest one is knowing how the Japanese accent words. Also missing was the discussion of the differences in using different numbers for different objects. I was able to "fill in the gaps" from my tutor and the Pimsleur Japanese tapes. All in all, a great reference book for travelers.

Editorial Review:

Contains over 1200 phrases and 2300 words, organized by situation and colour-coded for ease of reference by both holidaymakers and business travellers. The book includes: a phrase-linked dictionary; an easy-to-use phonetic system to assist pronunciation; and the basic rules of grammar.

The World's Cheapest Destinations: 21 Countries Where Your Money Is Worth a Fortune, Second Edition

Tim Leffel

Amazon Price: $12.55 List Price: $13.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Booklocker.com, Inc. Amazon Marketplace: 24 new & used starting at $12.45

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 13 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

A unique resource for the right traveler 4 out of 5 stars.
7 of 7 people found this review helpful.

This book is meant for those who are in the planning process of a long trip. Budgeting is important when planning. It is going to be most helpful for those backpackers planning on doing Southeast Asia, but its a good way to come up with ideas for other unique destinations as well. Even if you want to do very little planning, this is a good marker. I personally liked that he put a lot of things in terms of couples, b/c that is the way we will be traveling. He has a lot of experience and I valued his opinions, making me rethink how much time I would spend in some countries. Also, it is a light read, and the author makes it easy to skip sections and get just the info that applies to you.

Should be a Blog. 2 out of 5 stars.
5 of 15 people found this review helpful.

I have traveled far and wide so perhaps I shouldn't have bought this book. If you haven't traveled this will give you good direction but I would have liked to scan it at a book store to know it was a waste of my time.

Editorial Review:

The World's Cheapest Destinations is a guide to the best travel values on the planet. It provides an overview for 21 countries, with activity descriptions and actual prices. Revised second edition.

Cities Ranked & Rated: More than 400 Metropolitan Areas Evaluated in the U.S. and Canada

Bert Sperling, Peter Sander

Amazon Price: $16.49 List Price: $24.99 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Wiley Amazon Marketplace: 71 new & used starting at $2.65

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Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Social Sciences -> Sociology -> Urban
Subjects -> Reference -> Catalogs & Directories -> Directories
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 12 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

The Latest Facts & Figures on the Best Places to Live in North America!

For anyone thinking about relocating-or interested in the demographics of American life—Cities Ranked & Rated offers unbeatable insights into more than 400 metropolitan areas in the United States and Canada. Data is provided by Bert Sperling, creator of Money magazine's original "Best Places to Live" list.

This unique guide combines honest opinions and objective facts to help readers compare cities quickly and comprehensively.

• Data on the 45 fastest-growing U.S. cities
• Separate rankings and ratings for 27 Canadian cities
• Easy-to-read charts showing the best and worst U.S. cities in over 50 categories
• State-level comparisons of population densities, taxes, government expenditures, educational testing, and more
• Details on how to find more information at Bestplaces.net/CRAR

Highlights Include:

• The strongest job outlook
• The lowest cost of living
• The most days of sunshine
• The best educational opportunities
• The best air and water quality
• The lowest healthcare costs
• The lowest crime rate
• The shortest daily commute
• The lowest automobile costs
• The most leisure amenities

Get Lost! The Cool Guide to Amsterdam

Joe Pauker, Joe Joe Pauker

List Price: $13.00 By: Get Lost Publishing Amazon Marketplace: 13 new & used starting at $2.10

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Subjects -> Travel -> Europe -> Netherlands -> Amsterdam

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 48 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Well organized and not cluttered 5 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

A great guide for finding your way around Amsterdam. Unlike other guides, the descriptions and information are very opinionated and to the point--don't expect 12 page picture tours of museums. There is a decent section on "coffee houses" (High Times recommends Barney's), but very little attention is given to the oldest profession. Pauker does recommend some escort services that don't exploit women (for the socially conscious individual) and a few voyeuristic experiences such as live intercourse. And although this guide may be geared toward the college student or other individuals with similar tastes, the suggestions for breakfast, late night snacks, quick eats, shopping, and hanging-out in general will benefit even the most conservative traveler (though she'll probably be annoyed by the author's naive understanding of economics). Definitely worth the $10, though I recommend that you accompany this book with a mainstream detailed supplementary guide such as Frommer's, which also comes with a good map.

Editorial Review:

This ultimate listing of most underground places in Amsterdam is better than ever--completely revised and updated. For travelers who want to go beyond convention and sample real life in the world's hippest city, it lists bars, music clubs, cannabis cafes, movable restaurants and other enticing attractions that "Grandma's Guidebook" never considered. This legendary guidebook, written by an Amsterdam resident, leads alternative travelers to the real thing.

Rick Steves' German Phrase Book & Dictionary

Rick Steves

List Price: $5.95 By: John Muir Pubns Amazon Marketplace: 7 new & used starting at $4.68

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Subjects -> Literature & Fiction -> Foreign Language Fiction -> General AAS
Subjects -> Reference -> Dictionaries & Thesauruses -> Foreign Language -> German
Subjects -> Reference -> Etiquette -> Conversation

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

Great, but one caveat 4 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

This is a very useful phrase book, which i have used successfully in germany. it's fresh and fun, unlike other phrase books i have used. i very much agree with other reviewers: this is the best phrase book i have seen, of the 5 or 6 i have used. but, for me, the book is missing what i think could have easily been included: article and gender. the book doesn't list what article (the/a) goes with a noun (masculine, feminine, or neuter; der, die, das/ein, eine, ein). for those with no experience in german this lack may seem like no big deal. but article/gender plays a critical role in constructing sentences--adapting what rick steves provides--because word endings change according to gender.

Editorial Review:

From chatting with waiters about the house specialty to requesting a room with a view of the local castles, this commonsense phrase dictionary was written with the budget traveler in mind. It's the linguistic equivalent of a four-wheel drive to navigate through German, Austrian, and Swiss culture.

Colorado Atlas & Gazetteer

List Price: $19.95 By: Delorme Amazon Marketplace: 5 new & used starting at $3.81

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Subjects -> Reference -> Atlases & Maps -> Atlases
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 10 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Colorado Atlas 1 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Very poor details compared to the Colorado Road and Recreation Atlas. Do not even use it.

Very useful but has its limitations 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

This map is part of a Gazetteer series that provides maps of each state in the Union. The scale is ideal for rural roads, and the maps show campgrounds, good fishing sites, bike trails, and destinations for other outdoor activities.

Conventional highway maps that you buy at gas stations or get from AAA don't have the level of detail necessary for rural destinations, so the Gazetteer is essential for route finding to these kinds of destinations.

The map shows topographical contours at a relatively course level, giving you a rough idea of the terrain. It also shows major trails, such as the Longs Peak trail in Rocky Mountain National Park, but the level of detail is not sufficient for hiking or off-road navigation.

The map also shades public land ownership, which can be useful for making educated guesses about access to trails and rivers -- but you still need to check ahead.

The map is *not* useful for driving in cities such as Denver, nor even in smaller towns such as Grand Lake, Estes Park or Boulder. At this scale, the map can't show street names, which is what you'd need. The Gazetteer would be more complete with 10 or so pages of town and city maps at the end.

One quirk of the Colorado map is that each page covering eastern Colorado covers the same amount of land as four pages in the rest of the state -- that is, it's at twice the scale. These are *really* empty counties, so the decision makes sense, but do be aware of this feature if using the map in that part of the state.

Editorial Review:

The first choice of outdoors enthusiasts. Beautiful, detailed, large-format maps of every state. Perfect for home and office reference, and a must for all your vehicles. Gazetteer information may include: campgrounds, attractions, historic sites & museums, recreation areas, trails, freshwater fishing site & boat launches, canoe trips or scenic drives. Categories vary by state

Zagat 2009 Philadelphia Restaurants (Zagat Survey: Philadelphia Restaurants)

Amazon Price: $21.86 List Price: $29.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Zagat Survey Amazon Marketplace: 6 new & used starting at $17.61

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Subjects -> Travel -> Reference & Tips -> Food & Lodging -> Dining
Subjects -> Travel -> Reference & Tips -> Reference
Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> States -> Pennsylvania -> Philadelphia

Editorial Review:

Philadelphia Restaurants covers over 975 restaurants in Philadelphia and the surrounding Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania areas. This handy guide contains Zagat Survey's trusted ratings and reviews for Philadelphia-area restaurants based on the opinions of diners like you. The trademark reviews and corresponding ratings for Food, Décor, Service and Cost are organized alphabetically in a user-friendly format.

Lonely Planet Japanese Phrasebook (Lonely Planet Language Survival Kit)

Kam Y. Lau

List Price: $5.95 By: Lonely Planet Amazon Marketplace: 6 new & used starting at $1.96

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Subjects -> Reference -> Dictionaries & Thesauruses -> Foreign Language -> Japanese
Subjects -> Reference -> Etiquette -> Conversation
Subjects -> Reference -> Foreign Languages -> Instruction -> Japanese

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 11 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

A must buy 4 out of 5 stars.
10 of 12 people found this review helpful.

I found this very easy to understand, as did my husband who had no prior knowledge of the Japanese language. I read it many times before our trip, in order to remember important basic words.
We referred to it many times during our trip, and it was very usefull. I would suggest everyone purchase it.
Its small size is also great, easy to put in a pocket, backpack or handbag.

I was able to communicate!!! 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I feel this book is not only usefull for comunication with other people during my travel but also very well prepare to be user friendly. It was exellent in my trip to Japan have it with me.

Very good in the beginning, but after that, it's ok 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

Just like I said. The first part of this phrasebook helps you understand grammar, small phrases, and many words, but after that it just tells you a lot of the things like sentences and more questions and answers.

I recommend this if you are travelling, but if you are just trying to learn the language, I would not recommend it because it's hard to remember all of the questions, answers, and phrases it contains from about the 1/4 to the end of the book.

But it was really good in explaining grammar, pronouns, and many other things. So buy it if you want.

Editorial Review:

For those interested in learning to speak basic Japanese, this guide introduces all the important phrases one needs during common situations. Ideal for both vacationers and business travelers, Japanese Phrasebook includes sections on greetings, accommodations, small talk, getting around the city and country, shopping and more.

How to Travel Practically Anywhere

Susan Stellin

Amazon Price: $10.85 List Price: $15.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Mariner Books Amazon Marketplace: 59 new & used starting at $0.13

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Subjects -> Reference -> General AAS
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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

An essential guide for today's traveler: timesaving tips to navigate, book, and troubleshoot your travel planning, on and off the Web. If you’ve ever tried to find a sale fare you saw advertised for a flight, only to turn up much higher prices, or discovered that the hotel you booked wasn’t exactly "steps away from the ocean," you know that the do-it-yourself era of travel can mean something else entirely: you’re on your own.

Now Susan Stellin, a regular contributor to the New York Times, offers the ultimate guide to the sometimes overwhelming logistics of travel, from researching trip plans to avoiding pitfalls on the road. This comprehensive guidebook presents practical advice on the most useful Web sites, strategies for finding the best deals, and resources to help you decide where and when to go. It also provides crucial tips to ensure your trip doesn’t disappoint, including

- what you should research before you book your hotel - how to avoid hidden fees and expensive change penalties - what your credit card covers when you rent a car - whom to call if you need a doctor far from home

No matter what type of trip you're planning -- business or pleasure, domestic or international, budget or splurge, exotic getaway or family visit -- How to Travel Practically Anywhere will be an indispensable resource.

World Trivia: The Book of Fascinating Facts : Culture, Politics and Geography

Michael Smith

List Price: $9.95 By: East West Discovery Press Amazon Marketplace: 6 new & used starting at $3.99

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Subjects -> Entertainment -> Puzzles & Games -> Trivia
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Subjects -> Entertainment -> Puzzles & Games -> General AAS

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Interesting but not good value for money 3 out of 5 stars.
9 of 9 people found this review helpful.

This is a fun and informative book but there just isn't enough content to warrant its price. There is only one question on an entire page and the following page is the answer!! You are paying for lots of blank space on the pages with this book.

Great car trivia 4 out of 5 stars.
0 of 2 people found this review helpful.

I loved the book. However, some of the pictures on the question page give a clue to the answer itself.

Not a good purchase 1 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

I was very dissapointed with this book. It is not worth the money if you really are looking to learn some world trivia. It would not even make a good reference book. To be honest I am not sure why Amazon even sells it, the content is very weak. Save your money buy something else, or go to the library. I can not even imagine what the publishers were thinking when they decided to publish this book, truly a dissapointment.

Editorial Review:

World Trivia unveils many amazing and amusing facts of culture, politics and geography around the world. The book illustrates a broad comparison of different cultures and political ideas which can not be found in most trivia books. It became the first of its kind on the book market.

Much of this book came about from the author’s firsthand experiences, written on a palmtop computer in remote parts of the planet.