Insiders Books

Rules, Britannia: An Insider's Guide to Life in the United Kingdom

Toni Summers Hargis

Amazon Price: $16.47 List Price: $24.95 Usually ships in 2 to 4 weeks By: Thomas Dunne Books Amazon Marketplace: 17 new & used starting at $12.92

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Subjects -> Reference -> Etiquette -> General
Subjects -> Reference -> Etiquette -> General AAS
Subjects -> Reference -> Words & Language -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 6 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Toni Hargis for Ambassador! 5 out of 5 stars.
10 of 10 people found this review helpful.

Whilst scanning my local bookstore's shelves for a quick read I came across "Rules, Britannia" by Toni Summers Hargis. After finishing it (in one sitting) I know not to say "it was 'quite' good", for that would indicate something less than extreme pleasure on my part. "Rules, Britannia" is VERY good, informative and funny and while our language differences deserve credit for the book's inspiration the author has earned all of the rest.

Having grown up on the other side of the pond, Ms. Hargis has spent sixteen years in the States and has a perspective that is most welcome from an American point of view. For those of us who have spent a good amount of time in England, reading "Rules, Britannia" tells one more of the things one doesn't know but probably should. This is not merely a collective glossary of word translations (although at the end of each chapter there is one, relating to that particular chapter) but a look at what every American needs to know upon visiting the mother country. From transportation and food to shopping and partying, the author is a gentle teacher, or perhaps more of a cultural ambassador.

What Toni Hargis does so well is relate things from an English viewpoint. I was surprised to see that the Brits find it very rude if you refer to another person in your midst as "he" or "she", or that if you cannot attend a dinner party it is essential (almost to a comical fault) that you let your host know exactly the reasons WHY you won't be there. I laughed out loud after reading about the fact that Brits never park their car leaving it in gear when the author then goes on to say, "if you borrow someone's car, for heaven's sake don't leave it in gear when you return it, or the owner will kangaroo straight through the garden wall next time the engine's turned on." Who can resist such advice?!

Occasionally, you'll find some repetitions in the book....what you're reading you just read a few pages ago. A couple of additions would be good also... (unless I missed them) when stepping off the pavement make sure to look right before crossing the street (there are reminders on London streets) and if trying to book passage on BritRail on Christmas Day or Boxing Day, forget about it. I suppose this is a way of saying there is probably enough material for another book by author Hargis.....one I would stand hours in a queue to purchase!

I highly recommend "Rules, Brittania". It's practical, down-to-earth and immensely enjoyable.

Editorial Review:

How do you respond to a dinner invitation that said -Eight for eight thirty+? What might induce you to get off a London train at a place called Mud Chute? And why do the Brits keep saying -Who+s she, the cat+s mother?+ Rules, Britannia is an invaluable resource for Americans who want to make a smooth transition when visiting or relocating to the UK. It is an entertaining and practical insider+s guide containing scores of established do+s and don+ts from across the pond that only a Brit would know:¥ Showing two fingers doesn+t mean -peace+ in the UK¥ When driving, never turn on red and for heaven+s sake, keep left!¥ Don+t stress over the salad plate.Covering such essential topics as vocabulary, house or -flat+-hunting, business culture, child-rearing, and even relationship etiquette, this book will lessen the anxiety that comes with a trans-Atlantic move or extended visit, while giving the reader a leg up on the advanced communication ladder.

Rome with Kids: An Insider's Guide

J.M. Pasquesi

Amazon Price: $11.53 List Price: $16.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Synergy Books Amazon Marketplace: 27 new & used starting at $10.15

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Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 7 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Must have book for families in Rome! 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

I was amazed at this book! If you are planning a trip to Rome this book is for you! I think it is great for Kids of all ages, that includes Moms Dads and Grandparents, I loved the format. Rome can be a little daunting at times, And this book can help in keeping everyone happy intertained and well fed! Just a great book!

Rome with Kids is enthusiastically recommended to parents for its attention to detail and ease of use. 5 out of 5 stars.
4 of 4 people found this review helpful.

Rome With Kids is a guide to making the most of one's visit to Rome, the great seat of Western civilization, written especially for parents with children in tow. Color photographs and maps enhance the step-by-step itineraries, recommendations for kid-friendly activities, advice on viewing the finest museum collections before the kids burn out, tips on where to shop or rent bikes, and much more. Written by mother and former Rome resident J.M. Pasquesi, Rome with Kids is enthusiastically recommended to parents for its attention to detail and ease of use.

Editorial Review:

Scrambling around ruins; exploring underground excavations; searching for gladiators, secret passageways, and creepy skeletons; feasting on pizza and gelato-Rome with Kids is a dream. Revel in the glory of Roman Civilization without hearing 'I'm bored!' as an insider guides you through Rome with field-tested tours that tell you what to see and how to see it with children.

Support Your RV Lifestyle! An Insider's Guide to Working on the Road, 2nd Edition

Jaimie Hall

Amazon Price: $13.57 List Price: $19.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Pine Country Publishing Amazon Marketplace: 17 new & used starting at $13.57

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Subjects -> Business & Investing -> Job Hunting & Careers -> Job Hunting
Subjects -> Nonfiction -> Transportation -> RVs
Subjects -> Sports -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 17 Average rating: 5.0 of 5

Planning for the best of both worlds 5 out of 5 stars.
7 of 8 people found this review helpful.

Many people who contemplate living the RV lifestyle probably equate it with a leisurely retirement. But what if you combine RVing with a lucrative work life? You may discover that you can hit the road at a younger age and reap more rewards.
Support Your RV Lifestyle spells out in great detail exactly how to live this dream life. Jaimie Hall speaks from her own experience and culls information from a wealth of other sources to create a comprehensive tool for planning to live and work on the road.
Just as you wouldn't set out on a trip without a road map, you would be miles ahead by consulting this guide before embarking on this life journey. There's a lot more to consider than where to park your vehicle each night. Don't assume you'll just "find a job" when you reach your destination. There are many considerations, from tying your marketable skills to a job on the road, to balancing work and fun, to tax implications. Because Ms. Hall is so thorough with her guidance, you will be well-equipped to make decisions about how to combine work with pleasure.
It is likely that some of her 100-plus pages of worksheets and resource lists would assist travelers in general, not only those traveling and working out of an RV. You'll recoup the price of this travel guide many times if you choose to follow its course for living and working on the road

Editorial Review:

The ultimate handbook for those who are thinking about working or volunteering as they travel in their RV. Second edition is completely revised and updated and includes more than 350 jobs and moneymaking opportunities and 72 pages of resources.

The Insider's Arizona Guidebook (Travel Arizona Collection: Arizona Highways)

David N. Mitchell

Amazon Price: $15.61 List Price: $22.95 Usually ships in 24 hours By: Arizona Highways Books Amazon Marketplace: 41 new & used starting at $7.59

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Subjects -> Travel -> Guidebook Series -> Insiders
Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> Regions -> West -> General
Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> Regions -> West -> Mountain

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

Another Masterpiece by Arizona Highways!!! 5 out of 5 stars.
18 of 19 people found this review helpful.

If you are going to travel to Arizona, you need this book. It is an Arizona masterpiece. Arizona is loaded with so many unique places to see, that it is hard to see them all. This book help you to see all that you can see in any one particular area of Arizona. The photos in this book are just phenominal. Arizona has it all, and this book does a superb job of showing it to you. It makes you see and feel the places before you go explore them. Even if you think you have done and seen it all, this book will show you something worthwhile that you missed. This book will show you that Arizona is not a desert, it is natures wonderland just waiting for you to explore. If you are planning a trip to Arizona, you will be happy if you purchase this book before your trip. And if you are not planning a trip to Arizona and purchase this book, you will probably be planning a trip soon. Sedona, Grand Canyon, Havasupai Falls, Aravaipa Canyon, Ramsey Canyon, Sabino Canyon, Tombstone, the old Spanish Missions, the Superstition Mpuntains, Monument Valley, Canyon de Chelly, Saguaro National Park, Catalina Highway, Kartchner Caverns, Antelope Canyon, Old Route 66, Montezumas Castle, Arizona wine country and many more await you in this book. What are you waiting for, BUY IT!

Insiders' Guide to North Carolina's Outer Banks, 29th (Insiders' Guide Series)

Julian Kinglsey

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Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> Regions -> South -> East South Central

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

What a travel guide should be 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

This book is fantastic! It gives a very detailed description about everything you'd need for a wonderful trip to the Outer Banks.

I especially like the way it's laid out, with each section going "north to south". For example, the restaurants section starts at the north end of the islands and works its way down to the very south. Same with accommodations, etc.

It also definitely gives you a "feel" for the place - telling the type of vibe each community has and what the general demographics are.

Highly recommended!

Editorial Review:

From Corolla to Kitty Hawk to Roanoke and Hattaras Islands, North Carolina's Outer Banks abounds with beaches, lighthouses, shopping centers, nature trails, wildlife sanctuaries, historical cottages, and more--all waiting for visitors and residents alike to explore. This comprehensive and authoritative guide provides insider tips and insight on all the current attractions, activities, and area information on North Carolina's Outer Banks.

The Complete Travel Detective Bible: The Consummate Insider Tells You What You Need to Know in an Increasingly Complex World!

Peter Greenberg

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Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> General
Subjects -> Health, Mind & Body -> General AAS
Subjects -> Reference -> General

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 16 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

Editorial Review:

This ultimate "physician’s desk reference" for travelers addresses the questions, anxieties, concerns, and desire for essential information that are common to seasoned and novice travelers alike. Peter Greenberg, best-selling author, trusted Today show travel editor, and the man that writer Paul Theroux calls "the liberator and defender of the traveling public," offers an encyclopedic look at every aspect of the travel process, both domestically and internationally, from the true definition of travel terms to in-depth explanations of how things really work. Do you want to know which airline seats are the best and worst? How you can vacation in a lighthouse, a monastery, or even a converted prison? Which countries require you to get visas before you visit? Or won’t let you in even if you have a passport? Which airlines are the worst "bumping" offenders? How you can avoid hidden fees? The Complete Travel Detective Bible offers up answers to these questions and much more. Everything is cross-referenced and each chapter is filled with useful charts, lists, and diagrams, making for an easily accessible format. Greenberg, who has been to more than 146 countries, is an expert without equal at outplaying the travel industry at its own games, securing the best fares, accommodations, and service at the lowest possible prices. He shares every one of these hard-won, ingenious insider secrets in this book, making The Complete Travel Detective Bible the ultimate word on travel today.

Insiders' Guide to Baltimore, 5th (Insiders' Guide Series)

Mary K. Tilghman

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Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> Regions -> Northeast -> Mid Atlantic
Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> Regions -> South -> South Atlantic

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

Going to Baltimore? Take a look at this! 4 out of 5 stars.
5 of 5 people found this review helpful.

I'm doing a series of long weekends this summer rather than one long vacation. I kind of like this variation on summer vacationing! This past weekend? Baltimore. To prepare, I bought this book, and it proved to be a nice investment.

I have the good fortune to live in central Pennsylvania (in Hershey), and lots of cool places are within driving range--from New York City to Virginia on the coast, and to many places inland.

This volume is recent enough so that it outlines restaurants that are still in operation, the usual sites to see, and so on.

The book opens with some general background, including a brief history of the area.

Then, the usual components--where to stay (including a nice section on beds and breakfasts), where to eat, nightlife, shopping, antiques, events, the arts, and so on.

For instance, where to dine. The area is broken down by geography and then some suggested venues noted for each. I was at the Inner Harbor, so "Downtown" is what I focused on. The selection was very helpful. Indeed, there are more good places than I could possible try out! So, on our next visit to Baltimore, I have outlined a set of neat places to dine, necessitating selecting a hotel in a somewhat different area of the city.

In the end, this is a useful volume if you are interested in some time in Baltimore.

Editorial Review:

This quintessential guide will take you through Baltimore with the expertise of local insiders. From information about moving to the area to great recreational activites and day trips, this guide has everything you're looking for when travelling in the area.

Insiders' Guide to Austin, 5th (Insiders' Guide Series)

Hilary Hylton, Cam Rossie

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Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> Regions -> South -> West South Central
Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> States -> Texas -> Austin

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

A must for both tourists and residents 5 out of 5 stars.
20 of 21 people found this review helpful.

Reviewed by Irene Watson for Reader Views (8/06)

I've lived in Austin for over 16 years and was very interested in knowing what others say about it as well as what suggestions they might have. Needless to say, I found out much more than I anticipated and am grateful to have this wonderful reference book in my library now.

The authors condense much information into a concise, readable publication that could easily be carried in purse while trekking the area. It's also a great reference guide to have not only for out-of-town visitors, but for residents also.

The beginning of the book gives a quick overview while touching on politics and history. The remainder of the book covers hotels/motels, B and Bs, restaurants, night life, music scene, shopping as well as attractions, annual events, arts, recreation, and sports. For those wanting to move to Austin the authors address relocation as well as the senior scene, health care, education, schools and places of worship.

As I perused "Insiders' Guide® to Austin" I spent more time than I anticipated - in fact hours more, and not only that, this is a book that I will keep in my vehicle because not only does it give detailed information it also has pertinent maps that are easy to follow. Also, the restaurant guide is very in depth and I found many that we frequent and highly recommend, however, there are many others that I put on our "must try" list. The other section that was of particular interest to me was "kidstuff." I wish I had this book when our grandchildren were younger and came to visit. I often struggled trying to find fun activities for them to attend.

Whether you are a resident of the Austin area, or anticipating a visit or relocation, "Insiders' Guide® to Austin" is a must have. It has everything in it that you need to know, and more.

Insiders' Guide to Palm Springs (Insiders' Guide Series)

Carolyn Patten

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Subjects -> Travel -> North America

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 2 Average rating: 3.5 of 5

Book Review 4 out of 5 stars.
2 of 2 people found this review helpful.

Just got back from a Palm Spring Vacation and the book is accurate. One of the few guides available with any substance. Maps are okay (could use color though), as are comments on attractions. Palm Springs is a laid-back place and there just is not a lot to write about.

Restauants seem to go out of business regularly in Palm Springs, so the restaurant section is a little out-dated. However, descriptions of the Blue Coyote and other places are dead on.

Palm Springs Travel Guide 3 out of 5 stars.
0 of 0 people found this review helpful.

This book gives a comprehensive overall of the Palm Springs tourist must sees, restaurant reviews, accomodations, shopping, Etc. Handy for planning and to take along on your trip.

Editorial Review:

Cowboys, Native Americans, Hollywood stars, world-renowned architects, Fortune 500 heads, and just plain folks have put their stamp on Palm Springs for more than 100 years, making it a fascinating place to visit and live. The Insiders¿ Guide to Palm Springs is your definitive guide to the best of the desert, from elegant resorts to bargain shopping and everything in between.

Insiders' Guide to Portland, Oregon, 5th: Including the Metro Area and Vancouver, Washington (Insiders' Guide Series)

Rachel Dresbeck

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Subjects -> Travel -> Canada -> Cities -> Vancouver
Subjects -> Travel -> Guidebook Series -> Insiders
Subjects -> Travel -> United States -> Regions -> West -> Pacific

Customer Reviews:
Total reviews: 4 Average rating: 4.0 of 5

A Great Book About The Portland Metro Area 5 out of 5 stars.
5 of 12 people found this review helpful.

INSIDERS' GUIDE TO PORTLAND, OREGON, 5TH is a great guide to the cities of Portland and Vancouver, as well as their surrounding suburbs. Besides such information as house values, attractions, and the quality of schools in the area, the book also features detailed listings of the radio stations in the area, as well as in-depth discussions of what types of healthy-eating ideas and ethnic cuisine you can find in this metroplex. The book lacks a deep discussion of shopping malls in the area, preferring instead to focus on the other types of stores where a guy can find things to keep his woman happy, including CDs to dance to with her and clothes to help him look his best for her, which seems to indicate that independent stores are often the way to go to keep such promises, especially in a high-culture area such as Portland/Vancouver. Despite the lack of information on local malls, however, it's a wonderful book.

Editorial Review:

With more microbreweries than any other city, the nation's largest bookstore, and the most beautiful Japanese garden outside of Japan, Portland is an ideal place to live or visit. Highlighting the best of the city's arts, recreation, and dining, this guide is essential for anyone wishing to get the most out of what Portland has to offer.