Reference Books - Page 9

Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle

Dervla Murphy

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

Bittersweet 5 out of 5 stars.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Murphy's humor, tenacity and bravery are awe inspiring. She's attacked by wolves (or possibly wild dogs), wakes up in a tent after going to sleep out in the open, fends off an attempted rapist and has many other thrilling adventures. In one instance, when there are nefarious characters about, she is advised to booby trap her inn bedroom's doorway with empty bottles. In her journal, she calmly notes that emptying bottles is the one thing she's really good at.

I couldn't help feeling sad while reading this book. In 1965, when this book was published, most people were probably unfamiliar places like Kabul and Jalalabad. Now, of course, in the wake of the post-9/11 bombing of Afghanistan, Kabul is a household word. Turns out, that city was once breathtakingly beautiful, as well as the country around it. Murphy's trek takes her through Afghanistan at a time when the USSR and the US were vying for control of this country. The Russians were busy providing electricity and importing goods, while the Americans seemed to approach this ancient country with the intent to raze the traditional culture to the ground and replace it with a modern one. One wonders if, if both countries had never meddled with Afghanistan, there might never have been the Taliban? In any event, this book takes the reader back to a truly relevant experience of the not-so distant past.

The RV Handbook: Essential How-to Guide for the RV Owner, 3rd Edition

Bill Estes

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 9 Average rating: 4.5 of 5

Helpful Guide for RVers 5 out of 5 stars.
12 of 12 people found this review helpful.

Experienced or a beginner, RVers must learn a lot to care for their investment in a motorhome, fifth-wheel or trailer. This book has some advice I haven't seen elsewhere.
It tells how to weigh the different RVs on a scale, tire care (aging and ozone cracking), selecting a tow vehicle, understanding propane, and troubleshooting electrical systems.
It includes some checklists which come in handy:
*Dinghy Towing Inspection checklist
*Ignition-System Checklist for Gasoline Engines
*Diesel Engine Prestart Checklist
*Short-Term Storage Checklist
*Return Trip Checklist
*Steps for Dumping a Holding Tank
The graphics are well-drawn, clearly labeled and helpful. A troubleshooting diesel engines flowchart and one for gasoline engines really lays out the options clearly.

Editorial Review:

This new edition of The RV Handbook is for all types of RV enthusiasts - from a first-time buyer or renter to the most seasoned RV traveler. Packed with valuable information, checklists, photos, and charts, the guide tells you how to: buy an RV; avoid the single most common mistake novice RVers make; select a towing vehicle; avoid RV repair scams; benefit from technical trends in RV manufacturing; correct the bad towing habit that plagues even experienced RVers; and prevent explosive propane situations. With hundreds of proven RV tips, tricks, and techniques, this expanded handbook tells how to buy, maintain, and optimize RVs, saving both money and time.

Hawaii for Dummies

Cheryl Farr Leas

List Price: $19.99 By: Hungry Minds Amazon Marketplace: 21 new & used starting at $0.50

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

US price versus Canadian 1 out of 5 stars.
0 of 7 people found this review helpful.

The book is just what I was looking for. It met all my expectations.
I am a conscientious shopper. I checked prices in Victoria. With the dollar at par I saved just under seven dollars buying through Amazon - this included the shipping. Until we start refusing to buy overpriced books in Canada we will be gouged by the retailers. Buy on line and save.

Ron

A must-have for the novice hawaii vacationer 5 out of 5 stars.
0 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I purchased this book about eight months before my husband and I went to Hawaii. I read it cover to cover, and felt very well-informed about all of our travel and accomodation choices. I suggest you really stick to the hotels and restaurants she reviews - the ones not in there are not mentioned for a reason - we stayed in a bad hotel in Waikiki that she didn't mention, and almost booked a terrible luau (Germaine's) that is also not mentioned in the book. Everything we did that she mentioned, however, was great! She offers a wealth of knowledge in a very easy to read book, we would have been lost without it. I bought several other books on Hawaii, but found myself returning to this one time and again.

Editorial Review:

For newlyweds, singles, or families, "Hawaii For Dummies" covers everything necessary to plan the perfect trip: Charts and interactive quizzes to help determine which island to visitA wide assortment of planning tips and information on package tours, getting the best airfare, suitable accommodations, and moreThe best beaches, plus advice for enjoying water sports and other adventures and excursions

Japanese (Eyewitness Travel Guide Phrase Books)

DK Publishing

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

Good Start 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Having been to Japan a few times, and exposed to the sound of the language, I can very well see how helpful this nice, concise volume is, and how well the phonetics work. It was well thought out regarding the most common and useful words and phrases, the portability, the division of contents. An easy learning guide, and great to pull and peruse on a short train jaunt.

Great phrase book to get you by on a short stay in Japan 4 out of 5 stars.
1 of 1 people found this review helpful.

I found this little Japanese phrase book came in handy during typical everyday situations- dining, asking for directions, greeting people. Useful phrases are grouped by context (situation) which makes it easier to quickly locate the correct expression. Pronunciation guide was good but could be improved. Overall, I would recommend this small phrase book to any English speaker who plans on a short visit to Japan (e.g. on a busniness trip).

Editorial Review:

These pocket dictionaries give business and vacation travelers everything they need for a smooth, successful trip. Organized by subject, the traveler can quickly find the vocabulary relevant to the situation, whether transportation, hotels, meals, shopping, post offices and banks, sports, or health care, accompanied by a pronunciation guide. At the end of each phrase book is a 2,000-word mini-dictionary. Fully updated from the original editions to reflect currency changes such as the Euro and new vocabulary such as e-tickets.

Namibia, 3rd: The Bradt Travel Guide

Bradt Travel Guides

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Subjects -> Travel -> Africa -> Namibia

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

Extensive guide about Namibia 5 out of 5 stars.
10 of 14 people found this review helpful.

If you have a desire to travel to Namibia, Chris McIntyre's book is the perfect read. Anything and everything about Namibia is included and is superior to any other guide on the subject.

Hands-down the best guide book to Namibia 5 out of 5 stars.
9 of 9 people found this review helpful.

This is the best guide book to Namibia published in English. I have been living in Namibia for awhile and have all recently published English language guide books to Namibia. My family all agrees that the Bradt guide is by far the most comprehensive and up to date - it has by far more listings, more details about history and attractions, and more travel information than any other guide. It is the only book that gives detailed tips on best roads/routes to take as well. It also has details on where petrol stations are, where good bookstores are, where to shop, etc., and describes lesser known attractions that aren't listed in other books. As of mid 2008, it's prices are also the most accurate for lodging - and putting the prices in Namibian dollars actually is quite helpful as the prices really vary depending on the value of the rand. The book also has some basic descriptions of some of the common Namibian mammals & birds, though we use other books for identifying animals and birds. We also appreciate the authors advice for touring/travellng responsibly. Whenever we plan an excursion in Namibia (and we have travelled extensively), we always use the "green book", as we call it for its green binding - though it looks blue from the front, as our first source. We lent it out for two weeks to a visitor and relied on other common guide books. We ended up taking the wrong route and stayed in a campground that wasn't comfortable based on the information from the other guide books. When we got the green book/Bradt guide back, we looked up the details and saw that the Bradt book would have pointed us on the faster route and would have steered us clear of that particular camping ground. We will be careful lending it out again!

Editorial Review:

Namibia's popularity as a safari and adventure-activity destination has really taken off, and there are now a huge range of options available to travelers. This detailed guide offers expanded coverage of the Caprivi Strip, now open to tourists, and the pristine yet accessible wilderness of Namibia--from the desolation of the Skeleton Coast to the picturesque capital of Windhoek.

 

Features include:

 

*In-depth focus on both recently opened lodges, including those with spa and gym facilities

 

*Coverage of the fascinating range of Namibia's wildlife

 

*Overland driving tips and route planning with some GPS coordinates

Complete Guide to Full-Time RVing: Life on the Open Road

Moeller

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 16 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Solid Information for Living Full-Time in an RV 5 out of 5 stars.
17 of 17 people found this review helpful.

My husband wanted to try full-time RVing, but I was too attached to having a house. Anyone trying to make that decision, needs to read this book.
It helps you figure the costs of such a lifestyle and how to deal with mail, licenses, and medical issues without a home base. Two chapters cover selecting an RV for full-timing. Then it addresses adjusting the RV to your special needs and what to do about storage. Five chapters cover the care of the RV (electrical systems, water, sewage, etc.). There are sections on driving, security, and selecting campgrounds.
We're talking about more than 500 pages of solid information here. It's essential for full-time RVers and quite useful for even part-time RVers.

Older book but some good information 4 out of 5 stars.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

This is an older book on RV living and as such it doesn't have much if anything in the way of solar for power, satellite dish for TV and computer use or other off the grid living information one needs in 2007+. But the information on mail, medical, fees for various things, and what type of floor plan for an RV vs a trailer are helpful. Am still looking for a newer book and one that speaks to the single woman who travels in an RV and alone.

Culture Smart! Norway

Linda March

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

Good insight for the Norwegian culture 4 out of 5 stars.
7 of 8 people found this review helpful.

Norway - Culture Smart!: a quick guide to customs and etiquette (Culture Smart!) by Linda March provides a series of useful hints for those willing to get into the Norwegian culture. I have been dealing with Norwegian people for more than eight years and been to Norway twice so I can support many of the articles in the book. I don't remember finding any misconception at all, what is pretty rare when it comes to this kind of books. The only drawback are the pictures and illustrations, hence the 4-stars. Although it is not meant to be a photo album, maybe if the images were not monochrome, it would become more appealing to the reader. Minor flaw, though. All in all, I recommend it.

Editorial Review:

The Culture Smart! titles are not your basic travel guides: they are consistently updated customs and etiquette references for more than 25 countries, with six new titles available this fall. Now more than ever, travelers are more than just sightseers and tourists; they're ambassadors making impressions of the United States wherever they go. Readers will find these to be invaluable for pointing them on their way to a safe and fun trip abroad.

Eyewitness Travel Guides to Cuba (Eyewitness Travel Guides)

DK Publishing

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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:

Recognized the world over by both seasoned and novice travelers, the Eyewitness Travel Guides are the most unique and comprehensive guides on the market. Let DK show you what other guides only tell you about! Eyewitness Travel Guides set the standard for balancing sightseeing, historical, and practical information. Beautiful, specially commissioned photographs and spectacular 3-D aerial views reveal the charm of each city, country, or region. Each guide also includes a special survival guide that provides information on local customs, currency, medical services, and transportation. Recognized the world over by both seasoned and novice travelers, the Eyewitness Travel Guides are the most colorful and comprehensive guides on the market!

The Travel Detective: How to Get the Best Service and the Best Deals from Airlines, Hotels, Cruise Ships, and Car Rental Agencies

Peter Greenberg

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 62 Average rating: 3.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

Renowned travel authority and NBC Today show travel editor Peter Greenberg shares his insider secrets.

Americans now travel more than ever before. Yet as our traveling has increased, the service we receive from airlines, hotels, and other agencies has deteriorated dramatically. Industry surveys reveal what you already feel: growing dissatisfaction among travelers of every age, income, and education level. We've been abused by the travel experience. Peter Greenberg is here to help. The Travel Detective tells you the things most travel agents can't — or sometimes just won't — tell you. In his characteristic friendly and conversational tone, Greenberg tells how to find the secret walk-up fares that can save air travelers hundreds, if not thousands of dollars on last minutes flights; which coach seats on which planes are better than first class; the secret rule to know to avoid being bumped from a flight, which cruise ship brochures lie; which credit card companies are fastest — and slowest — to come to your aid in a foreign land, or worse, in the U.S.,; which hotels have the best — and the worst — fire and crime safety records, and how you can protect yourself; how to negotiate the best hotel room deal; which hotels have the worst water pressure in their showers (and better yet, how you can get great water pressure, even at those hotels); and much, much more. Accessible and entertaining, The Travel Detective gives you the information and tools you need to make every trip an affordable pleasure.

The Appalachian Trail : How to Prepare for & Hike It

Jan D. Curran

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

Mediocre Literature 3 out of 5 stars.
31 of 33 people found this review helpful.

I personally have bought every book possible concerning the Appalachian Trail while planning my thru-hike. However, if you are concerned about money, or wasting time reading for that matter, I would advise not to buy any of Jan Curran's books. I have read all three of his on the AT and have found them very boring, to the point of difficult to finish. Other books out there are much worthwhile.

Nonetheless, this book would be voted as the best of the three, with decent general purpose advice for long distance hikes. But there is nothing unique about the information. Pick up any hiking book and it will provide the same background. It just seems to skim the surface.

disappointing 2 out of 5 stars.
14 of 18 people found this review helpful.

Just as disappointing as Curran's "TheAppalachian Trail: A Journey of Discovery." Much is promised, but little is delivered.

GOOD REFERENCE 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

You have to admit, this IS a good general reference book for the virgin AT hiker, because of its size; good info compacted and goes well with other sources, but you won't find a seasoned through-hiker carrying one!

Editorial Review:

AT THRU-HIKE PLANNER